Dear Pastor Leon and the members of Springs Church,
We are writing to you as clergy also serving faith communities in Manitoba and beyond.
During the past two weeks, Springs Church has garnered a lot of local media attention and sparked debate in our city and province regarding COVID-19 pandemic restrictions implemented by public health authorities. Springs Church has deliberately violated these restrictions in the name of religious freedom and subsequently lost a court challenge of these restrictions.
Much of the rhetoric coming from Springs church centres on the right of Christians to worship under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. You have claimed that your drive-in services are safe and your right to gather in-person to worship outweighs the Province of Manitoba’s right to restrict gatherings for the sake of public health.
Drive-in services may be relatively safe (but not as a safe as staying home) and the question of how the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is weighed against these public health orders has not been settled in court.
However, we are not writing to you regarding the epidemiology or legality of drive-in services.
We are writing to you as peers and siblings in Christ and as called and ordained ministers of Christ’s Church.
We find that your actions during the past days of encouraging Christians to disobey public health orders in the name of freedom are not an example of following Christ.
We find that your insistence on the right to worship is not in keeping with Christ’s command to love our neighbour.
We find that your actions disregard the dangers of COVID-19 in our community and that they only serve to create potential harm for our healthcare system and healthcare workers already pushed beyond capacity.
We find that your insistence on individual freedoms over collective responsibility are an affront to the many individuals, families, friends, community groups and other faith communities who are refraining from gathering for the sake of our neighbours.
We find that your focus on your own perceived loss (of not being able to gather for a short time) to be offensive to those 381 Manitoban families (as of December 5th) who have lost loved ones as a result of this pandemic.
Therefore we call on you to take the following actions:
That you repent of your actions and publicly apologize for putting your individual right to worship ahead of the good of our community.
That you publicly encourage your church members to remain at home and worship online while public health restrictions remain in place.
That you cease all legal action against the province and redirect those funds intended for legal costs towards a charity that truly helps Manitobans, such as Harvest Manitoba.
If and when these actions are undertaken, it would be our hope that they be a first step towards reconciliation between Springs and your sibling communities of faith in Manitoba.
Finally, knowing that we are not the first people of faith to live through a pandemic, we offer you the following quote from Martin Luther, written in 1527, about how Christians ought to respond to the Black Death:
Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid persons and places where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me, and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others.
*This letter also applies to any congregation refusing to follow public health orders under the guise of religious persecution including the Church of God Restoration South of Steinbach. *
Yours in Christ,
** If you are a clergy-person and would like to add your name to this letter please email your name, title and church affiliation to pastor@sherpark.ca
Manitoba Clergy:
The Rev. Erik Parker, Sherwood Park Lutheran Church, Winnipeg (Letter Author)
The Rev. Courtenay Reedman Parker, Messiah Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
Bishop Elaine Sauer, St Chad’s Anglican Parish, Winnipeg
The Rev. Rick Sauer, St. Mark’s Lutheran, Winnipeg.
The Rev. Ken Kuhn, retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
The Rev. Richard D. Schulz Pastor, Gimli Lutheran Church
The Rev. Nancy Walker, retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
The Reverend Theo Robinson, BTh, Incumbent St. Michael’s Anglican Church, Victoria Beach & Pastor, Interlake Regional Shared Ministry, MNO Synod
The Rev. Don Engel, retired, (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada)
The Rev. Father Chad McCharles, Anglican Priest of the Diocese of Brandon, Incumbent of Neepawa United-Anglican Church
Jeraldine Bjornson, retired DLM, United Church of Canada
The Rev. Barton Coleman, Zion Lutheran Church Beausejour, Manitoba
The Rev. Kolleen Karlowsky-Clark, retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church In Canada)
Rev. Rachel Twigg, Saint Benedict’s Table Anglican, Winnipeg
The Rev. Jennifer Marlor, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Winnipeg
Rev. Liz Carter-Morgan, St. Paul’s United Church, Virden MB
The Rev. Canon Dr. Murray Still, Church of St Stephen and St Bede Anglican-Lutheran, Winnipeg
The Rev. Trudy Thorarinson, Grace-St.John’s Anglican-Lutheran, Carman, MB
Rev. Matthew Brough, Prairie Presbyterian Church, Winnipeg
Paul Peters Derry, Ordained Minister, United Church of Canada (Retired), Postulate for Ordination, Anglican Church of Canada (Diocese of Rupert’s Land)
Rev. Don Schau, Atlantic-Garden City United Church, Winnipeg
The Rev. Philip G. Read, St. Mary’s Road United Church, Winnipeg
Reverend Barbara Roberts, ordained retired minister United Church of Canada
The Rev. John H. Giroux, St. Mary Anglican Church, Winnipeg
The Rev. Judith Whitmore Anglican, Belair, Manitoba
The Rev. Dr. Kara Mandryk Coordinator, Henry Budd College for Ministry, and Regional Dean, The Pas Deanery, Diocese of Brandon
Rev. Lynell Bergen, Hope Mennonite Church, Winnipeg
The Venerable Gordon Payne, retired, Priest of the Diocese of British Columbia. (But living and serving in Winnipeg)
Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Pastoral Leader Little Flowers Community (Mennonite Church Manitoba)
Kim Arpin-Ricci, Pastoral Leader, Little Flowers Community (Mennonite Church Manitoba)
Rev. Tyler Gingrich, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
Rev. Bonita E. Garrett, Retired, United Church of Canada
Michael Pahl, Lead Pastor, Morden Mennonite Church
Rev. Margrét Kristjansson, Rivers United Church, Rivers, MB
Rev. Donna J. Smalley, Retired [Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada] Winnipeg
M.A.McCartney. Team Minister Oak Bank United Church, Oak Bank, MB
The Rev. Thomas J. Lurvey, retired (North American Lutheran Church), Winnipeg
Rev. Harold Peters-Fransen, Elim Mennonite Church, Grunthal, MB
Rev. Jim Vickers, retired, (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) Waldersee, MB
The Venerable Helen Kennedy Archdeacon of Winnipeg / St John
Priest of St George’s, Transcona.
Rev. Bruce Gelhorn, Grace Lutheran Church, Winnipeg Manitoba.
Rev. Christopher Smith, The Bridge Church of The Christian and Missionary Alliance. Winnipeg.
Rev. Kathy Koop, First Mennonite Church, Winnipeg
Rev. Barb Jardine- Retired, serving Forrest and Brookdale, United Church of Canada.
Josué Sánchez, Ordained Pastor, Seventy-day Adventist, Winnipeg
Rev. Stafford Greer, Morden Alliance Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance. Morden MB
The Reverend Lynette Miller, retired, The United Church of Canada, Winnipeg
The Reverend Patricia Langlois, (Retired), Team Vicar, The South Parkland Parrish Anglican Diocese of Brandon
Rev. Michael Kurtz, First Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
The Rev. Canon Rick Condo, retired, Diocese of Ruperts Land, Winnipeg
Kevin Drudge, Pastor, Covenant Mennonite Church, Winkler MB
Ron Fischer, Teaching Elder, Kildonan Community Church, Winnipeg MB
Rev, Susan Tillman, United Church Grey Street in Winnipeg and St.Paul’s in Beausejour, MB
Father Sam Argenziano, Pastor of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, Winnipeg
Rev. Brian McNarry, Grand Valley Church of the Christian & Missionary Alliance. Brandon MB
Rev. Margaret Mullin, Place of Hope Indigenous Presbyterian Church, Winnipeg MB
Rev. Kristin Woodburke, DM, OakBank United Church, Oakbank, MB
Rev. Dr. Michael Wilson, Charleswood United Church, Winnipeg, MB.
The Rev. Kenneth Stright, retired, The Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Rev. Jeanne M.M. Stright, retired, The United Church of Canada.
The Rev’d Diane K Guilford, St. Thomas Anglican Church, Morden, MB
The Rev. Glen Krentz, Retired, (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Winnipeg
The Reverend R. David Lowe, On Leave from Call, ELCIC Winnipeg
The Rev. Lanny Knutson, retired, (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Winnipeg
Rev. Ken Thomas, Augustine United Church, Winnipeg
Rev. Noelle Bowles, Spirit Path United Church in Winnipeg
Rev. Anthon Bouw, minister, Knox Presbyterian Church, Selkirk.
Pastor Jonathon Shierman, Lead Minister, Moosomin Baptist Church
Reverend Cole Grambo, Minister, Selkirk United Church
Ha Na Park, the minister at Immanuel United Church, Winnipeg
Min-Goo Kang, the minister at Fort Garry United Church, Winnipeg
Rev. Lynne Hutchison, Pastor, St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church, Winnipeg
The Rev. Andrew Rampton, Priest Incumbent, Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Winnipeg.
The Very Rev. Paul N. Johnson, Dean, Diocese of Rupert’s Land
Rector, Cathedral Church of St. John the Evangelist, Anglican Church of Canada, Winnipeg
The Ven. Simon Blaikie, Executive Archdeacon, Diocese of Rupert’s Land, Winnipeg
The Rev. Bill Blackburn. St. John’s Anglican Pilot Mound, Manitoba
The Rev Fr Wayne McIntosh, priest, St Francis Anglican Church, Winnipeg, MB
The Rev. M. Dwight Rutherford, Hon Asst, The Parish Church of St Luke,
Winnipeg
Rev. Deacon Marline Wruck, Anglican deacon serving at Lutheran Church of the Cross, Lac du Bonnet, Manitoba
The Rev. John Dolloff St. Mary’s la Prairie Anglican Portage la Prairie, Manitoba
The Rev’d Tim Sale, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Fort Garry, Manitoba
Rev. Elaine Pinto, honorary deacon at St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, Winnipeg
The Rev. Heather McCance, Diocesan Ministry Developer at Anglican Diocese of Rupert’s Land, Winnipeg
The Rev. Dr. K. Virginia Coleman, Clandeboye, Winnipeg Beach United Church
Rt Rev’d Geoffrey Woodcroft, Bishop of Rupert’s Land
Clergy outside of Manitoba:
The Rev. Matthew Diegel, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, ON
The Rev. Ed Long, Hilldale Lutheran Church, Thunder Bay, Ontario
The Ven. Wilma Woods, St Giles Anglican, Estevan, SK
The Rev. Brian Woods, St Giles Anglican, Estevan, SK
The Rev. Jerry Borkowsky, Assistant to the Bishop Saskatchewan Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Rev’d Robyn King, St Paul’s Anglican, Leduc, AB
Rev. Fran Ota, United Church of Canada, Toronto, ON
Diaconal Minister Beth Kerr, Trinity and Atwood United Churches, North Perth, ON
The Rev. Arleen Berg Leishman, retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) Thunder Bay, ON
The Rev. Murray Halvorson, New Hope Lutheran Church, Regina, SK
The Rev’d Justin Cheng, All Saints Anglican, Diocese of New Westminster, Burnaby, BC
Rev. Reg Berg, Prince of Faith Lutheran Church, Calgary, AB
The Rev. Lindsay Hognestad, Retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada) Regina, SK
The Rev’d Brandon Witwer, Christ Church Anglican, Calgary, AB
The Rev. Lyndon Sayers, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria, BC
The Rev. Richard Engel, Hospital Chaplain, Lutheran Ministry in Hospitals of Saskatoon (LuMinHoS)
Bishop Cindy Halmarson, Retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Cobourg, Ontario
The Rev. Joseph McLellan, Bishop, Progressive Catholic Church of Canada
Rev. Sarah Bruer, Diaconal Minister (in search of call), North Perth Ontario.
Rev. Melany Cassidy-Wise, Ordained Minister, Rural United Ministry. Easton’s Corners United Church, North Augusta Pastoral Charge, Bishop’s Oxford Pastoral Charge, Maitland, Ontario
Rev. Wendy Molnar, Coronado Gibbons United Church, Sturgeon County, AB
Rev. Linda K. Douglas Grace Lutheran Church, Victoria, BC
Fr. Dick+ Kennedy, Palliser Parish, Anglican Diocese of Qu’Appelle.
The Reverend Boyd Drake, The United Church of Canada, Gatineau QC
Rev. Marie-Louise Ternier, priest in the Anglican Church of Canada, serving an Anglican-Lutheran Shared Ministry in Watrous, SK.
The Rev. Aneeta Saroop, Spirit of Life Lutheran Church, Vancouver, BC
Rev. Sharilynn Upsdell Diaconal Minister United Church of Canada, Chaplain at Good Samaritan Mountainview Village Care Home, Kelowna BC
The Rev. Seth Perry, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Kingston, ON
REV. LINDA C. HUNTER, Ordained Minister in The United Church of Canada, serving Central United Church in Calgary, Alberta.
Rev. Audrey Lounder, President, Fundy St Lawrence Dawning Waters Region, United Church of Canada
Reverend Susan Butler-Jones, United Church of Canada, Gatineau QC
Rev. Sarah Dymund, Trinity Lutheran Church, Regina, SK
Rev. Murdo Marple, Retired minister of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, Calgary, Alberta.
The Rev. Karen Stepko, Christ Lutheran Church, Rhein, Saskatchewan
The Rev. Laura Kavanagh, Knox Presbyterian Church, Victoria BC
Deacon Gretchen Peterson, Assistant to the National Bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Saskatoon, SK
Rev. Stephen W. Overall, Retired United Methodist Clergy, and formerly served as Chaplain and Director of Pastoral Care Education at the Victoria General Hospital (1971-1979). Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rev. Joy Cowan, Minister at Heritage United Church, Regina, SK
Rev. Beth W Johnston, United Church of Canada Nipawin SK
Rev. Dr Adela Torchia, Two Saints Anglican Ministry in Victoria, BC
The Rev. Stewart Miller, Bread of Life Lutheran Church, Regina, SK
The Rev. Dr. Chris Nojonen, retired (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada), Thunder Bay
The Rev. M Kornfeld, St Albert Lutheran Church, St Albert, AB
Rev. Mark L. Malek (retired) Trinity United Church, Vernon ,B.C
Rev. Lloyd Huber, emeritus, LCC, Drumheller, AB
The Rev Margaret Murray, (retired), Minister of the United Church of Canada, Woodstock, ON
The Rev’d Grace Pritchard Burson, Anglican Church of All Saints by the Lake, Dorval, QC
The Rev. Lyndon Sayers, Lutheran Church of the Cross, Victoria, BC
The Rev. Scott Agur, Retired United Church of Canada, Courtenay, BC
The Reverend Fergus Tyson, Incumbent, St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Calgary, AB
Rev. Joan Jespersen (retired),Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Rev Catherine M Dorcas, Presbyterian Church in Canada, Moosomin, SK
The Millennial Pastor 
Ha, a bit of hilarious irony as Anglicans, Lutherans, and United church folk demonstrate their jealousy of the fact that other churches actually have people who want to meet that are under 80. I mean I get it… the risk is so much higher for old folks that if these denominations meet, everyone’ll be dead! Well calm down grandpa and grandma… you all stay home but there are those for who the risk is low who want to sit in a car and watch a screen. Not a peep when it was a BLM rally you hypocrites. Judging by the last 100 years the one thing you’re really good at is eliminating people’sdesire to go to church, and now you want to be judgy of those churches who don’t share that “gifting.” Get over your resentful selves.
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[The content of this comment misrepresents, the words and actions of Jesus in the Bible, conflates US style nation worship, and/or advocates conspiratorial thinking and mistrust of authority. Please consult more appropriate sources such as seminary trained clergy, theologians or other appropriate scholars].
My beliefs are the same as justsomewinnipegger, and I believe he has the correct answer. The Word of God is living and what protects us from any diseases or evil. Unfortunately for you, other church ministers, you do not teach on the Authority of Jesus, and Pastor Fontaine shares the true meaning of the Gospel. It makes me sad that you would attack this minister.
My mom is in hospice, and my prayers of authority over my mom’s health are how she survived while over 70% of the residences in hospices died of the virus within the last six months. My mom is alive and laughing when I visit her because of what I have learned from Pastor Leon. What Pastor Leon has taught me has been something I share with the other hospice caregivers and friends, and it has changed their life to understand God’s word.
I work as a Director of Data Engineering and Cyber Security Law, and I have three Masters degrees and completing a JD. I have worked with the highest-rated hospital system on the planet, including Mayo Hospital and UCLA Medical. Leon has proved to me that I need to learn everything I can about God. I feel sad for any minister who challenges another minister because the Bible is clear that we are not to judge others, especially clergy. I would also let everyone know that Pastor Leon has tremendous support in the US from the most powerful ministers in the world. As Pastor Leon has stated, it’s what you don’t know that hurts you. Don’t worry God will protect Pastor Leon since God is responsible for any prosperity and it is OBVIOUS that God has Blessed his church. Weak Christians make me sick!
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Why would we consult the vast majority of cemetery grads today?
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[The content of this comment contains false claims regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult official sources of information such as https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/ ]
The government will only succeed in pushing the Church underground if they keep this up. This is already happening in the US and as people wake up here in Canada, they will start doing the same. These lockdowns have nothing to do with the CCP virus. This is the government slowly removing our rights in order to get us to more easily accept globalism, socialism, communism and marxism. Time to wake up, people. All governments around the world have become corrupt and we need to stand up to them.
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This open letter saddens me. It clearly goes against scripture and therefore seems to be politically motivated. I don’t find it surprising that a majority of the signees are from dead and dying churches. If these Christian leaders believe that the leadership and Body of Christ in Springs Church have fallen into sin, scripture clearly states how to deal with that in Matthew 18:15-17. “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” Posting an open letter on social media is foolish and divisive. These concerned church leaders should have dealt with this properly, instead of trying to embarrass the membership of Springs publicly.
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Please tell me, which neighbour ought I love? To which neighbour are these lockdowns kind?
To my neighbour who has lost their business and livelihood, these lockdowns are not loving.
To my neighbour who is a single mother, who has to work and has no childcare, and now her children are home from school part time, this is not loving.
To my neighbour who is a drug addict, and now has no resources or supports, this is not loving
To my neighbour who has to choose between providing for his family or obeying the government, this is not love.
To the depressed teen down the street who cannot see their friends, this is not love.
To the elderly woman living alone desperately wishing to die then endure another lonely shut down, this is not love.
To the child who is being beaten by their drunk parent because CERB cheques are flowing and alcohol is essential, this is not love.
For the child who’s only safe place is school or a program like Springs Inner city ministry, these shut downs are not love.
For the many people in our province who neither have internet nor access to TV services, this is not love to be mandated to ‘virtual services.’
In Manitoba more then 200 people die every week yet you highlight a small few. Shut downs hurt 100% of people.
This is not the Black Death. Conflating covid 19 to that is a fallacy. In Saskatchewan, by the governments own website of numbers, more then 99.4% of people have survive covid. Such incredibly GOOD NEWS! Every death is tragic, indeed, yet we are forsaking our call to worship the Lord corporately when the risks are very very low.
Many of the denominational pastors and leaders who signed this letter are arguably from some of the most liberal and supposedly tolerant denominations in Canada, yet you have extended no liberty nor tolerance to your brothers and sisters in Christ at Springs.
Let us each be convinced in our own consciences. Let us be the body. It may not be your call to stand at the front and peacefully speak for religious liberties, but yet should we not hold up the arms that are or at the very least pray they would have great wisdom as they plead their case?
First and foremost the church was created for God, by God, and to worship God. We are Christ’s bride. We are to not forsake meeting together. Our government has now said that it is reasonable to infringe on everyone’s rights and freedoms for something that is barely a blip of a risk to the vast majority of the population, including meeting together to worship our Lord.
For the Christian, church is essential. Gathering together in groups big and small, we are called to do so, creatively in difficulties, decentralized if needed, but still called. The government is not the head of the church.
Do you not see? Springs is doing this for you. That you might have the freedom to write blog posts and sign letters that chastise them. That you might choose to stay at home. That you might choose to love the neighbour that you think is the most important to love. That you might have the freedom to live, think, believe and love as you choose. They are asking for that same liberty. The one you are squelching with this letter.
They will be accountable for how they walk this out, as will you, as will I, before Christ as King. We will all be held to an account, and I don’t know about you, but that sure gives me great pause.
Jesus, son of God, have mercy on us, sinners.
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Why are comments being edited to add that:
[The content of this comment contains false claims regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult official sources of information such as https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/ ]???
The numbers for Saskatchewan are taken directly from:
https://www.saskhealthauthority.ca/
And the 200 people dying every week is from:
https://www.jccf.ca/manitoba-premier-warned-that-lockdown-measures-violate-charter-freedoms/?fbclid=IwAR2qdwk5TBr_qmaCoc3rhLFc8nMR-PeX7sE1SI2R7_gNmgzqRvKgVIpKJ4w
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You have now charged me, in my view unfairly, with posting false information. Will you own up to this and actually engage in respectful dialogue? If we are going to bridge the gap on this issue a d allow for Christian liberty there must be mutual humility and hearts to understand. I’m very willing to examine if my heart and intentions are incorrect and if further evidence can be given where my thinking is wrong I’d whole-heartedly accept correction. We can all see things in a wrong light.
However blanketing comments with disclaimers and charging people with spreading false information without actually engaging with them is not going to build any bridges in this conversation to work as a body to love our neighbours together and protect people on all sides of this issue.
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As I replied elsewhere, I corrected this mistake. I am concerned about my blog being a source of false information, while also wanting to allow as many responses be posted as possible. I have not allowed comments that contain YouTube Links to dubious sources be posted, but otherwise have permitted all others… even those containing obscenities and personal attacks.
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My apologies. I misread your post and assumed Manitoba where our death rate is over 2%.
I don’t want my blog to be a source of pandemic misinformation, but I will remove the warning from your comments. Again, my apologies.
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Thank you for correcting yourself and for the apology.
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Brilliant response! I wholeheartedly agree with you. The church leaders who have so publicly come out against the stand that Springs Church has taken are just giving the non-believer something to point to to justify their continued absence from the family and are creating further division internally within the Body Of Christ. What they should have done is thrown their support in with Springs church both editorially and financially. If we, the Body Of Christ do not have the courage to stand up for our convictions, then who will stand for us against those in power who are already antagonistic to the gospel?
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Hi folks: I guarantee you folks that you will get a lesson here on spirituality and that includes [all] you that carry the title as [PASTORS}. No, I am not a pastor, just a Christian that has studied my Bible and took my advice from God himself as opposed to man, just so you know a little of me and where I come from.
I am [not] surprised by many pastors comments here that are identified with certain denominational affiliations. Sorry but I have difficulty with using the word [CHURCH} as it relates to some because church means much more to me than affiliations that go with the flow of the world as opposed to the flow of God’s living word commonly referred to as the Bible. Some of you here seem to think that this Bible that I refer to is a {BOOK OF SATAN OR SOMETHING} as your comments has left me with these impressions from certain pastors, church affiliations and Members of their congregations, {suspect}?
If you truly believe the Bible, then surely you must believe it in it’s entirety or you are {LOST ANYHOW} so I might be wasting my time with you otherwise in that regard. Hebrews 10:25 states very clearly for us “as we see that day of our Lord approaching”, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another, and so much the more in these last days. {WOW}, you folks write in your comments here as if {THAT ISN’T IN THE BIBLE ANY MORE}? This drive in church meeting was a compromise and [not] an all out disrespectful approach to the Manitoba laws as you guy’s think it was. This pastor was acting in the best interest of his congregation to feed them spiritually while trying to respect his neighbors and {NOT} as many of you dishonestly & disrespectfully employed in your address’s towards him and his {CHURCH}. What you should know and realize is that you are [all] hypocrites and so much so that your eyes are blinded to that fact. The Bible writes the “Ten Commandments” and {NOT JUST NINE} commandments but you folks refer to yourselves as Christians, good neighbors and Pastors but you show [NOTHING} but your {FRUITS} are that of {HYPOCRITS}. To just do 9 commandments and [NOT} 10, you are acting {AGAINST GOD AND HIS STATUTES} and you are {NO DIFFERENT} here as it relates to Hebrews 10:25. The church and the pastor that you are throwing into your {HELL} isn’t deserving of any of what you are persecuting him and his congregation for.
Just to analyze your complaints and very vicious attacks on this great Christian church and his great followers, you are [all] afraid of your lives and you know what??? The Bible states here in John 12:25-26 that [25] “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. [26] If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor”. You should know that this pastor & his congregation is following God and [all] his words and {NOT} just 9 of the 10 commandments of which you bashers seem to be employing that you are [all] Ok with?
Now please let me speak of a number of affiliates here that advise you are Christians from Anglican, United and Roman Catholic, among others. I want to suggest to you that you are [not] fully pledged servants of God as he advises me that I can know you by your {FRUITS} so I take the opportunity to advise under that authority from the Bible. The United church was {one of the first] to produce the {FRUITS} of defiance towards God’s statutes taken from the Bible in Genesis 19:1-11, Romans 1: 26-27, 1 Cor:6: 9-9 and 1 Timothy 1: 9-10 which are in regards to homosexuality. You took it out off context as God clearly meant it and you went [all in] with the acceptance and promotions thereof. The Anglican church is in this same boat as is the church of England and many others so am I surprised to see [all] you folks references to persecute the pastor and his congregation for following the Bible as it clearly states? {NO NOT AT ALL}.
Soon, you will see [all] you folks waiting in the line for your Vaccines and once it is all completed, we are going to see very fierce and dangerous news coming out in these regards. You might want to research through Google, the summit on global population that was held in Cairo Egypt on September of 1994 which was held by the United Nations. I watched the news coming out of these [more than a week long meetings] because I was in heavy study on the end times and wouldn’t you know it, here we are in these [end times]. What was relayed to the world at the end of these meetings was directed to the [world] by the UN which advised that “if the world don’t control their population, in [normal ways], we, the United Nations will control the population in [abnormal ways]. Bill Gates advised to the world just over a year ago that he can control the world’s population through “vaccines”, yes I write {VACCINES}. SO, jump right into the line and get your injections? {INJECTIONS} by the way are made up off {MURDERED BABIES}, something that the Catholic religion advises is wrong. You support Vaccines, you support Murdered Babies, {PERIOD}? Oh by the way, the Catholic religion, [WHICH SHOWED UP HERE PERSECUTING THIS PASTOR OF REFERENCE AND HIS CONGREGATION}, preaches and teaches their followers to “Confess their sins” to a priest. [YET}, 1 Timothy 2:5 states that “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”. So, here we go again, Catholic priest’s and Catholic folks [PERSECUTING} a good solid follower group of God and his statutes when they can {WRITE THEIR VERY OWN FALSE AND PREACH THEIR OWN FALSE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS}, when they {CANNOT} follow God’s statutes and even in the last few verses of Revelations, the Bible warns of serious consequences for [ADDING} to the Bible. {HYPOCRITS} is what you are and you will [all] soon be in front of God and be judged, I hope you look into your mirror and {TRUTHFULLY} ask what you are and who you are to {PERSECUTE} a {TRUE CHURCH THAT FOLLOWS GOD’S STATUTES TO THE “T”?
What are the many other churches doing with their Tithes, just putting it in your banks and letting Satan break down the true church followers freedoms to worship even more? I applaud this church for going [all the way] to our Supreme Court if necessary to {DEFEND OUR RIGHTS TO WORSHIP CHRIST}. This is [no game] and it needs to be treated with the seriousness that it truly deserves. If you need funds to help with your legal costs, please reply back to me and I promise you, I’ll help you to go [all the way] with court actions to {DEFEND} Jesus Christ in these regards and {DEFEND} our rights to worship???
In closing, Mr. Babiak sir, didn’t you lead Bible Studies/prayer meetings at the Mountain View Church Christian Assembly in Dauphin? Just a question that has led me to very many more questions in that regard. God Bless
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What a list of hypocritical Pharisees. Whited sepulchers full of dead mens bones. If you call yourselves pastors of Christ, use scripture to back up you opinions. Not Martin Luther, a fellow pastor….
Respectfully
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I think what he did was good, you people are fighting against the wrong person you should be standing in solidarity with him. You should be fighting the liquor marts the vendors alcohol is not an essential instead you fight with your brother in the Lord, look there trying to have a drive in for Christmas lights why should they have a drive through hope your against that too. Brian Pallister had all this time to get ready for the second wave but he didn’t instead he opened up bars, slots, liquor marts, and vendors he was the one who made a mistake and yet he’s trying to cover himself up he says he gonna take Christmas away he wouldn’t have too if he thought about people ahead of time instead of waiting till this disease got of control. We should be fasting and praying for this disease to leave our province instead of bickering and murmuring on social media. With that I stand in solidarity with Springs Church.
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Somebody had to say it. Very nice letter. Thank you. They should consider live streaming like the Archdiocese of St Boniface who have offerred this great service all Sundays and Religious Feast Days since Holy Week in April
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Thank you for a very well written concise message. My family has been a resident of Aylmer, Ontario for 4 generations. We also have a Church of God congregation here that has the same views as the one in Manitoba. We are Christians and would relish the ability to go to worship also but feel it is important to abide by our orders and wear a mask for the good of our neighbours and the community that this family has helped build, and serve for decades. There is still the ability to practice and experience our faith remotely and abide by the orders. These actions confirm our Christianity by respecting our fellow man/woman. It is not infringing on any rights or freedoms. It is being a responsible human being.
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Thank God for pastors like Leon Fontaine!! The rest of you need to wake up.
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[The content of this comment misrepresents, the words and actions of Jesus in the Bible,conflates US style nation worship, and/or advocates conspiratorial thinking and mistrust of authority.
Please consult more appropriate sources such as seminary trained clergy, theologians or other appropriate scholars].
So now that the government backed down how do you all feel about signing this? These same ppl will be telling their parishioners to take the mark too. Oh sorry they dont believe the bible that wont even happen.
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So what now? Drive in service had been lifted, even if Critical Red was extended. This has now proved these petitioners wrong. Is there greed and jealousy among you?
You guys owe Pastor L. Fontaine and the whole Springs Church congregation an apology, including those that you all have offended.
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Game over….! These group of people have just shown us their true color and motive. You guys owe Springs Church, their Pastors and people an apology. Drive-in service ban had now been lifted.
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No kidding… this letter did not age well! Looks like Christians, again, have rights because somebody thought of standing up for the rights that cowardly people were quick to walk away from.
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Actual press release from Springs, written on December 5th, while your letter was written on December 6th. I’d like to offer the benefit of the doubt that you, as the author, did not see this, as it is juxtaposed to the picture you have painted of Springs and their actions and what you have asked them to repent of.
Winnipeg, MB (December 5) — SPRINGS CHURCH – Leon Fontaine, Senior Pastor, today released the following statement regarding the ruling of the Manitoba Court to prevent Manitobans from practicing their faith while remaining in their cars with their windows rolled up.
The heart of Springs Church has always been a desire to love and better our community. While this year has brought new challenges to us, this commitment remains.
COVID-19 poses a real challenge to our community. This is why we have complied with every public health measure that the government of Manitoba has set upon us.
The Government of Manitoba has made rules around what gatherings can and can’t happen due to COVID-19. Today the Chief Justice interpreted these rules to mean that we cannot hold drive-in church services, even if everyone stays in their cars with the windows rolled up. This was our first step to simply keep this weekend’s drive-in services open.
It’s important to understand that the Chief Justice is only interpreting rules that
elected politicians have made. Even though he said that the rules were unclear
and acknowledged scientific evidence that COVID-19 is not likely to be transmitted between cars with windows rolled up. The Chief Justice does not have
the power to change the legislation, only interpret them.
As such, we are asking you, our community, to do a few things:
1) Continue to follow the rules related to COVID-19. For now, this means not
coming to Springs for a drive-in service this Saturday or Sunday. Being good citizens
means respecting laws.
2) We are asking you to respectfully contact your elected politicians. We will
communicate with you in that regard in the coming days. It is my opinion that
there is an opportunity here to enhance the rules around gatherings so that drivein
church services and other innovative solutions can safely occur. The right to
practice faith during these challenging times is vital. I know that with the united
voice of our community, regardless of your faith, we can show our elected
politicians that they can be innovative, keeping COVID-19 measures in place,
while looking for ways to safely bolster the spirit of our community and protect
Canadian Charter rights.
3) We need to love one another. We know that our community is desperately
struggling with the effects of fear, isolation and job losses that endless lockdowns
have brought. Now, more than ever, we need to pray for each other – for those in
the midst of health, financial, relational, and mental health emergencies – and
take the time to virtually reach out and make sure we are all well.
4) I ask you to pray for us and our team as we take the next steps on this journey.
We have strategies and will be coming to you with more details in the coming
days. We’re not done yet.
Spring Church is a welcoming, accepting place. We are proud to unite in love for
our community and for our province.
God bless you and keep you.
For more information:
pressrelease@springschurch.com
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Of all the people Jesus challenged, he challenged the Pharisees a lot because they were Soo stuck on the rules, that they missed how Jesus was helping and loving on people.
How do you know that there isn’t a hurting souls that God was reaching with a drive in service? How do you know the God didn’t call Pastor Leon to fight for that?
What I know is God will do anything for that one.
What I know is Pastor Leon cares so much for the people. And over the years he has answered Gods call, even if it was unpopular to many.
I am so thankful for a Pastor like that.
Maybe your church has not been called for the same purpose. Maybe your people would be fine if you watched online. I assure you, we have so many broken and in need of the togetherness, and Jesus did whatever even if it made religious leaders upset. He defn didn’t do things because of how it may look.
But we all have different calls.
Please answer your own call.
And God will judge us all one day and I am confident, He will say to Pastor Leon, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
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From what I understand, pastor Leon is not just defending HIS rights as a Christian, but also the freedom for each and every pastor on this list and in this province to freely CHOOSE how they wish to response during this .
I cannot see this as a selfish act, but simply exercising his right to freely choose, and for other to do so as well. This is part of what makes us free, and the last people who should criticize him are fellow pastors, because they also depend on certain guaranteed freedoms, and not just when times are “normal”.
After all, did Christ not die on the cross to give us freedom as well? A freedom to choose something even greater?
There is always a cost to freedom.
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[The content of this comment misrepresents, the words and actions of Jesus in the Bible,conflates US style nation worship, and/or advocates conspiratorial thinking and mistrust of authority.
Please consult more appropriate sources such as seminary trained clergy, theologians or other appropriate scholars].
Marie Wit I read the letter because of your comment – I wanted to see both sides of the debate.
I’m disappointed because I did not see both sides of the debate at all:
– staying in your car is not worse than staying at home – If you’re going to give the benefit of the doubt, then do so, if you want to dispute something, then prove your point.
– sometimes you need to get into peoples faces and turn a few tables over when people have lost sight of the important factors – we are killing people with lockdowns and there is little evidence we are saving lives (since high risk people are at HIGHER risk now than before).
– Martin Luthor incorrectly believed that bad smells caused the plague, much like we are saying mask stop viruses (what about the air that is going around the mask?).
– The author does not address any of the arguments against our government’s approach: Killing 100s of millions of people with extreme poverty, removing people’s rights without justification (we are not helping others) and who said these were temporary? The 2 week, temporary lockdown is now nearing the 10th month.
It is surprising how many people don’t value their freedom. Individual freedom is FREEDOM. There is no other option. Group freedom, that denies the individual’s rights is communism. What is best for the group, is terrible for the individual and what is best of the individual is best for the group. Should we justify horrible atrocities in order to achieve the best result for the collective? Why are we happy to endorse the government’s actions to deny basic human rights?
This author is clearly not thinking about others – he is being a coward. Jesus NEVER followed the laws of man – his laws superseded ours and we were told to base our laws on same. If you’re going to use the religious argument, it should be done accurately.
Springs does a lot of good in our communities. Not only were they coming together for their religion, but they were giving out food to families in need. This pastor should research his topic before spouting off on a fellow christian organization without doing his research – maybe he should give Leon a call and talk to him before saying more ignorant comments – and then exposing the ignorance of the other church leaders to joined the pile on.
Where 2 or 3 are gathered… is also a fundamental part of christianity. Did you know that christians were called to lay hands on the sick – where does the bible say that we should live in fear? The bible talks about healthy practices to avoid poisoning ourselves, but I’ve never seen the verse that says we have to obey every authority or yield our religious rights on demand.
Leon was taking the democratic approach and he WON. This open letter is showing the weakness and subservience that religion has become. We often see people who don’t stand for much and they avoid confrontation. Martin Luthor was happy to confront the inconsistencies of the leadership and our nation was established with individual rights because we had leaders who stood up against tyranny.
It is clear that these other organizations are lacking the leadership to stand up for people today. I can appreciate following rules that you don’t believe, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with asserting your rights and that of the people you serve. For this reason, Leon has done more for our city than all of these other church leaders combined.
This letter did not age well given that the government agreed with Springs and has now allowed everybody to do car rallys – the way we were told they were safe in the beginning (and there is absolutely no grounds to challenge it at this time).
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[The content of this comment misrepresents, the words and actions of Jesus in the Bible, conflates US style nation worship, and/or advocates conspiratorial thinking and mistrust of authority.
Please consult more appropriate sources such as seminary trained clergy, theologians or other appropriate scholars].
I’m disappointed because I did not see both sides of the debate at all:
– staying in your car is not worse than staying at home – If you’re going to give the benefit of the doubt, then do so, if you want to dispute something, then prove your point.
– sometimes you need to get into peoples faces and turn a few tables over when people have lost sight of the important factors – we are killing people with lockdowns and there is little evidence we are saving lives (since high risk people are at HIGHER risk now than before).
– Martin Luthor incorrectly believed that bad smells caused the plague, much like we are saying mask stop viruses (what about the air that is going around the mask?).
– The author does not address any of the arguments against our government’s approach: Killing 100s of millions of people with extreme poverty, removing people’s rights without justification (we are not helping others) and who said these were temporary? The 2 week, temporary lockdown is now nearing the 10th month.
It is surprising how many people don’t value their freedom. Individual freedom is FREEDOM. There is no other option. Group freedom, that denies the individual’s rights is communism. What is best for the group, is terrible for the individual and what is best of the individual is best for the group. Should we justify horrible atrocities in order to achieve the best result for the collective? Why are we happy to endorse the government’s actions to deny basic human rights?
This author is clearly not thinking about others – he is being a coward. Jesus NEVER followed the laws of man – his laws superseded ours and we were told to base our laws on same. If you’re going to use the religious argument, it should be done accurately.
Springs does a lot of good in our communities. Not only were they coming together for their religion, but they were giving out food to families in need. This pastor should research his topic before spouting off on a fellow christian organization without doing his research – maybe he should give Leon a call and talk to him before saying more ignorant comments – and then exposing the ignorance of the other church leaders to joined the pile on.
Where 2 or 3 are gathered… is also a fundamental part of christianity. Did you know that christians were called to lay hands on the sick – where does the bible say that we should live in fear? The bible talks about healthy practices to avoid poisoning ourselves, but I’ve never seen the verse that says we have to obey every authority or yield our religious rights on demand.
Leon was taking the democratic approach and he WON. This open letter is showing the weakness and subservience that religion has become. We often see people who don’t stand for much and they avoid confrontation. Martin Luthor was happy to confront the inconsistencies of the leadership and our nation was established with individual rights because we had leaders who stood up against tyranny.
It is clear that these other organizations are lacking the leadership to stand up for people today. I can appreciate following rules that you don’t believe, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with asserting your rights and that of the people you serve. For this reason, Leon has done more for our city than all of these other church leaders combined.
This letter did not age well given that the government agreed with Springs and has now allowed everybody to do car rallys – the way we were told they were safe in the beginning (and there is absolutely no grounds to challenge it at this time).
Remember all of the people who were martyred for sharing the gospel? Hint: They weren’t following the rules either.
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You have just received your reward from all the world, is that a good thing?? I applaud Spring Church. It is always right to put GOD’s LAW over the LAW of Man. I will pray for those not strong enough to fight for our GOD and SAVIOUR. There is still mercy for you and love for you, no one can remove us from our Saviours hand, if you truly believe in the real Jesus (Revelation Jesus, not the hippie). Please remove yourself as a shepherd before you lead anymore astray, all who have signed your names against your brothers and sisters. Remember, we are all children in Christ, those who believe. Quick question, what did Jesus say to do to those who hurt children?? It involves tying a stone around your neck… because it will be better that you did then face the wrath of Jesus….you know the rest. Go to the back of the Church and be silent. GOD has not given us the spirit of fear. Respectfully, from your brother with a rebuke from the body of Christ.
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By writing this letter you have indicated to me that you are living in fear not faith, or maybe sour grapes because you and the other agreeable signees could not put together a Drive In Church yourselves, your energies would be far better directed towards taking care of your own congregation instead of being distracted by what others are doing. The devil seeks to distract and destroy.
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[The content of this comment contains false claims regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult official sources of information such as https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19 ]
Reverend Erik, I know you mean well. But there are a few issues with this letter.
1) We are commanded in Hebrews to “not forsake the assembling of ourselves together”. Back in the days of the early church, there was no internet, television, Zoom, radio, or any form of electronic media. They gathered in person. Yet, sickness was just as prevalent.
2) God is still god. There are times in our Christian lives where we literally have to decide between obeying God or obeying man. According to the Word of God, you cannot serve two masters. Pastor Leon and Springs Church are obeying God. You, on the other hand, have chosen to avoid the persecution that the Bible says will be directed towards all believers.
3) You need to have spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear, which arguably, you do not have. COVID-19 is a respiratory virus with a survival rate of over 98%. If this “pandemic” were not a deliberate governmental plot against the church, then all public places would be closed indefinitely. If you do not take a stand, your freedoms will be forfeited and you will be awakened once it’s too late.
Reverend Erik, you and many churches sadly have fallen into the devil’s lie and believed the world’s report instead of God’s. You need to call yourself to repent instead of Pastor Leon. And please do not take the vaccine, which will ultimately alter your DNA. Oh, and God still loves you.
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Leave it to the liberal church to once again display their ignorance with regards to the things of God. You brood of vipers. The things of God are superior to the things of man. You do your congregations a serious diservice. You are dominated by the things of the world and are swept away by a demonic force that has you fixated on the things of man and the world. God comes first. You are all way off the mark.
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Very balanced response. Good job
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I think a public apology to pastor Leon and the whole body of believers in Christ would go along way to restore your trust in the Lord. (John 14:1 niv) do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God, also trust in me. – Jesus (red letters)
Thank you for responding.
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Right now in Alberta there is a pastor in prison for doing what scripture says to do, just as pastor Fontaine did. He was shackled hands and feet and put in a maximum security prison. He was also put in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day. And when he needs the prayers and support of his brothers and sisters in Christ there are people like the so called pastors on this list who would have happily held the prison doors open for him to be ushered in. How dare any of you call yourself shepherd and do this to a brother? And Mr. Parker, as the instigator, I would encourage you to apologize and repent of this disgraceful thing you have done.
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Well when all you people that think the virus is a hoax and believe you should be able to assemble to pray to your God in a building when you could do it from anywhere let me say this. Should you loose your life to the virus and show up at the pearly gates and you ask God why didnt he save you, dont be surprised if he says “all you had to do was take the vaccine I sent you”
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“ … or wear the masks that I helped people design … or stay home, in the first place, like I inspired doctors to say … after all, I *am* everywhere … you won’t just find Us in the church”
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I hope all clergy signing this letter are willing to be held to the same expectations and standards of themselves in the future. Everything you believe is now subject to the court of public opinion and others’ understanding of their biblical principles. What you feel you have the authority to demand for one pastor is now the authority you must submit too as well. Every church listed above is now open for public scrutiny in all aspects of what you believe to be a follower of Christ.
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first comes God ,then the world will see it for what it is,it has been 2 years ,if all of us truck drivers and grocery workers would have stayed home,Ido not think we would have so many stupid comments. let Jesus Christ be glorified. Amen
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