Dear Friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you all in this Lenten season. We write to you on behalf of the Northern Spirit Regional Council Executive and in the interests of well-being for all our Communities of Faith. Discussion about COVID-19 is growing as confirmed cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) continue to spread. Emergency situations are a potential reality for all communities. Taking the time to plan how we would respond to the day-to-day needs of our faith communities during such events is essential. The United Church of Canada has prepared and updated the Emergency Plan document (see links below) to help communities of faith plan ahead for contingencies that may or may not arise, realizing that planning ahead is a way to reduce anxiety.
We urge communities of faith to respond to COVID-19 with compassion, prevention, and prayer. As we have seen, COVID-19 does not discriminate. We need to be aware of racial stereotyping and racist responses, as some countries are hit harder than others and some Canadians choose to use this reality to discriminate against others.
Below we have included links to reliable sources of information to help you keep updated in your area and urge you to follow the prevention techniques supplied by the federal government and provincial and territorial health authorities.
As we move forward, the Regional Council Executive will keep informed and make decisions and back-up plans should restrictions of large gatherings become a reality for us.
Blessings and strength to all,
Shannon McCarthy, Executive Minister,
Ruth Lumax, Chair, Northern Spirit Regional Council Executive.
United Church of Canada:
All COVID-19 updates and resources: https://www.united-church.ca/covid-19
Emergency Plan (updated March 2020)
Government of Canada:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Northern Spirit Regional Council:
https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/topics/Page16944.aspx
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/coronavirus-(novel)
https://www.hss.gov.nt.ca/en/services/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/coronavirus-disease-covid-19-faqs
