MCC Toronto Postpones In-Person Worship Services

Greetings Friends and MCC Toronto Faithful,

Without a doubt, the last four months have been challenging for all of us. During these uncertain times, when we perhaps needed Church the most, we couldn’t turn to it in the way we always have.

Thankfully, we’ve stayed connected and built community – even while keeping physically distanced; through our Online Worship, Zoom Check-ins, Neighbourhood Networks, Noon Hour Reflections and more.

In late May, the decision was made that we would not gather in-person until after Pride Sunday, allowing us to prepare for our Annual Pride Celebration, Church On Church On Line, and we aimed for a July 5 re-open.

But that date became unfeasible, leading us to our current postponed date of July 19 to implement all the necessary protocols.

While we’re working on implementing all the necessary protocols for a safe re-opening, the Staff and Board of Directors have received lots of input from you, our congregation and volunteers. One consistent message we’re hearing is that you want to go back to church, but want it to be safe and have the same inclusive spirit MCC Toronto is known for.

Unfortunately, in accordance with Toronto Public Health Guidelines, for us to begin in-person Worship Service on July 19, we would need to ask anyone over the age of 70 or with pre-existing conditions to refrain from joining us.

Furthermore, our in-person Worship Service would be very different compared to pre-COVID 19 times, where we cannot hold the same intimate, inclusive worship experience we are used to.

As of right now, there would be no Sunday News, greeters, mixing and mingling before Worship Service, hand of friendship, anointing for healing, congregational singing, in-person choir, sing of the Jesus Prayer, passing of the plates, Children’s Church, coffee hour and maybe not even communion.

Learn more on Toronto Public Health Guidelines here.

Like all of you, I am yearning to say “welcome home” to our beautiful building at 115 Simpson Avenue. However, after much thought and prayer, in consultation with the Board of Directors, the Staff, volunteers and congregants, we are once again postponing our in-person Worship Service and will continue with our stellar online services for the time being.

We will not be re-opening for in-person Worship Service on July 19, 2020.

As a Human Rights Church, we cannot imagine worshiping unless it’s TOGETHER. We do not have a timeline for when we might worship in-person again, but rest assured we will as soon as we can strike the balance between Human Rights, safety, and our deep-seated desire for togetherness.

I will address this decision during this Sunday’s Worship Service on July 12, 2020, at 11 a.m.

Watch our Worship Service here.

Next Sunday, July 19 will be our Anniversary Sunday Celebration. We will celebrate online with the announcements of our Congregational Awards (Vision Alive, Community Service and Beloved Disciple). We are accepting nominations until Tuesday, July 14 at 5 p.m. Pease email your nominations to office@mcctoronto.com.

The awarding of 40, 25, and 10 year membership medals will be postponed until the Fall.

Lastly, we are currently discussing the possibility of meeting outdoors for a congregational get-together with appropriate physical distancing in the near future. Stay tuned on our e-newsletter, The Query and our social media channels for more information to come.

Thank you for your understanding, cooperation, patience, and prayers.

 

 

– Rev. Jeff Rock, Senior Pastor

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