Minister’s Message
I hope that we have all had some time this summer for relaxation & rejuvenation. Nancy & I had two great weeks in Victoria visiting my father, clearing out the remainder of my mother’s belongings and taking Dad on slow walks by the ocean and under the big trees. When you’ve been unable to visit family over this past year, you no longer take these trips for granted. I am so grateful for the privilege of being able to be with him for so long this summer. If nothing else, COVID has taught us to treasure these in-person connections with our loved ones.
As we look towards the fall, Westworth is cautiously putting plans in place to resume in-person gatherings, even as we continue to offer worship on-line. You will see a tentative worship schedule below, subject to change according to the latest provincial restrictions.
This fall is already proving to be challenging in our schools, workplaces, community organizations and homes. As our society becomes more polarized regarding vaccine mandates, I fear the rise of intolerance and antagonism. I pray that we will find a way to be compassionate with one another even as we may disagree. Westworth has been clear in its compliance with provincial restrictions and support for health care workers, but in our clarity we also need to continue offering compassion for all people. I am trying to discern how to be gently firm in upholding health regulations while resisting the vilification of those who don’t comply. Shaming and blaming only serves to further entrench positions. Can there be a third way of compassionate response that deescalates tension, increases trust and still safeguards health restrictions and communal welfare?
Let’s have a 45-minute conversation about this during our After Church Zoom Café on Sunday, Sept. 12 at noon, following our on-line worship service. The Zoom link is below.
With a determined hope,
Loraine
Worship Services
Sept 5: online joint service with St. Andrew’s including communion, available as of 10:30 am through St. Andrew’s website. A link will be provided on our website.
Sept 12: live-stream service at Westworth at 10:45 am with our new Music Director Bill Quinn singing a duet with his wife Heather
Sept 19: outdoor service at Assiniboine Park. This service will NOT be recorded and only available in-person. Further details will be in next week’s congregational email.
After Church Zoom Café
Conversation Topic: Upholding Health Restrictions while Offering Compassion
Time: Sep 12, 2021 12:00-12:45 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86803955747
Meeting ID: 868 0395 5747
Passcode: 709662
If you can’t join by computer, you can join by phone: 204 272 7920.
Funeral Service for Mike Dobbin
Will be held in-person and live-streamed through Zoom at Westworth on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 2 pm. Masks and physical distancing are required. We recommend that only those attend in person who are fully vaccinated, unless ineligible due to a medical condition or age, or having received a recent, negative COVID test. Please contact the office to pre-register if you would like to attend in person.
Condolences
Our prayers are with Gail D and her children John, Jim and Sue and their families as they celebrate the life of Mike D. We also pray for the family of Kay P, who died July 28 and for Linda H, whose mother Joan died Aug. 26.
