For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NRSV)

There is nothing that can separate us from this love. Not our isolation, not our fear, not our sickness, not the decisions made or the changes and challenges we face, not even our death. We are held completely in fierce love and can find our rest amidst the uncertainty that surrounds us in the strong foundation of God's suffering solidarity and boundless love. 

In this newsletter, I have collected some of the resources we have been pointing folk to over the past week. Please feel free to send websites or resources you are finding helpful in this time and I will include them in next weeks newsletter. If you like video series, Work of the People is streaming for free a video series on suffering and change in the 4 Gospels. you will find more information later on in the newsletter.  

As you have probably discovered there is a phone tree set up to keep us all connected. If you haven't received a call (or would like to be removed from that list) let me or any of Parish Council know! While I am praying for you all daily, please be in touch if there are particular concerns or questions you have. You can reach me at 250 208 7296 or incumbent@stmatthiasvictoria.ca 

I will be working on a Zoom bible study and community check-in. To prepare for that there is a video on how to access Zoom included. 

I have been thinking that we have read and talked and heard sermons about the wilderness for so long and finally we get a taste of that experience. Our usual touchstones of buildings and people and worship have been disrupted. We wander through unfamiliar territory. Our longing for the promised land grows as we anticipate the time when we will return to the home and family that is the body of Christ re-membered, reunited once more around the table of thanksgiving. Yet in this time God is with us and never leaves us to face our perils alone. God is forming us as a people reliant on Gods provision and Word -  a people made in Gods own image and filled with God's presence and hope. May we be courageous and open to what God is doing in our midst today and in all the days to come.  

I leave you with a prayer from Thomas Merton to accompany you, may you be filled with a profound sense of Gods compassionate love this week!