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  "Creating space for God"

  On Saturday, November 21, Assembly Mennonite Church pastors Anna Yoder Schlabach and Lora Nafziger, along with the Worship and Christian Formation committees, organized an outdoor Tabernacle experience for church youth and their families. The event took place in the meetinghouse parking lot and included self-led, physically distanced activities such as a life-sized model of the Tabernacle, tours from the High Priest, and Exodus-related crafts. The same afternoon a physically distanced and masked choir met in the parking lot to record hymns for virtual worship the next day. The event capped a 6-week Exodus Bible study.
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  Only essential items available for in person shopping in Manitoba

  Manitoba instituted new health regulations dictating that stores could only sell essential items to encourage people to stay home and therefore reduce the spread of COVID-19. Many stores had to close and stores that sold essentials and non-essentials had to remove non-essentials from in person shopping. This store had signs explaining the new regulations. It used pallets of essential merchandize to block access to non-essentials as well as caution tape and clear wrap. Women’s sandals were off limits, but winter boots were available. Christmas decorations, sleep wear, and luggage etc had to be bought online only.
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  No flowers to brighten the day

  The grocery store’s Christmas music was interrupted by a voice reminding shoppers to wear a mask, sanitize hands, and to keep 2 meters apart. The pubic announcement is part of the store’s attempt to abide by new health regulations making stores responsible to ensure health rules are followed. The announcement closed with reminding shoppers that “we are in this together.” This week only stores selling essentials were allowed to remain open, but if non-essentials were sold, they needed to be out of reach of in-person shoppers. At this grocery store all the flowers and plants were removed.
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  Window Visits During COVID-19

  For me and my family , COVID-19 has become very real. Writing this short story about my father’s experience has reconfirmed for me how crucial daily communication and face-to-face dialogue with family and friends eases the isolation, loneliness, and confusion that so many seniors face.
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  Everence to celebrate 75th anniversary virtually

  News release: Everence® is not letting social distancing deter plans to commemorate the organization’s 75th anniversary. Instead of an in-person gathering, the faith-based financial services company will celebrate virtually, with a videocast scheduled for Sunday, July 19, 2020, at 3 p.m. (EDT).
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  Physical Distancing at Canadian Mennonite University

  I submitted two photos. The first is of the chapel at Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg, Manitoba taken Wednesday, March 18, 2020. It was an afternoon where faculty and staff were to gather to say farewell to a staff member. COVID-19 was already the top news story and elementary schools in other provinces were closing down. Tables were brought into the chapel with chairs placed at the ends to ensure physical distancing was observed. By the end of the day on Friday March 20 staff and faculty were instructed to work from home and students would switch to online learning. The second photo was the physical distancing approach Folio Café at Canadian Mennonite University used before the school was closed due to COVID-19.