THANK YOU FOR AN ENGAGING AND DELICIOUS VESTRY MEETING! And thank you to those who have stepped up to appointed and elected positions for the coming year: Wardens Lynda McCarthy, Kim Yantha, Mary Hutchings, and Dave Chaplin. Synod Delegates and Alternate Delegates: Mary Hutchings, John Maine, George Pepall, and Graham Cudlipp. And Parish Council Representatives: Steve Carr, Valantine Koffi, Peter Van Veen, John Baxter, Maureen Fleming, Alex Magditsch, and Abi Omoniyi. A fantastic team!
PARISH PHOTO DIRECTORY: It has been almost ten years since the last photo directory. It is a useful tool for contact info, and also for welcoming and orienting newcomers, not to mention parishioners who have connected with St. Andrew’s since the last directory. We currently have March 4-7 booked for photo sessions. There will likely be a later makeup session, as well as other opportunities at nearby churches, should the March dates not work with your schedule. More info will follow.
FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARIST: A short but solemn, early morning communion service on the first Friday of each month. Friday, February 7 at 7:30 AM, followed by coffee, tea, and treats.
ST. ANDREW’S COFFEE HOUSE: Thursday, February 20, 7:00 PM at the church. This will be an informal time to get together, enjoy some refreshments, play some games, and sing some music together. We will be accepting donations for the church capital fund that can be used toward our accessibility project and other capital expenditures.
“QUEENS” CARD PARTY, presented by your Social Committee: Saturday, February 22, 2:00 – 4:00 PM in Janke Hall. Refreshments will be available. You’re welcome to bring along friends; simply sign up on the sheet in Janke Hall. (Queens is a fun and easy game to learn.)
COLLECTING SOCKS FOR OUT OF THE COLD: As in previous years we are welcoming donations of socks that will be passed along to Out of the Cold. Look for the sign at the top of the main stairway.
OSCAR WINNER CONTEST AND FUNDRAISER: We will once again take part in this fun fundraiser, which will support a local outreach organization. How does it work? Take a ballot (pink papers hanging in Janke Hall), make a donation using the envelope provided, make your predictions, and submit them in the folder in Janke Hall. The most accurate guesser will win a movie-related prize!
DEANERY COUNCIL: Tuesday, February 18, 7:00 PM at St. Thomas’ Church (110 Francis St., Cambridge). Wardens, synod delegates, and clergy are encouraged to attend, but the meeting is open to anyone who is interested. (And technically open to those who are not interested!)
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRE RELIEF: There are various ways to support this, including the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund’s partnership with the Melbourne Anglican Foundation’s bushfire emergency trust. Online donations can be made at pwrdf.org/give-today and choose ‘Emergency Response’ or mail your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd floor, Toronto, M4Y 3G2 (indicating Australia appeal on the cheque) or call toll-free at 1-866-308-7973
A Prayer: All things look to you, O Lord, to give them their food in due season. Look in mercy on your people and hear our prayer for those whose lives and possessions are threatened by fire. Give protection and wisdom to firefighters and other emergency service personnel. Encourage our generosity to those who suffer loss. In your mercy restore your creation and heal the land. So guide and bless your people, that we may enjoy the fruits of the earth and give you thanks with grateful hearts, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A NEW BIBLE STUDY at St. Andrew’s: “Between the Services,” at 9:00 AM in Janke Hall, where one or more of the day’s readings will be discussed, facilitated by Craig Love. All are welcome.
THE EXPLORING THE BIBLE discussion group meets on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM in Janke Hall. All are invited to take part in this weekly gathering where the upcoming Sunday’s readings are read and discussed over tea.
DONATIONS FOR OUR FOOD CUPBOARD MINISTRY: For February we are specially collecting SPREADABLES: Cheez Whiz, jam, nut spreads, honey, etc. Thank you for your continued support of this vital parish ministry.
BRING BACK YOUR PALM CROSSES! The ashes for Ash Wednesday are made from the palms of previous years. We will be collecting your old palms between now and February 23. On the 23rd we’ll have our Sunday School participate in the burning of the palms and preparation of ashes.
ONTARIO YOUTH PARLIAMENT meets at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church from February 14-17. They are looking for billets to host participants. If you are interested, please email info@oyp.on.ca or sign up at https://www.oyp.on.ca/billeting
KIDS CAFE: Free breakfast for school-aged children and their families. Every Thursday at Mill Courtland Community Centre, beginning February 6. 7:45 AM – 8:45 AM. (They will let us know if they are looking for volunteers.)
FREE COFFEE: A new social gathering at the Mill Courtland Community Centre each Thursday from 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM. Meet new people, make new connections.
THE WORKING CENTRE’S FERMENTED THOUGHTS: “Emergence and the Emergency: Deep Trust and the Climate Crisis” with Joe and Stephanie Mancini. Thursday, February 20, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Fresh Ground Cafe. $25, including food and drink. Register by emailing isaiahr@theworkingcentre.org
BACH VESPERS FOR CREATION: Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at The Church of St John the Evangelist, Kitchener, by Spiritus Ensemble. Music includes Bach Cantata #76, “The heavens declare the glory of God”. Elizabeth Lepock, soprano; Jennifer Enns Modolo, mezzo-soprano; Christopher Fischer, tenor; Richard Hrytzak, bass-baritone. Kenneth Hull conducting. Admission is free; a donation is requested.
RENISON BOOK CLUB: On Monday, February 24 at 7:30 PM at Renison University College we will gather to discuss Samuel Wells’ book A Nazareth Manifesto: Being with God. The position of the author is that churches would do well to understand their calling as “being with” others, rather than “doing to” them (relationship-building instead of objectifying). Interested? Acquire a print or digital copy of the book, and come for the conversation.
ST. ANDREW’S COFFEE DROP-IN meets on Tuesdays from 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM. Come by at any point during this time, for as long as you’d like. For February we will meet at the fairly new restaurant Stacked Pancake House at 1335 Weber St. E. (near the Zehrs on the way to Fairway Rd.).
LENT BEGINS ASH WEDNESDAY: February 26 (service details to come).
A Lenten devotional book has been ordered: Winged with Longing for Better Things by Sylvia Sweeney. Written from an eco-feminist perspective, this book emphasizes intercession, solidarity, and preparation as a way of helping readers learn to view the world incarnationally and sacramentally.
A Lenten study group (book + video): Entering the Passion of Jesus with Amy-Jill Levine. “Jesus’ final days were full of risk. Every move he made was filled with anticipation, danger, and the potential for great loss or great reward. Sessions: 1) Jerusalem: risking reputation; 2) The Temple: risking righteous anger; 3) Teachings: risking challenge; 4) The First Dinner: risking rejection; 5) The Last Supper: risking the loss of friends; 6) Gethsemane: risking temptation.”
Other formation and gathering opportunities will be offered! Dive deep into the season!
HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: Canon Vicars Hodge and Bishop Terry Dance are leading a pilgrimage tour (May 22 – June 3, 2020). You’re invited to join the group for the spiritual adventure of a lifetime. To walk where Jesus walked and meet the people of the land brings the Bible stories to life. For details: www.trinitytour.org
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.
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.