Note from the Rector

My friends,  

What a winter wonderland we have had this last week!  I hope and pray that you have all been able to stay warm and safe with the snow and ice that we have seen.  

As we all know, Advent has begun! We are now heading towards the 3rd week of Advent this time of year where we hear the stories of our past, where we are invited to prepare the way for the coming of God incarnate, of God with us, and invited to take a look at how we are living out the kingdom of God here and now. Within our diocese we have had some other clergy, as well as our Bishop, lend their voice to this advent cry, and we have been asked by the diocesan office to share these words with all of our parishioners.   So I invite you to take some time this week and reflect on the words of our Diocesan Theologian the Rev. John Thatamanil, as he explains in his recent Faith Tides article Making Sense of Advent Expectation, how this season of advent “cultivates in us a refusal to accept the world as it is.”  

This last week with the snow and negative temperature my heart has been concerned for those who are homeless and struggling this season.  In my previous life I spent over a decade working in employment services and specialised working with those who faced multiple barriers including homelessness, so this is a topic close to my heart.  With this in mind, I implore you to take some time to watch Bishop Anna’s 2-minute sermon about warming centres and homelessness here in BC. She also invites us to consider writing to your MLA and your municipal councillors about the need to adopt a Housing First approach. The bishop’s 2-minute sermon is posted to the diocesan website and to Vimeo, and can be found by clicking the hyperlinks.  

The Advent and Christmas season is a time of anticipation, of waiting for the joy that comes at Christmas.  However, the season is not so joyful for everyone. For those who struggle, those who have suffered loss, who are hurting, healing or homeless, for neighbours and for our siblings in Christ, this is a very cold, lonely, dark and challenging season.  So take a moment to read and listen to the words provided by our Bishop and Rev. John, pray for those who are homeless and if you are interested in joining your voice to the cause of Housing First, do let me know.  These are important conversations to be having together as community and I look forward to hearing how the Spirit moves us here at St. Mary’s this Advent season.  

Peace and blessings,
Kirsten +    

       

   -  STATISTICS! 

A HUGE thank you to all those who participated and assisted in making this years Christmas Fair such an overwhelming success. Overall we brought in $13,906.30!!!  After expenses are removed - the grand total profit for the day was $12,292.66.  

This money will be split between St. Mary's and the Ukrainian Refugees, with the Ukrainian fund receiving an extra $568.90 which came in directly through our donation box at the front doors.  At the end of the day, the fair was an awful lot of work, but also a resounding success!  Not only financially, but the comments from people in the community as they came through the doors shows just how well respected and needed this church is in the wider Nanoose Bay Community. 

So CONGRATULATIONS and WELL DONE to you all and again, THANK YOU for all the hard work that went into the fair this year, as we certainly blessed the community in many ways. 

 Advent Devotionals

There are Advent devotionals available in the church office, offered through Living Compass as a way to journey personally through the season.  You can also access the booklet online at  LivingCompass.org/Advent.  This year’s theme is 'Practising Simplicity with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind'.  There is also a series of meditations for Advent being offered online through the Anglican Church of Canada. More information and registration can be found HERE .      

 

  NCS Christmas Elf Tree

The Christmas Elf Tree is set up and adorned with 'gift wish' tags again this year.  Donors can pick a tag, buy a gift and return it to the tree or to our church office. This special gift will bring great joy to a neighbour’s child or a senior in our community.        

Carols by Candlelight is BACK!  


     

Please join us on Sunday, December 18th at 7pm. Tell your friends, neighbours and family.   There will be refreshments provided afterwards in the church hall.        

  - December Issue

Faith Tides is the official publication of the Anglican Diocese of Islands and Inlets. It is a space where people of faith and doubt can share their stories, challenge their perceptions, and grow together.

In this issue: 'Waiting on Advent' by Bishop Anna; The story and the glory – a Christmas bouquet; Update on the diocese’s refugee sponsorship program; Jesus loves our transgender siblings; No stone left alone; and more. For more information visit: https://faithtides.ca/