The following list includes current COVID-19 activities and resources, compiled from both inside and outside of the diocese. It is a complementary list to the one that was created back in March 2020, which is available here on the Diocese of Rupert’s Land website.
COVID-19 Resources
All Saints
- Every Sunday during Advent, at 1:00 p.m., All Saints is hosting a Zoom coffee hour! Each week, there will be a Zoom link sent out by email (and in our mail-out package to those with limited internet access). The Zoom will be an informal, one-hour come and go – just like after church. You can arrive and stay as long as you like. Think of it as a virtual church foyer!
St. Chad’s, Winnipeg
- Our parish has a “Telepals” organization which normally would send occasional messages via telephone to parishioners. During Covid isolation, the “Telepals” check in with folks, share communications about parish activities, say a prayer from the rector, and survey how the parish might assist them or do things that are pertinent to the life of the individuals. These have been important points for pastoral care, for mental health checks, and for letting the parish leadership know the general mood of the parish. The Coordinator of the organization receives a script so callers can do the work of phoning without wondering what to say.
- Parishioners who are not on the internet receive a weekly mailing which includes a Morning Prayer outline, an announcement sheet, and a devotional from the rector. Two volunteers have been responsible for this initiative since the lockdown in March 2020.
St. John’s Cathedral
- Zoom discussions follow the live-streamed services on Sundays at 10:30, which are available on Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsAnglicanCathedralWinnipeg.
- The Dean does devotionals late afternoon or early evening and posts to his Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/revpaul.johnson.
- The Cathedral publishes an electronic newsletter and sends it to our congregants, families, and friends by email each Friday. It is filled with church, cemetery, and historical information, as well as recipes, photos, jokes, and links to great websites.
St. Thomas, Weston
- “Deeper Dive” Discussion Group: Join St Thomas as we embark on a new Zoom series where we take a “Deeper Dive” into topics of Christianity, Faith, Anglicanism, and what it means to follow the teachings of God today. Our first series will focus on the coming season of Advent, what it is and why it’s important to us today.
- Dates include:
- Nov 29, 2020 11:30 a.m.
- Dec 6, 2020 11:30 a.m.
- Dec 13, 2020 11:30 a.m.
- Dec 20, 2020 11:30 a.m.
- Send us a message on our Facebook page for more details.
- Dates include:
st benedict’s table
- st. benedict’s table has organized some really wonderful and creative COVID-19 initiatives, including news, links, podcasts, and online gatherings, which are all available on the st benedict’s webpage, For a Time Like This.
St. Margaret’s
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Coffee Hour: Pandemic Edition! For anyone and everyone missing the opportunity to have a brief chat with some familiar folks after the worship service on Sunday mornings: join us for Coffee Hour via Zoom on Sundays at 12:00, hosted by Bonnie and Graham throughout Advent. This week’s conversation topic: Coffee – what’s the best kind? What’s your go-to-coffee-making method? Do you actually prefer tea? We look forward to seeing you! Join Zoom Meeting here.
- In an effort to both create a space for the varied and unique voices of the parish and escape the “dark wood of media, St. Margaret’s keeps a prolific blog, The Westminster Review. Here, you’ll find musings from both staff and parishioners, on everything from the Great War to sauteed rapini!
St. Aidan’s
- December 7-12: St. Aidan’s is launching a week-long video seminar to teach the Inductive Bible Study method. This is a teaching by Tamara Mitton and also involves various members of St. Aidan’s. The videos light-hearted, as well as very informative! Those interested can join our email list to receive access.
- January 1, 2021: St Aidan’s is launching an initiative for the whole parish to read through the Bible in one year together. There are a variety of ways people can join in this, including: using an app called Read Scripture; watching The Bible Project’s video summaries of each book of the Bible; weekday posts on the Pastor’s Blog that teach and encourage from that day’s scheduled reading; Sunday sermons that follow the week’s readings; and various discussion forums. Through this initiative, St. Aidan’s will be effectively “staying on the same page” together all through 2021.
- The parish is also currently in the process of forming groups of three, based on the scripture from Ephesians 4:12: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. The aim is that everyone connected to St. Aidan’s will have two or three others who are actively encouraging and supporting them.
- Outside the parish, St. Aidan’s has been collecting hats, mittens, scarves, and winter wear, which will be delivered to the community of Leaf Rapids. They are also helping parents in prison give Christmas gifts to their children by purchasing and delivering gifts on behalf of the parent. St. Aidan’s continues their relationship with Naomi House with the provision of food and supplies and visits when allowed. On the front lawn of the church, there is a community cupboard that is regularly restocked for those in need of food and hygiene items. The parish is also developing a video message to be delivered to front-line workers to thank and support them. Some of our parishioners are also preparing Christmas gifts for our homebound parishioners.
