Waterloo church holds Sunday services, exercising ‘civil disobedience’

WATERLOO - Driving by Trinity Bible Chapel on Sunday morning, you wouldn't have known the province was under a shutdown order that restricted the number of people that could gather for religious services.

The church parking lot on Lobsinger Line was nearly full, with around 75 vehicles parked to attend the 9 a.m. service - the first of two church services offered that day.

The Record attempted to speak with members of the congregation after the first service exited, but was asked to leave the property by a church official. The church staff declined to offer any comment regarding this story.

Waterloo Regional Police officers and regional bylaw officers were seen parked across the street during the service. Bylaw officers said they were monitoring the situation to see how they should proceed.

Public health inspectors were not on site. A spokesperson for the Region of Waterloo said public health works in collaboration with other agencies like bylaw and police to share enforcement responsibilities.

For weeks, the church leadership has been transparent about its stance on keeping the doors of the church open, despite any lockdown ordered by the government.

On Dec. 3, in an open letter addressed to national, provincial and municipal authorities, Trinity pastor Jacob Reaume outlined his belief that meeting in person as a church was a biblical requirement.

While our desire is to work with the province to care for the health of our community, TBC respectfully advises that it must practice civil disobedience in the event of a government lockdown," he wrote.

In a Dec. 24 letter to church members, Trinity Bible Chapel encouraged people to attend in person, and noted that registration would not be required, in order to keep their identities private.

We do not believe it is wise to keep a record of those that choose to exercise civil disobedience with us," the letter read.

The document also advised anyone who ends up receiving a ticket from bylaw or police, to let the church leadership know because there were constitutional lawyers who have offered to help fight these tickets in court.

The Sunday services were also streamed live online each week.

On Wednesday, Waterloo Regional Police officers charged six members of the church under the Reopening Ontario Act, which limits weddings, funerals, and other religious services or ceremonies to 10 people indoors and 10 people outdoors.

These restrictions will be in place in Waterloo Region and throughout Southern Ontario until at least Jan. 23. If convicted under this Act, a person could face a $10,000 fine.

In a press release issued by the church on New Year's Eve, Reaume said it appeared the police were trying to make an example of the church.

We are not criminals," he wrote, highlighting how the church community has become a vital refuge for hundreds of people during these times of despair." He minimized the impact that COVID-19 has had on the region and said there had been no outbreaks traced back to the church.

Our government is destroying our society to prevent the spread of a virus with a fraction of a fractional death rate. This is evil."

As of January 2, there have been 167 deaths and 6,207 positive cases in Waterloo Region. As of Dec. 29, there were 33 people in hospital with the virus.

In the press release, Reaume references the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and calls the government's decision to limit gatherings unlawful." He compared this situation to a police state, writing that past generations have fought in wars to protect us from state abuses of this nature."

Reaume called out government officials and local police, saying they have violated the very rules they seek to enforce during this pandemic.

Several politicians have been caught violating their own laws by visiting cottages, hosting gatherings, or jaunting to warmer climates," he wrote.

He said police Chief Bryan Larkin offered his full support to the Black Lives Matter protest that saw thousands gather in downtown Kitchener in June, during the pandemic.

The arbitrary rule of law is dangerous even as it is contrary to our inherited values," Reaume wrote.

In his sermon on Sunday, he advised those in attendance that even though police, bylaw and regional officials were waiting outside, the church would remain open until it was forced to close. He said the church leaders have received encouragement from across North America.

We have a message of hope and all his people have right now is doom and gloom while they're locked in their homes. If there ever was a time to keep the doors open, it's right now," he told church members.

Chris Seto is a Waterloo Region-based reporter for The Record. Reach him via email: cseto@therecord.com