From the Rector's Desk

Last week, your new parish council met for a time of fellowship and planning for the year. Not only did we learn a little bit about each other through questions such as, “What did you want to be when you were a child?” (where I shared my childhood dream of becoming a frog dentist), but we also discussed what it means to be leadership at St. Mary’s and some things that might be good priorities during the year. Together we identified that being members of council involved things such as: servanthood, listening to the voice of the community, learning to use our gifts, gaining new perspectives and new ideas, and looking ahead to our future.

As part of this work, we will be having what some churches refer to as 'Town Hall Meetings' throughout the year. These meetings will be opportunities for YOU to share your concerns, thoughts, ideas, gifts etc. on issues or projects within the church community, so that council can hear your voices and together we can ALL plan for the future of this community of faith. Each of these meetings will have a topic for discussion centered on one of the three main priorities council has set for the year. These priorities are: Building Community, Visioning for the Future, and Finances and Stewardship.

Our first Town Hall Meeting will be held during coffee hour this Sunday, March 10th and we will be looking at setting out an events calendar for the coming year! Some of you may recall this from last year, where we had months written on the white board and people could offer up ideas for fun raising and/or fundraising events so we can get a big-picture idea of what 2024 might look like. So put your creative thinking caps on and let's see what sort of plans we can come up with to bring the community together and perhaps even raise some funds this coming year! If you have a great idea and are NOT able to attend on Sunday, please send me an email with your thoughts or let a friend know to share on your behalf as we don’t want to miss anything.

Looking forward with hope,

Rev. Kirsten +

 

 Services 2024

Maundy Thursday Supper & Service – Thursday, March 28 @ 5:30pm (starting in the hall)

Good Friday Stations of the Cross – Friday, March 29th @ 11am  (in the church)  

Oceanside Easter Vigil – Saturday, March 30th @ 7pm (service at St. Mark’s Qualicum Beach involving folks from St. Mary’s, St. Edmunds, Trinity Port Alberni and St. Mark's)

Easter Sunday – Sunday, March 31st @10am

 

Maundy Thursday, March 28 at 5:30pm

Lent is in full swing and Holy Week will soon be upon us!  

We are inviting our friends at St. Ann & St. Edmund, Parksville, to join us at our Maundy Thursday service, and a few have already responded.

We have a wonderful crew of volunteers for our Maundy Thursday soup supper.  The sign-up lists will continue to be in the hall during coffee hour again on Sunday in case anyone missed them.

Many thanks to everyone for getting involved.  With so much input, our Maundy Thursday meal is promising to be a memorable evening.

Operation Christmas Child Thank You and Information

I have attached below an information sheet about the shoeboxes donated by Canadians, broken down by provinces and territories.  Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God's love and shares the true meaning of Christmas with children, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. 

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Thank you so much for your participation in this vital ministry, in which each shoebox is a gospel opportunity for a child to hear of God's love.

Thank you again for all your hard work!

Blessings

Joan

 

  From the Diocese

Faith Tides: March 2024 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: Existing for the sake of our neighbours by Bishop Anna; Clara Plamondon Installation; St Andrew, Sidney serves 100,000th bowl of soup; A journey like no other; and more.

Click https://faithtides.ca/ to enjoy!

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