PWRDF's Vaccine Equity Program

A note from your weblog Editor:

Currently I'm home isolating through Sept. 2, having contracted a case of COVID-19 -- a "break-through" case, because I've been fully vaccinated since July 16. It's not been a picnic, I can tell you, but this is Day 5 since the start of my symptoms and I am feeling significantly better. I hate to think what would have happened had I not had the vaccine!!

Vaccines don't cure diseases -- but they reduce their impact and their spread. Vaccines are the reason small pox and polio have been essentially eradicated from the globe. It could be the same with COVID-19 -- and this virus could cease to mutate into more dangerous forms -- if enough people around the world were vaccinated. This is why I've just donated to the Vaccine Equity Program established by PWRDF. It's working primarily in Africa to ensure vaccines against COVID are available in so many communities without proper health care. (see https://pwrdf.org/paying-it-forward-to-lesotho/)

I rarely talk about donating to anything, but ours is a parish that supports PWRDF and its work. If you are a regular donor to PWRDF, please consider marking your next donation(s) to go to this important and life-saving project -- the Vaccine Equity Program. If you're not a regular PWRDF donor (I'm not), please consider a donation at least once to this cause. And if you are able and eligible to be vaccinated (no medical contraindications) -- and have yet to do so -- get yourself vaccinated! It might just save your life.

Thanks, and may your day be blessed.

Prayers for British Columbia, Please

This is a selection of some of the photos provided on Facebook yesterday by Mel Issa, a young woman living in British Columbia.  She and her friends are sharing these and asking for prayer.

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women who are first responders and firefighters working to control and combat the wildfires all over our land, but especially right now in our neighbouring province of British Columbia. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and exhaustion; give them courage to face the perils that beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever in the province they are working.

At the same time, Lord God, please comfort all those who have had to flee homes for safety from the fires. Keep them safe, and provide for their needs and those who have given them hospitality and shelter. Guard the animals -- wild and domestic -- that may be fleeing or injured, and bring them to safety and protection. Grant to all in distress mercy, relief and refreshment; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.*

*Adapted from the Occasional Prayers, Book of Alternative Services, Anglican Church of Canada.

Worship in Song -- Carefully!

 

Together again! Alison and Margaret practiced tonight for the August 22 Morning Prayer service. After 18 months apart, they've still got what it takes to harmonize! 😉

Come and worship with them that Sunday, 10 a.m. (in person, not recorded). Remember, if you want to sing along, you have to wear a mask. Hand-washing and distancing protocols will be in place as well. Thank you!

Coming Up Online: Exploring the Spiritual Disciplines

 

Spiritual Disciplines Exploration

Saturday, August 14 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Please contact dioceseofcalgaryacw@gmail.com

Service for Sunday, August 1, 2021: Still Worshipping in Place (for now)

 

Today's Service is presented by

Rev. Dr. Robert Sears

and members of St. John's Anglican Parish,

Olds, Alberta

Readings for Sunday, August 1, 2021

Exodus 16: 2-4, 9-15

Psalm 78: 23-29

Ephesians 4: 1-16

The Gospel of John 6: 24-35

Thanks to Rev. Robert and volunteers for this week's service.

May it bless your day.  😊

Rev. Robert and his family are on holidays through August; please pray that they have a time of rest and refreshment, and remain safe and well.  

There will be in-person Morning Prayer services at St. Cyprian's, Lacombe, on August 8 and 22.  There will be music; however, congregational singing (without masks) is not recommended due to the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant, which -- it is now believed by public health doctors and scientists -- can be carried asymptomatically even by vaccinated persons, and passed to others.  There are persons in our faith family that are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons;  let us remember to respect and care for each other.  Thank you!