Churches prepare to re-open—but not everywhere
[image: The Rev. Deacon Tyson Røsberg (right) is ordained a priest on July 25 by Mary Irwin-Gibson (left), bishop of Montreal, with assistance from her husband, Mark Gibson (centre). In-person worship services in the diocese were set to resume as early as September, though ordinations continued under strict rules. Photo: Archdeacon Tim Smart/Diocese of Montreal]
As Anglican churches across Canada returned or planned to return to in-person worship this spring and summer, some senior church leaders were reporting a considerable level of desire on the part of parishes to continue online services.
In late July, as this article was being written, several diocese of Montreal churches were putting together plans to recommence in-person worship on Sept. 6—but most of these wanted worship to continue over the internet, Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson said.
“I think that what is interesting is that they are almost all making plans to maintain an online version—either separately or at the same time as the in-person service is held,” she said. “I have also heard that some of the very small congregations will opt to continue online and not open for a while.”