Dear Friends,

We are excited to launch a new communication tool for speedier, richer emails to share parish news and events. Creating these emails has been a "back burner" project for some time now, but finally "we're cooking now!" as Audrey, our office volunteer, would say.

We plan to email you no more than once a week (and probably more like once a month) with updates on events and reminders for worship. Hopefully on Fridays and not quite so late on a Saturday.

You should be able to manage your subscription to these emails in the box at the bottom of this message.

In Christ,
Pastor Ruth

We at St Stephen's have been tracking the news about the coronavirus, COVID-19, since the outbreak in China began at the end of last year. We are deeply aware of the public health concerns and have been striving to hold and response to the outbreak with appropriate caution. At the direction of Archbishop Melissa, following the advice of BC government officials, we will be making changes to our worship service on Sunday, March 8th. We will be gathering for worship at 10am. Members who are ill or at high risk of complications from illness are strongly encouraged to stay home. Modifications to some of our usual practices will be in place to reduce the opportunity for close contact with one another. There will not be coffee or tea provided after the service.

Remember, Lord, your people bowed before you, and those who are absent through age, sickness, or any other cause. Care for the infants, guide the young, support the aged, inspire the faint-hearted, and bring the wandering to your fold. Journey with the travellers, encourage the oppressed, defend the widows, deliver the captives, heal the sick. Strengthen all who are in tribulation, necessity, or distress. Remember for good those who love us, and those who hate us, and those who have asked us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them. Remember especially, Lord, those whom we have forgotten. For you are the helper of the helpless, the saviour of the lost, the refuge of the wanderer, the healer of the sick. You know the need of all and have heard each prayer: save us in your merciful lovingkindness
and eternal love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen