Hello St. John’s family, 

I greet you in the name of God: Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier.

I write to you regarding resuming in-person worship at St. John the Divine. 

While the Public Health Authority currently allows indoor, in person worship, the Diocese has given June 15th as the earliest a church can reopen without special permission.  Bishop John, however, has made it abundantly clear that parishes do not need to resume in-person services at this time.  

After consulting with parish council, we have decided that St. John’s will take a more cautious approach, with plans to resume in-person Night Prayer services starting July 4th, and Sunday morning services remaining on-line. We are planning for in-person Sunday morning services to resume in September. 

The reason for this is two-fold: first, out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of our community; and second, this will make it easier to coordinate my time away for vacation and study leave over the summer months (4 weeks). 

On top of the in-person Night Prayer, we will be organizing other in person services and get-togethers over the coming months. This includes monthly services for St. Bernard’s in Whistler, an upcoming ride-by bicycle blessing (TBD), and “garden” office hours.   

We will continue to monitor the situation and will remain responsive in terms of adjusting the plan. 

I know this has been difficult for many of us, I too desperately miss standing in our beautiful space with you and sharing in prayer and fellowship together. I know this decision might disappoint some people. For that I am sorry and thank you for your grace and understanding. If you would like to share how you are feeling, have questions, or would like to talk for any reasons, please contact me. 

To finish I want to share with you a blessing from Common Prayer, a resource that we use at our Thursday morning prayer group. 

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you;

may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm;

may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you;

may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our door. 

May Christ bring us all home rejoicing. 

Your brother in Christ, 


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