CHRISTMAS SERVICES: December 24th: 8:00 PM (Eucharist with choir) and 11:00 PM (quiet, candle-lit night prayer service). December 25th: 9:00 AM (Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion). Note that the Tim Horton’s drop-in will be cancelled for Dec 25 and Jan 1.
SOCK DRIVE: Winter came early this year! We Will again be supporting the OLut of the Cold Ministry with donations of winter socks, mittens, and hats. If you are able to this much needed ministry, donations would be greatly appreciated. Please give you donations to Mary Hudgings.
HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND OUR CONGREGATION’S PLACE IN OUR WIDER COMMUNITY. Over the next few weeks we will have a map displayed after each service; we ask you to insert a push pin in the approximate location of your home. This will help us appreciate our reach into the community, and will also help with the future planning of activities off-site.
CHRISTMAS AROUND THE WORLD ACTIVITY: Are you (or your family) originally from another country, or province or community? Do you have special Christmas traditions from that place? If so, bring an item (or photographic or whatever else) to help us learn more about how Christmas is observed around the world. Sunday, December 30, after each service.
CHRISTMAS DAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE MAINE’S: Catherine and John are hosting their Christmas Day Open House once again this year. Please feel free to drop by anytime on the big day between 1pm and 4pm at 76 Troy Street (just south of Cameron, east of Weber in Kitchener). No need to bring anything but yourselves – drinks and munchies provided. If you can make it, they’ll be delighted to see you!
THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR EILEEN GALLANT is now set for Saturday, January 26 at 1:00 PM here at St. Andrew’s, with a reception to follow. (This is a change from the previously communicated early January date.)
BISHOP NICHOLLS is recommending a resource for those who are interested in delving more deeply into our scriptures: thebiblechallenge.org. By connecting to this website each day, you’ll read the Bible in one year. Consider this as we approach a new calendar year.
WHAT’S THE CHURCH’S PURPOSE? If you want to dig into this important question, consider attending January’s gathering of the Renison Institute of Ministry Drop-In Book Club, where we’ll be discussing Alan J. Roxburgh’s Joining God, Remaking Church, Changing the World: The New Shape of the Church in Our Time. Just acquire the book (and ask Fr. Matt if you’d like some assistance in finding one), show up, and take part in the conversation. Monday, January 28, 7:30 PM at the Renison chapel.
SMALL LEAFLETS FOR OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD FOOD CUPBOARD are available on the back tables of the worship space. Consider taking a few to hand out to those whom you meet who might be in need of some assistance.
FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARIST: a simple, short, and solemn communion service from 7:30 AM to 8:00 AM on the first Friday of each month. Join us on Friday, December 7 on the memorial of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan.
MID-DAY PRAYER: on the second Monday of each month from 12:00 to 12:30 PM, where we hear readings, offer prayers, and specially remember those who have asked to be upheld in our parish intercessions and telephone prayer chain. All are welcome, and bring a brown bag lunch if you’d like to stay for a bit afterward. The next service is on Monday, December 10.
CONSIDER A NEW DROP-IN BOOK CLUB exploring church life in the contemporary culture. It will be held on the last Monday of most months at 7:30 PM at the chapel at Renison University College. The next meeting is on Monday, November 26, and we will discuss David E. Fitch’s book Faithful Presence: Seven Disciplines that Shape the Church for Mission. Simply get the book, read it, and come and discuss! (If you would like help acquiring the book, let Fr. Matt know.) Here is a summary of the book: How can the church engage the world, not by judgment nor accommodation but by becoming the good news in our culture? Offering seven distinct spiritual practices, David Fitch helps you re-envision church, what you do in the name of church, and the way you lead a church. Reimagine the church as the living embodiment of Christ, reflecting God’s faithful presence to a desperate world.
KEEP UP TO DATE WITH PARISH EVENTS by checking out the new calendar posted in Janke Hall. You’ll find listings for upcoming services, meetings, study group opportunities, and more.
SCHEDULES WITH DETAILS FOR UPCOMING SERVICES are posted to the bulletin board in the side hallway near the sacristy. Readers and leaders of the prayers of the people are encouraged to take a copy.
OUR NEW FOOD CUPBOARD MINISTRY HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS. Thank you for your prayers, support, and donations. We have reached several people each week, many of whom we had not met previously. There is clearly a need for this ministry in our neighbourhood. Donations can be left in the boxes in the narthex on Sundays, and no donation is too small; imagine if everyone brought even a single $1 can of food each Sunday? That would certainly maintain our stock levels. (Note that particularly popular items so far have been cleaning and laundry supplies and toiletries.)
THE ALTAR GUILD has an important ministry in setting up and cleaning up before and after or liturgies, and they could use two or three new members. Our coffee hour schedule could also use two or three new teams, as we deeply value our post-liturgy fellowship. These ministries are open to both men and women, and everything is very learnable. If you are interested, or would like some more detail, contact the church office: 519-743-0911 or standrewskitchener@gmail.com
THE ANGLICAN MINISTRY AT THE GRAND VALLEY INSTITUTION FOR WOMEN is growing! We are hoping to continue with a monthly eucharist, but add prayer services on the other weeks, at 2:00 PM. This small team would be led by Cheryl Highmore of Trinity Anglican Church in Cambridge. If you are interested in learning more, please speak to Fr. Matt.
ST. ANDREW’S ‘COFFEE CORNER’ is back. Drop in for a brief or an extended informal visit with your fellow parishioners, every Tuesday between 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM at the Tim Hortons located inside the Laurentian Zehrs at Ottawa St. & Strasburg Rd.
COMMUNITY POTLUCK with Member of Parliament Raj Saini, the first Sunday of every month from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. A casual gathering in which we are invited to bring some food to share, and meet with other members of the community, and our MP. 209 Frederick Street (enter via the back door).
DO WE HAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, for periodic parish-related communication? If not, or if you’re not sure, please contact the office. We’d like to send out the occasional event notification, and have e-mail addresses on hand in the event of cancellations.
EXPLORING THE BIBLE DISCUSSION GROUP meets again Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 11:30 in Janke Hall. This is a time of sharing opinions and thoughts as we attempt to decipher how the upcoming Sunday’s readings fit into today’s world. It is a time of companionship, tea and more than a few laughs. Biblical knowledge isn’t needed as we don’t try to figure out what was meant in those times so much as how it applies to now. All are welcome to join us in our journey. Information: John & Kay Baxter, 519-954-1144
OUR OFFICIAL FACEBOOK PAGE (facebook.com/StAndrewsKitchener) If you have a Facebook account, help spread the word about our wonderful community by “liking” our page, or “sharing” posts with your Facebook friends.The page is also accessible to those who do not have Facebook accounts.
SIGN UP FOR FLORAL DONATIONS/MEMORIALS using the poster affixed to the main doors to the worship space. You might find this to be a meaningful way to remember a loved one, or give thanks for a blessing in your life. You can request the use of our own silk flowers (with a donation of an amount of your choosing going to the church), or that fresh flowers be ordered (with your donation covering their cost).
HALL FOR RENT Our parish hall is available for rent to members and their friends for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Showers and any other social event requiring a large meeting space. Rates are very reasonable and the kitchen may also be used. Please note, if any non-parishioners will be attending, a separate fee of $54 will be required for insurance purposes. For inquiries or reservations please call the church office. (519 743-0911).
MILK BAGS Believe it or not, those 4 litre bags hosting 3 11/3 litre milk bags are actually useful; an Anglican Church in Grand Bend is knitting them into sleeping mats. So, keep bringing them in! And if you have anything else that you think might be useful, or helpful, ask one of the clergy; you might be surprised how your waste is someone else’s treasure.
PARISH PRAYER CHAIN: Would you find prayer helpful, either for yourself or someone you know? A devoted group of parishioners remember specific prayer requests in their daily devotions. If you have a situation for which you’d like prayer, call the church office at (519) 743-0911.