Now burn, new born to the world,
Double-naturéd name,
The heaven-flung, heart fleshed, maiden furled
Miracle-in-Mary-of-flame,
Mid-numbered He in three of the thunder throne!
Not a dooms-day dazzle in his coming nor dark
as he came;
Kind, but royally reclaiming his own;
A released shower, let flash to the shire, not
a lightning of fire hard-hurled.
Light of the World,
Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1844-1889
CONTENTS
A View from the Lych-Gate by Janice Lowell
3
Falling Upward: Hot-Tub Review by Rosalind Irving
5
Christmas Pageant: Silent Knight Messaging Service
6
Upcoming Program: Readings in Merton
9
Upcoming Program: Colour Your Soul
10
The Blue Dot Tour by Roger Sweeny
11
Upcoming Program: Brain Transplants…Not An Option
12
Upcoming Program: Matters of Life & Death Lenten Series
13
Friends of the Garden Update by Lib Wootten
14
Upcoming Program: Living Life to the Full: Mental Health Support
15
Winter/Spring Calendar
16
“Can You Believe It?” A Report on the Recent Creed Workshop
18
An Anglican Prayer Beads Workshop Write-up
19
Financial Update by Our Treasurer Michael Berton
20
How Can I Contribute Financially to St. Francis-in-the-Wood
22
Celebration of Ministries Fair
23
Ministries: Prayer Requests / Care Ministry / Driving Ministry
24
Messy Church
25
Prayer Shawl Ministry / Reel Reflections
26
A Recent Calligraphy Workshop
27
Milestones – From the Registers
28
Then was Now … Now was Then by Angus Stuart
29
Poem: “Christmas Eve” by Edna Kingsley Wallace
32
Cover Photo: A Glow Ball Perspective, December20th, 2014 ©Angus Stuart
A VIEW FROM THE LYCH-GATE
As I write this, I am contemplating December 21, the
shortest and darkest day of our year and when the
Winter Solstice usually occurs.
The solstice itself may have been a special moment of
the annual cycle of the year even during Neolithic
times. Astronomical events, which during ancient
times controlled the mating of animals, sowing of
crops and metering of winter reserves between harvests, show how
various cultural mythologies and traditions have arisen. This is attested
by physical remains in the layouts of late Neolithic and Bronze Age
archaeological sites, such as Stonehenge in Britain and Newgrange in
Ireland. The primary axes of both of these monuments seem to have
been carefully aligned on a sight-line pointing to the winter solstice
sunrise (Newgrange) and the winter solstice sunset (Stonehenge).
Sunrise at Newgrange
Sunset at Stonehenge
The winter solstice may have been immensely important because
communities were not certain of living through the winter, and had to
be prepared during the previous nine months. Starvation was common
during the first months of the winter, however the majority of wine and
beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking
at this time.
It is easy to understand how such an astronomical and cultural event
would have appealed to the early writers of the birth of Christ.
Near the darkest day of the year, the light of the world is sent to dwell
among us. We know we will not experience starvation during the
months to come, and yet weekly we come to be fed by the Eucharist.
In days gone by, as a child and then a mother, Christmas was a time of
celebration and gift-giving. I wince now thinking at how the presents
would fill the room. So much consumerism…and yet, why did we give
gifts? It was and is because we love one another. For some people,
saying words of love is difficult, but anyone can give a present.
There were many Christmas Eve Services when I silently wept in church
(and I was in the choir!), as my son Matthew was with his Dad. I
remember musing and writing on the bulletin what I was grateful for
and how thankful I was to be present to God.
Well into the second half of my life, Christmas is not so much about the
purchased presents. It is about being in the presence of my family and
friends, all those I love and have yet learned to love. It is about the
celebration of the Eucharist and the genuine sense of joy that God has
come to dwell among us, once again. Beside the birth of my own son,
standing at God’s table and serving God’s people is just about the most
amazing gift I have ever received. Amen.
Janice Lowell
Associate Priest
REVIEW OF THE RECTOR’S THEOLOGICAL HOT-TUB BOOK:
FALLING UPWARD:
A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
This book is about the need for a shift in focus in the
second half of life. Values that shaped and motivated in
the first part of life, hold less potency. This involves a
relinquishing of ego-based concerns, moving towards a
more participatory life and the desire to give back. It
isn’t sacrifice: there is a peaceful gain in the realignment
of values. “The freedom of the second half of life is not
to need.”
Some of the key themes that emerged for me include: The church
expects too little of us, including of its own clergy; the church tries to
control the “always too big message of Jesus;” the church should aim
higher i.e. for mystical experience. Clergy have gotten themselves into
the business of sin management instead of sin transformation. The
church needs to emulate Jesus’ inclusivity. Jesus did not die for our
sins. He came to show us how to live, love and participate fully in the
sacred rather than the survival dance.
Shadow work lasts a life time. Our shadow is what we refuse to see
about ourselves and what we do not want others to see. Shadow work
involves breaking though the persona we developed in the first half of
life, in order to see our half-heartedness, vanity, deceit, and our
illusions. Our persona and shadow allow us to do evil and not know it.
The main task in life is to re-discover who we are, overcoming amnesia
regarding our divine origins. Sin happens when we refuse to keep
growing. Life is tragic and we grow from tragedy. “Neurotic behavior is
usually the result of refusing legitimate suffering’” (Carl Jung.)
How has this book impacted my thinking, life, spirituality? Rohr’s book
increases my awareness of the need for attentive and penetrating
honesty about myself. Rohr says, “Heroism is the ability to hear the
voice and to risk following it.” And again, “Sin is to stay on the surface,
even of holy things.” And finally, “We need to go to the depths…to move
from belief to knowing.”
I moved from belief to knowing some time ago, following a profound
mystical experience. However, I live, love, work and play in the world,
with very human weaknesses. I work hard for others but I love what I
do, therefore it does not feel selfless at all! I live a comfortable life with
all my needs met. I have heard Jesus’ voice and I try to follow his
example, but there is always further to go, more to risk, more to declare.
Rohr’s book comforts with his statement in the final chapter: “Like any
true mirror, the gaze of God receives us exactly as we are.” That’s
fortunate!
Rosalind Irving
SILENT KNIGHT MESSAGING SERVICE
The Silent Knights: L-R Vincent Galvani, Kaiyan
Chiang, Cameron Abbaspour and behind them LR: Mike Berton, Olivia Klaver, Stephanie Thomas,
Jenna Clowes, Vanessa Clowes, Stephanie Gillies,
Caitlin Beaupré, Kaili Chiang, Sarah Berton,
Brittany & Genevieve Denunzio.
On Sunday, December 14th
at the 10 a.m. service we
were
treated
to
a
performance of this year’s
Christmas Pageant.
Our
Music
Director,
Caitlin
Beaupré directed another
original script from Jim
Maher. “The Silent Knight
Messaging
Service,”
revolves around the story of
the arrival of the baby and
the need to get the word
out – discreetly though, so
that Herod and his evil
henchmen don’t get to hear
about it. So they turn to
“the phonebook,” a paperbased device used by
people in bygone times!
After considering a number of
dubious
sounding
messaging
services such as “Alan’s No Secrets
Messages,”
“Bob’s
Big-Time
Message Service Where Bob Tells
Everyone the Message,” “David’s
Blabbermouth 5-Minute Messages,”
they settle on “The Silent Knights
Messaging Service,” experts in
Discretion and Massages (sic!), who
are anything but silent – they say nothing but make a lot of noise with
all their armour. Pictured here are Kaiyan, Cameron and Vincent as The
Silent Knights.
So the Silent Knights go tell the Angels and the Angels go tell their
people while the Knights become the “Star of Wonder” to guide the Wise
Men to Bethlehem. You know the story.
An opportunity to remember with thanks those we love but see no longer.
Kaiyan as a Silent Knight
Jenna, Vanessa and Stephanie G. as the Angels
Kaili as an Angel
Sarah Berton as the Innkeeper’s assistant and Stephanie
Thomas as the Mountaineer from Go Tell It On The
Mountain Messaging.
Brittany & Genevieve as Mary and Jesus
Innkeeper Mike Berton with his assistant
Sarah
MORE PICTURES FROM THE PAGEANT…
Innkeeper’s assistants Sarah Berton & Olivia Klaver
Brittany & Genevieve
Sir Vincent
Sir Cameron the Silent Knight
With thanks to Mike Southey
(cast & crew group photo)
and Kelvin Chiang (all other
pageant photos).
Vanessa & Jenna Clowes
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
READINGS IN MERTON
with Angus Stuart
Thomas Merton was born in
Prades, France on January 31,
1915 to an American mother and
a father from New Zealand, both
artists. January 2015 therefore
sees the centenary of his birth.
To celebrate this there will be a
five-week series of Wednesday
evenings at 7 p.m. in the parish
lounge beginning on January
14th 2015 to explore some of his
key writings.
Thomas Merton
Through dialogue and discussion we will explore a selection of readings
from the anthology Thomas Merton: Spiritual Master edited by Lawrence
S. Cunningham. The pieces selected will be drawn from various periods
of his life and will include autobiographical writing, poetry and writings
on contemplation and prayer. The focus of this particular series will be
more on spirituality than on his (extensive) writings on social justice,
civil rights, war & peace etc. although inevitably these will be touched
on as it is impossible to engage with the inward dimensions of his life
without also encountering how these are expressed outwardly in the
world.
The book can be purchased fairly inexpensively online.
Tip: if you are buying from Amazon, there are a lot more
used copies available on the U.S. site than on the
Canadian site, and cost less (even with the exchange
rate and higher shipping). If you would like a copy but
don’t like to shop online, speak to Angus Stuart and he
will order it for you.
Places are limited so please register through the parish office (604922-3531 or [email protected]).
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
COLOUR YOUR SOUL
with Jeanette Stigger & Heather Luccock
Saturday, January 17th 2015,
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
This will be a time to explore the significance of colour in your
life…
to see the truths that colour and shape you…
to hear what is being 'said' when you just doodle…
to know that important perceptions don't just
happen in your head!
If you are a person easily distracted or who finds it difficult to
express yourself in words, this is a prayer that may help open the
door to your heart and mind.
Jeannette Stigger
is a retired priest and former deacon at St Francis. She is an amateur
artist and is still busy exploring the connection between Art and Spirit.
Heather Luccock
is a graduate of the Vancouver School of Theology, former Pastoral
Associate at St Catherine's, Capilano, Staff Associate at St Andrew's
United Church, North Vancouver. She is also a member of the North
Shore Artists Guild and enjoys doodling.
COST: $30 (includes materials, refreshments, lunch).
Please register through the parish office (604-922-3531 or
[email protected]).
BLUE DOT
Let’s Do It!
Roger Sweeny, who keeps
an ever watchful eye on
environmental matters and
our responsibility for
stewardship of planet
earth, invites us to support
a move to enshrine a
healthy environment in our
Charter of Rights and
Freedoms.
We’ve all heard stories of near- miraculous human survival under the
most extreme circumstances, however for me these criteria are beyond
debate:
 If I do not breathe for four minutes I die. Polluted air makes me
sick;
 If I am without water for a week I die. Dirty water makes me sick;
 If I have no food for six weeks I die.
sick.
Contaminated food makes me
You and I are in this boat together!
The Blue Dot is our Earth as seen from space. David Suzuki’s transCanada Blue Dot Tour, which finished at the Orpheum theatre last
month, highlighted three key ideas:
 A healthy environment is a basic human right;
 110 nations recognize their citizens’ right to a healthy environment.
Canada does not.
 85% of Canadians believe our Charter of Rights and Freedoms
should recognize our right to a healthy environment, i.e. that we all
deserve to breathe fresh air, to drink clean water and to eat
healthy food.
The passing of environmental bills of rights by 7 provinces representing
more than 50 per cent of the population is a requirement and will be a
very persuasive argument towards the inclusion of environmental rights
in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Ontario and Quebec
have done so.
Getting British Columbia on board requires that BC municipalities pass
declarations of support for environmental rights.
Vancouver and
Richmond have done so.
Early in January I will be meeting with a West Vancouver councillor to
push for a municipal declaration on the Right to a Healthy Environment.
This is the big push. Inspired by David’s vision, and with your help and
encouragement, I believe we can get a West Van declaration by next
spring. I sense that St. Francis himself would be pushing it hard! To
me – and, I trust, also to you – the Blue Dot project is a no-brainer.
We owe it to our grandchildren.
Are you with me?
Roger Sweeny
Brain Transplants…Not an Option!
Friday, January 16, 1:00 – 2:00pm
Deborah Harsant, from Parc Retirement Living* will
offer a presentation promoting an Active-Aging
balanced lifestyle. The talks begins with a short
explanation of how our bodies change as we age,
followed by a review of recent scientific studies that
show how our brains have a plasticity to them, are
malleable and can change. She will describe how we
can grow our brain cells through mental activities,
the effects of physical activity, proper nutrition and
how important regular social contact affects our brain health. Attendees
can expect to leave with practical hands-on tips that they can use to
start improving their muscle and brain health today.
*The presentation is not a promotion for Parc but a community service educational event.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Lenten Series
Matters of Life and Death…
Faith and Courage at the End of Life
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
On Ash Wednesday, we hear the words, “Remember you are dust,
and to dust you shall return.” As we advance in years, we may
find ourselves reflecting more upon this path of our human
journey. And yet in Western culture, death is often invisible and
rarely talked about. This series is an opportunity to learn more
about and discuss different aspects of the end of life.
February 25
Overview of Death & Dying
Janice Lowell
March 4
Palliative Care
Dr. Paul Sugar
March 11
Grief, Bereavement & Loss
John Kessel
March 18
Assisted Suicide
Janice Lowell
March 25
Death in Literature
Angus Stuart
FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN
Working over a stretch of
many months, with an
orchard ladder and excellent
loppers, I have reduced the
height and width of the
Laurel hedge fronting the
Vicarage property.
The
motivation was to bring
maintenance of the mighty
Laurel under control and to
relieve its sameness by
merging it with the existing
Camilla and Rhododendron,
and recent (also evergreen)
planting, including Aucuba,
Blue Cypress, Blue Sequoia,
and Japanese Cedar.
We need to keep Friends of
the Garden, St Francis
active, and we hope you will
feel inspired to make a tax
deductible donation of any size. Cheques should be made out to: “St.
Francis-in-the-Wood” with “F.O.G.” on the memo line, and left with Liz
at the parish office.
Lib Wootten
YOUTH BAKE SALE
Jenna & Vanessa Clowes, and Stephanie
Gillies organized and held a bake sale
after the 10am service on November 16 to
raise money for educational supplies for
children in Liberia who don’t have an
opportunity to attend school due to the
Ebola outbreak. The girls raised $280.00!
Well, done!
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Mondays @ 10:00 - 11:30am, January 12 - March 2, 2015
Register by phoning St. Francis-in-the-Wood, 604-922-3531
Cost for the eight sessions is $185.00.
Improve your mental wellness by taking this fun self-help course
that can change your life in just 12 hours! Based on cognitive
behaviour therapy principles, Living Life to the Full is for people
who want to maximize their ability to deal with life's challenges.
Participants learn life skills that will help them deal with their
feelings when fed up, worried or hopeless in a friendly, supportive
atmosphere.
Class Titles:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Why do I feel so bad?
I can't be bothered doing anything.
Why does everything always go wrong?
I'm not good enough.
How to fix almost everything.
The things you do that mess you up.
Are you strong enough to keep your temper?
10 Things you can do to feel happier straight away.
Sponsored by:
WINTER/SPRING CALENDAR
Here is an overview of some of what is happening in the next few months –
further details of many of these activities can be found elsewhere in this
newsletter.
JANUARY
January 12
10:00am Living Life to the Full
January 14
12noon
Prayer Shawl Ministry
January 14
7:00pm
Readings in Merton – (1)
January 16
1:00pm
Brain Transplants…Not an Option!
January 17
9:00am
Colour Your Soul,
Jeanette Stigger & Heather Lucock
January 19
10:00am Living Life to the Full
January 19
10:00am West Vancouver Newcomers’ Meeting
January 21
7:00pm
Readings in Merton – (2)
January 22
7:00pm
Parish Council Meeting
January 24
4:00pm
Messy Church
January 25
2:00pm
Memorial – Lora Ramsay
January 26
10:00am Living Life to the Full
January 27
7:00pm
Reel Reflections: The Name of the Rose
January 28
7:00pm
Readings in Merton – (3)
January 31
7:00pm
Caulfeild Cove Hall Concert
Shari Ulrich, Tom Taylor & Bernie Bentall
FEBRUARY
February 2
10:00am Living Life to the Full
February 4
7:00pm
February 9
10:00am Living Life to the Full
February 11
12noon
Prayer Shawl Ministry
February 11
7:00pm
Readings in Merton – (5)
Readings in Merton – (4)
February 16
10:00am Living Life to the Full
February 18
7:00pm
February 22
11:00am Annual Vestry Meeting
February 23
10:00am Living Life to the Full
February 24
7:00pm
Reel Reflections: The Color of Paradise
February 25
7:00pm
Lenten Series: Matters of Life & Death
Death & Dying – Janice Lowell
February 28
4:00pm
Messy Church
Ash Wednesday Service with
Imposition of Ashes
MARCH
March 2
10:00am Living Life to the Full
March 4
7:00pm
Lenten Series: Matters of Life & Death
Palliative Care – Dr. Paul Sugar
March 11
12noon
Prayer Shawl Ministry
March 11
7:00pm
Lenten Series: Matters of Life & Death
Grief, Bereavement & Loss – John Kessel
March 18
7:00pm
Lenten Series: Matters of Life & Death
Assisted Suicide, Janice Lowell
March 24
7:00pm
Reel Reflections: Away From Her
March 25
7:00pm
Lenten Series: Matters of Life & Death
Death in Literature – Angus Stuart
March 28
4:00pm
Messy Church
March 29
Palm Sunday
CREED WORKSHOP - “CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?”
A group of parishioners met Saturday, September 13, for a daylong
workshop to develop a personal Statement of Faith by understanding
the historical background of the Creeds and identifying our theological
beliefs. We explored the conservative, contextual nature of the Nicene,
Apostles and Athanasian Creeds. We discussed what Christians today
believe about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We played with “being a
heretic for a while,” and then looked at several contemporary
“Affirmations of Faith.” By this time, our day was over, so the
participants were given “homework” to write their own creed. The group
met at 9:00 am the following Wednesday to share their creeds with one
another.
Excerpts from some Creeds:
“I place my trust in ‘God’ who is the source and stimulus for the existence and
growth of all that was, is and will be.
“I believe that this force or spirit or energy that I call God is love and that it is
only and always the creative power of love that arouses the universe and all it
contains toward life and evolution and becoming what it is meant to be.”
“I believe in the teachings of a man who is called Jesus
Whose messages have illuminated my search for meaning,
Messages which bring me hope and comfort
In my ongoing quest to live a life that will be
For the highest good of all.”
“I am convinced that the full nature and power of this love is revealed in the life of
Jesus and I have faith that by seeking to love what he loved and how he loved I will
be where and what I am meant to be.”
“And I believe that when my life on this earth is ended
The spirit which has sustained me will not disappear
But in some mysterious way
Will continue to be a vital and dynamic part
Of the Universal Spirit.”
This was indeed deep, soulful and difficult work. One participant
explained the process in a poem:
My Paradox of Faith
God is love,
God is all,
All is love,
Where is love?
Why so hard?
Why so rare?
Love is puzzling,
Love is precious,
Love is life.
Worth the pain,
Worth the angst,
Worth the risk.
Mind is flawed,
Will is weak,
Faith is vital.
Love is all,
All is God,
Love is God.
On Saturday, December 6, Janice facilitated this workshop at St. David
& St. Paul, Powell River, with 18 people in attendance.
ANGLICAN PRAYER BEADS WORKSHOP
On Saturday, November 15, Naida Sharyk
conducted a workshop on how to make
Anglican Prayer Beads. We opened with Janice
Lowell giving a brief history and how the beads
are to be prayed. We had so much fun being
creative with Naida and her friend Jill’s help.
Once completed, we all prayed the beads using
several different templates. We stood to say
the “Glory” at the end, and as the Spirit fell
upon us, none of us wanted to break the circle.
Naida Sharyk
FINANCIAL UPDATE
The trend to have higher disbursements than receipts continues,
however the difference has narrowed. Looking back to last year, we
now have higher receipts of $13,459 and lower expenses of $3,931. This
is a happier trend than reported at the end of September.
Reciepts vs Disbursements Comparison YTD October 31 2014
$300,000
$250,000
Total Disbursements,
Total Receipts,
$259,710
$249,029
Total Disbursements,
$263,641
Total Receipts,
$235,570
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
Year to Date 2014
Year to Date 2013
Not shown here is our Vision for Growth giving which will assist us in
meeting the shortfall. Vision for Growth fund now stands at $39,258. It
is more than enough to meet our current $10,680 deficit.
As was the case last year, fall member giving has helped to reduce the
planned accumulated deficit in the operating fund.
Compared with our vestry budget (see following table), we continue to
be behind our budget receipt goal (before considering Vision
contributions), but not by very much – only $1,780. Happily, our
expenses are continue to be less than budgeted; currently by $2,349.
Actual vs Budget October YTD 2014
$300,000
$250,000
Total Disbursements,
$259,710
Total Receipts,
$249,029
Total Disbursements,
Total Receipts,
$257,361
$252,955
$200,000
$150,000
$100,000
$50,000
$0
Actual YTD
Budget YTD
October- end balances in the designated funds are as follows:
 Heritage Fund: $76,853.23
 Vision for Growth: $39,258.00
In the interest of our discussions about future roof restoration, I have
made inquiries with the Vancouver Foundation as requested by council
members. Currently the Vancouver Foundation is reconfiguring its
granting policies and cannot respond right now. I will keep checking with
them. A recent news article about the restoration of St Paul’s Church in
North Vancouver mentions support from the Heritage Legacy Fund of
B.C. so I have begun some inquiries with them.
Our accountants are working on a check of our financial reporting this
month in preparation for working on our financial report in early
January. This will allow us to present our proper financial review at
Vestry.
Michael Berton
Treasurer
HOW CAN I CONTRIBUTE FINANCIALLY TO
ST. FRANCIS-IN-THE-WOOD?
This is a question that comes up from time-totime, especially from new people who are
becoming members of St. Francis-in-the-Wood.
So here our Envelope Secretary, Nancy Powers,
outlines the main ways by which we can
contribute financially on a regular basis to the
life and ministry of our church. Nancy is the
person you need to speak to if you have any
questions about your contributions or, for
example, if you need to update your banking or credit card details. She
also issues your tax receipt early in the New Year. You can contact her
at [email protected] or 604-921-8896.
Nancy maintains strict
confidentiality at all times.
All financial contributions of whatever amount are gratefully received
with our fervent thanks. Donations to the Church can be made in
several ways:

Personally at worship services in church, either directly into the
offering plate or more discreetly by using the generic envelopes
provided in each pew. Cash, cheques, and VISA, MasterCard and
Amex credit cards are all accepted;

Using personalized but anonymous (numbered) offering envelopes,
without having to provide your personal information with each
donation. A supply of envelopes may be ordered from the Office;

Monthly Pre-Authorized Donation (PAD) program, using either
automatic debit or credit card. If you would like to consider this very
convenient method of giving, please contact the Envelope Secretary
for the necessary form.
Please note that the fees (paid by the Church) associated with
credit card donations vary between 2.5 and 5% of the amount
given, whereas the bank account debit fee is only 15 cents. To
ensure that more of your donation is directed to the Church, you
are encouraged to consider debiting your bank account directly.
Nancy Powers
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRIES
Did you know that we have thirty-nine identified ministries in our parish?
Amazing! And none of those ministries would be possible without our
body of volunteers.
On Sunday, September 21, following the 10:00 am service, we
celebrated our numerous ministries and the volunteers who make them
happen. This was a wonderful opportunity for parishioners to visually
see the number of active ministries alive at St. Francis. An added
benefit was that several parishioners joined one or more of these
ministries.
CHRISTMAS CARE PACKAGES
On Sunday, December 14, twenty-three tins of home baked goods and
a Christmas plant were delivered to our beloved parishioners who are
no longer able to make it to church on a regular basis. We began this
tradition last year, and the gifts were so very appreciated.
PRAYER REQUEST MINISTRY
There is a group who pray for those for
whom prayers have been requested. These
are for people who want to remain
anonymous or who have friends or relatives
across the country. The prayer requests go
out via email, and a prayer journal is
updated for those who participate in this
important ministry. We have witnessed
some wonderful stories of healing. If you
feel that you might be called to this ministry, please contact Sherryse
Corrow at: [email protected].
CARE TEAM MINISTRY
Kelly Kennedy is our Coordinator for the Care Team,
and we have added a few more parishioners to this
important ministry.
If you are interested in
participating or if you know of someone who would
benefit from a St. Francis companion, either with a
phone call or visit, please contact:
Kelly at [email protected]
or Janice Lowell at [email protected]
DRIVING MINISTRY
This is part of our Care Team Ministry.
Arleen Stiver coordinates drivers for our
parishioners who are no longer able to
drive to church. If you know of anyone
who needs a ride, please get in touch
with Arleen at 604-922-2620.
Messy Church meets the 4th Saturday of the month, 4 – 6 pm. This is
a great opportunity for young families, grandparents & grandchildren to
learn about God in a simple and fun way. We meet for an hour of fun
activities related to the theme, and then have a brief worship service
where we share the Bible story behind the theme, and then we all enjoy
a meal together. A time for a sleepover with the grandkids???
MESSY CHURCH SCHEDULE FOR 2015
January 24
February 28
March 28
April 25
May 23
June 27
If you have any questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Rev.
Janice Lowell @ [email protected]
Having fun at our “Messy Christmas” on November 22nd
Our little group has now provided prayer shawls for 118 people in
various sorts of need. We never know how God will use our busy little
hands when we create these tangible signs of God’s love. If you know
of anyone who might benefit from being wrapped in God’s love, please
see Janice about getting a shawl. We meet the 2nd Wednesday of the
month (except July and August), at noon, in the lounge. I have a book
of patterns designed for the novice to expert.
REEL REFLECTIONS
In September, we watched and laughed
our way through Little Miss Sunshine. In
October, Revolution, a documentary by a
young Canadian, jarred us into the realities
of our changing planet. Kingdom of Heaven
was our November movie – a true story
about the Crusades, depicting the savagery
over a piece of real estate. And December
brought Children of Heaven, a lovely Persian film about the devotion of
a brother and his younger sister.
In 2015, we are moving the date to the 4th Tuesday of the month at
7pm. As always, we will have suitable libations available. Here is the
upcoming schedule:
January 27
The Name of the Rose
February 24
The Color of Paradise
March 24
Away From Her
April 28
The Secret Life of Bees
May 26
The Motorcycle Diaries
June 23
Waking Ned Divine
Calligraphy Workshop with Theresa Odishaw
On two consecutive Saturday afternoons in
October, Theresa Odishaw led calligraphy
workshops in which parishioners learnt the
techniques for forming the alphabet (lower case
and upper case) in calligraphic script before
proceeding to work on such projects as thank you
notes, dinner place cards, favourite quotations.
Theresa Odishaw
Participants in the Calligraphy workshops held on October 11th and 18th 2014.
L-R: Deb Rollins, Louise Selby, Mike Berton, Nancy Powers, Lynn Coules,
Elizabeth Ferguson
MILESTONES
From the Registers
Baptisms
Tara Ayn Mason
April 20, 2014
Zachary Peter William Mason
April 20, 2014
Harvey Dalzell Titus
April 20, 2014
Amelia Mariette Malcolm
September 14, 2014
Sloane Michiko Wright
September 14, 2014
Weddings
Candice Malcolm & Kasra Najatian
January 18, 2014
Sarah Borden & Ian Graham
June 21, 2014
Celeste Mowatt & Michael Green
July 4, 2014
Andrea Copp & Sean Barry
July 12, 2014
Alice Openshey & Thomas Stringham
July 19, 2014
Berkley Weiler & Sean McNamara
August 2, 2014
Shannon Henderson & Robert Akester
August 16, 2014
Julie Raworth & Augstin Delano
August 30, 2014
Gillian Ireland & Ryan Brown
August 30, 2014
Elaine Marie Moody & Jeremy James Taylor
September 27, 2014
Reaffirmation of Marriage
Wendy Conway & Rafe Mair
July 29, 2014
Wendy & Joe Sparks
December 20, 2014
Funerals & Memorials
Margaret Ashcroft Merler
March 15, 2014
Alexander Foster Walton
April 5, 2014
John Denis Bell Huggard
June 1, 2014
Frances Mary Pugliese
September 7, 2014
Geoffrey Rex Des Brisay
November 7, 2014
Lian Nicole Gregory
December 17, 2014
Scattering of Ashes in Memorial Garden
Daphne Devine Read
July 5, 2014
Robert Jelinek
July 19, 2014
THEN WAS NOW … NOW WAS THEN
Many years ago someone gave me a
photocopy of an old poem by Edna Kingsley
Wallace called “Christmas Eve.” The poem
begins, “On Christmas Eve my mother
read/The story once again,/Of how the little
child was born,/And of the Three Wise Men,”
and in the four stanzas that follow, paints an
outline of the Christmas story before
concluding with “It seemed to me the little
Child/Was being born again…/And very
near…and Then somehow/Was Now…or Now
was Then.”
Angus Stuart
I found this idea, that “Then” was “Now,” and
“Now” was “Then,” very intriguing, especially
as it resonated with my own intuition about
Christmas and time.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, it seemed that the pace of life
was speeding up – so much to do and so little time, and time was
speeding up! All the preparations for Christmas, the shopping, the cards
to write and send (maybe even having made them), food to prepare,
parties to attend (and perhaps host), not to mention (in my line of work)
all those services to prepare…. And yet, when we got to Christmas Eve,
as darkness began to descend, as the opening strains of the first
Christmas carol of the first Christmas service of the evening began, it
seemed that time was slowing down. Just as the temperature outside
seemed to be dropping, it seemed that time too was slackening its pace.
So much so that I imagined that when the clock on the church tower
chimed midnight, as the final chime was struck, time would come to a
complete standstill. Time had stopped. We were out of time.
Literally, out of time. Outside time, beyond time. Breaking through to
Eternity … or Eternity breaking into time, and stopping all the clocks. In
the magical intuition of the child within me, Then was indeed Now, and
Now was Then. Time had collapsed. It seemed somehow that all the
Christmases of the years past were all one and the same – a feeling that
was (and is) strengthened by the continuity of the household traditions:
the same star/fairy on the Christmas tree, the decorations that come
out year after year, having been carefully stored away in boxes that as
the years go by seem to take on a sacramental air of their own, the
same family rituals – whatever they may be.
And because this night has become one with all those other nights when
time has stopped, somehow it meant that all those who were with us on
those nights were with us again. Those who were dear to us are near
to us once more – as a line from a famous merry little Christmas song
has it. This, combined with the fact that this celebration was happening
at the darkest time of the year (for us in the northern hemisphere), the
coldest time of the year, when all nature seemed dead and dormant,
sometimes even sleeping under a blanket of snow, seemed to offer a
profound and inexpressible sense of hope.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Has not, will not, and cannot. Despite all the darkness in the world, all
the suffering, heartache and pain, the hunger, the neglect and abuse,
the violence, hostility and war, there remains a sense of hope that
ultimately peace will reign on earth; there will be goodwill among men,
women and children. That somehow even as time seems to stop still,
and all the bygone nights of Christmas combine in one on this holy night,
so also is now the night of peace when humankind reaches the point
when there is no more sorrow or crying, when every tear will be wiped
away, and all that has been lost shall be restored.
And perhaps in the silence and stillness of this night, we might just be
able to hear the faint echoes of that joyful singing and dancing, when
humankind really has cast off its awful solemnity and what it takes to
be the seriousness of it all that leads us into the absurdities that we are
all too familiar with, then somehow the music and laughter, and the
grace and freedom of that Then may be experienced by us Now. That
somehow Then may be Now… or Now will be Then.
Angus Stuart
Rector
“CHRISTMAS EVE”
(Edna Kingsley Wallace)
On Christmas Eve my mother read
The story once again,
Of how the little Child was born,
And of the Three Wise Men.
And how by following the Star
They found Him where He lay,
And brought Him gifts; and that is why
We keep our Christmas Day.
And when she read it all, I went
And looked across the snow,
And thought of Jesus coming
As He did so long ago.
I looked into the East, and saw
A great star blazing bright;
There were three men upon the road
All black against the light.
I thought I heard the angels sing,
Away upon the hill...
I held my breath...it seemed as if
The whole great world were still.
It seemed to me the little Child
Was being born again...
And very near...and Then somehow
Was now...or Now was Then.