As I'm writing this, we're preparing for the onslaught of a winter snow storm. In addition, I was reminded that it was 42 years ago we experienced the great snow storm of 1977. I remember it and the chaos it caused. But I also remember how people were helping each other and there was a genuine concern for neighbors. Sometimes these kind of things bring out the best in people and remind us that there is still good people in the world who desire to help others. Something to hold on to and give thanks for in a time when things often feel and seem so negative.
Last Friday evening, between 25 and 30 people had fun and shared fellowship, board games and junk food at the "Gaymes Night" sponsored by the GSA. There were children, teenagers, young adults, parents and members of St. Paul's. It was decided that everyone enjoyed it so much that we will host this on the last Friday of each month at 7 pm in the parish hall.
Come out and invite your family and friends to join you!!
Starting tonight ...
Come out if you're available
even if you have't let me know.
Do you feel weighted down with worry? Does the uncertainty and chaos of life keep you up at night? Are irrational fears your constant companion? Could you use some calm?
In this five-session video Bible study, bestselling author Max Lucado explores God's treatment plan for anxiety found in Philippians 4:4-8. As you follow this prescription - celebrating God's goodness, asking for his help, leaving your concerns with him, and meditation on good things - you will experience God's peace. This is a peace that "transcends all understanding" and will help you reframe the way you look at your fears.
While anxiety is a part of life, it doesn't have to dominate your life. With God as your helper and his promises at your side, you can sleep better tonight and smile more tomorrow. You can talk yourself off the ledge and view bad news through the lens of God's sovereignty. You can discover a life of calm and develop tools for combating the onslaught of anxiety.
Sessions include:
Rejoice in the Lord Always
Let Your Gentleness Be Evident to All
Present Your Requests to God
The Peace of God Will Guard Your Heart
Meditate on These Things
Beginning on Wednesday January 30 at 7 pm
in the lounge.
Please let me know if you're planning on coming
to assist with preparation and any copying.
I hope you'll consider taking this time
for you and for God and your
emotional and spiritual well being.
Remember ...
Men's Breakfast
This Saturday
8:30 am
Invite your friend
for deliscious food and friendly conversation!!
We are pleased to be led by Dr. Lydia Pedersen (BA, Mus.Bac., M.Ed., D.Min.), a published hymn writer and workshop leader in the field of hymn writing. Throughout her dual career as music educator and church musician she has championed hymns as a primary source of the formation and expression of personal theology. She chaired the Tunes Subcommittee on the task force that produced the United Church hymnal Voices United (1996), and now teaches an annual seminar on hymn writing at Emmanuel College, Toronto.
The day will provide group and individual guidance and the opportunity to work with others or by yourselves to craft the text of your hymn.
No experience in hymn writing necessary!!!
Come out an explore this creative side
of your faith and spirituality!!!
Help Support St. Martin's, Pickering
in their fundraising
for the Road2 Refugee initiative ...
Wed Jan 30 ... 12 noon St Paul's offering Soup Luncheon at St. Andrews Chalmers
Wed Jan 30 ... 7:00 pm, "Be Anxious for Nothing" series begins
Thurs Jan 31 ... 10:00 am followed by "Be Anxious for Nothing" series at Mae's
Sat Feb 2 ... 8:30 am ... Men's Breakfast
Sun Feb 3 ... 8:30 & 10:30 Communion
Mon Feb 4 ... 1:00 pm ... Coffee & Chat at Tin Cup
Tues Feb 5 ... 10 am ... Wardens
Wed Feb 6 ... 7 pm ... "Anxious for Nothing" series
Thurs Feb 7 ... 10 am ... Communion followed by "Anxious for Nothing" series at Mae's
Thurs Feb 7 ... noon ... Lunch & Learn
Thurs Feb 7 ... 7 pm ... Working group re 9:30 Contemporary Service
Sat Feb 9 ... 9:30 am to 4 pm ... Hymn Writing Workshop
Sun Feb 10 ... 8:30 & 10:30 am ... Communion ... Dave Rehill will be reflecting on his journey of faith
Sun Feb 10 ... following 10:30 am service ... TAB & ACW Bake & Book sale
Wed Feb 13 ... 7 pm ... "Anxious for Nothing" series
Thurs Feb 14 ... 10 am ... Communion followed by "Anxious for Nothing" series at Mae's
Sat Feb 16 ... 2 to 4 pm ... Gay Straight Alliance
Sun Feb 17 ... 8:30 & 10:30 am ... Communion
Sun Feb 17 ... following 10:30 am service ... Outreach Meeting Mon Feb 18 ... NO COFFEE & CHAT DUE TO FAMILY DAY
Wed Feb 20 ... 7 pm ... "Anxious for Nothing" series
Thurs Feb 21 ... 10 am ... Communion followed by "Anxious for Nothing" series at Mae's
Thurs Feb 21 ... 1:30 pm ... TAB & ACW
Fri Feb 22 ... 7 to 9 pm ... Gaymes Night
Sun Feb 24 ... 8:30 & 1030 am ... Communion
Sun Feb 24 ... Foodbank Sunday ... please bring donations to fill the grocery cart
Sun Feb 24 ... following the 10:30 am service ... Annual Financial Vestry meeting
Sun Feb 24 ... 2 pm (note time change) ... Communion at Douglas Crossing
Mon Feb 25 ... 7 pm ... "holy spirits" at Wixan's
Wed Feb 27 ... 7 pm ... "Anxious for Nothing" series
Thurs Feb 28 ... 10 am ... Communion followed by "Anxious for Nothing" series at Mae's
Mark your calendars ...
On Sunday March 10, 10:30 am
we will welcome our new Diocesan bishop
The Right Rev. Andrew Asbil
to St. Paul's.
"Can you believe this is happening ..."
I was at a pastor's breakfast this past week where we heard a presentation on "Set Free Durham". Here is a link to their website ... http://www.setfreedurham.ca/
They are a Christian ministry set up to address the issue of human traficking in Durham region. In particular they raise awareness of how much of a reality this is even in our own communities. How many of us would expect that there is human trafficking here in Uxbridge or our neighboring towns?
I wasn't really aware of the level of this activity even in Canada until a few years ago. I was part of a team who volunteered at the Pan Am Games in Toronto in 2015. That is where my eyes were first opened to the issue of human trafficking not only abroad in other countries across the world, but right here in Canada. I learned that men, women, girls and boys are trafficked in the cities like Toronto and Vancouver. That was an eye opener to a new reality I knew nothing about.
And now, having come to Durham region, I have learned it's not just an issue for big cities, but also in many of our smaller communities like Uxbridge and across Durham region.
Can we, knowing this reality, feeling a heaviness in our hearts not respond in way that can bring justice and healing to those who are drawn into this modern day slavery? Our baptismal covenants and ministry as followers of Jesus Christ compel us to do what we can to make a difference.
Through our Outreach committee, and any others in the parish who might be interested, I encourage us to become familiar with "Set Free Durham" and support them in any way we can. I'd like to see us join as partners and become members of "Set Free Durham". I hope that St. Paul's can become a leader in our community advocating awareness that might save one child being preyed upon.
Out of my passion that has been sparked, my vision is that St. Paul's host a community symposium that reaches out broadly to anyone in Uxbridge who feels they want to learn more. The resources are there to assist as we partner along with "Set Free Durham".
If you have an interest in knowing more and perhaps representing St. Paul's at "Set Free Durham", please speak to me. The time commitment isn't onerous as they meet 3-4 times a year.
I believe in what "Set Free Durham" is doing which is motivated by their faith as Christians and their desire for justice for these individuals so broken and hurting.
Most importantly, in the mandate of "Set Free Durham", they call on us to pray for victims; for traffickers; for governments; for the root causes that lead to trafficking; and especially for global awareness of how prevalent this is even in our own community and neighborhood.
If, like me you are appalled by this reality in our community and feel a heaviness in your heart, let's do something to be engaged in turning this into a new reality of justice, healing and mercy. These are the tenets of our faith. Let's be moved into whatever action we can do to make a difference in the name of Jesus Christ who is equally appalled and whose heart is equally heavy.
I offer us this prayer for those caught in the injustice of human trafficking and especially those of our community who are closer we'd like to think ...
God of Light,
We pray for all of the people
men, women and children
hidden in the darkness of slavery.
Help us shine your light into the homes,
streets, factories and brothels in our own neighborhoods
and around the world where people are enslaved.
The darkness is as light, to you, O Lord.
No person in any corner of the world is hidden from your sight.
Help us shine your light. Amen
Remember, if you have a question, I encourage you to send it to me in an email and I will do my best to answer it either in a weekly update or in a sermon.
As always, my inbox is open, and so is my office door if you'd like to chat. I'm usually in my office most mornings Monday through Thursday unless otherwise announced due to a meeting. Stop by or make an appointment!
