Christmas News
The rainy days of November have dissolved into the crisp sunshine of December and we are
busy preparing our hearts and church for the arrival of Christmas. John the Baptist has made an
appearance and on Sunday we will hear again the song of Mary. In the call to do more this
season, may you hear the quieter call to take moments of stillness, moments of reflection and
moments of peace.
May you gather close with family and friends and also remember those who walk or eat or suffer alone. May you live in the heady expectation of Christs coming while planting your feet firmly on the ground and walking in Gods footsteps here and now. We hope you will join us in this sacred season, as together we step deeper into the wilderness of waiting and call Oh come, oh come Emmanuel.
- The Reverend Meagan Crosby-Shearer
A poem for Advent
O Emmanuel - Malcolm Guite
O come, O come, and be our God-with-us
O long-sought With-ness for a world without,
O secret seed, O hidden spring of light.
Come to us Wisdom, come unspoken Name
Come Root, and Key, and King, and holy Flame,
O quickened little wick so tightly curled,
Be folded with us into time and place,
Unfold for us the mystery of grace
And make a womb of all this wounded world.
O heart of heaven beating in the earth,
O tiny hope within our hopelessness
Come to be born, to bear us to our birth,
To touch a dying world with new-made hands
And make these rags of time our swaddling bands.
Upcoming Events
Friday, December 8th at 7:30 p.m. The Arion Male Voice Choir Christmas Concert. Tickets
available in advance for $20 by calling 250 220-5414 or ordering online
http://www.arionchoir.ca/. Tickets at the door are $25. Accompanied children under 12 are free.
Saturday, December 9th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Reel Conversations “It’s a Wonderful Life”
movie. Join us for festive goodies and conversation!
Sunday, December 10th at 10:00 a.m. Eucharist service and commissioning John Jordan before
his mission to Rwanda.
Sunday, December 17th at 10:00 a.m. Traditional Nine Lessons & Carols service in the church,
followed by Wassail (Christmas drinks and edibles) in the church hall.
Wednesday, December 20th at 7:00 p.m. Blue Christmas, a joint service with The Abbey
Church. A simple service of song and reflection for those who struggle with the Christmas
season.
Saturday, December 23 from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. recycling on the parking lot in support of
Threshold Housing. Please bring your bottles, cans, clean plastic containers, bags, plus
Styrofoam food containers and packing material. All sizes are accepted. There is no sale in the
church this month.
Sunday, December 24th at 10:30 a.m. Christmas Eve Pageant Service, a joint service with The
Abbey Church.
Those wishing to participate in the Nativity Play, arrive at 10:00 a.m. (or earlier) to get a
costume. Lots of child-size sheep, and angel costumes. Adult costumes too! We encourage
children of all ages to come and join the pageant, as we celebrate the birth of Christ! For the true
Christmas spirit, join the congregation and sing familiar carols.
Sunday, December 24th at 8:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candle Light Service, captures all the joy of
Christmas with beautiful music, candles and the sacred stillness of anticipation.
Monday, December 25th at 10:00 a.m. Christmas Day Service is a quieter celebration, where we
share bread and wine, sing carols and pray for our neighbourhood and the world.
Sunday, December 31st at 10:00 a.m. Eucharist service with time to reflect on the year that has
past and set your intentions for the year to come.
Wishing you hope, peace, joy and love this Advent season!