Hello Friends,

Due to the continuing rise of COVID cases in Toronto we have weighed the pros and cons of offering in-person worship to our Cantonese, Mandarin and English congregations. Our leadership team decided Tuesday night to temporarily suspend in-person worship for the month of January.

Please continue following us through our YouTube Channel.

Data from Omicron waves in other parts of the world suggest that this fast spreading, highly contagious variant will move through rapidly. There is a good chance that by the end of this month things will be different. We will pray for better conditions and continue to do our best to encourage your spiritual growth and provide prayer, counsel and support through this time.

In Christ,
Pastor Nolan

Hello Friends,

There may be questions about how TCBC is responding to the current fast rising case numbers of COVID-19 infections and the imminent Omicron wave so there is a brief note on our response.

Like the snow that is coming down on this beautiful Saturday morning, let’s agree that we’ve been here before. Just like we’ve seen it snow, we have seen pandemic waves strike our city. In this case it may be a “snow storm” and we should respond appropriately. Everything we do to last through past storms though, we keep doing.

The only change you will see this Sunday service is that I and our song leader Ivan will remain masked throughout the service. We are worshipping in an Anglican church and their college of bishops have decided on adding this policy. We can still sing together and congregate during the worship service. There is plenty of room to keep well distanced from one another and, as per TCBC policy, in-person participation is for those who show Proof of Vaccination. As always, TCBC has maintained a standard of safety that is far above going to the grocery store or attending schools. That being said, we fully support any member’s decision to limit in-person contact events and choose instead to join in on-line ministries.

The key point is to stay connected. I encourage you to use the time during the break to:

• call, video chat, write cards or letters–catch up with those you have not connected with for a while; maybe your encouraging word is the boost they need
• go deeper by joining a book study, get into a married couples group, start up a regular time of prayer with a friend, take an on-line course on the spiritual life; make this winter season one of spiritual growth
• tackle and overcome the big barriers in your life–look for ways to come out of this season, stronger and more grounded in your faith

For me and the English Ministry team, we are looking for different ways we can address your spiritual needs. I am grateful to have Martin Tam assisting me in the role of Pastoral intern and to have Jasmine Ng and Claudia Li-Tang leading the English Ministry committee. Let us know if there is any ministry issue that needs to be addressed.

Stay safe and expect God’s blessings,

Pastor Nolan

Hello Friends,

There is a tradition in many Christian churches to call Advent (begins 4th Sunday before Christmas–Nov. 28 of this year) the beginning of a new year. We look to Jesus the Light of the World whose arrival gave this world reason to hope again. This Sunday we light the 2nd Candle of Advent: the Candle of Peace.

For those who would like to join us in-person at St. George this Sunday, as announced in previous weeks, we are no longer doing the pre-registration step. TCBC has chosen to adopt Proof of Vaccination protocols and we do keep an attendance record for 30 days (information is then erased).

Bring your Vaccination Certificate or QR code when you come to service. If you have a medical exemption, please bring the letter from an immunologist or cardiologist who are the only ones qualified to write a Covid vaccine exemption letter (due to the rarity of the conditions under exemption)

Bring a government issued ID with the same name and birth date on the Vaccination Certificate or QR code. (You will only need to show this once if you give us permission to keep your vaccination status, not personal information, on file.)

By following the PoV protocols, capacity restrictions are lifted (during the worship service only) and thus we do not need to know beforehand how many are expected to attend.

You may also follow us online on our YouTube channel:

On Saturday December 11 TCBC will be hosting a Traditional English Carol service from 7pm to 8pm at TCBC.

The purpose of gathering is strictly to worship the Lord through singing Carols together. There will be singing along with a short Christmas message that will be Christ and community focused. Come with your friends who like singing carols and don’t miss this opportunity to sing with others the good news of Christ’s birth.

I’ve created a simple sheet outlining all that’s going on in the English ministry. Below is a link or use the QR code to go directly to the page.

TCBC English Activities

Hope to meet up with you (in-person or on-line) soon.

Hello Friends,

This Sunday we have Jesse Wong visiting us along with his family. They Wongs have been living in Africa where Jesse trains up the future generation of dentists who will serve in Rwanda and use that platform to declare the good news of Jesus. Join us in-person at St. George pre-registration link is

Sunday Worship Registration

 
Finally, instead of having an in-person Christmas Eve. Service on Dec. 24 (Mandarin and Cantonese will hold services at TCBC that night), we are having a Traditional English Carol service on Saturday Dec. 11 from 7pm to 8pm at TCBC. There will be singing along with a short Christmas message that will be Christ and community focused. Consider this an invitation to come with your friends who like singing carols and as a chance to meet members of the community. Friends who cannot attend in person are invited to lead us to sing through a pre-recorded video (and Yes I will be asking some of you who live out of town if you would consider recording your favourite song and so we can sing with you that evening).
 

Hello Friends,

Sign-in Link

Blessings,
Pastor Nolan