Clergy Notes — Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, Sunday, June 27, 2021

Slowly but surely it seems, thankfully and hopefully, the Province is moving through its phased reopening, now in phase 2, and likely to be in phase 3 next month. The vaccine rollout is progressing well, with over 75% having one, and 25% having two, doses.  This is so encouraging, though we are bidden still to be careful, and we are advised that for the greater public safety there needs to be a significantly higher % with two doses of vaccine.

The Trustees are monitoring carefully both the Province’s and the Bishop’s Directives on the re-opening of public worship, not least in relation to music in church.  These are expected to be updated soon.  Trustees are also taking into consideration the variety of opinion expressed at our Parish Conversation at the end of May.

Our current position is that St James’ should move forward gradually.  We plan to maintain the 10.30 am Sunday Liturgy at Home on Zoom through July and August.  Then in September the Zoom Liturgy will move to 9.00 am, and the Solemn Mass at 10.30 am will be reinstated.  This will keep the congregation together over the summer, when often people are away, and we have a limited music program.  However, provision will be made to open for said Mass once or twice at other times during the week:  more details in due course.  In addition, on Sunday 25 July, St James’ Day, and on Sunday 15 August, the Feast of the Assumption of the BVM, we hope to hold a service with some music at 4.00 pm.  On St James’ Day this is likely to be a form of Evening Prayer & Benediction.  As with our day to day life in these Covid-19 times, this is all, of course, subject to review in the light of changing circumstances.  We will keep you posted!

It was possible on Thursday for Philip Green’s Requiem to take place, although attendance capacity was limited.  There is an Obituary of Philip in the latest Diocesan E-News:  it is posted on the News page of www.vancouver.anglican.ca.  

Every blessing,

Fr. Kevin

Download the service booklet for Sunday, June 27 here: Liturgy at Home Pentecost 5 June 27 2021