Let’s start with some humour: When Forrest Gump died, he stood in front of St. Peter at the Pearly Gates. St. Peter said, "Welcome, Forrest. We've heard a lot about you." He continued, "Unfortunately, it's getting pretty crowded up here and we find that we now have to give people an entrance examination before we let them in." 

"Okay," said Forrest. "I hope it's not too hard. I've already been through a test. My momma used to say, 'Life is like a final exam. It's hard.' " 

"Yes, Forrest, I know. But this test is only three questions. Here they are: 1) Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'?  2) How many seconds are in a year? and 3) What is God's first name? 

"Well, sir," said Forrest, "The first one is easy. Which two days of the week begin with the letter 'T'? Today and Tomorrow."

St. Peter looked surprised and said, "Well, that wasn't the answer I was looking for, but you have a point. I give you credit for that answer." 

"The next question," said Forrest, "How many seconds are in a year? Twelve."

"Twelve?" said St. Peter, surprised and confused."Yes, sir. January 2nd, February 2nd, March 2nd …"   St. Peter interrupted him. "I see what you mean. I'll have to give you credit for that one, too." 

"And the last question," said Forrest, "What is God's first name? It's Andy." "Andy?" said St. Peter, in shock. "How did you come up with 'Andy'?" 

"I learned it in church. We used to sing about it." Forrest broke into song, "Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am His own." St. Peter opened the gate to heaven and said, "Run, Forrest, Run!"  

In case you missed the Financial letter insert from the Thanksgiving service, it is attached for your convenience.   

BEST SHORTBREAD EVER WORKSHOP!  Learn to bake delicious Christmas shortbread from Canada’s former Primate (head of the Anglican Church), The Most Rev. Andrew Hutchison, on Thursday Nov. 14 at 11am.  Register with the front office or on the sign-up sheet this Sunday. NOTE: REGISTRATION LIMITED. 

The CHRISTMAS FAIR is fast approaching, Saturday Nov. 23, from 9:30-2:30.  The Christmas Gift Basket program is a great fundraiser for St. Mary’s.  Any items you donate are greatly appreciated. The items can be themed or generic.  The deadline for donations is Sunday Nov. 10 - a notice about this is in an attachment below along with the financial letter.

COMMUNITY DINNER: Next Monday between 4-6pm.  A belated Thanksgiving Feast with turkey and all the trimmings!  Please consider helping. The sign-up sheet is almost totally bare and will be in the Hall on Sunday. Thank you! 

SAVE THE DATE:  Our next Parish Social will be on Tuesday November 26th from 4-6pm at Mary Holte’s. Everyone is welcome!

We have inherited a lovely rocking chair that belonged to Babs Moore. It needs a little mending: a new seat (fabric-covered foam over a board attached to cover the hole in the seat) and glue to firm up the joints. We plan to place it in the old sanctuary at the back of the church where parents/grandparents can rock their little ones during the service.  If you can help out with this, please speak to one of the Wardens or to Selinde. 

PARISH COUNCIL:  Are you interested in learning more about what your annually elected Council does?  Would you be interested in serving in the capacity of Parish Council member?  Please talk to someone on the Nominating Committee if you might be interested:  Elaine Cowan, Clair Davies, Mary Holte. Elections will be at the annual Vestry Meeting in early February 2020. 

Some help is needed, as follows:

1)      Someone to take over the Card Ministry (sending out cards on behalf of the parish) while Arlene is south for 3 months starting mid-December. Arlene will happily train you! Please speak to her.

2)      A Kitchen Coordinator to keep the kitchen organized and clean. Not to do the work per se, but to organize folks to do what is needed. Interested? Please speak to one of the wardens or Selinde. Thank you.

A great suggestion from a parishioner: Why not consider moving around in the pews? Try a different spot each Sunday and that way you get to meet different people!

St. Stephen’s in Qualicum has a new organ. This is where Margaret’s husband, John, plays every Sunday. Come and hear Jenny Vincent, the fabulous organist at Knox United in Parksville, perform on the new organ this Sunday, October 20 at 3:30pm. St. Stephen’s is at 150 Village Way, Qualicum Beach.

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