Weekly Notices - December 4th, 2024

Friends, what a whirlwind these last few weeks have been as we have undergone a time of change in the office and begun the transition into the blessed Season of Advent. Advent really is a time of waiting and anticipating a hope for things to come and I think this speaks well to where we are as a community. 

As you all know, Kat has retired and as a result things in the church office are going to look a little different for a while. We will be operating under reduced hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 9am - 12pm, with messages being checked daily. During this time, if you need anything I would invite you to email me directly at incumbent@stmarynb.ca or speak to one of the wardens to ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle. As a result of these reduced hours, things may take a little longer, and you may see things missing from the bulletin or the odd mistake being made... And so I ask for your prayers and a little grace as we move through this time of transition. In the new year the Wardens and I will begin the work of seeking a new person for the office, so be sure to keep that in your prayers as well! 

So even if the next few weeks are a little bumpy for us as a community, know that these growing pains are also signs of new beginnings just beyond the horizon, waiting for us in the new year. Just like in the gospel on Sunday, Jesus talks of the fig tree just waiting to burst forth into bloom - we too are waiting to burst forth in new ways. 

With prayers and love, 

Kirsten + 

The diocese is offering the Licensed Lay Worship Leader course online via zoom again this spring, and St. Mary's needs at least one more person to take the course, to help Jean with leading the once-a-month Sunday Service of the Word. This is a free 8-week course offered by Sister Rev. Ingrid Anderson, priest at Church of the Advent Colwood, and will equip you to do the work of worship leading in our community. 

Applications are open from now until January 17th, with classes starting in March - so please give this some prayerful consideration and speak to Jean or Rev. Kirsten if you are interested or want more information. The more people we have on board in this ministry, the brighter our future will be!

Our Church Calendars are here and ready to be picked up in the office. The cost has gone up a bit this year so we are asking for a suggested donation of $10 per calendar. Please let us know if you want one put aside or pop into the office to get yours before they are gone as we have a limited number available. 

I know in years past we have ordered the Living Compass - Living Well Through Advent devotional. Well this year with things in the office going through some transition, unfortunately we missed the deadline for ordering. However, I have attached a PDF version of this years daily Advent devotional (see below) for anyone interested to follow along at home. This can truly be a wonderful practice to help ready our hearts for the joy of Christmas. 

Well what can we say about the Tea except... WOW!!! What a fantastic event we had last Saturday. The hall was filled with laughter, joy and festive feelings as folks lined up for High Tea! Thank you to everyone who came and everyone who helped make this the first (of hopefully many) Christmas Teas such a fabulous day! From baking to serving, dishwashing and ticket selling, so many hands came together to make this event the success it was, and while I'm sure we will get an official total soon, I am pleased to say that we sold 86 Tea tickets, and almost all the baking was gone after Church on Sunday. Everyone who came were so pleased with the day, and we are already looking at plans for next year! So thank you and stay tuned!

This month we have a number of special services - some being held here at St. Mary's and some to be held at St. Edmunds, Parksville as we continue to share in ministry together. So be sure to take a look at the list of services below, paying special attention to the time and locations. It is sure to be a wonderful and busy season! 

Saturday, December 21 - 7pm @ St. Mary Nanoose 

 

Join us for a quiet evening of prayer and comfort bathed in candle light. This service is an opportunity for those who feel the heaviness of the season to share that burden with others and give it all to the Holy One so that we can enter into the Christmas Season a little lighter. All are welcome to this beautiful reflective service.

Sunday Dec. 22 - 7pm @ St. Mary Nanoose 

This is an annual event hosted together with Patricia Plumley and her students, to bring the community an evening of carol singing! The event consists of performance pieces by the students interspersed with community carol singing followed up fellowship and goodies in the hall. 

 

Tuesday December 24 - 7pm @ St. Mary, Nanoose Bay

This is an all ages event – with a focus on the telling of the Nativity story. Children of all ages are welcome to partake in the telling and helping with creating the creche scene as we welcome the new born babe in the manger.

 

Tuesday December. 24 - 10pm @ St. Edmunds, Parksville

If you are looking for a quieter more traditional Christmas service, look no further. We will be welcoming the Christ child with prayer and story, and share in the Eucharist together. All are welcome to join us as we welcome the Holy Child

 

Wednesday, December 25, 10:30am @ St. Edmunds, Parksville

Join us for a joyful celebration on Christmas Morning as we celebrate the reason for the Season! All are welcome to come and welcome God with us!

 

Sunday December 29th - 1pm @ St. Edmunds, Parksville

This is an opportunity to hear the story of God with us through the eyes of ancient scripture and share in singing all of our favourite songs of the season as our 5th Sunday Combined Service, hosted by our friends in Parksville. There will be fellowship and goodies after the service – so be sure to come and join in the fun! 

Blessings all and thank you for your patience as we move through this wonderful season of transition and hope together! 

Kirsten +