newsletter - st john's shaughnessy...dec 18, 2016 · verger/caretaker amy thorogood sunday...
TRANSCRIPT
NEWSLETTER Week Commencing December 18
Fourth Sunday of Advent
From the Rector
This Sunday is the fourth and final Sunday of Advent, the Sunday where
we focus upon the word Peace.
On hearing that word Peace my mind goes very quickly to Aleppo, Syria
and the intense airstrikes that were waged in that city this week. A huge
number of civilians, let alone soldiers, were caught in massive destruction
as the war rages on. Peace seems very elusive in this area but in so many
other parts of our world as well. We pray for peace in the world but what
is God calling us to do to bring about peace in the world?
The word Peace is also a word that we explore often in the Church. It is
usually centred around inner peace and the desire to grow closer to God
and God’s presence in our lives. Make me a channel of your Peace, we
might pray. May the Peace of the Lord be always with you we might say to
our neighbour. The Peace of God which passes all understanding… we
hear the priest say to us. What does inner Peace, really look and feel like?
In the gospel reading for Sunday, we hear about Joseph, the husband of
Mary, discovering that Mary is with child. His first reaction is to want to
dismiss her quietly. But he has a dream in which he is told that child
conceived in Mary is of the Holy Spirit. The angel then goes on to say:
“’She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his
people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken
by the Lord through the prophet: ‘Look the virgin shall conceive and bear a
son, and they shall name him Emmanuel’ which means ‘God is with us.’”
The word peace describes so much of what is going on in this beautiful
passage. Mary discovered the peace of God’s presence and God’s hope
even in the news that she would bear a son. Joseph too discovered this
same peace despite the news that his fiancé was pregnant but with a child
who would save people from their sins. The word or title of Emmanuel
seems to be all about peace for it names that God is with us, God is for us,
God is amongst us. But the news of the coming of the Messiah is not meant
to simply be a joyous event of the history of long ago. It is meant to spur us
on to live out the peace of God of our hearts but in our lives. We are called
to be peacemakers.
Take some time to meditate on that word Peace this week. Invite the Prince
of Peace into your life. Pray for peace in your life, your family, and the
world. Allow peace to guide and direct you and how you experience God
with us, Emmanuel, in these days leading up to one of our most holy days,
Christmas. Every blessing to you and yours.
O God of Peace, rest upon me. Help me to find places of Peace each and
every day. Help me to prepare in my life room for a tiny child to come and grow
into the Saviour of the world. Help me to search out and bring peace to others.
Help me to awaken to the true depth of Christmas and what Emmanuel, God with
us, means for me in how I think and act and pray. In the name of Jesus, the holy
and eternal one I pray. Amen.
New Year’s Resolution?... Boot Camp for the Soul?... Rule of Life
Will you make a New Year’s Resolution about growing in your faith? Will
your soul need to attend a “boot camp” to re-energize and re-focus? Have
you made a rule of life for your spiritual life?
Come and join us January 16, 23 and 30 at 7:00pm in the Trendell Lounge as
we learn more about Rules of Life. On January 16, Bishop Melissa Skelton
will lead a session on Benedictine Spirituality and the Benedictine Rule of
Life. On January 23 Mother Liz will lead a session on prayer and growing
deeper in our spiritual journey. On January 30, Father John will lead a
session on creating a rule of life based on some modern rules and each
person’s desire to walk more closely with Christ. It will be a great series, so
please plan to join us.
Coming up for Communion
If you find the use of stairs difficult but still want to come
up to the Communion Rail to receive Communion, we
have a suggestion for you! Please use the side aisles at
the chancel steps as they have handrails.
Or please know that one of the priests is very happy to
bring Communion to you in your pew. Thank you.
Blue Christmas Service
A special service for those who find Christmas a difficult time will be held
at St. Mary’s Kerrisdale on December 21 at 7:00pm. It is designed for those
who are experiencing grief or loss or sadness at this dark time of year.
Please help get the word out to those who would appreciate this service.
Christmas Day Service
A quieter and more contemplative sung Eucharist will be held at 10:00am.
Please note that there will not be an 8:00am mass on Christmas Day.
Please Help!
We have created a small post-card size poster for our Christmas Services
(they are available in the Narthex and in the pews). We would really like
people to take these and deliver them to homes in your neighbourhood. Or
give them to friends. Or give them to people you know who once attended
St John’s. Let’s get the word out about our Christmas Services and events!
Evensong for Candlemas
Candlemas is the day that we celebrate the child Jesus being presented in
the Temple, the Feast of the Presentation. The official date set aside for the
Presentation is February 2 but we will transfer our celebrations to Sunday,
January 29 at 4:00 and have a beautiful service of Evensong. Traditionally
this was also a day to recognise the light of God in our midst and was a
time to bless all the candles of the house (hence the name Candlemas).
Please plan to join us!
Monthly Pre-Authorized Donations - Thank you!
We are thrilled that so many parishioners are switching over to the pre-
authorized donation program. It makes things a lot easier for the church
with this program - much easier than envelopes. If your donation comes
off your credit card each month, please keep us posted if you get a new
expiry date on your card. Many thanks!
Care Packets for the Homeless
This Christmas season, St. John’s Shaughnessy is collecting a variety of
goods that will be packed up and distributed to our homeless and needy
neighbours in the new year. Please join in this outreach initiative by
bringing some items from the list below to church this
month, and watch our offering pile in the Narthex
grow! The goods will be distributed through the
Neighbourhood Ministry program, a Westside street
outreach ministry led by Deacon Pitman and offered
through parishes in our Archdeaconry.
If you prefer to donate money, please make a note on your cheque “for
Christmas Care Packets” and we will spend the money buying in bulk.
Care Packet Wish List
winter-weight socks toothbrush/toothpaste kits
Boost or Ensure nutrition drink hand lotion
juice boxes small shampoo/conditioner
fruit cups & plastic spoons lip balm
soft nutrition bars small bar soap
stretch gloves Q-tips & disposable razors
Did you know that an Outreach interest group has formed at St Johns? We
are discerning how our passions for helping those in need can best be used.
Supporting refugee initiatives, joining Neighbourhood Ministry efforts, and
several other great ideas are under exploration. If you are interested in
being part of Outreach, please see Father John or Deacon Pitman.
MOTET Chamber Choir Concert - 2pm Dec 31
Eight voices. Twelve days. Experience the fullness of Christmas with a
concert of beautiful choral and organ music. From the sounds of Orlando
Gibbons to favourites by Sir David Willcocks to a new carol by Thomas
Hewitt Jones, join us as we celebrate this most wonderful time of year and
take you on a musical journey to Epiphany. Admission by donation.
Sts. Peter & Paul Church, 1430 W 38th Ave. All ages. www.MOTET.ca
Builders Without Borders – Help needed with website
Builders Without Borders, registered in 1999, is a leading Canadian
volunteer based humanitarian organization that works internationally with
the poorest communities in teaching the design and construction of safer
homes, community and health facilities.
BWB is located in Vancouver. We have recently updated our website
www.builderswithoutborders.com and would like help in managing and
updating the site. This is a volunteer position and within a year could pay a
modest honorarium. Please contact Neil Griggs at
[email protected] 604 738 7516.
Artist’s impression of a soon to be completed buildingto hold a trade school in Haiti
The buildings above are currently under construction with Builders
Without Borders providing the project management services for the
project. Local Haitian companies are largely carrying out the construction
work with Canadian volunteers providing on-site support and “transfer of
knowledge” to the local workers. The project has also benefitted from two
weeks of on-site work by six volunteer workers from the Ironworkers
Union Local 97 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Builders Without Borders
has also received interest from other B.C. Unions wanting to volunteer on
this project.
St John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church
1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, B.C. V6H 2E2
Telephone (604) 731-4966 (ex 11 for office)
email: [email protected] web: www.sjs.net
Office Hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:00pm
Rector The Venerable John Stephens
Curate The Reverend Liz Hamel
Deacon The Reverend Dr Pitman Potter
Rector’s Warden Robyn Woodward
People’s Warden Louise Hadley
Treasurer Donald Wood
Vestry Clerk Karin Fulcher
Music Director Michael Dirk
Assistant Choirmaster Ann Chen
Children’s Ministry Spencer Britten
Parish Administrator Janet Hamilton
PWRDF Rep Doug Symons
Sacristan and MC Paul Bunnell
Verger/caretaker Amy Thorogood
Sunday services
8:00am Holy Communion (BCP)
10:00am Sung Eucharist
Wednesday service
9:30am Holy Communion
Baptisms, Funerals, Weddings and Confessions are by appointment
with the Rector. Please contact us if you would like to have
our weekly newsletter emailed to you.
Please contact the office if you are interested in participating. Cover: Artwork by
John Stuart www.stushieart.com