The Rev. Canon Janet Griffith Johnson, B.A., M.Div., C.H.R.P.
Director, Human Resources

Message from the Bishops to all clergy and wardens

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the
first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Love your neighbour as yourself”.
Matthew 22:39

The Canadian Government on a National and a Provincial level, along with municipalities
and all local health units are in the process of developing pandemic preparedness plans in
the event that we as a nation face an influenza pandemic.

We as a Church must also prepare for such an event. Our response must be not only
based on practical matters but on how we can respond to the community in crisis by
providing faithful ministry in creative and pastoral ways. It is critical that we begin good
infection control practices now to minimize risk to our clergy, congregants and those to
whom we minister. We need to develop contingency plans for ministry ensuring core
activities and essential services can be sustained over several months. As well, regional
based ministry should be examined as was the case in the SARS epidemic. The Diocese
of Toronto had 14 clergy under quarantine in a small area.
To respond to interruptions of essential services, parishes may need to consider the
following:

• telephone fan-out lists for purposes of communication
• how to provide for congregants and other members of the community who may be
placed under quarantine
• how to use our churches and parish halls as community resources for health care
delivery or other human service needs.
These issues and others are all being considered by the Tri-Diocesan Committee (Huron,
Toronto and Niagara) on Pandemic and Emergency Planning and by the local
implementation committee. (please reference the letter on the Tri-Diocesan group from
the Bishops sent to you on February 8, 2006 and information re hand sanitizers sent
March 14, 2006)

190 Queens Ave., London, Ontario N6A 6H7
Phone: (519) 434-6893 or 1-800 919-1115 (Ont.)
Fax: (519) 673-4151
E-mail: jgriffith@huron.anglican.ca

Information workshops are planned on 5 dates throughout the Diocese of Huron with the
expection that ALL CLERGY AND WARDENS AND OTHER APPROPRIATE MEMBERS
OF CONGREGATIONS can attend to find out more and to begin to plan a local response
to a pandemic.

Three of the workshops are scheduled immediately following Health and Safety
Workshops in order to make it easier for those who have to travel a distance.
Please ensure that this information reaches the parish wardens and
parish council of your parish.
Registrations will be accepted by:

Elizabeth White at ewhite@huron.anglican.ca or
1-800-919-1115, ext. 228.
Please note that it is imperative that clergy and at least one other leader of the parish attend.

DATES:

April 27, 2006 3:30-5:00 p.m. (following the 1:30 Health and Safety Workshop)
OWEN SOUND, St. Thomas Church (note correction)

May 4, 2006 3:30-5:00 p.m. (following the 1:30 Health and Safety Workshop)
CAMBRIDGE, St. James’ Church

May 8, 2006 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m. LISTOWEL, Christ Church

May 9, 2006 6:00-7:30 p.m. LONDON, East London Anglican Ministries

May 12, 2006 3:30-5:00 p.m. (following the 1:30 Health and Safety Workshop) WINDSOR,
St. James’ Church (note correction)

The names of the Pandemic and Emergency Planning Committee are:

Huron: Pat Pocock (chair), The Rev. Dalice Sim (Doctrine and Worship Committee), The
Rev. Victor Krueger-Kischak (Occupational Health and Safety), Melanie Snyders (Human
Resources, ext. 230), The Rev. Canon Janet Griffith Johnson (1-800-919-1115, ext. 224)
Toronto: The Rev. Douglas Graydon (1-800-668-8932)
Niagara: The Rev. David Long (1-905.527.1316)

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or contact Melanie
Snyders. Members of the Committee are also available to you.

Yours in Christ,
Janet+
The Rev. Canon Janet Griffith Johnson
Director, Human Resources