THE FIVE MARKS OF MISSION OF THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION:
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom
To teach, baptize, and nurture new believers
To respond to human need by loving service
To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth
These five Marks of Mission are a framework used to describe and encourage ministry throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion.
DONATIONS FOR OUR FOOD CUPBOARD MINISTRY: For NOVEMBER are specially collecting toiletries and cleaning supplies. (Other food donations are still welcome.) Thank you for your care and generosity with regard to our food cupboard!
ECUMENICAL SERVICE with songs from the Taize tradition: today, November 24, 7:30 PM at Waterloo North Mennonite Church.
ADVENT REFLECTIONS emailed to your inbox, from the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. Sign up at https://pwrdf.org/get-involved/advent2019/
THE ADVENT DEVOTIONAL A Way to the Manger is available for those who are interested. For those interested there will be a discussion group on Sunday mornings from 9:00 AM – 9:45 AM from Advent to Epiphany. Signal your interest by signing up in Janke Hall or at the side entrance bulletin board, and consider a $10 donation to cover the cost of the book.
MAKE ROOM FOR JESUS: an Advent retreat day led by Canon Wendy at St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church in London: Saturday, November 30, 10 AM – 3 PM. St. Andrew’s folk are welcome to take part. Please let Matt or Wendy know if you are interested (and prepare a brown bag lunch).
ST. ANDREW’S DAY LUNCH on the feast day of our patron saint, Andrew: Saturday, November 30, 12:00 PM. We will gather at the celtic pub The Malt and Barley (1187 Fischer-Hallman Rd., Kitchener).
PROPHETIC VOICES: Israel’s Prophets and the Struggle for Justice. The rabbi, theologian, and activist Abraham Joshua Heschel once wrote, “Prophecy is the voice that God has lent to the silent agony, a voice to the plundered poor, to the profaned riches of the world…God is raging in the prophet’s words.” In this workshop, we will situate Israel’s prophetic tradition within its ancient context, drawing on the best of biblical scholarship. We will also look at how the church can learn from the voice and the witness of the ancient prophets when addressing the injustices plaguing our contemporary society. Saturday, November 30, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Renison University College. $30 (individual rate) or $75 for a parish group.
HANDEL’S MESSIAH: Spiritus Ensemble presents an intimate performance of Handel’s seasonal masterpiece with a choir of 18 singers, small orchestra, and maximum seating of 300. Soloists Sheila Dietrich, Jennifer Enns Modolo, Bud Roach and Richard Hrytzak; Kenneth Hull, conductor. At The Church of St John the Evangelist, 23 Water Street North, Kitchener, on Sunday, December 1, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets available online and at the door (as sales permit).
PANEL DISCUSSION: Affordable Housing Alternatives. Thursday, December 5, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Fresh Ground Cafe. What are creative ways to address the issue of rising rent and ownership costs? RSVP by emailing isaiahr@theworkingcentre.org
FIRST FRIDAY EUCHARIST: Friday, December 6, 7:30 AM, morning prayer with communion from the reserved sacrament, officiated by our divinity student, Craig Love. This month we commemorate St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Yes, that St. Nicholas! The service will be followed by coffee and goodies.
BLUE CHRISTMAS: A SERVICE OF HOPE AND HEALING, a joint service of St. Stephen Lutheran Church and St. Andrew’s Memorial Anglican Church. Christmas can be difficult for some. This service might speak to you, especially if you are grieving the loss of a loved one. Saturday, December 7, 5:00 PM at St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church at the corner of Highland and Stirling.
AS WE APPROACH ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS, SOME DATES TO NOTE:
“Blue Christmas” Service (St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Lutheran): Saturday, December 7, 5:00 PM
Christmas Carolling (St. Andrew’s and St. Stephen’s Lutheran): Friday, December 20, 7:00 PM
Advent Lessons and Carols: Sunday, December 22, 3:00 PM
Christmas services: Tuesday, December 24, 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM; Wednesday, December 25, 9:00 AM.
Christmas Lessons and Carols: Sunday, December 29, 3:00 PM
UPCOMING CHINA TRIP: Note that Renison University College is sending Fr. Matthew to China, to take part in a conference and to experience the sights and culture of the country. He will be away from December 2-12. We expect parish life to continue smoothly during that time, thanks to our awesome team of laity and clergy that we are blessed with at St. Andrew’s.
NEW YEAR’S DAY OPEN HOUSE, hosted by the Kieswetters, for the St. Andrew’s parish family: Wednesday, January 1, 2020, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM. Address and other details to follow.
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 November and December we will be meeting at the Tim Hortons located within the Zehrs at Ottawa & Strasburg.
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.
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.