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Dear Church Family,

We wanted to send out an update on in person gatherings to give some clarity following the Provincial Health Officer’s announcements on August 23 & 24 regarding proof of vaccination status and the provincial indoor mask mandate.

First, it was noted in the order that church worship services and essential meetings are exempt from both the need to confirm vaccination status and the mandatory use of masks for indoor gatherings. That means that we are not required to be checking for proof of vaccination nor do we need to wear masks to come to a worship service or ongoing groups at the church.

On August 25, at our elders board meeting, we discussed how we as a church should respond to these orders and our exemption from them. When we re-opened in person gatherings in June, we stressed the need to be respecting and loving one another well even though we’re coming back with differences of opinions over all that has been happening through the pandemic. We would again appeal to this ethic of love as we consider how we do things in the weeks and possibly months ahead related to the measures undertaken in our province.

With that in mind, the elders board of Lakewood Alliance is encouraging the use of masks when gathering together for worship services and essential indoor meetings not because we are required to, but as a witness to our community that we value the health and well being of others and want to be be part of caring for our city.

Masks will not be required for you to come to church, but we do encourage you to consider wearing them as a way of caring for those around you.

Our board will continue to prayerfully consider and respond to provincial guidelines as things shift and be sure to communicate to you any changes as they happen. We want to extend our heartfelt appreciation for the way that everyone has been coming back together - whether tuning in online or coming out in person - caring for one another well. May we continue to seek God’s direction for how to live in these days we find ourselves in.

Blessings!

 

Pastor Dave on behalf of the elders board