Beloved people of God: 

Our journey as a faith community continues as we attend to the needs of our parish and the wider community. I greatly appreciated the excellent participation in our parish ‘conversation’ after the service on October 18^th, as we shared our various perspectives and ideas regarding the stewardship and management of our facilities, our living out of our Gospel call, and our considerations for the future. 

Our conversation with St. Phillip parish is still in play as both parishes attend to the promptings of the Spirit of God and consider what is in the best interest of each community. In the meantime, we continue to be the community of St. Matthias, responding to the call to be God’s people within and beyond the church walls. 

The diocesan synod will be held at Christ Church Cathedral on November 21^st. Please pray for all delegates as they discuss the needs and vision of the diocese and discern the movement of the Holy Spirit. 

On November 24-25^th, the diocese will be host to the celebration marking the 50^th anniversary of the priesting of women in the Anglican Church of Canada. The Eucharistic Service at 4 pm on November 25^th will be held at Christ Church Cathedral and will be livestreamed. 

We will once again offer and serve dinner or Christmas Day to all who wish to participate. If anyone would like to be part of the planning team for this event, please talk to me. 

With every blessing as we conclude this church year with the Reign of Christ on November 22^nd  and through this spectacular fall season. 

Rev. Colleen+ 

November 8, Remembrance Sunday

November 11, Remembrance Day

November 15,  Parish Council meeting

November 22, Feast of Christ the King; John Jordan shares thoughts about the work in Rwanda

November 29, Advent 1 -- and we're delighted to celebrate a Baptism on that day

December 6, Advent 2 

December 13, Advent 3

December 20, Advent 4, Service of Lessons and Carols

December 24, Christmas Eve worship at 7 pm

December 25, Christmas Day, luncheon in the hall (please speak to Rev. Colleen if you wish to join the steering committee)

Dear friends -- both those of long-standing and those relatively new to our community --

It has been our practice to decorate the church for Christmas, but in a way the acknowledges and treasures the gift of the Advent season.  What does this mean?  It means that our decorations are lovely, but we engage in them gently.  We don't have plastic snowpeople or reindeer prancing on the roof.  We often start early in Advent. 

This year, Advent begins on November 29.  The liturgical colour is blue and we will, of course, put out our lovely Advent candles and wreath.  Steps from there?  In collaboration!  

Watch the bulletin or listen in church as we assemble the "group of willing" and decide, for example, if we want to move our decoration boxes from the backstage area of the hall to the "deacon's office" after worship on November 22.