Weekly Notices - November 29th, 2023
From the Rector's Desk
My friends,
As you all know, the Thinking Garden Daycare Center has now been with us for a while now. We see evidence of their presence all around us in little ways and are thankful for the many ways they have accommodated the needs of the church – especially as we prepared for the Christmas Fair. I fully admit we have had a few minor hiccups as we have learned to live into sharing our space together, but all has been addressed with our other user groups, we got through the hall requirements for the Christmas Fair and Courtney and the staff continue to be wonderful caretakers of the spaces they use. When we first agreed to have the daycare come to St. Mary’s, we signed a 6-month trial contract which will be up at the end of February. So we are nearing the time when Council will have to make a decision as to whether we renew our contract with The Thinking Garden, or dissolve the contract and prepare for them to leave us.
While we still have a bit of time before the trial contract ends, the process of renewing or dissolving does take some time as the Diocese will be involved in the process and needs to approve of the steps taken to dissolve or approve of the new contract. Because of this, Parish Council will be voting on the matter at our next meeting on December 13th. We would appreciate some input from you! If you have any thoughts on the day care, if you would like them to stay, if you have any concerns or feel strongly one way or the other – please do reach out to myself, a Warden or a member of Council to share your thoughts. As Council, we want to do what is best for the parish at large and be accountable to YOU, but in order to do so we need to know your ideas, thoughts and opinions so we can get the pulse of the parish on this matter.
So in the next few weeks, please take some time to pray about the day care at St. Mary’s, put some thoughts on paper, or sit with a Council member at coffee hour and share your thoughts and concerns.
With my heartfelt thanks to you all as we discern our future together,
Kirsten+
ADVENT 2023 begins this Sunday. . . And yes, we still have a few booklets left!
The LIVING WELL THROUGH ADVENT 2023 booklets have arrived.
Practising Wonder With All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind
These can be picked up in the office. We are requesting a voluntary donation.
BIBLE STUDY IS RESUMING – EVERY WEDNESDAY, 10:30am IN THE CHURCH
DECEMBER READINGS
ADVENT
December 3 – Advent 1 (Hope)
Isaiah 64:1-9 Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 (pg. 812) 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37
December 10 – Advent 2 (Peace)
Isaiah 40:1-11 Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 (pg. 818) 2 Peter 3:8-15a Mark 1:1-8
December 17 – Advent 3 (Love)
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 Psalm 126 (pg. 885) 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 John 1:6-8, 19-28
December 24 – Advent 4 (Joy)
2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (pg. 823) Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38
CHRISTMAS
December 24 – Christmas Eve
Isaiah 9:2-7 Psalm 96 (pg. 834) Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
December 25 – Christmas Day
Isaiah 52:7-10 Psalm 98 (pg. 836) Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12) John 1:1-14
December 31 – First Sunday after Christmas
More information to come.
Carols by Candlelight - Sunday, December 10th at 7pm
Patricia Plumley and her students will be performing.
Elaine Cowan needs a few helpers for the refreshments after. Please let her know if you can help.
Tumaini Fundraiser
To help raise funds for the education of orphans, Tumaini has rented a table to sell crafts at the Nanoose Library Bazaar on Saturday, December 2.
If you are able, please drop by for a visit.
NCS Christmas Elf Tree
The Christmas Elf Tree is set up and is adorned with 'gift wish' tags again this year. Donors can pick a tag, buy a gift and return it to the tree or leave it at the church office.
This special gift will bring great joy to a neighbour’s child or a senior in our community.
Ukulele Fundraiser Concert - POSTPONED
The Ukulele Fundraiser Concert for the Food Bank has been cancelled this Sunday.
Stay tuned as it might be rescheduled for mid-December.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Birthdays
Dec. 1st Mattieu Q-C
Dec. 4th Shirley G
Dec. 13th Anne Marie H
Dec. 29th Maria S
Anniversaries
Dec. 6th Marg and Ray D
Dec. 29th George and Marrianna W