On Service, Creation, and Re-creation
a sermon on Mark 10:34-45
Steve de Paul
On Service, Creation, and Re-creation
a sermon on Mark 10:34-45
Steve de Paul
Living by Faith takes a community
a sermon on Matthew 6:24-33
The Rev’d Rhonda Waters
Join Anglicans around the country in reflecting on what has surprised us over the past year and a half. Some of those surprises have been cause for grief and some for celebration – all offer an opportunity to listen deeply to the Spirit.
Learn more about the project at spark.anglican.ca
Rhonda is hosting two Surprised by the Spirit conversations in October. Contact her to join one or to learn how to host your own conversation.
Over the summer, the Post-Pandemic Planning Committee, Worship Committee, Parish Council and members of the community worked to discern how we might gather as a community as the pandemic eased. We noted our concern for those left behind by Zoom and those who would be left behind without it. While there has been considerable buzz around streamed and recorded services, evidence suggests that such an approach is inconsistent with the needs of our community and our desire to be inclusive.
Thus starting September 12, 2021 some parishioners continue to worship online via Zoom, and others worship at the church building. If you are curious about what contributed to this design, or have more questions, read on!
Isn’t this a lot of extra work for staff?
Most Anglican parishes offer two services with parishioners typically attending a given service, but adjusting as scheduling or their needs change. So, this two congregation model is quite common.
What will happen to Zoom?
In the near future, Zoom and in-person services will remain quite similar, both offering a full service of the Word, music, and coffee hour. As the congregation worshiping on Zoom changes, the service might adapt. If you identify as someone for whom Zoom is likely to be your main service post-pandemic, and would like to help shape that future, the worship committee welcomes your input.
Isn’t this a lot of fuss when everything in my life is online anyway?
Both academic research and the lived experience of community members suggest that offering a service which is neither recorded nor streamed is desirable for many. Even if your lived experience means you do not have reason to be more cautious, more privacy-awareness in our community can help create safe spaces for everyone to explore and express their faith, be vulnerable, and grow.
References:
[1] V. Steeves and J. Bailey, “Submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on The Right to Privacy Toward a Better Understanding of Privacy: Children’s Right to Privacy and Autonomy,” 2021. Accessed: Aug. 25, 2021. [Online]. Available: http://www.equalityproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Childrens-Right-to-Privacy-UN-Submission.pdf
[2] J. Bailey, “Online reputation, privacy and young people: Lessons from Canadian research (Invited submission to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics),” Ottawa, Ontario, Sep. 2017. Accessed: Aug. 25, 2021. [Online]. Available: http://www.equalityproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Online-Reputation-Privacy-and-Young-People-Lessons-from-Canadian-Research.pdf
[3] J. Bailey and V. Steeves, “Online Reputation, Privacy and Young People: Lessons from Canadian Research (Paper submitted to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada in response to its Consultation and Call for Essays on Online Reputation.),” Apr. 2016. Accessed: Aug. 25, 2021. [Online]. Available: http://www.equalityproject.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/01-Bailey-Steeves-Online-Reputation-Submission-FINAL-April-27-2016.pdf
Church of the Ascension is a parish of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa,
and the Anglican Church of Canada.
We stand on the traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnabe nation.