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 From the Rectors Desk 

As you all know, the Thinking Garden Child Care Center has been with us for nearly a full year now. While there certainly has been bumps along the way as we have and continue to learn how to share space together, the addition of the daycare has been a boost both to our finances and our moral as a whole. Not a day goes by when I’m in the office where I am not greeted by a tiny chorus of, “Morning Miss Kirsten” or am invited to come see the daily craft the children are working on, or dragged outside to see the latest project in the play yard.

It is never a dull moment during the week with these littles ones site, and while I get to see them daily, am known by name, and am familiar with their routines, patterns and activities – I know that most of you simply don’t get to see what I see day to day. So to help bridge the gap a little, Miss Briar has created a newsletter for us to give the wider community a window into the life of Thinking Garden here at St. Mary’s. This will become a semi-regular newsletter so we know what the kids are up to, what themes they are exploring and know what they are learning in relation to the artwork we see around the hall.

So please take a moment to read through the attached newsletter and hear all about the beginning of the year at Thinking Garden as we continue to work towards bridging our two communities together.

Kirsten +

 

Prayers of the People

Have you ever wondered about the Prayers of the People? Maybe been curious about why we do it, or what the history or purpose is as part of our weekly service? Maybe you’ve been interested in trying to lead the Prayers but haven’t come forward as you aren’t quite sure where to start? Or maybe you have been doing it for years and are looking to be renewed or come along side to mentor someone new?

Well, next week Ven. Elizabeth Northcott and I will be offering our 2nd Oceanside Anglicans Workshop – and together will be exploring the ins and outs of the Prayers of the People. On Wednesday September 18th we will be meeting at 1:30pm in the church with folks from St. Marks, St. Anne and St. Edmunds and possibly even Trinity Port Alberni – to learn about the whys and hows of this important part of our services. During our time together, we will look at where to find the litanies in our liturgical books and learn how to adapt them, and discuss other resources, patterns for prayers and best practices. There will even be an opportunity practice writing prayers together in the group.

 

Join us tomorrow as we learn about the Prayers of the People together!

Intersections: A Dialogue Series

Intersections: A Dialogue Series is an opportunity to engage with Challenging Racist ‘British Columbia’: 150 Years and Counting (CRBC). Produced as part of the commemorations of 150 years since BC joined Canada, this open-access, multimedia resource documents how the recent cycle of anti-racist activism in this province is part of a broader history of Indigenous, Black and other racialized communities challenging white supremacy for over 150 years. This seven-week series brings people together in intentional conversations to: 

  • encounter our collective past
  • locate ourselves as participants in the ongoing story of this place
  • explore how to respond faithfully to the truths we find together

... so we can participate with God in restoring creation and affirming the dignity of all people. 

I have been working with the team creating and delivering this program since its beginning in 2019 and am really looking forward to offering this program in person for all the Oceanside Anglicans. Each of the seven sessions are based on the information covered in the CRBC project. Together we will explore topics using video, song, prayer, self-refection exercises, readings and group discussions.  

This program is so much more than a lecture series, and because of this we need YOU to make it happen. This course simply does not work without a minimum number of participants so we do ask that you REGISTER for the series so that we can be sure we have enough people on board and have all the necessary handouts ready to go.  

We will be meeting Thursdays from 1-3pm beginning October 3rd through until November 14th in the hall at St. Edmunds.  To register please contact the St. Anne & St. Edmund office at admin@oneopencircle.org or call Holly at 250-248-3114. 

 

Fall Education Opportunities With Oceanside Anglicans

Prayers of the People @ St. Mary’s - September 18th 1:30-3:30pm

~ Learn tips & best practices for writing and delivering the Prayers on Sunday

Intersections: A Dialogue Series @ St. Edmunds - October 3rd  – November 14th

~ A Course on racism in BC – more information to come

Let’s Sing… Our Favourite Funeral Hymns @ St. Marks - October 21st 1:00-3:00pm

~ Help loved ones by pre-planning details for your funeral

 

Blessing of the Animals Service

Join us on Saturday October 5th at 1pm for our annual Blessing of the Animals here at St. Mary’s! This is a wonderful opportunity to invite all the friends, neighbours, and pet lovers in your life to come and bring their animals for a special blessing from the priest. This will be an outside event and will happen rain or shine so come prepared for the weather and we will gather to give thanks for our fury, scaly, hairy, feathery companions together. Hope to see you and your beloved animals there!

 

 Prayers for Mary, Jean, and Rev. Kirsten

This weekend Mary, Jean, and Rev. Kirsten will be traveling to Kamloops for Congregational Development Sessions with other Anglicans from around British Columbia. Please hold them and all attending these sessions in prayer. May God grant travel mercies, and an engaging exchange of ideas throughout their time together.

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