Readings for Sunday 23rd January 2022 , Epiphany 3 First reading: Nehemiah 8.1-3, 5-6, 8-10. Psalm 19 Second reading: 1Corinthians 2.12-31a. Gospel: Luke 4.14-21
Prayer and Pastoral Care
Cycle of Prayer for January The Fifth Mark of Mission
Treasure – Safeguard and Renew the Earth As Christians we are called to “safeguard the integrity of creation”. Our world is a gift from God. 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 Environmental Team, Work to reduce single use plastics and major recycling initiatives, Buildings and Grounds, Lock up Security Group, Grubby days Finance and Audit groups, Committee of Stewards, Treasurer, Fundscrip, Garage Sales and Garden Volunteers.
Please pray this week for
Annie; Derek; Pat; Barb; Margaret, Phyllis; Dave and Marylynn; Nelson; Ruth; Norma June; Stephanie and Ron; Scott and Logan; Beth; Izzy; Jamie and Cathie; Brian; Liz and Charlotte; Clarion and Brenda and Lester; Precious; Laura; Vanessa; Bob; Stephanie; Alex; Nirupa and Jim; Simon; Sean, Mary, Pat; Norma, Jim, Len, Calli and newborn boy, Lynda and Kelly.
And for those known to each of you alone and for those with no one to name or remember them this day.
Pray with Thanksgiving for the safe arrival of Gabriel William, at 6 lbs 11oz and 19 inches long. Congratulations to proud parents Elizabeth and Josh, big sister Isabella and excited grandma Anita.
Rest in Peace Janice Brady (sister to parishioner Cyndi L.) May the soul of Janice find rest eternal in the loving arms or her Lord and Rise in Glory and may Cyndi, Janice’s daughters, the whole family and friends find strength and comfort as they grieve.
We pray for
Bishop Todd and our priest Bill as he continues to lead of the family of St Jude’s through this long and continually evolving environment of pandemic “church” life. May Holy Spirit guide them with wisdom as they work to meet our spiritual needs in many and various ways.
We pray for
The parents and children who are making major decisions about the return to school or on-line learning. May they find comfort in their decisions that are unique to each family and not second guess choices. We pray that all remain healthy, both physically and mentally.
We pray for
The exhausted, overburdened hospital and health care staff, first responders, and essential workers, who continue to offer care, support and services during this extended and ever changing pandemic. We pray that they will not experience long term health or traumatic impacts and that they too receive the personal support that they need.
We pray for
Global Climate Justice and all those impacted by adverse weather conditions, and drastically altered weather patterns, especially the latest snow storms in eastern Canada. May world leaders, the powerful and all of humanity make addressing Climate Justice a priority to protect our island home and all of creation for future generations.
We pray for
All those suffering from food insecurity, lacking appropriate affordable housing, isolation, neglect or abuse; especially with cold winter and pandemic conditions further exasperating already vulnerable people. May appropriate support and the provision and sharing of resources be forthcoming to help improve quality of life while offering dignity for all Gods children.
Outreach
Ministry of the Month for January: Outreach for the month of January is Men’s Month and we shall be supporting the Men’s Mission and the Unity Project.
Men’s Mission : Providing emergency shelter for an individual or family, or caring for those with mental health needs, Mission Services of London is there with a message of hope through faith serving those who struggle with poverty and homelessness. They provide food, shelter, clothing, crisis intervention and rehabilitation.
Needs: gloves, toiletries, razors, underwear, wallets
Unity Project : working to stabilize people in their moment of crisis and to engage them in their own process toward stability while utilizing all available community resources. Housing (with supports) is the solution to homelessness and we shall continue to develop our program around this outcome for participants.
Needs: socks, bus tickets, T-shirts, small backpacks, razors, underwear, coffee mugs. The Committee would sincerely like to thank everyone for their generous support. This parish of St. Jude is a very caring community.
Breakfast Program
We served 52 guests who braved the frigid temperatures this past Saturday. Thank you to our volunteers who manned the All Saints Hall which got pretty cold with the door open. Our volunteers feel very grateful to St. Jude’s generous donors when a warm coat, boots or a blanket is taken home by a guest in need. Please continue to bring in your gently used items and we’ll find them a home. As always, toiletries for men and women are needed, including toilet paper. The next breakfast is Saturday, January 29th .
Learning Together
Bible study. Fr. Bill’s on-line Bible study has resumed on Thursdays at 7.00 pm, via Zoom, and the link has been sent to the parish. All are welcome and encouraged to join.
Fundraising
St. Jude’s Cookbook . Cookbooks are available, and at $15.00 each, they are an impressive product. Since the office is temporarily closed, you may purchase them by contacting Janette Newcombe (519-660-1486 or [email protected] ) .
Social
Women’s Coffee Hour
In view of COVID19 and the infectious Omicron variant we are cancelling the Women’s Coffee Group for the foreseeable future. Once it is safe to gather we will issue an general invitation. Be well and be safe.
Coffee Hour!!
This Friday, 21st January , Fr. Bill is hosting a Zoom Coffee Hour at 10.00 am, to which everyone is invited – it’s a BYOC of course (sadly). Join in and catch up with the parish friends you have been missing all these months! Fr. Bill has sent the link for this event.
Let’s Celebrate
Happy Birthday!
This week to Faye Geoghegan (16th January), Loraine Micks, David Smith and Ray Duffield (all on the 18th ), Jan McKenzie (19th ), Amanda Chalmers (20h ) and Jack Beedle (21st ). Wow!! Hope you all had/have a happy day!!
And, congratulations to Sangeeta and Rowland Rajan, celebrating their wedding anniversary on 21st January.
Miscellaneous
Office hours : The office is closed during this Covid “lock down”, and the parish will be notified as and when it can be open again. Meanwhile, phone messages and emails will be monitored and responded to as necessary.
Is this yours?? A women’s size small coat and scarf has been hanging in the downstairs hallway since last Spring. We are wondering if it was inadvertently left there by a parish member, hence this notice. Please come and pick it up if it belongs to you (once the office reopens you can come through there, Kathy will show you the way). If nobody claims it, we shall put it in the Nearly New Shop.
The fourth “wave” continues, as we all know, with this pesky new variant! Don’t forget to get your booster as soon as you are eligible!