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August 9 – SIDRABENE
11:00 OPEN-AIR WORSHIP in BOTH LANGUAGES (by the “Jāņu Sēta” outdoor stage) together with the Hamilton Christ Congregation
(more details to follow)
ONLY by pre-registering: admin@standrewslatvian.org or 416-924-1563 (please leave a message)
ALL ARE WELCOME!
BREAKING NEWS! Camp Sidrabene is happy to announce that after much planning we will be able to offer SID Weekend Day Camp for Summer 2020! Thank you to parents, Pārvalde, Padome and volunteers for all your help and support!
Camp dates will be:
July 24-26 / July 31- August 2 / August 7-9
More information and registration forms will be sent to SID parents by email very shortly, or please visit the church website (www.standrewslatvian.org) as information will be added as soon as possible. Any questions please contact: sidrabenesnometne@gmail.com
Sveiciens Sv. Andreja draudzes locekļiem un Sidrabeniešiem!
Sidrabenes Pārvalde is pleased to announce that on June 17th, Padome (Church Council), in accordance with the Ontario Government announcement of June 14th to move into Phase 2 COVID regulations with Halton region included in those changes, passed a motion to open Sidrabene this weekend, starting Friday June 19th, for Latvian folks including Leaseholders and Church Congregation members. PLEASE NOTE:
>no Jāņi celebrations or programmes are planned
>there will be no food or beverages available
>only one public bathroom is available; there will be no “Porta-potties” on site
>physical distancing & keeping group limits is crucial
>Gate (parking) dues will be payable if you don’t have a season pass
>Pool is not open
While in Sidrabene, please ensure you observe all the same COVID rules as in day-to-day life.
Here are some details of what to expect:
1) Gate Duty will be in effect:
2) Vehicle drivers will be expected to either show their Season’s pass or pay $10 for day parking / $60 for season pass. Money exchange will be contactless with physical distancing in effect.
3) Overnight camping is now permitted by Gov’t regulations with the following guidelines:
“While the maximum size of social gatherings is increasing to 10 people, up from the previous limit of 5, physical distancing is still required.
Campers must adhere to social gathering size restrictions and maintain 2-metre physical distancing with people outside their household and when outside of their campsites.
4) The washroom facility near the dance floor will be open and marked with COVID regulation signs; please observe these. An increased cleaning frequency will be in effect, but please use provided cleaning materials on your own as well.
5) All buildings will be closed and off limits
6) Basketball court, playground equipment will remain closed as per Gov’t guidelines.
7) Pavilion and Kafē courtyard will be set up with appropriately distanced tables.
8) Pool unfortunately will not be open as the post-repairs Halton inspection was not completed before the weekend despite our request.
PALDIES!
On behalf of Pārvalde / Pārvaldes vārdā – Mārtiņš Mežulis
Sveiki, Sv. Andreja draudzes locekļi!
Hoping you are all keeping well in these unusual times, and I’m sure we are all awaiting some nicer weather to arrive as well!
In previous years May has signalled the unofficial opening of Sidrabene for cottagers and the Church congregation. Unfortunately, this year Sidrabene is currently operating under the Covid-19 (coronavirus) guidelines, which have disrupted most of the familiar conditions.
The situation is still the same as was outlined in an e-mail sent out by Pārvalde on April 9th (see below). Here is a quick recap of what to expect:
Thank you for your patience and consideration in the above. Any changes announced by the Ontario and regional governments that impact how we currently operate Sidrabene will be closely monitored and adhered to with updates sent to the Sidrabene and church community.
Paldies,
Mart Mežulis
Sidarabenes Pārvalde 2020
E-mail sent on April 9th:
If you are planning to come to your cottage and/or are planning to have non-family members visit you while you are at your cottage, you need to be aware that the Guidelines posted by the City of Burlington and the Ontario government both apply within the Sidrabene property.
More detailed information from the Ontario government can be found at this link:
https://www.publichealthontario.ca/-/media/documents/ncov/factsheet/factsheet-covid-19-guide-physical-distancing.pdf?la=en
City of Burlington guidelines:
Physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most important steps everyone needs to take. The COVID-19 virus doesn’t move on its own; it needs people to move it. To discourage people from gathering and to help reduce the transmission of the virus, the City of Burlington is closing all vehicular access to our parks. Only walking, jogging, riding a bike or scooter/wheelchair through a park or trail is permitted. Remember to keep 2 metres away from others – about the length of a hockey stick. The best thing residents can do to protect themselves and the community, is stay home.
All amenities in our parks have already been closed, please continue to respect the caution tape and keep off of playgrounds, sports fields, skateboard areas, te
News Regarding COVID-19 and Pastor Ilze Kuplēns-Ewart
St. Andrew’s Ev. Lutheran Latvian Congregation, Pastor Ilze Kuplēns-Ewart and our Council are following Ontario guidelines with respect to COVID-19. We are using new ways to provide the spiritual care so desperately needed at this time. Some examples are: online weekly worship “reflections”, bible studies in both Latvian and English, and phoning our more vulnerable members.
In light of the pandemic and its global impact, Council has asked Pastor Ilze Kuplēns-Ewart to stay on as our spiritual leader until the end of 2020. We are pleased that Pastor Ilze has agreed to do so, on a part-time basis. Starting July 1st, Pastor Ilze will be available for 3 weeks out of 4 monthly.
Once COVID-19 restrictions allow, we will return to the following schedule: on the first Sunday of each month worship will be at Sidrabene, and on the second and fourth Sundays at 200 Balmoral Ave.
Pastor Ilze’s monthly week off will begin after each 2nd Sunday, up to and including the 3rd Sunday. Our Church administrator, Sarma Gaide, and your Council will continue to assist you throughout.
Meanwhile, our Call Committee continues to work toward finding our new pastor. We will provide updates as they become available.
Please read our weekly e-mail “blasts”, sent every Sunday. Also enjoy our weekly YouTube worship “reflections”. Contact the Church office to have mailings sent out, should online technology be an issue.
Ar Dieva palīgu – Indra Mertens, Council Chair
In sickness and in health
In a recent comic strip, Arlo ponders: “If either of us gets it, the other probably will, too, you know.” Janis answers, “I know”, and then places her arm on his as both look over their shopping list. Their conversation made me think of wedding vows. Though there are many variations, many vows still contain the promise to love and respect one another for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, until God separates the couple through death. During this unprecedented time of Covid-19 vows once shared between married friends have been pondered in new ways.
Each marriage is unique. Only one unifies millions, symbolically, but powerfully. In the fifth chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul exhorts married Christians to abide in mutual love that is as strong and selfless as that of Christ toward the Church. He writes that it is, indeed, a mystery that Christ joins in union to the Church, as a husband to his wife. Our Lord is and will be faithful to us, His Church, for better or worse, in sickness and in health.
And we, the body of believers that are the Church have been faithful to Him. Communicating His message of grace, mercy, and love in new ways, the work of the Church continues. We serve the person who increasingly feels alone and in fear of getting ill, or not being able to pay outstanding bills, in the hope that they might find Christ’s peace through our sharing of the gospel. Or so the growing number of grieving hearts might be comforted, even as their sorrow is compounded by feelings of despair and guilt at not having been able to be with their loved one as they died. As the body of Christ we continue to affirm the healing power of forgiveness that can strengthen all marriages, especially as spouses realize they have not always been the ‘better half’ for the other. United with parents who struggle in unexpected teaching roles, we have been listening and sharing that if they love their children through it all, their little ones will have learned lessons will truly make them wiser. Thank you to all who together are doing the work of the Church.
A marriage therapist has helped save many a marriage by suggesting that each spouse daily share a compliment as a sign of gratitude. When couples were perplexed about what to thank the other for, the therapist bid them to start noticing the little things usually taken for granted. Thinking of Paul’s words, I thought, what if we are symbolically gifting Christ to whom we belong by sharing our thanks with our congregations through our kind words, our prayers and our donations?
Some have noted how worshiping together in the virtual world makes it is easier to forget to contribute as we would each Sunday. If this time of uncertainty has made it hard for some to do, know others step will carry you as sisters and brothers in Christ. We are grateful for all the gifts shared, whether they be monetary or spiritual – they all bless the work of Church! We long to remain faithful to Christ and one another – in sickness and in health, for better or worse, for richer or poorer – thus fulfilling the promises we have made to our lifelong Friend, Jesus Christ.
In His love,
+ Lauma
Foto: Baiba Rēdmane
