End of Mask-Mandates
Hello Knollwood, this past week was March Break for many of our families, and if you were able to, I hope you could enjoy some time with family and have some relaxation. As students get ready to attend classes again, the Ontario government has significantly changed the Covid-related guidelines and protocols. For many, this is exciting as the government moves from an “emergency response” to a “management response”. As Christians and a body of believers, we are called to have hearts and attitudes that reflect our Lord and Saviour’s. I was reminded of this myself as I read Colossians 3 a couple of weeks ago. In verses 12 to 17, there is a reminder for us all:
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
I could start a sermon here, but I won’t. However, I think you can get the point. As we begin to return to “normal” and mandates get lifted, we must remember to put on the characteristics of those who are holy and beloved by God.
At Knollwood, we have chosen to follow the government mandates, not because of fear but simply because God has ordained our government and has commanded us to obey, as long as it’s not against what He has commanded. There were times we were temporarily unable to gather due to mandates, stop certain activities, wear masks, etc., but we continue to have an attitude that brings glory to God and maintains a culture of care and respect for everyone. We are deeply grateful for your cooperation, encouragement, and patience with this commitment throughout the past two years.
Monday, March 21, will mark the end of the mask mandates allowing those who wish not to wear a face-covering not to as we gather to worship. Many will choose not to wear one, and some will continue to wear a mask. As we continue to move forward with ending an emergency response to COVID to a management response, we continue to keep our eyes on Christ and live lives that reflect hearts that have been changed. Lord willing, the Emergency Act will end at the end of April, entirely moving Ontario into a management response regarding COVID. So regardless of your feelings on the issues at hand, please keep your eyes on Christ and be sure that your heart reflects that as one who has been chosen. Many of our brothers and sisters are looking forward to seeing each other’s faces, and many of our brothers and sisters are anxious, so let us be a culture of grace towards one another.
So to say plainly, we will no longer be requesting individuals to wear a mask, but we do ask that you continue to use the Ontario self-assessment tool before attending any events. Whether you choose to wear a mask or not wear a mask, we also ask that, based on what we have seen in Colossians 3, that there are many different views on the masks, but let us continue to have compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience as ones who are holy and beloved because we have been have been chosen by God.