Just a quick reminder:
The church is never closed.
Buildings may be locked.
The livestream may be down.
But, where there is a follower of Jesus,
doing their best
(or, for that matter, not really trying at all!)
there is church.
 
So, church... go!
 
Go be deep in the Spirit!
Go be bold in your discipleship!
Go be daring in your work for justice!
 
Be salt.
Be seed.
Be life, abundant.
 
The church is *never* closed.
 
So... let's go!
 

Richard Bott
 

And so this Sunday, we go for our first in-service church service since last September. This means a Happy Dance for some, others may not be ready yet to return, others may want to wait until children can be vaccinated and others may simply prefer to watch online at their convenience or wherever they are. Whatever the means of being with us, in person or online and wherever you are YOU are a part of St. Andrews River Heights United Church and WE are glad YOU are with US!  As a matter of fact YOU are US!
 
Exciting days are ahead as more are vaccinated, and yet we wait for others to receive the vaccination, some chose not to and others simply can’t. Know that we remember everyone in our prayers and we are working hard to ensure all are safe in our place.
 
So whatever you do and wherever you go, Be safe!  Know that you are missed and that a new normal is emerging. See some of you on Sunday and see some of you through the week as the service becomes available on line.
 
Blessings to you all.
 
Prayer for the Week
(Adapted from Gathering written by Wendy MacLean, Chrits U.C., Lyn , Ontario)

Great Spirit, Loving God, Christ of Life:
 
In this Season of Creation, as the earth cries for mercy
we join her voice, as we pray in faith believing you hear our prayers.
In the changing seasons we see our own lives change.
In the changing health orders we find new freedoms yet caution remains.
In the strange skies that hold the smoke of fires burning a few provinces and continents away,
we realize that we breathe the same air as our distant neighbours.
In the hope of a future of gentle kindness and reassuring hope,
we turn to your words in scripture.
Turn us, as you have always turned your followers,
So we find ourselves following you closely and seeking direction and trusting you are there.
Amen.
 
 

Re-start of in-person Services in the Sanctuary at St. Andrew’s

EXICITING NEWS

At a recent meeting, your Church Council approved the re-opening of St. Andrew’s for in person Church Services beginning Sunday, September 19. It has been a long wait since our last in-person service in the fall of 2020. Thankfully Health restrictions related to covid have finally eased, due mainly to the broadening coverage of vaccination rates. We will of course be following all current health directives to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all attenders.

We are asking that those who attend have been fully vaccinated (young children who as yet can't be vaccinated are of course welcome).

As you can expect, there will be some differences from the usual routine. You will be familiar with these basics.

• Face masks will be required as you enter the building. A reminder to use hand sanitizer when you enter.
• We are requesting that you enter through the Kingsway St. (east side) door. Only those with mobility issues who require use of the elevator should enter through the Oak St. entrance.
• A Greeter will welcome you at a desk in the narthex to record your attendance. It just allows us to keep a record of all attenders in case any follow-up contact were required.
• An Usher will then escort you to a sanctuary seat. A seating plan is in place to mark ‘Usable’ sanctuary seats to ensure appropriate social distancing.
• Appropriate exiting at the conclusion of the service is important. Exiting one pew row at a time will be supervised by the Ushers. Health regulations prevent mingling with refreshments after the service.

Our Church Council has also planned for the continuation of online services for folks who are just not able to attend in person, who are not yet double vaccinated,(except children who cannot be vaccinated yet), or who may not yet be comfortable in attending in a group kind of setting. The Sunday service will be filmed for follow-up editing, to be put online later in the week following.
 
One final point. Karen and Charlotte have now relocated back to their church offices. For any church business during the week, you can now enter the building through the Oak St. door. Health restrictions require you to wear a face mask and use hand sanitizer upon entering. You must proceed directly up the stairs (or use the elevator) to reach the church offices. At this time, the lower level Daycare areas remain off limits.
As always, your comments and feedback are important to us, probably best provided by email through  the Church Office.
 
Glenn Neufeld