From the Rector's Desk

This week, a small group of us began our study for the 5 weeks of Lent, where we begin to explore the final week of Jesus' life leading to the crucifixion. Together we looked at the story of Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem with the disciples through the gospel of Luke.  We read scripture, shared some thoughts on the passage and then explored questions together that brought us to thinking about our own journey of faith.  While we looked at Luke 19 as the focus of our time together, the questions really invited contemplation on our own understanding of Jesus as both human and divine and what this might mean for each of us individually.  Within two hours we not only learned more about Jesus and about the Christian life, but we also learned more about each other as we walk this path together.

And so I invite you to come and join us next Wednesday morning at 10:30 when we reflect on Matthew’s take on Jesus entering in the Temple and how this piece of the final days of Jesus can speak to our lives today as a community and as individuals.  This is an informal time where we share and reflect, learn and grow together as people of God.  It is a space where it is okay to not have the answers and where all are encouraged to wonder and guess at what the answers could be. The beauty of this sort of group learning is that there is no right or wrong answer and none of us is an expert in this (not even me!) so questions and wonderment is welcome as we travel along together.

All are welcome to come and join us on the journey!  

Love and Blessings,

Rev. Kirsten +

 

 

Maundy Thursday, March 29 – Help Needed!

While it is only the beginning of Lent, Holy Week will soon be upon us and Kirsten is starting to think about services!  In light of the announcement on Sunday, we are looking to invite our friends at St. Ann & St. Edmund, Parksville, to join us at our Maundy Thursday service!  To make sure we have the means to extend hospitality, Kirsten is looking for some folks to assist in the meal portion of the evening – someone to bring buns, a few people to make soups and help set up etc.

If you might be interested in helping with this, please speak to Kirsten as soon as possible so we can get plans in place for this event.

 

 

On Wednesday April 24th, Primate Linda Nicholls will be in attendance at St. Mark’s Qualicum Beach and we are invited to attend a service where Primate Linda will preach, celebrate and share a meal with us all. 

More details will come as we get closer to the date, but this is a big event for the North Island so mark your calendars and be ready to sign up when the time comes, as space will be limited!

 

                                                                        

Lent Devotional Booklet by Living Compass

We could not obtain the Living Well Through Lent 2024 booklets this year and, as it is over 50 pages long, it is unfeasible to print copies, but see below for a .pdf copy, which you can save somewhere easily accessible on your device and refer to daily.

 

         Bible Study

Join us over the next 4 weeks on Wednesdays at 10:30 -12:30, for a focussed study during the season of Lent, Walking With Jesus through Lent.

Together we will look at the final days of Jesus through the lens of the four gospel writers and discuss some thoughtful questions together. No preparation is required as we will look at the readings and other materials together each week.  

All are welcome to join in the discussion as we walk through Jesus' final days together.

  MARCH

Birthdays

March 19             Ray D

March 21              Cris E

March 27             Elaine C and Clair D

March 28            Ron G

March 29            George W

Anniversaries

March 3rd            Fred & Linda H

       MARCH READINGS

March 3 – 3rd Sunday in Lent

Exodus 20:1-17                     Psalm 19                      1 Corinthians 1:18-25                    John 2:13-22

March 10 – 4th Sunday in Lent

Numbers 21:4-9            Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22           Ephesians 2:1-10;                            John 3:14-21

March 17 – 5th Sunday in Lent

Jeremiah 31:31-34                         Psalm 51:1-13                       Hebrews 5:5-10                    John 12:20-33

HOLY WEEK

March 24 – Palm Sunday

Reading in the hall - Mark 11:1-11

Isaiah 50:4-9A                                 Psalm 31:9-16                       Philippians 2:5-11                   Mark 14: 1-47

March 28 – Maundy Thursday

Exodus 12:1-4, 11-14                 Psalm 116:1, 10-17;            1 Corinthians 11:23-26        John 13:1-17, 31b-35

March 31 – Easter Sunday

Isaiah 25:6-9                               Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24           Acts 10:34-43                        Mark 16:1-8

 

CONCERT AT ST. MARY'S - SUNDAY, MARCH 3rd at 3pm

                                              

Join us for a new experience at St. Mary’s where we will have the musical talents of Marilyn Rummel on harp and Danel Cove on flute offering a time of classical folk fusion.

Come hear some familiar pieces reimagined through contemplative improvisation.

Admission will be at the door with a suggested donation of $20.   Money raised will be split between the musicians and St. Mary’s community.