COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed several operations at Church of the Ascension. Our desire is to keep everyone — members of the church, clergy and other staff, visitors, and those seeking assistance from the church — as safe as we can from the coronavirus. You can click on any of the following links to learn more about each topic:

Worship Services   Programs and Ministries Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals

Pastoral Care   Office Hours Messages from Bishops and Clergy Finances

Worship Services

There are several options for worship at Ascension.

On Sundays:

• While Ontario is under a Stay-at-Home order, public worship inside the church has been suspended until at least June 1.
• The service is live-streamed on Ascension’s YouTube channel.
• This chart will help you sort out what’s possible under Ontario’s colour-coded pandemic restrictions framework:

• When we do have in-person worship, the protocols are explained in this video:

• And this video from Ascension’s Health & Wellness Team explains the proper wearing and use of masks:

On Wednesdays:

• A short service of Morning Prayer is held on Zoom at 9 a.m.
• This service is followed by a Bible Study of approximately an hour in length, depending on how the discussion goes
• If you wish to participate, contact Pastor Jim Garey at prjim@yahoo.com to arrange for the Zoom invitation.

Daily:

• Pastor Jim Garey conducts a 15-minute Evening Prayer service daily from his home on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/videojim45.

Programs and Ministries

• The Community Breakfast is served as takeout at the church door on the third Tuesday of every month, followed by delivery to agencies supporting homeless people. Takeout times are approximate, but usually go from 7:30 to 10 a.m.
• A Bible Study is held on Zoom every Wednesday at 9 a.m., beginning with short service of Morning Prayer. If you wish to participate, contact Pastor Jim Garey at prjim@yahoo.com to arrange for the Zoom invitation.
• Other church groups, renters, and other outside users of the church have not resumed their programming. When they do, they will meet the church’s pandemic guidelines.

Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals

• Baptisms, weddings and funerals are being held. Please contact Rev. Canon June Hough at 226-448-8790 or junehough@rogers.com for information on how these will be conducted during the pandemic. Restrictions change according to evolving provincial and diocesan rules.

Pastoral Care

• Pastoral care is still available from our clergy. Click here for contact information.
• Only urgent cases will be able to have an in-person visit. Face coverings are required. Hugs and handshakes are not permitted
• If Anointing the Sick, the anointer will wash their hands before and after the anointing.

Office Hours

• The Parish Administrator is working a mix of hours in the office and at home. Office visits are by appointment only. She can be contacted through the usual office channels listed on the Find Us page.

Messages from Bishops and Clergy

• April 17, 2021: Newest Diocese of Huron rules based on provincial rules
• March 11, 2021: Archbishop Linda Nicholls, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, offered this prayer on the first anniversary of the declaration of the pandemic:

  God of infinite compassion and mercy,
  Our hearts are overflowing with a flood of emotions from the past year,
  Fear and sorrow and grief — endurance, relief, and hope,
  For the families of all who have died, who have been unable yet to mourn,
  we ask your comfort
  For health care workers persevering in the battle with the disease
  we ask your strength and courage,
  For government and public health leaders
  we ask your wisdom
  For all facing the relentless uncertainties that continue
  we ask your endurance and peace,
  We give thanks
  for the resilience discovered within us,
  We give thanks
  for all who continue to work to protect and care for us
  We give thanks
  for your unending love and compassion in our midst at all times.
  As we face the year ahead
  fill our hearts with that same love and compassion for our world and its needs
  For in you we find all that is needed — for whatever lies ahead. Amen.

• Nov. 13 message from Bishop Todd Townshend: About the Province of Ontario moving some areas of the Diocese into more COVID-19 restrictions.
• Oct. 9 message from Bishop Todd Townshend: Thanksgiving message
• Oct. 8 letter from Rev. Canon June Hough: Thanksgiving message
• Oct. 7 message from Metropolitan Bishop Anne Germond: Thanksgiving greetings
• June 8 message from Bishop Todd Townshend: Reiterates Anglican churches still closed despite change in Ontario regulations at that time.
• June 1 letter from Metropolitan Bishop Anne Germond Topic: Anglican churches not reopening until at least September.
• April 10: Easter blessing letter from Rev. Canon June Hough
• March 13 message from Bishop Todd Townshend of the Diocese of Huron Topic: Suspension of Public Worship as of Sunday, March 15

Finances

• February 2021: A year without rental or fundraising income have left us in a very difficult position.
• Sept. 23: An update of financials from April to August, the pandemic months.
• July 14 Ascension financial update: January to June financial report
• June 19 Ascension financial update: Ascension did not qualify for CEWS in May
• June 12 Ascension financial update
• May 13: Executive communications : Includes updates on the Capital Campaign and Operating Funds, the Delayed Sale of the Back of Property and the Mortgage Renewal
• April 16: Executive communications Finances and stewardship
• March 21 Executive communications Topics include finances