Post #26-March 11, 2022
As each of you know, the Alberta Government lifted all Covid 19 restrictions this week. Therefore, we as a church will be honouring this decision. However, as you also know, the City of Edmonton is still requiring folks within Edmonton to wear masks until the mask bylaw is reexamined this coming week by City Council. As a result, our landlord, Taylor Seminary has asked us as a church to observe the mask bylaw until the Edmonton City Council drops it or the Alberta Government steps in and compels the Edmonton City Council to align with their provincial mandate.
Therefore, as church leadership we are asking all to graciously observe the request of our landlord, Taylor Seminary, in continuing to wear our masks. We believe this matter will be resolved by the Alberta Government and City of Edmonton very shortly.
Post #25 - February 9, 2022
- Places of worship may operate without capacity limits
- Masks remain mandatory (except for children under 13 as of February 13)
Post #24 - September 16, 2021
With the implementation announced by the Alberta Government of new health restrictions beginning Friday, September 16, 2021. There were two options given to Places of Worship:
#1. Requiring proof of vaccination or negative rapid test to continue operating as usual
OR
#2. Follow capacity and operating restrictions; 1/3 of fire code capacity.
As leadership, it was decided that we will follow option #2. The implications for the Sunday morning worship gatherings for the foreseeable future will limit us to cap the attendance to 74, (1/3 of the capacity of Stencel Hall at Taylor Seminary), where we meet.
The attendance on Sunday mornings have been well under this number in recent months so we expect to continue on as we have been. We will begin taking names and contact information again at the table outside of the sanctuary to track attendance for COVID reasons.
As the attendance cap is set at 74 for Stencel Hall, we also expect the Ordination Service for Pastor Matthew on Sunday Morning, September 26 and the Annual Business Meeting to go ahead as per usual, at 12 noon (following the morning service), as planned.
Of course the other health guidelines will continue to be observed and practiced: hand sanitization, mask wearing, ensuring 6 ft distance between households or 2 close contacts for those living alone.
If you have any further questions, please contact Janice at heritageva@gmail.com or call/text 780 699 6315.
God bless each and every one of you!
Pastor Larry
Post #23 - September 9, 2021
Sunday Morning Services Covid 19 Health Restrictions
With the Covid 19 infection rates increasing one again, it is our desire to ensure that as a church we are doing our part to maintain a caring, healthy and safe experience on Sunday mornings.Therefore as we have consistently done since the outbreak of Covid 19 several months ago, we will abide by our Alberta Government requests for indoor gatherings.
First, according to the Alberta Government and the Chief Medical Office, Dr. Hinshaw, face masks ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE WORN IN WORSHIP GATHERINGS IN PLACES OF WORSHIP (CMOH 40-2021, Part 4 - Masking Exceptions; F. Exceptions for Places of Worship). However, if you wish to attend onsite and feel more comfortable wearing a mask, that is perfectly appropriate as well.
Second, if you attend onsite we would encourage you to heed the following:
- when possible, consider giving yourself and each other 2 meters of distance; please use hand sanitizers provided; cover your coughs/sneezes; please stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of Covid 19 and follow all Government of Alberta requirements for isolation.(refer to Alberta.ca).
- Thank you so much as we work together for the glory of Good and the well being of our families, friends, neighbours, and cohorts.
God bless each and every one of you!
Pastor Larry
Post #22 - September 5, 2021
Hi HVA Friends,
It has come to our attention in writing through Alberta’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hinshaw that the Alberta Government’s Mandatory Face Mask Wearing for Alberta...EXEMPTS PLACES OF WORSHIP.
This has also been confirmed on media outlets this morning.
Therefore, this exemption lawfully applies to us as a church.
You can participate onsite this morning without a mask...
Or
You can wear a mask if you feel more comfortable.
However, we encourage you to continue to sanitize your hands as appropriate; if feeling ill, we kindly ask you to stay home...
If the City of Edmonton further clarifies their policy further in days to come in relation to that of the Alberta Government’s, we will alert you ASAP.
However, as of Saturday evening the City of Edmonton’s website simply says to check with the Alberta Government’s website.
Wonderfully, we will be honoured to continue our on-line ministry via live-streaming. Our services appear live on our website at www.heritagevalleyassembly.com on Sunday's at 10:30 AM (MST) and appear in recorded form on our Facebook page and website for those unable to view the live stream service.
God bless each and every one of you!
Pastor Larry
Post #21-July 2, 2021
As you know, the Alberta Government's "Open For Summer" Stage 3 initiative commenced on Thursday, July 1, 2021. As a result, nearly all the COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted province-wide, including for all faith gatherings.Therefore commencing this Sunday, July 4th, the following changes will be in effect for those attending our on-site worship gathering at Taylor Seminary: attendance caps, physical distancing and mask wearing will not be required. We know that these changes will be fully embraced by various individuals. However, we also know that for others, these adjustments are challenging. As leadership we understand that our congregation members and adherents are at different places of comfort with these matters. Therefore, for those wishing to wear a mask, please feel free to do so; and if you feel better not wearing a mask, you are welcome to do so. These understandings also apply to physical distancing as well. During our greeting times, please feel free to greet in a manner that is most comfortable for you and others.
We encourage you to stay home if you are not feeling well; continue to practice hand sanitization; cough or sneeze into a sleeve, rather than one's hand. Overall, we ask us to continue to exercise courtesy, respect, understanding and flexibility to one another as we journey through this latest phase of life. In the meanwhile, as a church we will do everything we can to ensure that on-site worship and fellowship continues to be encouraging, inspiring and safe. Wonderfully, we will be honoured to continue our on-line ministry via live-streaming. Our services appear live on our website at www.heritagevalleyassembly.com on Sunday's at 10:30 AM (MST) and appear in recorded form on our Facebook page and website for those unable to view the live stream service.
God bless you all!
Pastor Larry