While the church building may be closed due to the current Provincial State of Emergency, our work to care for each other and those in our community continues. Thanks to all who continue to support this work through giving of your time, talents and treasures. Here are this week’s updates.
Readings for Sunday 17th January, Epiphany 2 First reading : 1 Samuel 3.1-20. Psalm 139.1-6, 13-18 Second reading : 1 Corinthians 6.12-20. Gospel : John 1.43-51
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Please pray this week for: Steve and Sandi; Kerry; Dave and Marylynn; Pat; Kathleen; Norma; Karen; Victoria; Ken; Len; Darlene; Jane; Lydia plus Ben and Trish; Brenda; Margaret and Anita; Anne; Sue; Fran and Bill, Loraine and Gord, Toby- Lindsey- Erin- Theresa; Nelson; Ray; Margaret; Brenda; Laurel and Rob; Nancy June, Susan; Stephanie and Ron, Scott and Logan, Beth, Mary Anne, Cathy and Susan; Izzy; Jen; Alison, Jamie and Cathie plus Keith and Cate, Diane; Fred and Marlene; Davina and Sangeeta, Matt, Brian, Shirley, Jack, Julie and Margaret. AND for those who are in need of prayer but have no one today to remember them by name; and those known to each of you alone…
Rest in Peace: Alan (spouse to Diane and brother-in-law of Debbie Williams). May the soul of Alan find rest eternal and rise in glory, and Diane, Debbie, family, and friends find strength and comfort as they mourn. Mr. Dave McCullough (Spouse of retired Reverend Sue McCullough). May Dave rest in peace and rise in glory, and Sue, Cherie, Michael, Patricia and their families and friends find comfort and strength as they mourn.
Pray for the whole family of St Jude; as we move further into lockdown and miss seeing and talking directly with each other, plus multiple other human contacts. May we stay strong and ever vigilant to be good friends and neighbours knowing we are never alone, as God is always with us.
A Prayer request – for our friends in the Diocese of Amazonia (our companion Diocese) Many of our friends in the Diocese of Amazonia have found the past few months difficult. During Advent and Christmas, several have lost family members and friends, including some who have died of COVID-19. Please keep Bishop Marinez, their clergy and parishioners and all the people who live within the diocese in your prayers.
Pray for Bishop Todd and our priest Bill as they navigate through an unknown pandemic reality to support the spiritual needs of the faithful and support for those in need.
Pray for our southern neighbours in the USA. May they find unity and peace, seeing each other as opponents and not enemies; agreeing that they can hold different opinions and still be friends and fellow citizens wanting a peaceful coexistence and accepting the rule of law.
Pray for all people experiencing the impacts of COVID. For the dead, may their souls find rest and rise in glory; for the bereaved, may they find strength and comfort; for first responders and front line care providers, may they avoid the disease and find strength to carry on; for all essential workers, may they be safe and resilient; for the lonely and isolated, may they know love, find connections and courage; for all suffering Covid fatigue, may they see the greater good and stay the course.
Pray for all those who break public health protocols, putting themselves, families, neighbours and strangers at risk; may they find the will to show that they are ready, willing and able to be caring and responsible citizens.
Cycle of Prayer for January – Treasure: Safeguard and Renew the Earth
As Christians we are called to “safeguard the integrity of creation”. Our world is a gift from God, and we bear the responsibility for caring for the world and the Earth’s resources.
Prayer: Lord, you came into our lives to redeem all that is good, guide us in our turn to renew and sustain the the life of your creation. Let your glory fill this place. Let your glory fill this world! We honour ministries in support of SAFEGUARDING AND RENEWING THE EARTH: the Fifth Mark of Mission. Including Stewardship, the Environmental Team, Buildings and Grounds, Lock up Security Group, Treasurer, Fundraising and Fundscrip, Finance and Audit groups, Committee of Stewards.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Under the direction of the Primate, the national office is preparing a series of videos to offer an ecumenical service in observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU). The WPCU kicks off next week on January 18, the Feast of the Confession of St Peter, continuing through the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (January 25). Video components of the service will be available for download at www.anglican.ca/weekofprayer by end of day on January 18. Dioceses and parishes are welcome to use the videos to supplement and/or replace services during the WPCU. The website is also collecting email addresses, for those who would like to receive a notification of when the videos are available for download.
Annual Vestry Meeting
Our Annual Vestry Meeting via Zoom is set for February 7th at 11:00 a.m. Further information and instructions will be coming shortly. A reminder that those Committees and groups that have been able to be active through 2020 should be preparing reports for the AVM, so that we can send them to parish members before the meeting. Election of officers is a necessary annual thing, and this is being worked on by Jennifer Chalmers. If you would like to be considered for Parish Council, or any official position, please contact her at 519-473-5362, or [email protected]. You can nominate another parish member as well, but you must get their permission first. How elections can be done will be announced later. Financial information will be available, and the parish has already received a copy of the preliminary Budget for 2021,
From our Divinity Student
An invitation from Allie McDougall. I shall be hosting a Zoom coffee hour every Wednesday morning at 10.00 am. The Zoom meeting ID will remain the same for each session. Get the link from the electronic Update or call the church office.
Outreach
The Hospitality Breakfast program continues through the current lockdown. Next breakfast is Saturday January 16th.
Fundraising
Fundscrip – Rick has decided it is wise to suspend card orders until the current lockdown has been lifted. Rick will tell us when it will be possible for orders to be taken again.
Offering envelopes
At this time of year we would be preparing envelopes for those who use them, but since there has been little opportunity for their use this past year, we didn’t see the need. However, if you do need some envelopes for this coming year (and we sincerely hope we’ll soon be back to normal), simply contact the office and they will be quickly supplied.
Let’s Celebrate
Happy birthday this week to: Cathy Ferguson (11th January), Benjamin Sandron (12th ), Judy Beldam (14th ) and Faye Geoghegan (16th ). Hope you all had/have a happy day!
Congratulations to Gail and Bill Barnett (13th January) and Babu and Thampi Varkey (14th ), celebrating their wedding anniversary.
Let’s continue to care for one another by staying home until this lockdown can be lifted.