Each year when we change our clocks, turning them back an hour, I find I miss the longer hours of daylight as it gets dark earlier and earlier. It's quite the adjustment. I often think it's later than it actually is. And in turn there is the changing of the seasons and temperatures. Sometimes I think that hibernation isn't such a bad idea. But with time, we do make the transition. Like some of my friends, I'll likely start my countdown to spring. And therein lies the hope ... the days will soon start to get longer again ... spring will come ... the flowers will bloom. That's the hope I cling to even as I live in the moment of now and bundle up when going outside and enjoy a cup of hot cider.
The annual Turkey Dinner this past Sunday
was a tremendous success.
We had fun and shared fellowship
as we prepared, served and cleaned up the dishes.
We shared our hospitality with
the wider community of Uxbridge
who came to enjoy the meal we offered.
We ended the evening
with $1600 raised for outreach.
Well done!!!
Thank you to everyone who was involved
and especially to Len & Beth for organizing!!
It was an inspiring Festive Evensong
on Sunday afternoon
as we celebrated All Saint's Day.
The Tudor Consort
presented music that lifted the spirit
Watch for the next on in 2019!
Outreach Committee
We are inviting all who are interested in helping others to consider joining the St. Paul's Outreach Committee.
We are involved in many projects
throughout the year including:
Christmas hampers
Orange Shirt Day
Pikangikum Water Project
Foodbank donations
St. Paul’s GSA (gay/straight alliance)
Syrian Refugee sponsorship
If you are interested or have questions please contact Joy Freemantle, Sharon Houston,
Gail Verwoerd or Gail Browne, or speak to Rev. Mark.
Reminder ...
We resume our series "Church & Kingdom"
this evening at 7 pm in the lounge.
Hope to see you there.
Sunday November 11
we will begin our shortened worship at 10:15
so we can be finished and go
to the centaph observance by 10:45
On Sunday at 445 pm
we will participate in
ringing our church bell 100 times
to honor the 100th anniversary
of the end of WWI.
If you'd like to participate,
please be at the church at 445.
On Sunday November 11
from 2-4
St. Martin's Anglican Church, Pickering
Trent Durham area will
honor, celebrate & give thanks
for the ministry of Archbishop Colin Johnson
as he prepares for his retirement.
November
Wed 7 … 7:00 pm Pilgrim Series Thurs 8 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study Sun 11 … Remembrance Day; 7:00 pm Orpheus Symphonietta concert Sun 11 ... 2 - 4 pm, Farewell "Meet & Greet" for Archbishop Colin and his wife Ellen in gratitude for his ministry and support here in Trent Durham, St. Martin's, Pickering Wed 14 … 7:00 pm Pilgrim Series Thurs 15 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study; noon Lunch & Learn Sat 17 … 11:30 am Post Parade Lunch; 2:00 pm Gay/Straight Alliance Sun 18 … Feast of St. Cecilia; 8:30 Communion; 10:30 Communion celebrating the ministry of Music Mon 19 … 1:00 pm Coffee & Chat Wed 21 … 7:00 pm Pilgrim Series Thurs 22 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study Sun 25 … Reign of Christ; 1:30 pm Communion at Douglas Crossing; 7:30 pm Cantorei sine Nomine Concert Mon 26 … 7:00 pm "holy spirits ... Faith Conversations over a Pint" Wed 28 … 7:00 pm Pilgrim Series Thurs 29 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study
December
Sat 1 … 8:30 am Men’s Breakfast; putting up the Christmas tree Sun 2 … Advent 1 Mon 3 … 1:00 pm Coffee & Chat Wed 5 … 7:00 pm Advent Candlelight Communion Thurs 6 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study Sun 9 … Advent 2 … 2:00 pm “Old Tyme Christmas Carol Sing” Wed 12 … 7:00 pm Advent Candlelight Communion Thurs 13 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study Sat 15 ... 1 to 4 pm Farewell reception honoring Archbishop Colin Johnson at St. Jame's Cathedral, concluding with Evensong
Sat 15 … 2 pm Gay/Straight Alliance Sun 16 … Advent 3; 2 to 4 pm Christmas Open House at the Rectory Wed 19 … 7:00 pm Advent Candlelight Communion Thurs 20 … 10:00 am Communion & Bible Study Fri 21 … 7:00 pm Longest Night Service Sun 23 … Advent 4 Sun 23 ... 1:30pm Communion at Douglas Crossing Mon 24 … 4:30 pm Family Christmas Eve Communion with Spontaneous Pageant; 10:30 pm Carol Singing; 11:00 pm Festive Almost Midnight Communion Tues 25 … 10:30 am Quiet Christmas Day Communion Sun 30 … 9:30 am Communion with favorite Christmas Carols
"Remember ... and never forget!!"
The mantra for Remembrance Day is "Lest we forget". And it goes along with the response recited at Remembrance Day observances originally part of "The Ode of Remembrance ...
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
It is so very important that we remember the sacrifices made in so many ways that has affected people's lives even to this day. And yet, it becomes all to easy to become complacent because we aren't directly in the tragic realities that so many others are around the world. We enjoy a life of freedom with many liberties that others are denied.
And yet, I realize as I watch the news and read articles how prevalent the movement is today that the wars of the past century fought against. The war, hatred and violence that is supported openly is very troubling to say the least. I find it hard to understand how we right here in our own country could have such a concern that isn't imagined but very real, and possibly even growing.
If such a movement continues to gain momentum here as it has in other places, then what have we learned from the past and the sacrifices that were made for the sake of justice, respect and dignity for all people. What was my great grand father fighting for in the First World War; what were my great uncles and my father in law making a sacrifice for in the Second World War? And what does it mean for us to honor them year after year and remember them with gratitude and thanksgiving?
On November 11, we will observe the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. And we do so with a mixture of emotions even as we mark this centennial. Bells will ring out across the country as they did on November 11, 1918. What a profound tribute as an act of remembrance.
And yet, is there more we need to say and do in the here and now? How does our faith inspire us to speak out and stand up against injustice, discrimination, hatred and violence today? The prophet Micah wrote, "He [God] has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" There in lies the call God makes that is timeless; it doesn't belong 100 years ago in the time of WWI; or 73 years ago during WWII; or 65 years ago in the Korean war; or recently in Afghanistan?
This is a call for the here and now, right here in our own country. And God speaks to each of us in this moment with the hope that we will take up the challenge and serve the opportunity to make a difference. It may seem small and insignificant whatever we can do. But we may never know who might be affected in a way that makes their life a bit better and safe.
When we hear of demonstrations that promote hate and discrimination, let's be the faithful of God who can speak a different truth that promotes love, respect and dignity. On this Remembrance Day, may we be the voice that speaks of peace with a hope for the world God hopes and intends for us.
I offer us these two prayers as we take the time to stop and remember and to also pray for lasting peace in the world ...
O Lord, our maker and our strength,
from whose love in Christ we can never be parted
either by death or defeat:
May our remembrance this week
deepen our sorrow for the loss and wastes of war,
make us more grateful to those who courageously
gave their lives to defend this land and commonwealth;
and may all who bear the scars and memories of conflicts,
past and present, know your healing love
for the sake of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Amen.
O God, lead us from death to life, from falsehood to truth;
lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust;
lead us from hate to love, from war to peace.
Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. 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!
