Friday, March 13, 2020, 4:30pm

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In light of the most recent announcement today from the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario, Dr. David Williams, requesting that gatherings of more than 250 be suspended, we have decided we need to move to Level Two of our response plan.

Our church building will be closed for gathered worship, but a service will be available live on the Emmanuel Barrie Facebook page at 9am on Sunday mornings. Small groups who are currently unaffected by the virus, could consider gathering together to watch the live service. (https://www.facebook.com/emmanuelbarrie/)

This also means that all our mid-week programming will be cancelled for the time being. We will evaluate this situation on a weekly basis and will keep you updated.

The reason we are moving to this level is to protect our church family, our community, and also to aid our medical community by slowing the spread of COVID-19.  The Bible calls us to love and care for the most vulnerable in our society, and we believe this decision will help us to do that. We also want to respect the counsel of our government officials.

Please stay tuned for further communication. We are working on ideas about how we can continue to care for each other and reach our community in the midst of this crisis.

Once again, our actions are not out of fear, but based on our desire to be proactive to help slow the spread of this disease. Proverbs 27:12 says ‘The prudent see danger and take refuge…”  We continue to trust our great God knowing He is in control and will work out all things for our good and His glory.

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