• Public Worship at the Ascension: Church of the Ascension has commenced public worship. Service will be at 11 a.m. each Sunday. You will need to complete a Covid-19 Screening Questionnaire as part of the registration. You can also forward the completed form via email (office email: [email protected]) or you may come in to the office to fill one out Monday to Wednesday each week, between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
  • Preregistration will be required in order to attend services
  • The questionnaires must be returned to the office no later than Wednesday each week.
  • Masks are required upon entering the building.
  • Everyone must enter and exit through the main doors of the church to attend services.
  • Please have your own hand sanitizer in the event you feel the need to sanitize your hands after you have been seated.
  • If you would like to use a cushion in your seat, please bring along your own as we are not able to supply one at this time.
  • Due to Covid 19 guidelines, doors and windows may be open during service so you are reminded to wear warm clothes.

As we progress further into autumn we will be enabling worship to be live-streamed from the parish. Please check the website weekly for updates. If you have any questions, please contact Peggy at [email protected] or 368 – 5693.

• Guidelines For Singing In Church:
  • Singing is not permitted during the full service with an exception for the final hymn;
  • Congregation members may hum during the hymns;
  • Hymns may be sung by one single singer or a small group of singers physically distanced from the congregation;
  • Singers must wear well-fitting masks while singing indoors and face forward;
  • Physical distancing is maintained;
  • Papers are to be removed by each individual participant;
  • If you feel faint or overcome, please refrain from singing.

• Morning Prayer:  We will be praying Morning Prayer from the Chapel at 9:00 a.m. daily, incorporating daily prayer for members of our parish.
• Wednesday Prayers: If you would like to join us each Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. for prayers, you may do so through our YouTube channel at youtu.be/4cW04301jDA. The next Wednesday Prayers will be on Wednesday, November 18.
• Home Communions in the Parish: Reverend Burrows and Reverend Courage will be expanding their home communicant list should anyone wish to receive the sacrament at their home. This is according to Provincial and Diocesan guidelines. If you would like to receive communion in your home, please contact the office and speak with Peggy to make arrangements.
• Daily Devotionals Books/Prayer Books: Daily Devotional books and prayer books are available. Should you wish to stop by to pick these up, please contact the office.
• Pre-Authorized Givings:  If you would like to set up pre-authorized givings, please take a pamphlet from either entrance of the church or from church office. Simply fill one out, drop it into the office and we will you set up your automated givings. Thank you!
• Office Closure: The office will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Armistice Day.
• Home Again Furniture Bank: Infinitely More virtual Concert: Infinitely More, an award winning Christian music duo, will perform their grand finale concert on Saturday, November 21st (5:30 p.m.) in aid of Home Again Furniture Bank. This free-to-view concert has a PayPal tip jar and your tip will support the free furnishing of homes in the region. The concert airs live on: facebook.com/InfinitelyMoreBand and youtube.com/InfinitelyMoreBand
• Clergy Contact During the COVID-19 Pandemic: For the past six months the clergy have aimed to make contact with parishioners by way of e-mail or a phone call. If you would like to receive a physically distanced visit from Reverend David or Reverend Lynn, please call the office or contact the clergy via email.
• Christmas Puddings: The Church of the Good Shepherd will be selling Christmas puddings once again this year. Cost is $15 each. If you are interested in purchasing one, please call 747-1022 to order. Thank you.
• CLB News:
  • Friday Dinner Take-out/Pick Up: Each Friday, the CLB will be offering dinner take-out (curbside pickup), or delivery on five or more dinners ordered. Curbside pickup from CLB Armoury, 82 Harvey Road, available on Friday from 12:00-1:30. To pre-order, you can call 722-1737. Order cutoff is 4 p.m. on Wednesday. A gluten-free option is available. Please advise of any allergies or dietary restrictions.

• Services During the Week:
  • Monday – Friday: 9:00am, Morning Prayer in the Chapel
  • Monday, Nov. 15 (Pentecost 24): 7:00pm, Holy Eucharist/BAS

At the beginning of the lockdown for Covid19 in March I wrote a weekly word that focussed on the imagery of sticks and stones, and prayers for healing and reconciliation. The image that you see is what I placed on my desk as a reminder and challenge for my prayer.

In the subsequent weeks, pandemic isolation brought with it a shutdown of the office, and a necessity for so many of us to work and rest, relax and learn from home. So many of us learned of the challenges of isolation, of interacting with family as well as maintaining our responsibilities amid the fear and reality of this pandemic.

With cautious careful preparation we shifted back into a new normal and new routine in the waning days of summer, and then launched ourselves into a busy fall with new restrictions and expectations upon a world that has now become accustomed to contact tracing, mask wearing, physical distancing and routine sanitization. Even in this new way of being there is an indefinite and uncomfortable reality for us all.

As we look further into autumn, for me life and work has become busy in familiar and emerging ways, bringing with it challenge and a sense of purpose. In this, the busyness of my office space has increased, and the sticks and stones images on my desk at times have become cluttered and covered with the work of the week. Today I dusted off these sticks and stones, as I am reminded that they are still marker points for the journey that we are called to live each and every moment.

I forget at times, and I get caught up in functions, processes, feelings, and in the doing of things, that sometimes impedes those very important acts of service and prayer:

Understanding, courage, no anger, peace, clarity, forgiveness, more love, and peace on earth

I lament that I get so caught up at times, and fail to keep these in my daily acts of prayer and response to others.

As we journey this week into acts of prayer and remembrance, these marker posts are essential in the changing of life and of the world, to reflect the Holy One.

As we stand silently in remembrance. As we see poppy, uniform, wreath, let us be at one with these words. As we hear anthems and listen to bugles, let us never forget the call by the Holy One for all humanity to cease with war and dissension. Human life and dignity are essential as we live in this society and all others. These are the pieces that Scripture has pointed to in the words of the prophets and in the life of Jesus.

‘They shall beat their swords into plowshares,
And their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
Neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4

 Peace,

Let us pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask that God may give us peace: for the service men and women who have died in the violence of war, each one remembered by and known to God;
May God give peace
God give peace

For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief and the sadness of our loss.
May God give peace
God give peace

For all members of the armed forces who are in danger this day, remembering family, friends and all who pray for their safe return.
May God give peace
God give peace

For civilian women, men and children whose lives are disfigured by war or terror, calling to mind in penitence the anger and hatreds of humanity. We pray for those who are sick in body, mind and spirit especially those on the Ascension Prayer Cycle.
May God give peace
God give peace

For peace-makers and peace-keepers
who seek to keep this world secure and free.
May God give peace
God give peace

For the Church of God gathered by the Suffering Servant, may we lay down our lives and live in peace with one another and all of God’s good creation. We pray for our Electoral Synod delegates, Charlene, Gerald, Jonathan, Josiah and Sam, for the Parish of St. Philip and St. Thomas, for those worshipping in the West Indies, for The CLB and The Royal Canadian Legion.

May God give peace
God give peace

For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership, - political, military and religious, asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve in the search for reconciliation and peace.

May God give peace
God give peace

O God of truth and justice, we hold before you those whose memory we cherish, and those whose names we will never know. Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world, and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm. As we honour the past, may we put our faith in your future; for you are the source of life and hope, now and forever. Amen.

Ascension Prayer Cycle: Ann, Aubrey, Audrey, Barbara, Baxter, Bill, Brenda, Brian, Brittany, Brandon, Carl, Cathy, Christina, Cindy, Clarence, David, Debra, Delilah, Dennis, Don, Donna, Doreen, Dot, Dulcie, Edgar, Elaine, Erin, Finnley, Frederick, Fred, Frank, Flo, Garrett, George, Gerry,  Gilbert, Gordon, Harry, Herb, Hilda, Ike, Ina, Ingrid, Jack, Jason, Jenny, Jim, John, Josephine, Judy, Junior, Kent, Kevin, Kim, Laura, Leo, Leonie,  Lindsay, Lori, Madeline, Marie, Marsha, Mark, Marina,  Marion,  Maurice, Maxine, Maxwell, Melissa, Melvin, Michelle, Nancy, Pam, Phyllis, Randell, Rodney, Roland, Ruby, Ruth, Rita, Scott, Sean, Stephen, Susan, Tina, Todd, Tom, Valerie, Vera and Wayne.