A Message from the Dean & Wardens (May 6)

I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,  out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God…
Psalm 40: 1-3a

Dear Friends,

We have received many calls and emails from people asking about a post-COVID-19 plan for St. James, i.e., when will it end and what will it look like? We thought we would take this opportunity to begin to give you a bird’s eye view of how that will begin to unfold.

The decisions to suspend all services and close the Cathedral and Cathedral Centre were not decisions made autonomously by your Executive Team. Rather, they came in the forms of directives from the Bishop of Toronto (in consultation with Toronto Public Health) and the Government of Ontario. Therefore, it is important to remember that reversing these overall measures will be made via those same bodies of authority. In other words, we cannot open again for services, or otherwise, until we are given the go-ahead from the Premier and Bishop.

In the meantime, the Dean is involved in discussions with the Bishop and the Diocesan Leadership Team about what the relaxing of some restrictions might look like. We do know that it will be a while before we go back to the way things were prior to the COVID-19 lockdown measures. For instance, it is likely that the first services, once we are allowed to open, will not be Eucharists and that the size of them will be limited by government restrictions. So, four Sunday services with as many people as want to come on our usual schedule are likely a long way off.

We patiently await direction from the Bishop and Ontario Government on these fronts. It will be wonderful when all restrictions are lifted, and we can come back to our much-loved patterns of worship and fellowship. Until then, we need to be as patient and understanding as possible. The Lord hears us and will indeed offer us liberty and put a new song in our mouths.

At the end of this edition of E-Connections you will find some more information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP:

The following reflects the financial position of St. James Cathedral from January 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020.

Summary:

• Please note that offerings include several one-time gifts, including one in the range of $50,000.
• Rental income began the year slow and stopped in mid-March due to Covid-19.
• The majority of the Special Purpose funds relate to the continuation of the lighting project.
• Investment income is accrued quarterly with adjustments to actual on an annual basis.
• Cemetery income has been adversely affected by the shutdown of the crematorium in the first quarter of 2020.
• Expenditures have been reduced in nearly every department, with the exception of the lighting project, which is being paid for entirely with donated funds.

It is only through your faithful stewardship that St. James can continue to meet its financial challenges ahead. Thank you to those who have continued to send their monthly donations. If you have yet to do so, please consider sending donations by cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9 or by using the “Donate” button on our web page. In 2019 we implemented a cyber-security program to maintain the security of your personal and financial data.

Last week we sent a letter (postage donated) to donors who are not yet registered for pre-authorized monthly giving. We encourage you to respond and sign up for PAG, thus ensuring a vital stream of income for the Cathedral. Please note, that at any time you can stop or change the PAG amount by emailing the office.

ST. JAMES CEMETERY:

The north retort (cremation unit) has been determined to be beyond useful repair. Work was performed successively to install a new floor in the south retort as well as to repair the Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) system and related instrumentation. A test cremation was conducted on April 17, 2020, as a result of which further repairs were made to the combustion equipment. A second test cremation was conducted on April 22, 2020. The second test cremation was successful, and our consultants have sent to the provincial Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) a report certifying that the structural integrity of the south retort is acceptable as well as one certifying that the combustion and CEM equipment is functioning properly.

Our environmental consultants are gathering data and preparing an Emission Summary and Dispersion Modelling (ESDM) report, which is required by MECP to demonstrate whether we comply with regulations limiting the release of contaminants into the air. If the result of the modelling is favourable, we will be permitted to conduct cremations using the refurbished south retort until the cremation equipment is replaced.

After delays arising from COVID-19, the project for the potential replacement of the retorts is advancing. Additional information regarding the installation of new equipment has been received. Before proceeding any further, we are engaging our environmental consultant to conduct emission and smoke dispersion modelling to determine whether proposed new equipment would comply with emission standards. If the result is positive, we will take further steps towards obtaining firm pricing for the work.

SUPPORTING YOU THROUGH COVID-19:

Social distancing, travel restrictions and closures of schools and community organizations are key actions announced by the government to stop the spread of COVID-19. However, such measures may not be feasible for individuals experiencing or at risk for violence in the home. A recent Statistics Canada survey released in April about the impact of COVID-19, reported 8% of Canadians were ‘very or extremely concerned’ about the possibility of violence in the home. It is important to remember there is help and support available to anyone who feels at risk of abuse.

Here are some useful links:

• Federal –  Affected by gender-based violence?
• Ontario –  Get help if you are experiencing violence
• Toronto – Visit 211toronto.ca and select the service topic.
•  Kids Help Phone is a 24/7, national support service for children and youth.

If you need to speak to one of the clergy, please email one of the following and someone will be in touch: vicar@stjamescathedral.ca or amacdonald@stjamescathedral.ca

STAYING CONNECTED:

Thank you for your love and support during this period in the life of St. James. We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website or Facebook  for updates, Morning Prayer, service listings and inspirational messages. Please remember, you are not alone.

Blessings and peace to you all,

Dean Stephen and Wardens Don & Jayne
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca