FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR

As we re-engage with firmer restrictions in these pandemic days, it’s important not to let our minds take us to a place of despair or destruction.  We have no idea what the future will bring.  Living in the moment is our way through each day.  Practicing gratitude helps us keep our eyes open for the blessings in our lives.

We do know we are not alone. Jesus came to show us that God walks with us. We just need to open our eyes and hearts.

Mark Twain once said, “A lot of terrible things…. have almost happened to me.”

My sister sent the following poem, and it says the same thing in a humorous and clever way. Enjoy!  

The Country
Billy Collins I wondered about you
when you told me never to leave
a box of wooden, strike-anywhere matches
 lying around the house because the mice  

might get into them and start a fire.
But your face was absolutely straight
when you twisted the lid down on the round tin
where the matches, you said, are always stowed.  

Who could sleep that night?
Who could whisk away the thought
of the one unlikely mouse
padding along a cold water pipe  

behind the floral wallpaper
gripping a single wooden match
between the needles of his teeth?
Who could not see him rounding a corner,  

the blue tip scratching against a rough-hewn beam,
the sudden flare, and the creature
for one bright, shining moment
suddenly thrust ahead of his time—  

now a fire-starter, now a torchbearer
in a forgotten ritual, little brown druid
illuminating some ancient night.
Who could fail to notice,  

lit up in the blazing insulation,
the tiny looks of wonderment on the faces
of his fellow mice, onetime inhabitants
of what once was your house in the country?  

As per Dr. Bonnie Henry, masks are now mandatory in the church, meetings and office.  

The Wednesday Prayer and Conversation at 10:30 is every week unless you hear otherwise.  

Rental Committee meeting is next Wednesday Sept. 1; 1:00pm in the hall.  

An offering from the diocese: ROOT VIDEO SERIES (September 1-29) 
This five-week series follows a similar format as this summer’s popular Dignify videos. Five reflectors consider our origins in creation and our call to reconnect with our rootedness in it, towards finding our way through the ecological crisis at hand. The series will be available on the diocesan website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. You can also subscribe to the series here to receive it via email. Follow the prompts and select the series from the list of subscription options.     

  REVENUE EXPENSES FIGURES JULY 1 – JULY 31

TOTAL INCOME                                    $21,334.95
TOTAL EXPENSES                                $20,739.09
NET ORDINARY INCOME                   $     595.86  

ELECTRONIC OFFERING                     $7,908.33         
                BUDGETED                             $6,692.90
GENERAL ENVELOPE OFFERING      $  385.00          
                BUDGETED                             $4,680.00    

                                                                     

SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Sept. 10th      Pat N
Sept. 13th      Larry T
Sept. 14th      Cheryle T
Sept. 16th      Marrianna W
Sept .17th      KAT 
Sept. 23rd      Greg McD
Sept. 26th      Dale V
Sept. 26th      John C
Sept. 30th      Clive O

SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARY

Sept. 9th       Rich & Kay B  

   YOUR SEPTEMBER READINGS      

September 5, 2021 – 15th Sunday after Pentecost  
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23     
Psalm 125   
James 2:1-17                      
Mark 7:24-37  

September 12, 2021 – 16th Sunday after Pentecost  
Proverbs 1:20-33                        
Psalm 19      
James 3:1-12                      
Mark 8:27-38  

September 19, 2021 – 17th Sunday after Pentecost  
Proverbs 31:10-31                     
Psalm 1        
James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a      
Mark 9:30-37  

September 26, 2021 – 18th Sunday after Pentecost  
Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22      
Psalm 124   
James 5:13-20                   
Mark 9:38-50