MCC Toronto’s Worship Services and Programs have moved online

Until further notice,
MCC Toronto’s staff will be working remotely

Upon the advice shared by medical professionals including Toronto Public Health and Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, we have decided that all staff members will be working remotely until further notice. However, we will continue one of our weekly Worship Service and programming digitally.

This is a temporarily decision and was a responsible one to help slow the potential spread of the virus, but not cause for alarm or panic.

Maintaining essential human connection and community support is vital, which is why we will be adjusting some of our programming.

Weekly Worship Services

While we will not be hosting our 9 AM and 7 PM Worship service for the time being, we will be live-streaming a version of the 11 AM Service, which can be viewed on our Facebook and YouTube pages.

You can participate in communion with your own bread or crackers, and juice or water at home and can even donate online or sign up for our sustained giver program here.

Digital Programming

We have introduced two new activities for our community to continue connecting and supporting each other with.

Noon Hour Reflections will be available on Facebook Live and reposted on Instagram at noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Rev. Jeff or Rev. Deana will be taking a moment to share inspiring reflections, scriptures and prayers to support us through these difficult times.

Nightly Community Check-ins will be available on ZOOM at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. This will be a space where attendees can turn on their webcams (if they choose) or use messages to chat and stay in contact with each other.

Wednesday Bible Study on the Seven Deadly Sins is continuing online on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM.

Sunday Evening Inspiration Service Check-ins is a space dedicated for those who attend the 7:00 p.m. Inspiration Service. With weekly worship going online, we want to provide a smaller group check-in on Sundays at 7:00 p.m. on ZOOM.

While we have postponed all our in-person meetings and activities, programming with the capabilities of being online will continue digitally.

We will be using ZOOM video calls for many of our meetings. To learn how to download ZOOM, click here.

Congregational Care Program

We understand this period may be particularly difficult for some and would like to highlight our Congregational Care Program. If you or someone you know is in need of pastoral care or additional support, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Congregational Care team by filling out this online form or via email.

However, at this moment, all in-person Congregational Care visits will be suspended as we continue to implement social distancing recommendations. We will instead use technology to connect are care for one another.

Neighbourhood Networks Programs is a location-based Congregational Care Program with the goal to join together and combat social isolation caused by physical distancing together.

The network will perform once-a-week group calls and weekly telephone trees. These check-ins will allow individuals to stay connected and maintain human connection, but also highlight any specific needs or assistance one may have, such as support in grocery shopping or financial assistance.

Due to the nature of the program, you MUST fill out the online form here. In order for you to register for the MCC Toronto’s Neighbourhood Networks Program, you must give consent to having your contact information shared within your network.

If you would like to join, please do not hesitate and fill out the form by the end of day on Monday, March 23, 2020.

Benevolence Fund

We have a robust Benevolence Fund contributed by congregants for congregants in the form of grocery store gift cards. We encourage the use of food banks and other government services, but are prepared to supplement, especially in light of COVID-19 related circumstances. If you or a congregant you know is in need of financial assistance please make a Benevolence Fund Request here.

We do not want to contribute to fear-mongering and instead suggest CARE-mongering and combat fear with love, concern, and care for one another.

Please follow the advice of medical professionals and avoid unreliable news sources.

Currently, most COVID-19 cases in Toronto are from those who have traveled outside of the country and are not due to local transmission. However, we want to keep it this way and avoid un-necessary risks especially for those who are vulnerable to illness. This is known as “flattening the curve” so that medical professionals can care for the sickest patients.

The best defence continues to be washing your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds using soap and hot water and avoid touching your face and to avoid large crowds.

Many thanks for your patience and cooperation at this time and please keep your eye out for more updates.

We have been providing updates twice a week on our electronic newsletter, The Query. Please sign up to get the latest updates on our community. You can sign up here.

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