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In this state of emergency in Ontario, Christ is still our hope and the church is still the church. We do not know when we will be able to gather together to worship again. We do know that we are called to share God's grace and to live Christ's peace. God's love is unshakeable even when we feel shaky.

Church Council and the Pastoral Care Team continue to coordinate ways of sharing, praying, worshipping, connecting with and caring for one another. HMCers, watch your email for opportunities to continue to be church to one another, or contact Pastor Alissa, the Pastoral Care Team, or Church Council chair with ideas and to offer your time and energy.

For this St. Patrick's Day, another prayer written by Carol Penner:

Prayer in Virulent Times (after St. Patrick)

We bind onto ourselves
the loving power of God our Creator,
the enlivening power of the Spirit of Truth,
and the steadfast faithfulness of Jesus Christ.
We bind onto ourselves 
the glories of the earth, this gift:
the power of heaven,
the light of the sun,
the brightness of the moon,
the splendour of fire,
the flashing of lightning,
the swiftness of wind,
the depth of the sea,
the stability of the earth.
Against the power of viruses,
against the sweep of pandemics,
against the selfishness that hoards for oneself,
against the anxiety that gnaws at our hearts,
good Lord, protect us.
Against sickness and pain,
good Lord protect us.
For all who do the work of caring for the sick,
good Lord preserve them.
For all who are grieving,
and cannot be comforted,
good Lord, hear our prayer.
We bind to ourselves today
God's eye to watch over us,
God's ear to hear us,
God's word to give us speech,
God's hand to guide us.
Christ with us, Christ before us,
Christ behind us, Christ within us,
Christ beneath us, Christ above us,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in mouth of friend or stranger.
With the steadfastness of God, our Rock,
and the love of Christ that will not let us go,
and the Spirit of Hope, who gives us peace,
we go into this day.