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Dear Friends,

As you will no doubt have heard, Dr Bonnie Henry has called for new stricter measures concerning public gatherings and events. This includes services of worship, whether indoors or outdoors.   This is a short-term intervention, lasting a minimum of two weeks: however, I think we would be prudent to plan for these measures to be extended beyond December 7.   

In terms of Cathedral life, here are the immediate effects of these new orders:  

  • Beginning this Sunday, there will be no opportunity to attend services in person. However,  both the morning service (10.30 a.m.) and Evensong (4.00 p.m.) will continue to be livestreamed and available on the cathedral website and Facebook.
  • The 10.30 service will be non-eucharistic, just as it was prior to July 12.
  • The cathedral will not be open to the public on Tuesdays, nor will Morning Prayer be said in the Lady Chapel.
  • Those staff who can work from home have been encouraged to do so. While there will often be someone working on site at the cathedral offices, it will be safest to call ahead before dropping by.
  • Masks are now required in indoor public spaces on the cathedral precinct.
  • Weddings and funerals are permitted, but with a maximum of 10 people present, including the officiant.      

Of course, this is disappointing news – even though, I suspect, not surprising. Let us call upon the spiritual resources of hope, perseverance, self-discipline, and patience to carry us through, and may God help us to be an encouragement to our neighbours.  

Meanwhile, we are continuing to make plans for a very different Christmas – which will include a televised service of Christmas Lessons and Carols, and – should the restriction on outdoor gatherings be lifted by then – an outdoor “sound and light” celebration of the nativity in the evenings leading up to Christmas.  We are calling this project “Christmas Re-imagined”.  If we are permitted by Christmas to gather indoors again, there will be two celebrations of the eucharist on Christmas Day.  Stay tuned for more information.  

Please be well and stay well.  And do not hesitate to be in touch.  

Faithfully,  

Ansley

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