PARISH NEWS - 26 November 2025

SERVICES AND GATHERINGS THIS WEEK

SUNDAY, Nov 30^th – 10:00am – Advent 1

If you are unable to attend worship in person, the service is live streamed. For links to the service and the order of service please visit St. James at: stjamesdundas.ca or the St. James Facebook page.

The church office is open

Tuesday through Friday 10am – 2pm

St. James New Mission Statement

“To know Jesus and share Love through prayer, story, and service”

Holiday Hope

Lots of beautiful cloth bags were made and are ready for filling with the gifts requested by kids in our city through the Holiday Hope program.  Thank you to all who donated material and our seamstresses who got the sewing done!  Now it’s time to take a card with a child’s request of a toy or clothing item and then bring it unwrapped back to the church by Dec. 7th at the latest.  There will be envelopes to take for cash donations to help give the families a holiday meal and some stocking stuffer suggestions.  They will all be on display in the Sanctuary.  Dec. 7th will be our annual sorting day to turn the parlour into Santa’s Workshop and fill those lovely bags.  Thank you to all who can help brighten a family’s holiday!

St James' 49th Holiday House Tour December 6, 2025

Tickets are selling fast for the St. James' 49th Holiday House Tour.  There are five ways that you can help: 

1.     Remind your friends and family to get their tickets 

2.     Sign up in the narthex to volunteer your help

3.     Like and share our Facebook and Instagram posts

4.     Tell everyone about Christmas market and Art and Craft sale at the church. Admission is free. 

5.     Buy your own tickets if you don't have them yet.

Thank you to all of the volunteers who baked cookies in the church kitchen.  We still welcome Christmas cookies that you baked in your home.    Please connect with Norma Coe if you have cookies that you wish to donate to the House Tour bake sale.  Cookies are always a popular item. Are you able to install lawn signs around Dundas and remove them one week later?  If so, please meet Anne Washington in the Dundas Room after this Sunday's service and she will supply the signs and signage route.

 House Tour Cookie Baking

It’s that time of year again when an ambitious group of women get together to bake cookies to be sold at the St James House Tour!  We meet on 2 Wednesday mornings in November in the church kitchen to create most of the delicious Christmas  cookies that for many years our people have come to expect and enjoy!If you like to bake, we would love to have you join us! Alternatively, if you prefer to bake at home and would like to donate some special Christmas Cookies, they would be very much appreciated!  Either way, I look forward to hearing from you! Norma

Canadian Packaged Bread Class Action Settlement

Did you know that if you bought bread in Canada between the years 2001 through 2021 from grocery stores associated with Loblaws/Weston (including Fortinos, No Frills) you could be eligible for a claim of up to $25.00?! Imagine the impact if all eligible parishioners made a successful claim and then donated it to the church.

The link for the Canadian Packaged Bread Class Action settlement for claims is www.canadianbreadsettlement.ca/

Claim applications must be submitted by December 12, 2025.

Marline Sarjeant was honoured with the Order of Niagara designation

last Sunday at the Cathedral

Small Actions We Can Take to Help Renew the Earth(a summary of our Creation Commitment Cards)

      Find alternatives to plastic coffee pods

      Use up groceries before buying more / waste less / share surplus food with the hungry

      Avoid taking an airplane as often as possible

      Eat a more plant-based, vegetarian diet / Eat less meat

      Ensure meat consumed is raised responsibly

      Learn about the Indigenous commitment to Mother Earth / learn from nature

      Plant native species and pollinator plants in the garden

      Reduce water usage (ie. turn tap off while brushing teeth)

      Buy second hand / re-use items instead of buying new / re-usable coffee mug

      Walk instead of drive / use less gas / use of a hybrid car / use public transit

      Take time to enjoy God’s creation every day / spend time outdoors

      Make a route map when running errands

      Raise my children in the ways of God, and reduce litter around the homestead

      Draw attention to how creation works

      Turn lights off when leaving a room / use less electricity especially in daytime

      Water plants with dehumidifier water

      Buy locally grown food / shop small business

      Write to political representatives asking for meaningful climate action / safety for earth

      Recycle and reduce use of single use packaging / reduce items going to landfill

      Return milk bottles

      Love, cherish, and care for pets, animals, plants, forests, and all creation

Dave Archbell’s 2026 Calendars

Dave Archbell’s amazing bird calendars for 2026 are available at church. Cost $25.  The proceeds for these beautiful works of art go towards the Jean Archbell Memorial Fund – which helps us help newcomers.  Think about them making perfect Christmas gifts for friends and family.  

MONDAY AFTERNOON GAMES

First and third Monday of the month from 1.30-4pm, in the Parlour.  Everyone is invited to participate, ladies or gentlemen.  Any questions, please speak with Jill.

Tuesday Evening Prayer

The Tuesday evening prayer group has evolved. We are now meeting in a hybrid format. You are welcome to join on Tuesday evening at 6:15 in the parlour at St. James, or through Zoom at the same time. If you would like to join via Zoom, please email Dana on Tuesdays by 4:00pm to receive the Zoom meeting link. The meeting is a combination of prayer and discussion of either a devotional or a passage from scripture. We look forward to welcoming you.

WEDNESDAY – COMPLINE – 9:15 p.m.

Compline is a short service of night prayer. The heart of Compline is the recitation of several psalms. There is a short reading from scripture, intercession, and time for reflection. It is a beautiful way to close out an active day. Compline is offered by St. James’ through Facebook to bring the community together. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel.

Upcoming Events & Important Dates

Nov 26                      Parish Council  –  6:30

Nov 30                      ADC Advent Walk @ Dundas Driving Park – 6pm

Dec 6                         House Tour 2025

Dec 13                       Saturday Service 7pm-ish, Supper 5:30pm-ish.

Dec 14                       Messy Church 4-6pm

Dec 21                       Contemporary Lessons & Carols at 10am

Dec 24                       4pm and 9pm Christmas Eve Services

Dec 25                       Christmas Day 10am

Dec 28                       First Sunday after Christmas, 10am