An Excerpt from Bishop's Oulton's Letter to Clergy and Wardens
December 21, 2020 
Today the Premier of Ontario announced that in order to bring the transmission of COVID-19 under better control, the province will enter the Grey Stage (Lockdown) of the COVID-19 response framework on December 26. As we have stated from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we will always willingly abide by the guidance and direction placed upon us by government and health authorities as we exercise an “abundance of caution” in protecting all those we serve and minister. The message from the medical briefing made it clear that the earlier the work starts, the lower the case numbers will be. After careful consideration, the decision has been made to move to closure in the Diocese of Ontario earlier than the provincial direction (which is balancing health and commercial considerations).   

Effective at 12:01 am on December 24, 2020, all permissions to re-open for in-person worship granted under the Amber Stage are suspended until further notice.

All directives of local public health authorities and the government of Ontario must be followed at all times. 

We make these decisions with sadness, particularly given that this will impact our public celebrations marking the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. But we continue to be a people of hope. These steps are being taken to contain this disease, to help and protect each other. The availability of vaccines now signals our world entering a new phase in the battle against the virus. We will celebrate Christmas differently this year both as a church and as individuals/families. We pray God’s abundant blessings on us all as we celebrate the Incarnation..

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