1. Advent begins December 1st 2024
2. Solstice Event/Blue Christmas Service with St Augustine's at Grace United Church, Saturday December 21st      
   A service for those who have difficulty in celebrating the “joy” of Christmas. Held on the winter solstice, this service invites us into the sacred space of the longest night of the year.Please come for as much or as little time as you need to nourish your spirit on the longest night of the year.
   5:30-6:00PM Candle Lighting and silent time in the sanctuary.
   6:00-7:00PM Reflective Music, contemplation and candle lighting (come and go as needed).
   7:00PM Blue Christmas Service
   Following the service there will be refreshments and time for conversation downstairs in the Sunshine Room                 
3. Lessons & Carols service Sunday, December 22nd @10am  expect lots of community-led music, seasonal reading, and the children's pagaent!! Musicians, contact Megan C. if you want to help out.
4. Christmas Eve Early - 4pm, a simple, kid-approachable candlelight Communion service.  Want to help out?  Let Rev. Jonathan know as he will need 5-6 helpers for the sermon activity.
5. Christmas Eve Late - 9pm Carols Sing, 9:30pm Candlelight Holy Communion.  Post-service goodies not yet planned (hint, hint)
6. Christmas Day Service - 8am simple communion service.  Also livestreamed.
7. Sunday Deember 31st - Service is at 10am only.
8. Twelfth Night Celebration. We close off our Christmas celebration with this ancient tradition.  Saturday, January 4th, 5:30pm community potluck and Evening Prayer.  Yes, we will sing the song :)  Bring a main course or dessert or your leftover xmas treats.  Anyone want to make us a big pot of Wassail?
9. We celebrate the Epiphany in church Sunday January 5th.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe,
creator of light and darkness.
In this holy season,
when the sun’s light is swallowed up
by the growing darkness of the night,
you renew your promise to reveal among us
the splendour of your glory,
enfleshed and visible to us in Jesus Christ your Son.
Through the prophets
you teach us to hope for his reign of peace.
Through the outpouring of his Spirit,
you open our blindness to the glory of his presence.
Strengthen us in our weakness.
Support us in our stumbling efforts to do your will
and free our tongues to sing your praise.
For to you all honour and blessing are due,
now and for ever. Amen.

First reading and Psalm
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 25:1-9

Second reading
1 Thessalonians 3:9-13

Gospel Reading
Luke 21:25-36

Rehearsals for the pageant will be during Kids Church for the next 3 Sundays. 
We’ll have a simple art activity for those who don’t want to be involved in the pageant during those times.

The pageant is on Dec 22 (actors, please plan to arrive 15-20 minutes early that Sunday). 

• large sun on a stick - maybe paper mache...
• rocks (anyone have big pieces of cardboard and like to paint?)
• shepherd staffs/walking sticks
• coats/cloaks/coverings/belts for characters
• dish towels and cord for head coverings
• wings, tunics and small battery-powered lights for angels
• sandals for actors
• stuffed sheep (will allow other stuffy favourites to be in the cast too)

It is that time of year again when we start to look forward to preparing our church for the coming of the Christmas season and deciding what flowers we will choose to decorate.

No Room in the Inn appeals to the people of Edmonton and area churches at Christmas time to think about those living in our community who do not have adequate and safe housing. Some churches ask their members to contribute on Christmas Eve, some choose a Sunday in December and others contribute from the parish/congregation funds.

This year the No Room In the Inn Campaign is supporting Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS). A new roof is needed for the YESS Youth Support Centre (YSC), an evolution in youth care and crisis management, providing a centralised place for those in crisis to get immediate support, stabilisation and assessment.

Join the Rev. Helen Chan Bennett in the Death Cafe YEG! at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church – 'The Annex' @ St Augustine's Church,  6110 Fulton Road, Edmonton, December 20, at 7 pm. This non-religious group is for anyone interested in exploring the topics of death, dying, and end-of-life care in a safe and supportive environment. Inspired by the IDEA Cafe, Cafe Lovers, Conscious Dying, and Socrates Cafe philosophies, we gather to have open and honest conversations about mortality, meaning, and what it means to live fully. Whether you are curious, fearful, or simply interested in sparking meaningful discussions, we invite you to join us for thought-provoking conversations and connections with like-minded individuals. Let's embrace the taboo and explore the inevitable together. Come join us! Please share this UPDATED FLIER with your parish community.

The arrival of Advent and Christmas can evoke deep memories and strong emotions - not always those of joy or happiness.  The swirl of activity and excitement can, at times, seem overwhelming.  You may long to acknowledge change, loss or health challenges; you may long for a moment of quiet and contemplation; you may long for the opportunity to reflect on lives, families, the year just passed, the year approaching.

Held on the winter solstice, this service invites us into the sacred space of the longest night of the year.  Feel welcome to bring your troubles, cares or concerns; your anger, anguish or sorrow; your uncertainty or confusion.  You will find a calm and quiet place to set them aside, or to examine and consider them.

Did you know there is a volunteer run cafe in the basement of the annex?

Once a week, Wildroots Coffee House is open serving delicious coffee, tea and homemade treats.

Everyone is welcome .. please tell your friends.

Lodgepole Communitas invites all to an inclusive Celebration of the Christmas Season on December 14 at the Lodgepole Communtias Alberta Avenue, 11725 93 STNW, Edmonton. The event will feature a market, food and live music. The doors and market will open at 6 pm, with music starting at 7 p.m. Entry is by donation.

Read coverage of the 69th Synod of the Diocese of Edmonton

Welcome back to the Hanley Home Group! We started up again on Monday, September 30th! Join us for fellowship, prayer, and open discussion on how God speaks to us through the scriptures. Families are welcome! If are you are interested in attending, please email John at john@mjhanley.net. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Hanley Home Group
Mondays, excluding holidays, 6:45-8:15pm
10735 52 Street

Sharing in circle has a long history of transformation and community strength in both indigenous and addictions recovery traditions.

Sharing in circle allows us both opportunity to listen, and when our turn arrives, to speak.

A topic is raised each Wednesday in the realms of Faith, Justice, Spirituality, and Action in the Christian tradition that we are invited to reflect on and share if we wish.

Rev. Jonathan usually facilitates the circle.  Please contact him for the zoom access: rector@staugustinesedmonton.com

We have used books, video, or individual presentations as our 'prompts' for the evening.

"Doors" open at 7:45pm, process begins at 8pm-9pm.  The zoom stays on until 9:30pm latest for those who want to chat more.

Keep an eye out for when we will start meeting again, sometime in mid-January. 

Warmest blessings for the Christmas season

Anne

Administration, address updates, etc: Cheryl at office@staugustinesedmonton.com, 780-466-5532