In what he called an act of conciliation, today’s service at Aylmer’s Church of God was of the drive-in variety. Pastor Henry Hildebrandt stressed “nothing can shut us down.” He added, proceeding with the parking lot service was not an act of consent with regard to the cease and desist order issued last week by the province’s Attorney General.
After welcoming those in attendance, he urged them to act as if they were at Costco or Walmart. He added, “If this parking lot is the poisonous one then next Sunday we’re at Costco.”
Defiant, he observed the church will not be shut down.
Pastor Hildebrandt advised he is an essential front-line worker, and a true pastor surpasses any other front-line worker.
Today’s service was held in obeyance of the province’s cease and desist order. A copy of the order was delivered to Pastor Hildebrandt by Aylmer Police.
The order requests the church and anyone acting on its behalf immediately cease holding gatherings of more than 10 people, unless those gatherings are drive-in services only and comply with all other applicable provisions of the Re-opening Ontario Act.
Under the act, the Crown attorney could seek an application in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for a court order restraining the church and anyone acting on its behalf, should there be any violations.
