From the Rector's Desk 

Well, Humphrey has gone back to his home country with his masters, but as I reflect on the various celebrations surrounding Epiphany (including the 2nd anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood), I am reminded of another tradition that speaks to us at the dawn of a new year.

“Chalking the Door” is a practice with a long-standing history and is a way to mark the new year and ask God’s blessing on our home and all those who dwell within (even just for a few hours!) throughout the coming year. While a simple act, it is a way for us to literally mark the occasion of the Epiphany and acknowledge God's blessing of our lives and home. All it takes is a little time and a little chalk, or any other non-permanent writing implement as the inscription changes with each new year.

For this year, you should write: “20 + C + M + B + 25.” The Letters C, M, and B have two meanings. They are the initials of the traditional names of the three magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words Christus Mansionem Benedicat, “May Christ bless the house.” The + signs represent the cross, and 2025 is the year containing the blessing.  Once the writing is on the wall, the following prayer is said, “Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love, and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and for ever. Amen”

With time, the markings will fade. As they do, we let the meaning of the symbols sink into the depths of our heart and be manifest in our words and actions. So just as the Wise Men followed the star to find the blessing of the tiny baby – God here with us, over 200 years ago - may Christ continue to bless us, our homes, our community and remain with us throughout this new year. Amen.

Blessings to all for a wonderful 2025 together,

Kirsten +

 

Annual Vestry Meeting

Mark your calendar for our Annual meeting, which will be held on Sunday February 23rd after the service. Things will be a little different this year as we prepare for the meeting without a regular office administrator, so we will be starting early in January with a call for reports to ensure Kirsten has adequate time to pull everything together. So if you are needing to write a report please have it back to Kirsten by Friday January 24, 2025. Thank you all.

 

Bible Study 

Bible Study will be on hiatus until we are able to hire a new office administrator. So stay tuned… and we will be sure to announce when it starts up again!

 

Birthday Box Money 2024

During 2024, the weekly Birthday Box collection raised $2,063.60! Because of your generosity throughout the year we have been able to support a variety of needs around the world. This money has been divided, with half going to Tumaini for the support of widows and grandparents who arrive at the Tumaini office with pressing needs.  At our Council meeting in December we decided to use the money to support wells in Kenya, fruit seedlings in Uganda, restoring Indigenous midwifery practices and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Thank you all for your support of those in need in Canada and beyond.

 

Office Administrator Position

The wardens and I have been working on creating a job posting to begin the search for a new administrator to join our community working in the office. Our hope is that we will be able to officially share the posting early next week – this will be a permanent part time position for 15 hours a week – so I invite you to start thinking about folks you know who might be interested in applying and pray that the right candidate comes our way!