Note from the Rector

Dear Friends in Christ,

Well, I am back in the office a day early to get the final details sorted out for the day care before they move in on Friday.  This morning I met with Courtney, the owner of the Thinking Garden Daycare Center, and Elaine to sign the final amended lease agreement for our 6-month trial.  This agreement has been approved both by our Diocesan executives and the Thinking Garden lawyers, so all is ready to move ahead.  Now that all is signed, Courtney and her team will begin their set up of the room and clearing out of the outdoor space beginning next week.  All should be ready to welcome the children and families into our spaces in the coming weeks and Courtney and the families are excited to be part of the extended St. Mary’s family.  Please hold all involved in this new exciting endeavour at St. Mary’s in your prayers as we move through the next few weeks of transition.

Also starting this Sunday, we will be entering into the Season of Creation for our Sunday worship which will take us through till Thanksgiving! Christians around the world are invited to give particular attention to praying and caring for God’s creation as part of the global Season of Creation, observed from September 1 to October 4 every year.  The Anglican Church of Canada passed a resolution in 2019 adopting the Season of Creation as a time of prayer and education, encouraging all dioceses and parishes to participate.  Here at St. Mary’s the Season of Creation is a time to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through celebration, conversation, and commitment together.  During the Season of Creation, we join our sisters and brothers in the ecumenical family as we all engage in ways to bear witness to our call as stewards of our spaces and all of God’s beloved creation.  Our liturgy in the coming weeks will focus on prayers for the world, our call to be caretakers and how scripture speaks to creation care.  We will also begin to engage with the theme of this years’ Season of Creation – “Let Justice and Peace Flow” taken from Amos 5:24, ‘but let justice roll on like a mighty river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.” If you want to know more about the Season of Creation, this link will provide lots of information - https://seasonofcreation.org/.  So feel free to poke around the website and see what other communities are doing do observe this season.

As we move through the coming weeks of change and transition, may we also hold fast to our call to justice and peace in our communities, in our churches, in our homes and throughout all of creation.  

Many Blessings,

Kirsten +

 

St. Mary’s Website Hall/Church Rental Calendar

We are really moving into the digital age! 
No more checking the big paper calendar behind KAT’s desk! 

The list/calendar is online on this website for September to December 2023 at this point.  Do check it out with this link https://www.stmarynb.ca/events/calendar

You cannot add a booking yourself, so let KAT know what you want and she will add it.

 

Prayer Chain Update

It has been a number of years since the prayer chain has been updated and so Rev. Kirsten and Sherilene Q are working together to reinvigorate the prayer life at St. Mary’s.  Starting in September, we will be working out a brand-new list of prayerful folks and initiating a NEW PRAYER CHAIN.  This group will be asked to support the parish in prayer weekly, praying for those who are in need of prayer as events or situations arise, as well as praying through a few members from the parish list and the weekly Anglican cycle of prayer.  All members of the previous prayer chain, as well as those who may be interested in joining for the first time are encouraged to email the office to sign up. So  if you are someone who can support this community through regular prayer, please let us know!

 

2023 FUN & FUNdraisers at St. Mary’s

The RAISE THE ROOF PUZZLE CAMPAIGN has raised almost $4,500.

The main part of the roof is shingled, just the two flat upper sections to go!

There are still more puzzle pieces to place.  THANK YOU to all who have contributed to date!

To make a donation:

  1. In the hall, pick up an envelope with a donation amount on it, (or use a blank one)
       and write on it what you are donating
  2. Fill in your name and envelope number - for income tax purposes
  3. Put your cheque or cash donation in the envelope and take out the photo puzzle piece
  4. Find your puzzle piece number on the grid and add yours to help complete the photo.

Your donation is greatly appreciated.   

   

CHRISTMAS FAIR MEETING IN HALL - Wednesday, September 6th at 10am

Bring your enthusiasm and ideas!  For more information, call Rita G.


  

     Safe Church Training at St. Mary’s 

Sunday September 10th after service

The Diocese insurance, which covers the people and buildings on this property, now requires assurance that everyone who volunteers has been Safe Church trained by September 30th.  To simplify this certification, the Diocese has put together a one-hour video which we plan to show after church on Sunday, September 10th.    Please save this date and join us for a snack and the video to ensure that we all stay safe and insured. 

Please direct your questions to Val and let her know if you plan to attend.  Thank you.  

  SEPTEMBER READINGS

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023

Exodus 3:1-15             
Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45              
Romans 12:9-21;                  
Matthew 16:21-28

SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

Exodus 12:1-14           
Psalm 149                                       
Romans 13:8-14          
Matthew 18:15-20

 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023

Exodus 14:19-31         
Psalm 114          
Romans 14:1-12         
Matthew 18:21-35

 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2023

Exodus 16:2-15                    
Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45          
Philippians 1:21-30                       
Matthew 20:1-16

 

         SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS

Birthdays

Sept.10th     Pat N

Sept.16th     Marrianna W

Sept. 17th    KAT

Sept. 23rd    Greg McD

Sept. 30th    Clive O

Some recipes from our past

- from St. Mary’s cookbook June 1990, courtesy of Shirley G.  This is the last one!

                                        

 

    WOMEN’S FALL RETREAT

The Fall Women's Retreat will run October 13-15, 2023 at Camp Imadene.  The facilitators will be the Right Rev. Logan McMenamie and Kirsten Horncastle-McMenamie.

To register, please download the attached form and mail it along with your registration fee to Brenda Dhaene. Further information is provided on the registration form with regards to payment and registration.

For accommodation, please note that all single rooms are booked, but a waitlist is being taken. There are still shared rooms available.

If you have any questions, please contact Brenda directly at birish@shaw.ca.

PWRDF Event  - Saturday September 9; 1-4pm St. Paul’s Nanaimo

Mapping the Ground We Stand On

As part of its commitment to support the findings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund has developed a program called, “Mapping the Ground We Stand On”.  This interactive workshop known as the Mapping Exercise invites participants to explore the Indigenous presence on the map of Turtle Island/Canada, the history of Sellers arrival, and their relationship to one another.  It also offers an opportunity for learning and reflection on the concept of Terra Nullius or “empty land” and the Doctrine of Discovery as foundational to colonialism (of which the residential schools were one aspect). Participants will walk on the map, reflect on their own presence on it, and discuss how they might respond to what they have learned. 

Our Diocesan PWRDF is offering this mapping exercise with the team facilitators John and Nancy Denham, PWRDF facilitators, to present this workshop in four regions.  Ours is in Nanaimo.  Space is limited so please register asap at pwrdf@bc.anglican.ca 

Registration deadline: Thursday August 31, 2023
Please click on this link to view a 7-minute video that shows a bit about the why and how of the workshop.