My Dear Friends,

What a joy it was to celebrate Sunday with all of you today. It was an incredible gathering in the heart of the city and surrounded by nature. I am so grateful to all of you for your generous sharing of time and talent with our community by setting up for Liturgy and hosting the coffee hour. (I must say, that was a fantastic coffee hour given the situation we are in.)

Our community celebrating and gathering today was a sign of our renewed commitment to serve our community. For years, our parish has been committed to bringing the community together for the good, through our community dinners, concerts, garden work, and worship. The one thing that impressed me about the parish upon my arrival three years ago, was the parish's commitment to be in the community and for the community, and to be a place a welcome for all in a day and age where division and discremenation prevail. And believe me, people took note of that. Just the other day, my neighbours noted that St. Anne's provided a safe space for all and place for people to gather, learn, grow, and be inspired. 

Well, we're not stopping. In fact, now, more than ever, our ministry is needed more than ever before. While it will take time to rebuild our church and enhance our ministries, we will work closely with you, our community partners, and artists in imagining and building a church and space for all people. 

Today, I write to ask you for your continued financial support of our ministries. We remain as a parish and will continue as a parish for many more years. Your support of our general operating fund is essential at this time. 

I also ask your support of the GoFund Me. The funds from the GoFund Me will go to help us rebuild our ministries and make modifications to our current physical plant so that our space is open to all. Please share widely on your social media accounts and email the GoFund Me. 

Finally, I ask all of you to join me in prayer and ask God for the grace and guidance as we move forward in faithful service to all. We can do nothing without the grace of God, and so we shall ground ourselves in prayer and worship.

Know that I am here for you to listen and talk. You are not alone. We are still a community. We are a people of faith and hope, and embody in our ministry the resurrection.

Your Brother and Friend,

Don+

My Dear Friends,

As I got ready for another day this morning, I felt a deep longing for some sense of normality. I yearned and craved to walk to my office at the church. I longed to sit in the church and pray, as I did almost every day of the past three years. Yet, as I collected my bag and left the house, I knew that would not be so; at least not for now. 

I felt a deep sadness come over me. I had to do everything I could to compose myself as I waited for my Uber to take me to another morning interview.  As I rode across the city and later sat in another green room, I felt deep anguish in my heart. For days I’ve held back the pain and the shock of Sunday. 

Now, it seems, I can do so no longer. And that is a good thing. We all need to grieve. We all need to express what we feel in our hearts and souls. 

Uncertain of what to do next, I returned to the church. After visiting with community members, I began to return to my new office, Loveless Cafe. As I did, I heard a voice behind me, a familiar voice. Much to my delight, I turned to see one of you, a member of our choir. And we stood and spoke in front of the church. For several minutes we cried, we shared memories, and we spoke of what was important most: each other and our community. 

As we talked with each other and held each other in comfort, I was reminded of the importance of coming together with those who love us. In fact, now, more than ever before, we need to be with one another. We belong here. 

This Sunday, I invite all of you to join me in coming together as a community to celebrate Eucharist at 10:30 AM in the church hall.While we are still finalising some details, such as getting power to the building, we will pray together as one. We will gather around the Lord of Life in the Eucharist, share our stories, pray for God’s blessing and grace, and be fed and nourished for the journey. 

As Bishop Kevin Robertson said last night, our church continues on. We remain as one. And I remain your pastor and renew my promise to faithfully serve you and our community for as long as God permits me to do so. I will continue to be present at Loveless Cafe everyday.  I’m here for you.  At the end of this letter, I share my office hours with you. 

Finally, some of you have kindly expressed concern about my own wellbeing. Rest assured my friends and family have been incredibly supportive and caring. After a very busy three days, I will finally take some time off this evening and will be away Saturday for some Sabbath rest. I feel the grace of God upholding me through your support and shared ministry and in the love of my friends and family. 

Let us come together and be one. Let us uphold one another and build each other up. Let us be nourished by God and God’s grace through prayer and fellowship. May God’s peace and blessings be upon you always.

Your friend and your brother,

Don+

Office Hours 

Please note these times may change if called for meetings. 

Wednesday, June 12: 7:00 - 3:00

Thursday, June 13: 9:00 - 5:00

Friday, June 14: Work from home. Available for calls.

Saturday, June 15: Sabbath Day.

My beloved friends,

I write to you this morning as your pastor and as one who mourns the loss of our beautiful church. While my heart is heavy, I have hope.

Early this morning, as the sun began to rise, I heard the sound of birds outside. Although my heart was heavy, the birdsong instilled within me a sense of peace and assurance that life always emerges out of death. In truth, that is the heart of the Christian story. Death never has the final word. 

And so I rose from my bed, stood under the running waters of the shower, much like the waters of Baptism, and recalled my vocation — our vocation — to be the Body of Christ and to serve God's people and creation. 

We continue on as church and we will remain a parish community and a church for all. In the coming days I will consult with diocesan leadership and our leadership team to determine where to worship as we begin the work of rebuilding. As I shared with all who gathered yesterday for our time of prayer, I will set-up a temporary meeting place at Loveless Cafe, which is just down the street from the church. As they are closed today, I will be, along with Rev. Hannah, outside of the church to meet with you and our community. 

Yesterday's fire was not the end of the story, but rather the beginning of a new chapter. We will rise from the ashes stronger and even more committed to our mission to be a church for all people.

Finally, I want you to know, that as your priest and pastor, I am here for you. I deeply love all of you and will faithfully serve you. I simply ask your prayers for me that I may have the grace and wisdom to do what God wants for our faith community and our entire community.

Peace,

Fr. Don