A Message from the Wardens (April 2)

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Dear Parishioners,

As we journey forward as a Cathedral community during these difficult times, we are reminded that we are not alone.

Do not be afraid. I am with you.
I am your God – let nothing terrify you!
I will make you strong and help you.
I will protect you and save you. (Isaiah 41:10)

Through the despair that surrounds us, we are asked as a community to allow God’s light to shine through as we continue His mission at the corner of King and Church. Let us do this together, through the Grace of God.

FINANCIAL NECESSITY

As we journey together, we are faced with the financial reality of the current shutdowns. Since we were forced to close the Cathedral and Cathedral Centre indefinitely as a precaution to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the vulnerable members of society, most of our sources of income have declined sharply. All rentals have been cancelled by our clients, the cemetery has been shut down for some time, due to equipment failures (see update below), financial markets have suffered decline and donations are down by two thirds – only about a third of our parishioners donate by way of automated, regular payments. When the other two-thirds don’t attend, we don’t receive their offerings.

Thank you to those of you who continue to send in your regular giving or have increased your gift or made one-time gifts to help us through this crisis. However, despite our spending reductions, staff temporary and permanent layoffs, and the Diocesan plans for financial relief for parishes, our fixed costs of over $80,000 per month (not including essential staff) continue to exceed our revenues.

DONATIONS AND PRE-AUTHORIZED GIVING (PAG)

Please help St. James to continue to journey forward by continuing to send your regular donations by cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9 or by using the “Donate” button on our website. In 2019 we implemented a cyber-security program to maintain the security of your personal and financial data.

We encourage you to sign up for pre-authorized monthly giving, ensuring us of a vital stream of income. Please note that at any time you can stop or change the PAG amount by emailing the office.

CATHEDRAL UPDATES

St. James Cemetery: As we reported earlier, essential, temporary repairs to one of our two retorts at St. James Cemetery crematorium have been completed. To meet the standards set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks we are making further repairs, which we are hoping will be completed next week. We plan to start performing cremations by mid-April, restoring a much-needed source of income. The longer-term project to replace the retorts continues to be planned. We are closely collaborating with St. John Norway Cemetery to ensure that our clients are being served.

Cathedral Lighting Project: Work resumed on this project this week after a shutdown because the thawing ground was soft. We can expect it to be complete by the time normal activity resumes at St. James. It is important to remember that this project is being performed at no cost to St. James.

HOLY WEEK SERVICES AT ST. JAMES CATHEDRAL

Join the Diocese in observing Holy Week and celebrating Easter through online worship from St. James Cathedral directly on the Diocese Facebook page. The following services will be live streamed or recorded:

Palm Sunday: April 5 at 11:00am
Chrism Mass: April 7 at 10:30am
Maundy Thursday: April 9 at 7:00pm
Good Friday: April 10 at 12:00pm
Easter Sunday: April 12 at 11:00am

See a printable list of the above services.

(Stations of the Cross information to be announced.)

STAYING CONNECTED

Continue to link to the Cathedral’s website and Facebook for updates, Morning Prayer and inspirational messages. Also, the clergy are now available on a special prayer line three times a week. The schedule is as follows:

Mondays, 1:00-2:00pm: 416-364-7865; ext *232
Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00pm: 416-364-7865; ext *232
Fridays, 1:00-2:00pm: 416-824-3109

Please keep in touch. We miss greeting at the Cathedral door on Sunday mornings, and look forward to the day we can do this again.

Blessings,

Don & Jayne
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca