All
Public events are still on
hold until further notice.
_________________________
Marg
Black
Tri-Churches
Parish Nurse
As our Parish
Nursing office
is closed at
this time,
please reach out
to us by phone
at (416)
494-5364
or contact any
of the agencies
below:
Toronto Mental
Health Support -
211
Seniors Help
Line - (416)
217-2077
Seniors Safety
Line - (416)
899-1011
Crisis Help -
crisisservicescanada.ca
______________________________
Most of us don’t like challenges. They don’t fit
our usual comfortable routine so they cause
disruptions in our lives. At the very least we
have to rethink things we thought we understood,
At worst we might see them as threats.
But we are really missing the point here. That
is why they come.
Challenges are God-given opportunities for
growth. When growth stops, so does life. We may
not die physically but our minds, hearts, &
souls become stuck in a past that no longer
exists. Life continues whether we go with it or
not. All living things face challenges but we
have something most other species don’t. We have
the power of choice! We can see a challenge as a
nuisance or a threat, or we can recognize it as
an opportunity to learn and grow.
COVID-19 is a real challenge and for some people
it does mean death. But for most of us it makes
us re-evaluate things. Yes I can’t go and do all
the usual things, I’m lonely, or I need some
space for myself, etc. On the other hand, what
is really important to me? How can I use this
time to make the most of the things I truly
value? How do I want things to be as we move
forward into the “new normal”, whatever that
entails? Growth occurs and life continues. Or we
just get angry with the situation and wait for
things to go “back to normal”. The important
thing to realize is that the choice is ours.
I have also learned that challenges often
(perhaps always, if we really look), also come
with blessings attached. For example, a couple
of years ago I was having a problem with my dog.
Friends recommended an excellent dog
behaviourist (very different from a dog
trainer). He came and started to help me make
significant progress with the problem, but then
he asked for my nursing help in relation to a
family member who was dying. Over the course of
time we traded our expertise as needed and
became very good friends. I am truly grateful
for the challenge that brought about this
relationship. So the next time you face a
challenge, try looking at it as a growth
opportunity. As you progress through it, keep
your mind open for the blessing that may be the
gift at the heart of the challenge.
Symptoms?
fever, cough,
difficulty breathing,
pneumonia in both
lungs. How does it
spread?
Through respiratory
droplets spread when
you cough/sneeze;
close personal contact
(e.g. touching or
shaking hands);
touching something
with the virus on it,
then touching your
mouth, nose or eyes
before washing your
hands. Protection of
yourself and others?
Wash your hands often
(after coughing,
sneezing, blowing your
nose,
touching common-use
areas,
such as door handles,
elevator buttons,
etc.)
with soap and water
for at least 20
seconds
(back and front,
special attention to
nail areas);
use hand sanitizer if
soap and water are not
available;
avoid touching your
eyes, nose or mouth
with unwashed hands
avoid close contact
with people who are
sick;
cough or sneeze into
your sleeve instead of
into your hands;
and
stay home to avoid
spreading the illness
to others.
________________________ St Cyprian Announcements
All public
events
are still on hold
until further
notice.
See the latest
COVID-19
updates from
Bishop Andrew
Asbil,
the College of
Bishops and
the diocesan
leadership, here:
_________________________
Iona
Announcements
All public events are still on hold
until further notice. Reaching Out
As before, God is still there for us
throughout these challenging times.
We are encouraging everyone to keep praying
for each other,
and to keep supporting each other.
Practice physical distancing, but please
stay socially connected
by means of a phone call, an email message
or a social media message.
Lenten Book Study in Self-study Format
This season the Lenten book study is based
on
British theologian, N. T. Wright's book:
"Lent for Everyone",
an inspirational guide,
leading us through the Lenten season,
from Ash Wednesday through the week after
Easter.
This
guide
provides a brief
reflection and a prayer for each day
of the season helping us ponder how the
scripture is relevant to our lives.
By the end of the study, we
will have been through the entirety of
Matthew,
along with Psalm readings for each Sunday.
This Lenten devotional will make our journey
through Lent
a period of discovery and growth.
Please contact Rev. Robert Reid for
comments and discussion.
