Tri-Churches Ministries You Were Asking Who is St. Cyprian Parish Nursing Contact Us Links Learn more about us here  → Please take time and acquaint yourself with our programs, ministries and worship. I think you will be impressed with the activities and the fellowship you will find in our congregation. Note particularly the strong focus on ecumenical life, which has always been central for us and the other members of the Tri-Churches community. This emphasis provides a whole new and enriching aspect to our lives. Please know that we are always delighted for you to worship with us at St. Cyprian’s. the Rev. Ken Johnstone Worship Service on the Second Sunday of Advent December 5, 2021 at 10:00 am via Zoom To follow the Order of Worship, please click here →   ______________________________________________ Margaret Black Tri-Churches Parish Nurse Parish Nursing Health Tip  posted for the week of November 28, 2021 The Right Question This week I met a woman walking a small dog with sunglasses on.  I had never seen this before. So I said “Cute dog but I’ve never seen a dog with sunglasses before”. She answered, “My dog is blind. Can’t see a thing.” What sprung to mind immediately was the usual “What’s wrong with this picture?. Isn’t it supposed to be sighted guide dogs leading blind people?” Then the answer came. Nothing is wrong with it.  It’s just different. Different doesn’t mean wrong. This is a picture of love. Then I realized how often we bias ourselves by focusing on what we think is wrong and not seeing the positive aspects of a situation. We often feel uncomfortable with things that are different because we don’t understand them and fear they may require us to change. But differences are valuable because they give us opportunities for growth and increased understanding. Growth and change are vital parts of life. For example, getting to know people of different cultures and learning from their experiences and wisdom as we also help them learn how to adjust to our society can be an enriching experience for all of us. So maybe we need to start asking ourselves, “What’s right with this picture?” That will enable us to see the positive potential in a situation. That being said, there are many aspects of life in which “What’s wrong with this picture?” is the right question. Police removing homeless people from their encampments, but offering them no place to go is a good example. I understand the fears of neighbourhood homeowners and the importance of police doing their job, but as a society we need to come up with a better answer.  Homeless people need their own community for social support as we all do. Destroying that just makes everything worse. I think the right question in this case is “Why, in a city as wealthy as Toronto, do we have so many homeless people and what can we do about it?” Some people think, “If they would just get a job they could afford a place to live.” Unfortunately it’s almost impossible for homeless people to get a job. They have no address, phone number, social and other skills that are necessary to access the job market. I don’t have answers, but a few ideas. We need to find places to rehouse them while providing them with mental-health help and other supports, as we help them learn how to reintegrate into our society. This is a long-term expensive process, but God wants us to help the most vulnerable in our society. We can at least pray for them and give as we can to the organizations that work to help them. On a smaller, but easier note, think about how you can help someone you know, maybe a friendly call, a small gift of cookies, or a smile to brighten their day.  It will also brighten yours! And let’s learn to ask the right questions. Margaret Black, Parish Nurse ______________________________________________  ______________________________________________  Policy: Proof of Vaccination at Worship “... At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores...” - Luke 16:20-21   Dear Friends:   We read in Scripture, and particularly in the parables of Jesus, that God cares about how we extend the hand of welcome – regardless of other people’s circumstances or status. We believe that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of inclusion. “All are welcome,” we say, and we mean it.   How that looks in practice can be challenging in our current circumstances of a global heath crisis.   In September, the College of Bishops made the prayerful discernment that in order to be fully inclusive, to allow every person access to worship and to gather at the Table, we would NOT be requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for entry to our services. Instead, we continue with our safety precautions, including masking, distancing and refraining from singing, to allow everyone who wishes to attend church to do so. By not turning away people at the door, we demonstrate our belief that the corporate worship of Almighty God is a way and necessity of life for all, not an optional leisure activity like going to the movies or a restaurant.   But it has been pointed out to us that, due to our welcome of the unvaccinated, some other people have now been unintentionally excluded because they are immuno-compromised. These are individuals who cannot attend church or any public place where the unvaccinated may be present, as they are especially vulnerable, despite being themselves vaccinated. Their exclusion was never our intention.   To that end, we have heard the request from some parishes to offer services with a vaccine mandate, requiring proof of vaccination for entry.   After much discussion, consultation and prayer, the College of Bishops has consented to permit parishes to institute a new worship service – outside of their existing and continuing schedule of services – that requires proof of vaccination to attend. It is the College’s expectation that these restricted-entry services will be the exception to our worship offerings, and not the norm.   If your parish decides to offer such a service, there are clear guidelines from the Province on how to check vaccination status at the door. These must be strictly followed.   Restricted-entry services must be clearly publicized as such in advance, and your regular open-access options – existing Sunday and mid-week services, and any online offerings (if applicable) – advertised well. We want to minimize the number of people being refused entry. Those worshippers who cannot provide proof of vaccination and are refused access at restricted-entry services should be warmly encouraged to attend those regular services where they will be welcome.   While government regulations allow for full-capacity attendance when proof of vaccination is checked, we recommend that physical distancing continue to be maintained for restricted-entry services. Masks continue to be mandatory indoors regardless of service type. (The only exception is for an individual giving spoken liturgical leadership, at a 4m distance from others.) Please continue to use our Amber Stage Guidelines for all other protocols even if you are requiring proof of vaccination.   Every parish must continue its regular schedule of services and welcome all who wish to join them, regardless of their vaccination status. No parish is obliged to institute a restricted-entry service.   We commend and encourage all those parishes that are continuing to offer online worship in addition to in-person services, as these options offer the most flexibility to the whole community, allowing everyone to make informed personal choices for their participation in the worship life of the Church. The Bishop's Office ______________________________________________ 1080 Finch Avenue East, North York, Toronto (just east of Leslie and Finch, north of the 401) Map   Sunday Services Holy Communion at 9:30 am every Sunday Sung Eucharist at 11:00 am 1st, 3rd & 5th Sunday of the month Morning Prayer at 11:00 am 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month (except Holy Days) Occasionally, there will be a combined Communion service at 10:30 am   We also have a Sunday school and a nursery.