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Armour famous how traditionally few references there are to the “many epidemics that swept by means of the town” within the church data.
“In former days, poverty, illness, youngster demise, have been accepted as details of life — not that church buildings weren’t concerned,” he wrote. However the minutes, he added, handled church enterprise quite than present affairs. “No point out, for example, of Confederation, the burning of the Parliament buildings or the various fires that destroyed giant sections of the town.”
It’s unclear simply how a lot adversity the church has survived within the 100 years because it was reunited — the aftermath of two world wars and, now, two world pandemics. Since March, the constructing has been closed to the general public in accordance with Quebec’s COVID-19 laws.
But by means of all of it, the neighborhood thrives and even grows, Kelly asserted. The church, which has greater than 600 congregants, continues to attract new members regardless of the pandemic.
“This isn’t a dying church,” Kelly mentioned.
The church retains solidarity alive by means of on-line providers and occasions. Their annual fall honest for instance, Kelly mentioned, drew in $150,000 from neighborhood gross sales, regardless of being held on-line for the primary time ever. All of the proceeds go to charity.
“With out query it is a troublesome time for all of us, however particularly for these of us who’re sick or who really feel remoted,” Rev. Chestnut wrote in a letter posted to the church’s web site in March.
“Please spare a thought for a neighbour or a stranger who is perhaps in problem or want at the moment, particularly if they’re older. Please take into account serving to them in methods which can be in accordance with authorities pointers.
“Most of all, please hold hope alive.”
