FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR    

This Sunday we celebrate the last Sunday in Advent and the theme is LOVE.

Armed with hope, peace, joy and love we are well equipped to make the last steps to Christmas; the arrival of God in the world.

Instead of focusing on our to do lists; maybe we can keep our eyes peeled for the way God is present to us? Be curious! Does God speak to you through the words of a friend penned in a Christmas card, a Christmas song on the radio, the sun-sparkled snowy mountain tops? Can you infuse your baking and gift wrapping or phone calls with love? When you light a candle can you feel the presence of your loved ones? When you call to mind a Christmas in the past, can you feel the joy from that time in this moment?

Our creativity is a gift from God and we need to use our imaginations to light up our life and our world this Christmas!

This Holiday Bucket List gives us a helpful perspective on this season:    

I want to thank the very small crew that worked hard to beautifully decorate our lovely church for Christmas: Elaine C, Don and Pat N, Shirley B.  

KAT is leaving for 5 weeks to visit her daughter and family in England after not seeing them for over 2 years! We send her on her way with prayers and love and gratitude for all she does for us. Shirley B has offered to come in to help Selinde once a week. So please be patient with us!

The office will be closed between Christmas and New Year’s Day, re-opening on Tuesday January 4th. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please call your People's Warden, Val.      

CHRISTMAS DATES

Friday December 17 (online): 'National Lessons & Carols: From Coast to Coast to Coast', a national Advent service

Advent #4                     Sunday, December 19 10:00am

Christmas Eve              Friday, December 24 7:00pm

Christmas Day              Saturday, December 25  10:00am

Boxing Day                   Sunday, Dec 26  CLOSED  - Attend Christ Church Cathedral online.    

We are not taking registration for Christmas services but we do have to limit the number of people (masked and double-vaccinated) who can attend to comply with COVID safety protocols. So, if you are flexible and able to attend either the Christmas Eve service or the Christmas day service, please consider coming Christmas morning at 10:00am because numbers are usually much lower for that service. That way, we won’t have the potential problem of having to turn  visitors away. The more people who are bubbled sit together, the more people we can safely fit in. If you are bubbled with someone else in the church, please consider coming to the same service and sitting together. Thank you!

At our December Council Meeting, I was delighted to learn that all but one of your current Parish Council are willing to stand for Parish Council again which indicates to me the commitment people have to St. Mary’s and to strength in the transition ahead. Wow, what a team!! That said, there is still room on Council for a couple of new members so please consider stepping in and sharing your gifts! Speak to Clair or Elaine.    

We don’t have readers for the December 25 (Christmas) service, or for Jan 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th.  If you can help out, please let Selinde know.