RELIGIOUS LEADERS HOLD FIRST MEETING WITH PREMIER FRANÇOIS LEGAULT
Since its creation last spring, the Table interreligieuse de concertation du Québec has worked to establish a dialogue with the authorities to serve the common good. In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it more particularly encourages dialogue with public health officials, in order to protect together the most vulnerable people in our society. This is how the strict protocols were developed that govern the holding of religious services according to the alert levels established by Public Health.
The Table dissociates itself completely from religious groups which do not conform to the protocols negotiated with the government.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020, the Table’s coordinating committee met with the Premier of Quebec, Mr. François Legault, along with the member for Montmorency, Mr. Jean-François Simard. For more than an hour, the frank and open discussion focused on the active participation of faith communities in efforts to curb the present pandemic…
Download the press release (in French): https://bit.ly/2020-12-03-COVID-Legault-PressRelease
A CALL FOR COMPASSION
A letter from our Regional Council president, Rev. Linda Buchanan, calls on communities of faith to carefully consider how to show compassion and care to members and ministry personnel during the holiday season and beyond.
Download the letter: https://bit.ly/2020-12-COVID-PastoralMessage-E
CONSIDERING CREATIVE OPTIONS
We have been seeing some real creativity in our communities of faith as they strive to adapt traditional practices to safer alternatives. If you have stories, ideas or questions about how your community of faith could shine a light of hope and care for others, please contact the COVID Response Team. Some of the areas that might be helpful to consider include:
- Online fundraising: bazaars, auctions, etc. via Facebook or web site
- Safe communion practices: staying seated and distanced, pre-packaged elements, online celebrations
- Outdoor worship: brief, distanced gathering clearly identified as worship for members and tracked using same protocols as indoor worship.
Send your stories and ideas to jcoffin@united-church.ca
REMINDER: Despite the heartfelt desire to sing together and share music during the holiday season, it is absolutely necessary to have only have one person singing (at a safe distance from others) during in-person worship (no choirs or congregational singing). NOTE: This caution also applies to wind instruments, which may be considered as a “voice” since they project the breath of the musician into the space.
Read Broadview article about reimagining singing during COVID: https://broadview.org/christmas-singing-covid/
Visit web site for additional information on COVID protocols/resources: https://nakonhakaucc.ca/resources/covid-19/
Contact the COVID Response Team via Brian Ruse: BRuse@united-church.ca