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Hello and welcome to COVID Communiqué 32. As we mentioned last week, it’s impossible to predict who will come to church on Christmas (if you are open for in-person worship), but your congregation could well include visitors, or people back for the first time since the shutdown. They will be unfamiliar with our protocols and will need extra guidance. Encourage greeters to be warm and welcoming, and to take the time to explain. 

Now, here’s something we can predict: people love their Christmas music and they will want to sing. That could be a problem. We’ve all been missing singing praises, but Christmas takes it to another, and more dangerous, level:  everyone knows the words, and everyone looks forward all year to singing them together, on Christmas, joyously. 

Even with masks on, even with distanced seating, it is not a good idea. We can start laying the groundwork for a carol-free Christmas now. Work with your musicians, Parish Council and greeters to come up with a plan, including how to gently shut down singing if it breaks out spontaneously. Here are some ideas: ·         

  • Play medleys of Christmas hymns.·         
  • Place a notice in the bulletin, explaining why singing during COVID is problematic.·         
  • Mention it at the start of the liturgy, inviting people to simply enjoy the music. 

Now, don’t worry! Christmas music is not banned. In addition to the innumerable Christmas carols and liturgies to be found online, here are two of many ways to share Christmas music with your congregation: Lessons and Carols from our own Cathedral in Ottawa, and Lessons and Carols from Coast to Coast to Coast from Anglican cathedrals across the country. Note these links only become active at the time of the event (4 pm Sunday, December 20th for Christ Church Cathedral in Ottawa, and 8 pm Friday, December 18th for the national service). However, they will be available on demand any time after they are posted. We can still share the joy of Christmas music — just, as with everything this very strange year, in a different way. 

Finally, a reminder that our diocesan chancellor, Henry Schultz, will provide information on how to hold online vestries in January (watch this space!). 

As ever, send questions and comments to C19helpdesk@ottawa.anglican.ca.   

COVID Communiqué is produced by our senior staff:
Shane Parker, Bishop
Beth Bretzlaff, Dean
Linda Hill, Executive Archdeacon
Sanjay Grover, Director of Financial Ministry
Peter John Hobbs, Director of Community Ministries
Jane Scanlon, Director of Stewardship Development
Carol Sinclair, Director of Human Resources