On Sunday we light the fourth Advent candle, putting our attention on the fourth signpost on our Advent journey: love. We are reminded that God became a human being in Jesus to be in solidarity with humanity and to show us how very much God loves us. As we come close to Christmas, we celebrate with a festival of Lessons and Carols, telling the story of God’s love for us woven throughout Scripture. As we approach Christmas, let us be aware of every opportunity to reveal God’s love to the world by being attentive to those around us, especially those who are lonely, struggling or hurting in any way. We, like Mary, are called to be “God bearers” in the world, and to look for every opportunity to make his love known.  Blessings as you prepare for Christmas, and especially as you prepare a place for him in your heart. 

Rev. Colleen

Hello St. Matthias,

As some of you know, your office administrator is an admin by day and an artist by night! 

AND I just finished my first semester at the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) (of which Nicky Rendell is an celebrated alumnus).

There is an Open House at the school this Saturday from noon-4pm showcasing student work from this semester. I have five works in the show from drawings, to textiles, to paintings. You are warmly invited to drop by and see the school and the work and ME! (I will be there from 1:30 to 3:30pm). The school is downtown on the third floor of an office building at 733 Johnson street (across from the parkade). There is an elevator.  If you see a bridal shop from the sidewalk you are in the right place.

As your administrator I want to thank you for all the support, flexibility and generosity you've shown me this semester as I pursue my art school dreams! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve Worship

Join us as we welcome the light of the world into our midsts with carols, prayer, and holy communion.  

Service begins at 7pm.

All are welcome. 

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. 

RSVP to St. Matthias 250-598-2833.

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

Our last Thursday morning Eucharist before Christmas will be on Dec 22nd. We will be taking a pause on Thurdsay Dec 29, 2022 for the holidays. Join us as we resume the following week (in the New Year!) on January 5th. 

Thursday morning worship with refreshments to follow at 10.am. During this season, we will be using a Celtic liturgy from the wonderful book 'Celtic Daily Prayer Book Two, Farther Up and Farther In.' 

This is not a ‘Celtic’ service in the sense that it recreates a Communion Service from the Celtic monastic era, but it is a service shaped by a Celtic theology. The potential strength of this service is its simplicity. It aims to get to the ‘essence’ of this meal that all Christians share. In it, also, are echoes of the meal at Emmaus, the Passover Seder meal and the sharing of bread and wine that is part of the ritual binding between brothers, like David and Jonathan.  

All are welcome. 

Thursday communion will continue into the fall on a weekly basis so we invite to come everyweek or whenever you can.

Photo by Dennis Kummer on Unsplash 

Join us for a quiet time of quiet reflection, music and prayer in preparation for the New Year. All are welcome.

We would like to hear from singers, (acoustic) musicians and readers interested in helping to lead this music-rich service by the end of November: please contact Peter Parker, email incumbent@stphilipvictoria.ca

Please note that as of November 2022, diocesan guidelines recommend that we continue the practice of wearing masks during church worship services. This is based on demographics of our congregations, singing together (including choirs), limited ventilation and physical space.   

What's Taizé? more here

What's a Taizé-style service like? more here

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash