The constant refrain on radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the happiness of the season, about getting together with family and friends, reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had, or in this year of Covid isolation of what we can't have.
The anguish of broken relationships, the insecurity of unemployment, the weariness of ill health, the pain of isolation—all these can make us feel very alone in the midst of the celebrating and spending. We need the space and time to acknowledge our sadness and concern. We need to know that we are not alone. Our spirits sink, as days grow shorter. We feel the long night growing deeper around us. We need encouragement to live the days ahead of us. It is for this reasons we are offering an alternative worship experience.
 Join us for our annual Pride Worship Service, where we celebrate the diversity of God's creation. This year we welcome activist and conversion therapy survivor Matt Ashcroft. You may watch the service live from our Facebook Page. If you would like to join us by Zoom please email Pastor Steve for details.  Matt (he/him) is a conversion therapy survivor and social justice activist. His goal is to prevent others from experiencing the harm that was inflicted on him. He travels around Canada and the United States to bring awareness to the damage caused by the abusive practice.
He has appeared on various media outlets speaking on this issue, including communicating with politicians to make Canada a safer place for LGBTQ2+ people. Matt recently spoke at the House of Commons in Ottawa about how introducing Bill C-8 protects queer and trans folks. Twitter: @mattash89 Facebook: facebook.com/mattash89 Instagram: mattash89 Last night's concert was a big success; thank you! You helped support the musicians and The Stop Community Food Program. You can learn more about them, share with friends, and provide further support if you wish at their websites:   As we navigate our way through the choppy waters being churned up by the COVID-19 pandemic, Redeemer Lutheran is pleased to announce that we will be hosting another of our intermittent Spirit Songs concerts on Saturday, May 16th from 7:30 to 8:45 pm via Zoom. It is our hope that this event will bring comfort and community to us all at a time when we sorely need both!
This show is organized around the theme of HOPE & HEALING and will feature musical contributions from a stellar lineup of performers including Ken Whiteley, Coco Love Alcorn, Jon Brooks and Mark Kleiner. Tickets for the show are $10 each and available by clicking here. Proceeds from this event will go to the artists and The Stop Community Food Centre in Toronto. We hope to have you with us on the 16th. [March 18 update: As per our Bishops, all in-person Sunday services and all activities are now suspended.]
Dear Redeemer Family, As you are no doubt well aware we are experiencing a situation that effects our daily lives in a way it never has before. The World Health Organization has categorized the coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global pandemic. Our church council is monitoring recommendations from both our wider church leaders and health authorities. At this time we will continue with Sunday morning worship [March 18 update: As per our Bishops, all in-person Sunday services are now suspended]. This is a time of anxiety and fear for many people and that makes it more important than ever to read scripture, pray, and worship together. For the time being we are suspending all other activity at Redeemer such as the Chess Club and our Truth and Reconciliation education sessions. Please DO NOT attend if you:
On Sunday mornings we will follow the practices below as recommended by our bishops: We will still continue using the silver communion cup with fortified wine. Communion servers will thoroughly wash their hands before communion and hand sanitizer will be provided for those who come forward to receive the elements. Individual cups will be spread out on the tray so they can be taken without contacting others around them. It is also perfectly acceptable to receive communion in one kind (only bread) if you decide to do so. During the sharing of the peace we will not use hugs or handshakes and instead smile, nod or wave. During coffee hour we will not share food items but coffee will continue for now. We will practice ‘social distancing’ (ideally two arm lengths between others). Coffee hosts and cleanup volunteers will follow the proper dish washing procedures (posted above the sink) and table and other high touch areas should be cleaned and disinfected more diligently. For all of us in all aspects of our lives it is important to care for one another. Check in with elderly neighbours, relatives and friends. Offer to grab some groceries for them if you are able. Pray for those affected. Pray for health care workers. Pray and look for ways to care for those without social supports. Wash your hands often with warm water and soap, use alcohol based hand sanitizers, direct coughs and sneezes into tissues or your elbow, practice social distancing and avoid all unnecessary travel. You can refer to the following sites for more up-to-date information. The most relevant information comes from the City of Toronto: https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/diseases-medications-vaccines/coronavirus/ Canada-wide information is available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html We will email and post further updates to our Facebook Page and to this website. God’s love journeys with us, continue to share that love. -- Pastor Steve NOTE: Due to the coronavirus, our series has been SUSPENDED until further notice.  |
