How are you doing in this season of Advent – the season of waiting?
They say that good things come to those who wait.  And wait we must . . . a few days more.

Last Sunday was erroneously billed as ‘love’ Sunday; it was the Sunday we focused on ‘joy’ instead.  My apologies. THIS Sunday will be ‘love’ Sunday, so come and celebrate love as we get closer to Christmas Day!

Here are the events and services scheduled for next week.

Lessons & Carols of the Nativity
Sunday, Dec 20 at the 11:15am service. Plan to share in the singing of Christmas carols and to hear our choir offer some wonderful music as we recall the story leading up to Jesus’ birth.  This service is worth returning to church for if you attend the 8am service, or staying after coffee for if you’ll be attending the 9:15am service.

Blue Christmas
Monday, December 21 at 7:30 pm. Christmas is not always a joyful and happy time.  This service is to acknowledge anxious and sad feelings as well as emotions such as grief and confusion and to offer them all to God this Christmastide.  There will be an informal reception directly after the service.

Christmas Eve
Remember last year’s Christmas Eve?  Drifts almost to the eaves?  Toqued teams of shovellers clearing a snowy block’s length of 37th Ave?  So many of our parishioners and friends were disappointed to miss the glorious music and gospel at St. Mary’s Christmas Eve services!  We look forward to welcoming you – and any guests you wish to invite – this Christmas Eve and Day!

The service schedule is as follows:

• Christmas Pageants – Thursday, December 24 at 3:00pm & 4:30pm.  This is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas for the whole family!  Bring your kids and grandkids to this participatory service where everyone can have a part in the play.  For more information, please contact David Taylor by phone at 604-261-4228 (xt. 222) or by email at dtaylor@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.
• Christmas Eve Holy Eucharist – Thursday, December 24 at 7:00pm & 11:00pm.  Come to one – or both! – of these beautiful services to celebrate the birth of Christ.
• Christmas Day Holy Eucharist – Friday, December 25 at 11:00am.  Join us for the celebration of the birth of God as a newborn babe.

Upcoming . . .

Feast of Epiphany – January 3 at 9:15am – Our own Shakespearean actor and parishioner, Rob Ruttan, will recite T.S. Eliot’s stirring, “Journey of the Magi.”  Kevin Dixon will preach, and two children will be baptized.  Also at this uplifting celebration of Epiphany, guest musician David Sinclair will enhance worship with a number of pieces from his top-selling CD “Acoustic Christmas.”  In 2008, the Vancouver Province named it one the top five Christmas albums along with Bing Crosby, Aretha Franklin, Leon Redbone, and Loreena McKennitt.  David Sinclair toured with Sarah McLachlan from 1993-2003 as her guitarist on the Lillith Fair, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy and Surfacing tours. Prior to working with McLachlan, he toured with k.d. lang on her Ingenue tour. Before these two opportunities, Sinclair had already accomplished a vast and varied musical background on his own.

A Feast of Carols – Sunday, January 3 at 4:00 pm.  Come for a showcase – or a “feast” – of Christmas music as we host several neighbourhood choirs from Presbyterian, Catholic and Lutheran churches! Our own singers and bell-players will also offer a Christmas anthem. We will hear some of the lovely poetry of the season, and unite in singing some of our favourite carols for the last time this year, followed by a time of fellowship in the Parish Hall.  The offering taken will benefit the work of the Lower Mainland Grief Recovery Society.  We hope that you will join us.

If you have any questions about these, or any other events happening at the church, please phone the office at 604-261-4228 or visit the church web-site: www.smkchurch.com.

We hope to see you at any – or all – of the above services.  In the meantime, the clergy and staff of St. Mary’s would like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful and Merry Christmastide!

We will celebrate love on Sunday morning as we continue to await the Christ child this 3rd Sunday in Advent. ‘Tis the season! Below are some wonderful events happening this week that the whole family will enjoy.

Light in the Darkness: A Celebration of St. Lucy
Kids, seniors, families and singles who attended last year’s St. Lucy event at St. Mary’s know it is an event not to be missed! We will assemble in the church at 5pm on Saturday, December 12th for a children’s craft activity and worship with procession, followed by a potluck supper in the Parish Hall. Begin your Christmas celebrations with this ancient celebration of light in the darkness borrowed from our Scandinavian friends.

3pm Christmas Pageant Rehearsal
There will be a rehearsal for all who have parts in the 3pm Christmas Pageant this Sunday, December 13that 10:30am. Please join David Taylor in running through the script. Those who have parts in the 4:30pm pageant will rehearse next Sunday after the 9:15am service.
For more information, please contact David by email at dtaylor@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.

11:15 Advent Wreath Candle Lighting
This Sunday, at the 11:15am service, we will welcome Jenny Kennedy. Jenny is Marjory Kennedy’s grand-daughter and she participated recently in the 2010 Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games Torch Relay. She will light the third candle on the Advent wreath using her Olympic torch.

Christmas Concert
Little Mountain Brass Band (which practices Sunday afternoons at St. Mary’s) invites you to attend its concert Winter Bells this Sunday, December 13th, at 2:30 p.m. Brass band selections have been chosen to put you in the mood for Christmas. Admission is by donation. Reception to follow.

Intercessors Training
There will be training for those who are new and those who are veterans to the prayer ministry on Sunday mornings on Tuesday, December 15that 7:15pm. Come and spend some time reflecting on this important part of our worship together and share Communion.

Special Eucharist
On Wednesday, December 16th, we welcome those who often have trouble attending church to see the church decorations and celebrate a short Communion service. No stairs are involved as an altar is placed at the foot of the chancel steps. The service begins at 2pm and will be followed by a tea in the Parish Hall. Transportation can be arranged. If you would like to come, or know of someone who might, please contact the church office at 604-261-4228 by Tuesday, December 15th.

Looking forward to seeing you at one – or all! – of these events.
Until then, may your Advent season be one of hope, peace and love.

This Sunday, the 2nd of Advent, we will celebrate peace. We welcome Judy Henry as flutist during the preludes and postludes at both the 9:15 and 11:15am services.
The Reverend David Taylor will be preaching and Sunday he will ask: “Can the Greater-Vancouverite really be asked to join John the Baptist to prepare the way of the Lord if it means leveling Grouse Mountain, filling in the Fraser Valley, paving our forest pathways and maintaining gridlock in our streets? Does the Advent of our Lord take place in Saskatchewan?”

This Sunday will also be the last chance to sign up for the Christmas Pageants on December 24th.
There are a few parts still available at both the 3pm and 4:30pm pageants.
See the sign-up sheet in the Parish Hall for more details.

Sunday night at 7:30pm will be a Taizé-style worship service for Advent.
Glen and Christine Mitchell and Rudi Krause welcome everyone to this beautiful service.
What a wonderful way to observe a quiet and meditative Advent!

Join ACW Group B for their Christmas party on Wednesday, December 9th at 6pm in the Bethel Lounge in the Mews. ACW Group A’s party is scheduled for Friday, December 11th at 1:30pm in the Parish Lounge.

Advance Notice!
Book your calendars now for the Light in the Darkness: St. Lucy evening on Saturday, December 12th at 5pm. This special evening features crafts for kids, kid-friendly worship and a potluck supper to follow. Begin your Christmas celebrations with this ancient celebration of light in the darkness borrowed from our Scandinavian friends.

For information about other events and worship services, please see the St. Mary’s web-site at www.smkchurch.com.

Quiet Morning – An Uncluttered Heart: Making Room for God
A wonderful way to prepare ourselves for the season of Advent, we will gather to listen and to pray on
Saturday, November 28, 2009 in the Lounge from 9am till 12 noon.
Please call the office by tomorrow (Friday) afternoon, if you’re planning to attend and haven’t done so already: 604-261-4228. Come and prepare for the New Year in the Church!

Hampers
The Outreach Committee is organizing a hamper program to help needy families in our community.
The wooden Christmas tree will be up in the Narthex on Sunday morning.
Choose a paper star from the tree which offers some specific details about the family you’ll be buying for: number of children, ages, etc. Write your name and phone number in the space beside the star number and bring a hamper back to the church on Sunday, December 13th.
Fill a hamper as a family, or gather a group of friends or neighbours to work together.
What a wonderful way to “give back” this holiday season!

Sunday’s Sermon
Will there be a global climate deal at the UN climate conference in Copenhagen in December?
Some say failure is not an option.
This coming Sunday, the first in Advent, the Scriptures speak of a “righteous branch” flourishing in a world where the well-being of humans and all other living creatures is cherished, supported, and maintained in a harmonious balance.
But, with respect to the natural environment, who has the determination to do what is necessary to make this Advent dream a reality?
Do governments have the political will?
Can grassroots movements, religious organizations, or individuals achieve it?
Come to church this Sunday and hear Kevin Dixon preach an Advent sermon entitled: “Green Blade Rising: A Two-Edged Sword.”

Wreath-making
Gather in the gymnasium after the 9:15am service this Sunday for our annual tradition of Advent wreath-making. Construct your own custom wreath using donated cedar boughs and holly as well as baubles and beads. Take home your wreath and a prayer card which is designed to guide a family’s observance of Advent.

O Come Emmanuel: A Service of Music and Readings for Advent
Join us this Sunday (Nov. 29th) at 4pm for a wonderful introduction to Advent.
We welcome violinist Jonathan Der who joins the St. Mary’s choirs in offering this contemplative service of readings, anthems and hymns. Stay for the reception after the service in the Parish Hall.

Reminder: El Salvador deadline
If you are interested in going with the church group to El Salvador in February, 2010, please note that the deadline to submit your application and $500 deposit is November 30th.
Questions? Please contact Kelly Duncan at the church office at 604-261-4228.

Advent Series with the Rev. David Taylor: Framing a Home of Love for Life
The Book of Common Prayer encourages us to “frame for ourselves a Rule of Life” (555).
This Advent Series we will be considering how we can form a Rule of Life within our own hearts and as a community. Using the image of building a home we will explore the spiritual and historical basis for a Rule of Life and consider forming one of our own.
December 1st: Laying the Foundation; Building the Frame
December 8th: Extending the Roof; Moving in
Sessions begin at 7:30pm and will meet in the Lounge.
If you have questions please contact David Taylor at the Church office: 604-261-4228.

Christmas Bazaar and Tea Meeting
There will be a meeting on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 1:30pm in the Lounge to disperse funds raised at the Xmas Bazaar & Tea. Open to all members of the congregation. For more information please contact Barbara Farmer at (604) 263-3978.

For more information on upcoming Advent and Christmas events, please see the St. Mary’s web-site: www.smkchurch.com.

We look forward to seeing you.
May you have a Happy Advent season!

Christmas Bazaar and Tea
Saturday, November 14th from 1pm to 3:30pm
We hope you will come and support the Bazaar & Tea on Saturday.
There will be home baking, attic treasures, books, jewelry, mincemeat, jams, jellies, and Christmas decorations. Tea will be served at 1:45 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $5.00 per person and will be available the door. Reservations accepted for parties of 6 or more. Please call Barb Farmer to reserve at 604-263-3978. If you are able to volunteer some time to help at the Bake Table or to make tea and coffee, please phone Barb Farmer at 604-263-3978 or Pauline Ungless at 604-263-3929.
We hope to see you there!

Reminder: El Salvador Trip Information Session after the 9:15 service on Sunday, November 15th.

Confirmation Classes
Do you know anyone who is in their early- to mid-teens and is interested in being confirmed?
Classes begin on Thursday, November 19th at 6pm.
To register, please contact David Taylor by Wednesday, November 18th by phone at 604-261-4228 (xt.222) or by email at dtaylor@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Six bakers are scheduled for each week on a roster prepared in advance that is based on expressed availability. More bakers are currently needed for either regular scheduling or ‘emergency’ backup. Also now that we have adequate freezer space, baking that could be frozen for use at Sunday coffee hours would always be welcomed. For the community meal each baker provides approximately 4 dozen pieces of baking.

If you are interested in joining the bakers’ roster please contact Gayle Mitchell (gbmitchell@telus.net or 604-731-2941) as soon as possible as the fall roster is now being prepared.

In order to foster community, a password-protected online directory will soon be created. Come and have your photo taken one of these Sundays: September 13th, September 20th, September 27th. Photos will be taken during coffee hour in the Parish Hall on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your family – or just yourself – and have a photo taken.

We’ll upload the photos and then send out the link and password to all parishioners. One of the great things about an online directory is that it is changeable!

If you’d like to send in a photo rather than having one taken, please do so by October 1st. It should be in jpg format, have as little background as possible and be taken in the horizontal orientation. You can email it to kduncan@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.

For more information, please contact Kelly Duncan by phone at 604-261-4228 or by email: kduncan@stmaryskerrisdale.ca.

Thanks for your help in nurturing our community at St. Mary’s.

Don’t forget to smile!

• Clothing for men, women and children
• Purses and wallets
• Curtains and linens
• Blankets, bedding and pillows
• Towels and tablecloths
• Shoes and boots
• Accessories (belts, hats, scarves)
• Under garments, nylons and socks (no underpants please)

Please Note:

• Jewelry: we are also accepting donations of jewelry in preparation for our next church sale
• Any items donated, not on this list will be disposed of at a cost to the church
• All items must be clean and in useable condition
• Helpers to assist sorting before or after attending service will be gratefully accepted

We thank every-one in anticipation of their generous support.

REMEMBER, Sunday April 26, 2009. Please mark it on your calendar.

Any Questions?, Please call Pauline Ungless @ 604-263-3929.