Churches are among the community gathering places that are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. When the state of emergency in Ontario was declared this morning, places of worship were among the institutions shut down.
On March 13, the Toronto Diocese announced the cessation of all public worship and other gatherings at its churches, including Trinity Anglican Church in Bradford.
The church building is now closed, but a message on the website encourages parishioners to continue to express their faith.
“Although we cannot gather for corporate worship, it has never been more important that we lift our prayers and praises to a merciful God, and to exercise care and charity for ourselves and our neighbours,” wrote The Right Reverend Andrew J. Asbil, Bishop of Toronto.
The Bishop urged parishioners to “continue in your personal devotions, privately and with your family, particularly on Sunday.”
Neighbours are asked to check on neighbours, particularly the elderly, isolated and the vulnerable, by phone or by email.
“Pray for this situation, and for those most affected by it, especially the sick,” Bishop Asbil wrote.
Other churches have also closed their doors.
Bradford United Church, located at 66 Barrie St. will be closed until April 8, with no Sunday services and no activities held at the church building. The office will continue to be staffed and can be reached at 905-775-7268. The Closure will be re-evaluated in April.
St. John’s Presbyterian Church, 2940 Sideroad 10 in Bradford, will be closed until April 3. Services will be streamed online on Facebook.com; click here.
Other churches are evaluating the situation and will have decisions made shortly. Worshippers should contact their church for information.
Over at Green Valley Alliance Church, the decision was just made to close the doors. Sunday saw the last live service at the Church on Simcoe Road; going forward, services will be lived-streamed on Facebook, and other platforms "so people can stay in touch, and have their spiritual needs met," said Paul Burston.
Even before the closure, Green Valley Alliance had instituted safety measures, including sanitizing surfaces, hand washing, and encouraging anyone with symptoms of illness to stay home.
"We're doing everything we can. We want to be part of the solution," said Burston.
"In a severe crisis, either the best or the worst in human behaviour comes out," he added. "I hope that in Bradford, and indeded in Canada, people will be caring and concerned about their neighbours... These are unchartered waters for all of us."
