2020 08 24
作者 Article by: Margaret Loo
兩星期前,一位很久沒有聯絡的中學同學, 在WhatsApp的中學校友群組出現,問候各同學在疫情的情況。在半小時內,不斷收到住在世界各地同學的回應,然後, 大家決定透過遙距實時視像會議,安排一次同學的聚會。會議昨天晚上舉行,參加的同學,來自香港,中國,英國,美國,澳洲和加拿大, 大家互相問安,交換近況資料,好不熱鬧 , 並約今年十二月再見。
能夠在疫情中和半個世紀前已認識的同學們網上共聚,實在感恩。
會後收拾興奮心情, 安靜下來, 細心想想, 發覺頌主堂在過去的幾個月的疫情中,亦有多項事工,是透過遙距實時視像會議進行,數一數,自己有機會參加的有六項, 包括:粵語崇拜,粵語事工委員會議,神學基金委員會會議,粵語查經小組會議, 為翻譯義工安排的訓練和分享,和詩班的練習和錄音。我知道還有多項其他事工,例如英語崇拜,牧會議會, 主日學等等…..是透過遙距實時視像會議進行的。
這次的疫情,影響既廣且深,但比較起從前因疫情之隔離,相信這一代的人可能好過些;不少人藉著在線及網絡服務,大家可以保持聯絡,可以購買必需用品,甚至家居工作,不知是否這原因,很多人對防止疫情漫延的措施,漫不經心,可幸安省可說上下一心,疫情得以受到控制。
頌主堂能在疫情中,充分利用創新的機會,使堂務有效的繼續運作 ,我們為此感恩。
感恩父神在疫情中的看顧和帶領,
感恩教區的鼓勵和支持,
感恩牧師堂長導團隊細心的策劃和耐性的領導,
感恩教友積極的參與和同心的禱告。
阿門。
Two weeks ago, a high school friend who had not been in contact for a very long time sent a message to my high school WhatsApp group, checking on how everyone was doing during the pandemic. In the next half an hour, many high school friends from all over the world responded. And the group came to the decision to have a Zoom meeting in two weeks’ time. The Zoom meeting was held last night, with participants coming from Hong Kong, China, UK, USA, Australia and Canada. We exchanged greetings and updates. We had a great time and decided to meet again this December. I am really grateful to be able to reconnect with school friends whom we studied together more than half a century ago.
After the excitement of the Zoom meeting with my friends, I came to the realization that St E has been making extensive use of the Zoom in continuing our ministry during the lockdown. In fact, I have been participating in six such meetings, including the Cantonese Worship, the Cantonese Ministry Committee meetings, the Theological Education Committee Meeting, the Bible Study Fellowship group meetings, the sharing and training session on sermon interpretation and the choir rehearsals. And there are a number of other ministries using Zoom as a tool for continuing their work. Some examples are English Worship, PAB, Sunday School etc.
The impact of the current pandemic is both extensive and far reaching. However, when compared with people facing similar previous disaster, people of this generation are much better off. Modern technology and communication tools help us to maintain our communication with one another, to purchase goods and services online, and even to work from home. Maybe this is one of the reasons why some people pay little or no attention to following the advice on social distancing and putting on masks. Fortunately, the government and the people of Ontario have been working together in getting the pandemic under control.
We are thankful that St. E has been able to function effectively during the pandemic by making full use of the various available tools and technology to ensure the ongoing continuation of church ministry.
We are thankful for God’s care and guidance during the pandemic.
We are thankful for the encouragement and support of the Diocese.
We are thankful for the planning and patience of the leadership team.
We are thankful for the active participation and united prayer of the church parishioners.
Amen.