FROM THE DESK OF THE RECTOR    

“God of the present moment….” starts the prayer some of us have been saying during this pandemic. This simple phrase is a prayer in itself, a way to become present to the God who is present to us…..at all times, in all places, in all ways.

Thank you to Elaine who sent an article that contains in it the following thought:

(So it is not a stretch to consider God in…) “the sacrament of the present moment…. for if the ordinary is indeed the hiding place for the holy; if this moment, even its craziness or brokenness, is permeated with the sacred, we are invited and given the permission to fall in love with the idea of living.”
Terry Hershey Sabbath Moment

This Advent, in the midst of busyness or loneliness, is the perfect time to spend time with the “God of the present moment,” by reading Scripture, enjoying time with friends, writing Christmas cards, listening to beautiful music, lighting a candle, making a simple meal.  In other words, to fall in love with our ‘one wild and precious life.’
Mary Oliver

God bless you each moment of this journey towards Christmas!
Selinde      

                           

Church decorating this Saturday December 11, 2021; 10am.  Sorry for the short notice!    

 The CARE TEAM is looking for one or two new members.  If you are interested, please speak to Pat N.    

 

   WE BOUGHT THE FARM!

At their December meeting, your Parish Council bought a farm, for just $530.00.  The farm includes 5 goats, seeds, chickens, and includes training for dairy farmers in one of the following countries: Bangladesh, Cuba, Colombia, Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe.  Last year, churches bought 99 farms; this year they are hoping for 100.  

The money we used was the PWRDF (Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund) portion of the birthday box money we collect in church every Sunday (the other half goes to Tumaini Canada). Thank you all for donating to this wonderful gift!    

  At its recent board meeting, Tumaini decided to send funds to build a house in Tanzania in memory of John Mills who, together with his wife Cheryl, both long-time St. Mary's parishioners, helped establish Tumaini in Canada.  The new house will be built for a family in very desperate circumstances.  

If you would like to make a donation in John's memory, Tumaini will send you a charitable receipt.  Donations can be made by e-transfer to tumainicanhelp@gmail.com or by cheque sent to Tumaini Fund Canada, 2341 Balsam Crescent, Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9G2 .  Thank you.  

                 ENVELOPES ARE HERE!  Please pick yours up in the narthex this Sunday.        

  Year end is December 31, 2021...  

If you have any receipts and want reimbursement, please submit them on or before December 25, 2021.  

The NEW READINGS ROSTER is ready for Christmas Day and January 2022.  With KAT away, it would REALLY help Selinde with the weekly service bulletins.    

CHRISTMAS DATES      

NCS Christmas Elf Tree deadline THIS SUNDAY 
The Christmas Elf Tree donations in cash or kind are due this Sunday. There are still many requests hanging on the tree.    

Carols by Candlelight will be recorded this year and available to view December 15th. KAT will send the video link via email and it will also be available via our website.  

SERVICES

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

Christmas Eve Service: Friday December 24 at 7:00pm

Christmas Day Service: Saturday December 25 at 10:00am

Boxing Day: Sunday, December 26 the church will be closed as per the Bishop’s recommendation. Attend a service on line at Christ Church Cathedral HERE.  

More on our gift bags to ICU staff at Nanaimo General Hospital: Last Monday Mary H, Maggie M, Jan E, and Francee K filled 3 big boxes with 125 gift bags that Selinde dropped off to NRGH last Thursday and by the end of the day she had received this email message from the nurse manager there:

Dear Selinde,

Marysia kindly delivered the treats from St. Mary’s to our critical care teams today.  Please accept and share our thanks and gratitude for this.  It is a nice morale booster for our teams and we really appreciate this kind gesture.

Thank you,
Kelly McColm