A Lenten Devotional, Behold the Lamb, Lenten reflections from Canadian Anglicans, with contributions from Anglicans across Canada can be downloaded by clicking on this link. It includes a contribution from our own Martha Riddell.
Lenten Devotional
Annual Vestry Meeting March 13th
Our Annual Vestry Meeting takes place Sunday, March 13th, 2022, during the 10:30 a.m. service in the church. You can attend in person or via Zoom. The Annual Reports booklet is available at the back of the church, and online by tapping on the report cover on the left.
Church Buildings Reopen!
Our Diocese has issued new pandemic guidelines which permit the church to reopen this week. We are very pleased to be able to worship in-person, and we are resuming with these protocols in place:
- Anyone experiencing Covid symptoms or otherwise feeling unwell, and anyone who has reason to believe they may have been exposed to Covid should not come to church, but should instead join via livestream.
- Everyone entering our buildings, including for Sunday worship, must show proof of full vaccination.
- Everyone must wear a mask at all times, and must sit distanced from those not in the same household. At this time those reading and leading the service will remain masked.
- Choral music will be offered by a Cantor or a small ensemble, but the congregation will not be invited to sing at this time.
- No one should feel obligated to come to in-person worship. Services are available via livestream, DVDs are available on request, and printed copies of the service are distributed every week to anyone who would like to receive it. The printed version is also available online
Services have moved back to online-only
Services for at least the next 3 Sundays have moved back to online-only. The link will be sent each Friday as usual, helping you get to the service for the coming Sunday. Or you can go to our website, stmmpicton.ca, where you will find a button that takes you to our YouTube channel for past and upcoming services.
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In view of the current state of the pandemic our church buildings will be closed for all activities at least until January 21st. The church email and phone messages are monitored regularly, so please be in touch if we can help with anything.
Stay safe, and wishing you all the best for a Happy New Year.
Celebrate Christmas on 99.3 FM Returns
Celebrate Christmas returns to 99.3 FM County Radio for a second year. The PEC Ministerial Association (chaired by Archdeacon Charles Morris) has collaborated again with the local radio station to produce a programme of scripture and carols to be broadcast Christmas Eve at 8:00 p.m. and Christmas Day at noon. The full programme is below, and it features music contributed by many churches in The County, including St Mary Magdalene.
Changes to our Pandemic Protocols
Changes to our Pandemic Protocols start on Sunday December 12th. After carefully reviewing the new guidance from the Diocese, our Churchwardens and Rector have decided everyone entering our church buildings, including for Sunday worship, must show proof of vaccination. Once you have shown your proof it will be noted on the check-in sheet, so you won’t need to show it every time, but please be sure to bring your proof with you the next time you come to church.
Also starting December 12th the new guidance permits congregational singing.
Thank you from Picton Library
Our church has received a “Thank You” letter from the Picton library for our donation of $3,000 towards the library’s project to renew the children’s book collection with 1,000 new books. Our Curate, Martha Riddell, and Deputy Churchwarden, Janet Howes, presented the cheque to the Library on our behalf a few weeks ago.
Martha Riddell Installed as Curate
On September 19th we were pleased to install Martha Riddell as our Parish Curate. Martha begins with us as a Lay Pastoral Associate, and we look forward, God willing to her ordination as a Deacon a little ways down the road.
Martha Riddell appointed Curate
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Martha Riddell as Lay Pastoral Associate effective September 15th, 2021. It is the Bishop’s intention, God willing, to ordain Martha to the Diaconate at a future date, at which time her official designation will become Assistant Curate.
Martha will share in the Worship, Pastoral Care, Congregational Development, Christian Formation, Outreach and Administration of our parish.
Martha is a committed, faithful, and enthusiastic Christian who has grown up in the Anglican Church. She recently received her Masters in Divinity from Trinity College (University of Toronto), having previous being granted a Bachelor of Arts (Classical Studies) from Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. She also holds a Diploma in Liberal Arts from Seneca College in Toronto. She has experience as a Child & Youth Minister at St Olave’s, Toronto as well as being part of several programs at St Bartholomew’s, Toronto. She is also an avid fan of opera, theatre, and concerts. Martha is married to Jared Tomlinson.
Services Resume July 11th
As the Ontario Reopening Plan proceeds, in-person services in the church resume on July 11th. Services are at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m., and follow our pandemic-safe protocols. These include wearing masks, and keeping 6 feet of distance from others.