Christ Church in the City of New Brunswick
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By mandate of our Bishop, Christ Church remains closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a message from Rev. Joanna and multiple opportunities to join us for virtual worship and other gatherings.
From Rev. Joanna

Dear Christ Church Family,

How are you? Really – how are you? Are you taking deep breaths? Are you praying? Are you taking news breaks? Parents of school-aged children, how is distance learning going?

What has been on my mind since Bishop Stokes closed the church buildings has been how do we maintain a sense of community as a parish while we are under a shelter-in-place order? You already know some of the things that we are doing. We have set up a phone tree so that everyone in the parish once a week (if you think that you may not be on the call list, please let us know). We are offering two Sunday services in two different mediums (Zoom and Facebook live) to ensure maximum participation. During the week, you can join us via Zoom for our Bible Study on Tuesdays and Wednesday Noonday Prayer. This past Sunday, I spent time with some of the children and youth of the parish and their parents (via Zoom), and we are working on ways to continue offering spiritual development and social opportunities for the children and youth. My hope is that everyone has at least one touch point each week with the parish. To that note, I am instituting a weekly Parish Town Hall Zoom meeting on Wednesdays at 6p.m. You will find the information at the end of this email. I know that I have certainly appreciated people’s texts and calls and have enjoyed spending time with folks online and on the phone.

We have also been working on Holy Week. We will be offering online services (you will be able to call in), and you will have the opportunity to create your own Holy Week experience in your own homes with the resources we will be putting together over the next week. One thing to put in your calendar is that on Saturday, April 4 th , you will be able to pick up palms from the church from 10a.m. to Noon. The Altar Guild will use all safety precautions to separate the palms in bundles, and I will be present at the church during pickup time on April 4 th to give you palms. Please come to the tower doors. We will be using safety precautions and the required 6 feet distancing. If you are not comfortable receiving palms from the church this year (totally acceptable), I invite you to take a walk outside and to collect leaves, long grass or branches and create your own “palms” for Palm Sunday!

Due to how COVID-19 is transmitted, if anyone in the parish tests positive and is in the hospital, neither Rev. Pete nor I will be able to come for a visit (hospitals will not allow it). However, that does not mean you cannot reach us. We can still talk on the phone or do Facetime or WhatsApp video. We will make it work. Just know that we are reachable and that we want to support you no matter what.

Please know that I am praying for everyone in the parish daily and wish you all the best of health. Please do not hesitate to contact me or Rev. Pete Cornell if you just want to talk or want prayer. We also encourage you to reach out to other parishioners as well!

Blessings and Love,
Rev. Joanna+


Christ Church Weekly Online Offerings:

Weekly Parish Town Hall Meetings: Wednesdays at 6p.m.
Zoom link for computer or Zoom App: https://zoom.us/j/516928487
By phone: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the following code 516-928-487
 
Sunday 8a.m. Morning Prayer, Tuesday 10a.m. Bible Study and Wednesday 12pm Noonday Prayer:
Zoom link for computer or Zoom App : https://zoom.us/j/417531024
By phone: Call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the following code 417-531-024
 
Sunday 10:30a.m. Morning Prayer on Facebook Live
Go to the Christ Church Facebook Page:   https://www.facebook.com/ChristChurchNB/
 
Diocesan Resources:
 
Information about online gatherings with Bishop Stokes and his staff: https://dioceseofnj.org/resources-for-mission/
 
Letters from Bishop Stokes; links to health and ministry resources: https://dioceseofnj.org/covid-19-guidance/