In-Person Worship Returns to the D of NW.
June 14, 2020, St. John's, Shaughnessy (SJS) opened for in-person worship at 7:30am for an 8am liturgy. This would be the first in-person worship in the Diocese of New Westminster since March 22, 2020, when in-person worship was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On June 14, a number of parishes offered in-person worship following the guidelines and restrictions of the provincial health authority and the instructions for re-opening generated by Archbishop Skelton and her team. Each parish that wanted to re-open was required to thoroughly study all the materials and provide a detailed plan for re-opening.
The evening of June 14 marked the first in-person worship to be celebrated at Christ Church Cathedral, by the new rector, the Reverend Christopher Pappas. At 8pm physically distanced worshippers gathered in the nave of the cathedral for Night Prayer.
The morning worship at SJS was extremely well organized and the space was carefully laid out to meet the conditions for physical distancing. SJS's Veger, Regan Gorman and the SJS team had everything well in hand. The three greeters warmly welcomed the worshippers and made sure that everyone in attendance was comfortable and prepared for prayer.
The service of Morning Prayer from the BCP worked well in this format. Organist/ Director of Music, Michael Dirk augmented worship (public singing is not something that is going to happen in Phase 2 and 3 of re-opening) with organ music for prayer and reflection.
Rector, the Reverend John Stephens officiated the liturgy and preached. Assistant Priest, the Reverend Liz Ruder-Celiz was the psalmist and gospeller.
In addition to the in-person Morning Prayer, SJS continues to offer at 10am on Sundays a Morning Prayer service online livestream with choral music and an 8pm mid-week Meditation.
Sunday morning in-person worship requires pre-registration.
The Parish of Christ Church, Hope also opened the morning of June 14 for in-person worship. Many thanks to Barb Walks and Brian Walks, ODNW, parishioners at St. Mark's, Ocean Park for the photos of their trip to Hope posted above.
IMAGES
- Arriving at the entrance of SJS at 7:45am, a greeter checks the list of the registered.
- Greeter in the narthex directs worshippers to pick up a bulletin.
- Organist/Director of Music, Michael Dirk sets the tone with Denis Bedard's "Choral Prelude sur Amazing Grace".
- The nave at 7:55am. Individuals and a couple of family groups.
- The Reverend John Stephens addreses the congregation prior to worship.
- The Reverend Liz Ruder-Celiz leads Psalm 116: 1, 10-17, and proclaimed the Gospel, Matthew 24: 44-53.
- The Reverend John Stephens preaching.
- Leaving the sanctuary after dismissal.
- Night Prayer at Christ Church Cathedral Photo: Jane Dittrich
- Greeters outside Christ Church, Hope
- Vicar of Christ Church, Hope, the Reverend Tim Morgan, robed and masked poses by the sign.
- The nave and chancel, physically distanced worship begins.