Today we light the second Advent candle, putting our focus on the second signpost on our Advent journey: peace. We live in turbulent times, and peace can seem like an elusive thing. As Christians we are called to be people of peace but what does that mean?  Following on from last week’s signpost, ‘Hope’, we begin first of all by making peace with ourselves: forgiving ourselves for being less than perfect, understanding that we are flawed and fallible, but also faithful, and that we are God’s beloved exactly as we are. If we are at peace with ourselves, then we can work towards peace in our relationships and within our faith community. We may not see eye to eye on everything (we don’t!)  but we can work at becoming more effective listeners, be more accepting of differences, and more readily forgive our fellow pilgrims for being flawed, fallible and yet faithful, just like us. 

Blessings, 

Rev Colleen

This Sunday, Dec. 4th is the second Sunday of Advent, when our theme is PEACE.   

The readings are: 

ISAIAH 2:1-5

PSALM 122

ROMANS 13:11-14

MATTHEW 24:36-44 

We always welcome questions -- and we warmly invite you to join in as a reader, greeter or pray-er!  Email admin@stmatthiasvictoria.ca .  

As the cold weather sets in, there are many in need of warm clothing in our city and we invite you to bring hats, gloves, coats, scarves, socks, new or in good condition, that you wish to donate and place them in the boxes provided at the back of the church. They will be taken to Our Place for distribution. 

On the 4th Sunday of Advent, Dec. 18, we will be having a service of Lessons and Carols instead of our usual liturgy. It will be at the regular time of 10 am.   Christmas Eve service will be at 7 pm. There will be no service on Christmas Day. If anyone requires a ride to and/or from church on Christmas Eve, please tell Rev. Colleen or one of the Wardens and we will arrange that for you. We don’t want anyone in our parish family to miss Christmas service because of transportation issues. 

Rev. Colleen and her son will be cooking Christmas dinner (turkey and all the trimmings) in the church hall on Christmas day at 2pm for all who would like to attend. The invitation is open to all, not just members of the parish. If you want to attend, let Colleen know so that she can begin to get some idea of numbers. 

[And, if you are able to help in some way, rumour has it that Colleen would like to know that too!]

Following our usual informal but cheery consultation, we've heard some interest in joining into our gentle and gradual decoration process!  This Sunday, December 4th, following worship (and coffee!), please join us in decorating the church.  The decorations have been brought to the "Deacon's Office" at the rear of the church.  We have a number of garlands to place, wreaths to hang, and, of course, the Nativity scene to arrange.  

Speaking of the Nativity scene,  you may recall that traditional Nativity scenes include the Three Wise Visitors -- but we don't formally remember their arrival until we celebrate Epiphany (January 6th or the nearest Sunday).  Accordingly, some may remember that the Three Visitors' figures are often placed "on the journey" around the church.  If you want to set the Visitors on their path, be the first one to grab and place the statues!  

Some of us have greenery, holly or other seasonal offerings in their gardens.  We welcome these gifts as well!  

Bishop Anna has written to outline some important changes to the Diocesan Refugee Program.  The letter is on the diocesan website as well as our own.  You can read the letter by following this link (just click with your mouse) https://www.stmatthiasvictoria.ca/news/changes-to-refugee-sponsorship-program .