ALL LARGE GATHERINGS SUSPENDED

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to be fluid and we intend to reevaluate at all points before reopening any large gatherings. LIVE streams of our entire service will be available Sundays at 1030AM, 12PM and 7PM with our pastoral staff available online during each of those services.

Streams will be available to watch live at
www.youtube.com/commonschurch

Follow us on Facebook and at our News Blog for updates on how we are adjusting ministry in this season and working to maintain social connection even as we separate physically.

At Commons, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been working diligently to evaluate and respond to the recommendations from Alberta Health Services. Our team met this morning and clarified the steps we will be taking immediately. This is a fast-moving situation where new information is coming in daily, and we expect to reevaluate our response regularly. 

We have phased our response in three stages. We are currently at STAGE 3.

Stage 1: implemented March 8

We are doubling efforts to keep the church facilities clean and ask that you practice smart hygiene, washing hands thoroughly, avoid touching your face while at church, and staying home if you are experiencing a cough or fever. We have an incredible number of volunteers at Commons, and if you are scheduled to volunteer but are feeling sick, let your team lead know, and we will find a replacement for you.

We will be asking our greeters to offer waves instead of handshakes at the door, and we will be making some adjustments to our procedures for the Eucharist during this period.

Stage 2: implemented March 13

Services at our Inglewood parish will be shut down for the next 4 Sundays. We rent our facilities in Inglewood, and since we can not control the health and cleanliness procedures on-site or the precautions taken by other rental groups, we feel the need to err on the side of public safety. We are hoping to restart services in Inglewood April 12, but we will continue to listen to advice from Alberta Health Services and update our plans as the situation develops. We will communicate any changes as soon as they are made.

Services in Kensington will continue on-site at our four services times of 9am, 10:30am, 12pm, and 7pm. We do not expect any of our individual services to exceed 250 people. 

We will be making the following adjustments to procedures in Kensington for the foreseeable future:

• Live streaming of the services, with online pastoral availability, will begin this Sunday on March 15. If you are immuno-compromised, or for any reason anxious about gathering in person, we encourage you to participate in the live stream. If you have travelled outside the country or are experiencing any symptoms, we ask you to stay home.

• The espresso bar will be closed. Drip Coffee will be available in single-use compostable cups only, and gloved volunteers will serve it to guests. 

• All handrails, doorknobs, and common touch points like light switches, faucets, etc. will be disinfected after each service. Children's toys will be disinfected after each Sunday. 

• Chairs will be spaced more generously, and we invite people to create more space within pews.

• Rental agreements for our Kensington facilities have been suspended for 30 days and will be reevaluated at that point.

Community Events are being evaluated on an individual basis.

Larger events like our upcoming Worship Night have been suspended. 

Small Groups will be receiving communications about best practices for health and for pastoral support during this time.

Stage 3: implemented March 15

We will move to online live-streaming of our services exclusively, encouraging the community to gather in small groups to watch and participate.

Pastoral Guidance

As we spoke about in a previous update, times like these call us to lean more heavily on the community that surrounds us. While it may be necessary to create physical space between us for a time, this is precisely the time we need to find ways to lean in socially. Create space, isolate physically as necessary, but please reach out to those near you for support and to help.

We need to be moved to action by wisdom and care, not by fear and panic. Pray that Spirit leads us in those directions at this time.

 If you are looking for ways you can keep connection, this small list of helpful suggestions from Carlos A. Rodríguez might guide you.

A FaceTime with parents.
A handwritten letter to say thanks.
An email to a past mentor.
A text-thread with an old friend.
A phone call to ask forgiveness.

Be kind in the coming days. Have patience with those struggling. Make time for self-care. And keep washing your hands well.