2020

2020

January

Metropolitan United’s congregational leaders Tim Laskey, David Wood, and others joined Dr. Crittenden as he led a pilgrimage in the Holy Land during the week of January 20-25. 

WITH GRATITUDE, Dr. Crittenden …

Following his return from leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in January, Dr. Crittenden preached every Sunday (February-December) throughout the first year (2020) of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada.

In his 2020 annual report, the Chair of Metropolitan United’s Board of Elders, David Spencer, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Board, “to have Jeff as our Senior Minister. Leadership in a crisis is essential and we are fortunate to have a great leader in Dr. Crittenden. The whole congregation recognizes that Jeff has worked quickly and tirelessly, adapting to rapidly changing circumstances.” 

February

In early February, Dr. Crittenden invited all those interested in assisting in Sunday worship to contact him. Jeff was seeking individuals who would write prayers with Jeff’s assistance and lead the Psalm. Without doubt, it was apparent that Dr. Crittenden was missing our former gifted liturgist, the late Rev. Herbert Summers. Until mid-March, many individuals shared their prayers and read the Psalms during worship services from the pulpit. When our church building closed in mid-March due to COVID-19 lockdown measures, many church members continued to write and submit their prayers to Jeff, who read them during the ensuing publicly broadcast Sunday morning worship services on CJBK 1290 Radio. 

March

On March 11th, shortly after the 47th annual Time-Out program had ended at Metropolitan United Church, the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. Subsequently, our Premier for Ontario, Doug Ford, declared a provincial state of emergency amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak. His government prohibited organized public events of more than 50 people, including services in places of worship, until March 31st.  Therefore, group activities, meetings, and programs at Metropolitan United Church, and throughout Ontario, were either cancelled or halted. Likewise, due to provincially imposed restrictions on gatherings, in early April Dr. Crittenden informed everyone that the church was closed until further notice. Only five church staff (Jon Dahl [audio technician], Rick Wood [Liturgist], Catherine Gray [soloist], Dr. Gregg Redner [music director and organist], and Dr. Crittenden), appropriately masked and distanced one from another, occupied the church building on Sundays to conduct the weekly worship service at 11:00 a.m. which continued to be broadcast on CJBK 1290 Radio each Sunday throughout 2020.

On March 27th, Dr. Crittenden was interviewed by Heather Hiscox on CBC News Network about the effects of the imposed provincial lockdown due to COVID-19 on Metropolitan United Church and our congregation.

SANCTUARY RENOVATION STUDY

Throughout 2020, architect McMichael Ruth worked with the Steering Committee, Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden, Kendra Fry and London Symphonia representatives Andrew Chung and April Voth to discuss, develop, and revise a conceptual design for the Sanctuary renovations. Most of these discussions were held by means of ZOOM because of the pandemic restrictions. In the fall, detailed cost estimates were received. By the end of 2020, the joint working group had agreed on an exciting conceptual design to take forward for the congregation’s consideration.

May

On Sunday, May 31st, Andrew Wood, Christian Panhuis and Nicholas Panhuis were confirmed by Jeff with the ceremony conducted from the pulpit while the three teenagers were presided over by their parents at their respective homes, and supported by everyone in our congregation who were attending the livestreamed worship service. 

 In May, the Centre for Practical Theology, Huron Faculty of Theology, and Vancouver School of Theology proudly announced that Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden was the recipient of the 2020 Roy M. Davidson Trust Award. 

“It is our hope that this recognition demonstrates the solidarity and gratitude of United Church members who recognize the enormous value of the work he (Dr. Crittenden) does in preparing and inspiring our future leaders.” 

                                ~~ Sarah Charters, 

Acting President of the United Church of Canada Foundation

September

In September, the Christian Resource Centre (CRC) opened a resource room at the Centre for Practical Theology, Fairmont Campus, in London Ontario. It would be open on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm. The Rev. Dr. Jeff Crittenden would begin holding Inviting Circle sessions welcoming clergy/lay leaders of the region to a time of community worship and education between 9 am and 10:30 am. CRC’s role would be to provide an area of hospitality and resources for all who would come through the doors.

October

In honour of the late Rev. Herbert Summers, Dr. Crittenden established a yearly celebration of one of Herb’s many legacies … wearing crazy socks. Everyone was invited to wear their most unique, bizarre, colourful socks on Oct. 18th, and send pictures to Jeff for posting on our website. Met United also made donations in excess of $1,115 to purchase socks for distribution to various missions in London. 

November

With the easing of COVID-19 lockdown measures in June, a 30 percent capacity for in-person worship was permitted along with required COVID-19 protocols and social distancing. The Board of Elders and Staff set a tentative opening date for Sunday morning worship … October 4, 2020. However, given what was happening in the London municipality and across the province, and with the Board’s discernment and care for our congregation, our governing body decided Met United would reopen for worship services on November 1, 2020. A maximum of 50 people, in full compliance with COVID-19 protocols, would be allowed within the Sanctuary for each service. Dr. Crittenden offered our Water’s Edge service (with Communion) at 9:30 a.m. and our traditional service (with variations of our numerous choirs) at 11:00 a.m. A complex and strict system of procedures, including preregistration to attend in-person services, was determined, and communicated with our congregation to ensure healthy and safe outcomes against COVID-19. Everyone was given the option to continue with online services on Sunday mornings or participate in in-person services. 

Regrettably, due to the implementation of another provincial lockdown to help curb the spread of COVID-19, many Met United services and programs were temporarily cancelled on November 5, 2020. Dr. Crittenden continued to lead our weekly Sunday morning worship services as radio-only liturgy at 11:00 a.m.