PARISH NEWS - 29 November 2021

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT During the early part of the pandemic, St. James maintained its Wednesday morning service. Later, this had to be dropped because of COVID-19 restrictions. GOOD NEWS! Dean Peter Wall will begin to offer a mid-week service beginning TOMORROW - December 1st at 10.00 a.m. – a quiet celebration of the Eucharist and, hopefully a ‘conversation’ about the readings of the day. What a welcome addition this will be! Thanks to Peter for this initiative.

Please phone in to the office to register for the Sunday service … or send an email to the office requesting registration. It REALLY helps … and, if we can avoid putting people in the Dundas Room until all the registered spots are filled, it makes it so much easier for the greeters. For the first time last week we had to hold people in the Dundas Room. Even a male warden not on duty forgot last week.

If you cannot attend in person you will also be able to “tune in” and watch the Sunday service, beginning at 10 a.m. on YouTube. The link is provided on the parish Facebook site and website.

OFFICE HOURS THIS WEEK

Week of November 29 – Dec 3

Office hours will be different during this week.

Office will be open Monday – Friday 9am – noon .

ADOPT-A-FAMILY

Thank you, St. James. Nine families will be so much more blessed this Christmas as a result of your generosity. Many great bags to pack the presents….and most of the material for the bags was donated. Packing started on Sunday and will continue this coming Sunday. Contact the office if you would like to help 905-627-1424. Cash donations welcome.

HOUSE TOUR UPDATES

Thursday, December 2nd with a return on Saturday the 4th (if possible)

We need some assistance at 1:30 at St. Paul’s Church to move tables to St James and unload them and also, to move the furniture in the Sanctuary (less than in previous years) to accommodate the artisans for House Tour. So ….. we can complete all of this in an hour and a half with good help!! And then put the chairs back in place on Saturday, after the event. This is important and requires individuals with some strength and no back issues!! Please let the office know if you can help 905-627-1424

Saturday – THE BIG DAY!

Artisans and committee members will be setting up in the hall, in the kitchen, in the narthex and in the church – it will be a hive of activity!! Ticket holders will be able to show their ticket, proof of vaccination and ID to receive their wristband from 10 am at the parking lot entrance or at the front door. Tickets may be purchased from the office.

EVERYONE in the building must be wearing a wristband.

Dickens Lane will open at 11 am and again, shoppers will be required to show proof of vaccination and ID to receive a wristband and enter.

We will be selling pies (frozen, unbaked), fancy Christmas cookies, jams and preserves and raffle tickets (you can choose the bag to put your ticket for the item you would like!).

Refreshments will be prepared for take-out this year to meet COVID restrictions.

Enjoy the day!!

COFFEE HOUR

Our coffee hour occurs this Thursday on Zoom at 10am. Join us to chat and enjoy one another’s company for an hour. Bring your own coffee!

Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6932690932

Meeting ID: 693 269 0932

Use either the link or Zoom ID but you don't need to do both.

COMPLINE

Compline is a short service of night prayer, part of the Daily Office or Liturgy of the Hours that has structured the prayer life of the church for many centuries. As we get ready to sleep, this ancient service calls us to rest in God. Like all of the offices, the heart of Compline is the recitation of several psalms. There is a short reading from scripture (usually one or two sentences in length), intercession, and time for reflection. It is a beautiful way to close out an active day. Technology has provided us with the means to share this ancient office. Compline is offered by St. James’ through Facebook as a way to bring the community together. We continue to pray Compline live every Wednesday at 8:30 pm. If you cannot join live, the service is available afterwards on St. James’ Facebook channel. Everyone is invited.

SAVE MONEY AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE

Every household can help to reduce greenhouse gas emission! Through home energy efficiency upgrades and retrofits you can lower energy consumption and save money.

To learn more about the Canada Greener Homes Grant: https://youtu.be/nCGmMG76PNQ

This information is prepared by BACCC (Bay Area Climate Change Council) as a part of effort to help the Hamilton-Burlington Bay Area reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For questions, please feel free to email: info@bayareaclimate.ca

MISSION TO SEAFARERS

Many thanks to all those who have kindly donated clothing and games for the Seafarers. These items will be delivered very shortly and then the Mission closes for the winter months. So please no more donations for now but we will let you know when we can take more in the spring. (And a special thanks to Sue C. for the initiation and implementation of this venture).

COATS AND BOOTS

Dozens of pairs of boots and coats have been delivered to the Wesley Day Centre for those in need. Note the figures – 170 already delivered and 150 more ready for delivery! MANY thanks to those who have responded…keep it going! The need is great!

VESTRY REPORTS - Just a reminder that it might be a great time to get your reports completed for vestry and sent to the Church office before you become involved in the Advent season. All reports are due December 31st. Thank you

SAVING(S)

Now that we are approaching larger numbers in church (and the Narthex) … please remember to save the following – boxes are on the table just south of the central doors…..

Batteries – be careful to cover some of the posts where applicable.

Eyeglasses – very much appreciated

Stamps – cut stamps off your Christmas cards and place in the box.

Cheques – OOOOPS – well, OK … but don’t leave them in the Narthex … use the appropriate location in the Sanctuary.

Thought for the week Sometimes, I just want it to stop. Talk of COVID, protests, looting, brutality. I lose my way and become convinced that this is the “new normal”. But, I met an 87-year old who talks of living through polio, diphtheria, Vietnam, political upheaval … and yet is still enchanted with life. He seemed surprised when I asked about the challenges of 2020. “Nope”, he said, looking me straight in the eye, “I learned long ago to NOT see the world through printed headlines. I see the world through the people that surround me. Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines … - Husband loves wife today! - Family drops everything to come to Grandma’s bedside. - [he patted my hand and said] Old man makes new friend. His words collided with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away. I am left with a renewed spirit. MY headline now reads “woman overwhelmed by the spirit of kindness and the reminder that our capacity to love is never ending”.