St A's Newsletter for December 15th 2024
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Advent & Christmas 2024. A series of Christmas events scheduled for St A's

St. Augustine's Anglican Church
St A's Newsletter for December 15th 2024
Advent & Christmas 2024

Advent & Christmas 2024

A season of waiting, praying, and hoping.

  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 December 29th - 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.

For more infomation visit:

http://staugustinesedmonton.com/news/advent-christmas-2024

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The Season of Advent

The Season of Advent

A season of anticipation

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.

For more infomation visit:

http://staugustinesedmonton.com/events/the-season-of-advent/2024-12-01

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3rd Sunday of Advent

3rd Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 15th 2024

First reading and Psalm
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Canticle 3  (Isaiah 12:2-6)

Second reading
Philippians 4:4-7

Gospel Reading
Luke 3:7-18

Kid's Church Sunday 15th December 2024

Kid's Church Sunday 15th December 2024

Christmas Pageant Rehearsal

Rehearsals for the pageant continue this week during Kids Church.

We are also hoping to have a final quick rehearsal in the sanctuary after the 10 am service

A simple activity for those who don’t want to be involved in the pageant will be available

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

Coffee Hour at St A's - Following the 10am service every Sunday

Coffee Hour at St A's - Following the 10am service every Sunday

If You Are Able To

If You Are Able To

Kids Church Christmas Pageant

Kids Church Christmas Pageant

Are you able to help provide some props & costumes for the Christmas Pageant

PROPS/COSTUMES:
We will need to find/assemble the following items. If you have something you’d like to make, share - or even a creative idea, let me know!
The kids would love to be fuelled by snacks during rehearsals, so we welcome any offerings :)
  • 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)

For more infomation visit:

http://staugustinesedmonton.com/events/kids-church-christmas-pageant-adult-helper-meeting/2024-11-24

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It's time again to decorate St A's for Christmas!!

It's time again to decorate St A's for Christmas!!

Are you able to help out with a donation towards flowers?

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.

If you are able to donate to the purchase of flowers it would be much appreciated!!  Donations can be made by cash, cheque (payable to St Augustine Anglican Church), online via tithe.ly or via e-transfer (office@staugustinesedmonton.com).  If paying by cash or cheque please bring to the church office (unfortunately mailing this year is not on the agenda!!) or put in the offering plate on a Sunday.  Please do not hand donations directly to individuals. 

If you wish to donate in Memory of a special person or occasion, please send details by email  to junegreig@shaw.ca  to ensure we accurately publish the information.

Your  donation will be included on your income tax receipt.

Annual No Room in the Inn Advent / Christmas Campaign

Annual No Room in the Inn Advent / Christmas Campaign

TheNo Room in the Inn initiative is based on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph being homeless after discovering that there was no room in the inn in Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born. No one in our community should be without safe, adequate housing.

This year the No Room In the Inn Campaign is supporting Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS) to replace the roof on their Whyte Ave. facility.

YESS‘s Whyte Avenue Facility houses their Youth Support Centre (YSC). The YSC is an evolution in youth care and crisis management. Recognizing the need for integrated service delivery that addresses all aspects of well-being, YESS combined all of their services into the overarching YSC in the summer of 2023. The YSC provides a centralized place for those in crisis to get immediate support, stabilization and assessment.

Built in 1911, the Whyte Avenue facility, located at 9310 82 Avenue in Edmonton, has required a number of repairs and renovations over the years to extend its life and provide a safe and comfortable environment for youth experiencing homelessness. The building has been zoned as a shelter and transitional housing building since YESS‘s inception in 1981.

Currently, the facility’s asphalt roof is in dire need of replacement. It is is in poor condition, with constant leaks and multiple patchwork repairs throughout the year. This is causing extensive damage to ceilings, walls and insulation. YESS‘s facilities team can no longer keep up with the constant repairs and maintenance. Replacement is the best option.

YESS does not have the resources to undertake this project. Funding from No Room In the Inn will ensure that this project can be completed as soon as possible so YESS can remain operational and they can continue to serve vulnerable homeless youth at their facility.

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 in which to live. And during the pandemic when we spent so much time “at home” we became more aware of the importance of a safe place to live.

To make a donation, please put "No Room In the Inn" on the memo line of your cheque or on your offering envelope and put in the collection plate or delivery directly to the church office.  If you wish to donate via e transfer (office@staugustinesedmonton.com) or tithe'ly please indicate that it is for No Room In the Inn in the message section. The church will then forward donations to YESS.

Due to the ongoing mail disruption cheques cannot be sent directly to YESS.  If you make out a cheque to YESS it will be delivered with other donations collected.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl in the church office (by phone or email).

 

 

You May Be Interested in Attending

You May Be Interested in Attending

Candelight Concerts @ St A's

Candelight Concerts @ St A's

December 2024

A Lodgepole Christmas

A Lodgepole Christmas

Market and live music - Saturday, December 14, 6 pm

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.

Faith and Fun Feast

Faith and Fun Feast

Saturday, December 14, 4 pm

St. Luke's Anglican Church, 8424 95 Ave, Edmonton, is holding a Faith and Fun Feast potluck supper this Saturday, December 14, 4 pm, to celebrate Christmas together. Everyone is invited to enjoy food, fellowship, songs and Christmas crafts. All are welcome. Bring a friend and make an ornament to hang on your Christmas tree before enjoying a delicious meal.

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Christmas Carol Sing-Along at Grace United Church

Christmas Carol Sing-Along at Grace United Church

Sunday December 15th at 1.30pm

St A's is invited to join the Grace United parishioners for a festive Christmas Carol Sing-Along!!

This special event is being hosted by the Church School as part of the Outreach Project.  A freewill offering will be collected to benefit the Bissell Centre.

All at Grace look forward to celebrating the holiday season with us and spreading some cheer!!

They are hoping as many people as possible can attend.

Young at Heart Christmas Party

Young at Heart Christmas Party

Grace United Church - Wednesday December 18th from 1.30 - 3pm

Grace United Church is hosting a Christmas gathering to which we, St A's, have been invited.

The event will take place downstairs in the Social Room beginning at 1.30pm. There will be games, songs and lots of laughter. Festive food will also be available to enjoy.  

If you are able to bring a finger food, to add to the festive spread, it would be most welcome. Donations are also being collected for the Bissell Centre - appreciated but not compulsory. 

You don't have to be a senior to participate .. all are welcome and we hope you can join us!!

Queer Belonging Advent

Queer Belonging Advent

December 18, 6 pm, Lodgepole Communitas, Alberta Ave

You are invited to a Queer Belonging Advent, as we share our sorrows and joys, celebrating the warmth of God’s love together! Let’s fill our queer hearts with joy and let our lights shine bright this holiday season. We can’t wait to see you on December 18, 6 pm, at Lodgepole Communitas, Alberta Avenue, 11725 93 St NW, Edmonton. 

 

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Join Us for the Death Cafe Monthly Gathering

Join Us for the Death Cafe Monthly Gathering

Friday December 20th 2024 @ 7 pm, St. Augustine's Lower Hall

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.

Blue Christmas Service

Blue Christmas Service

Saturday 21st December 2023 at Grace United Church - Please come for as much or as little time as you need to nourish your spirit.

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.

 
5:30-6:00pm      Silent time in the Sanctuary for contemplation and candle lighting (come and go as needed)

6:00-7:00pm      Reflective music, contemplation and candle lighting (come and go as needed).
 
7:00pm              Blue Christmas Service (the service will be live-streamed, with every effort made to respect congregant                                                                         privacy and not show congregants on camera.)
 
After the service:   A time of conversation and refreshments will be held downstairs in the Sunshine Room.
 
 
All Welcome
Walking Together Winter Solstice Celebration

Walking Together Winter Solstice Celebration

Sunday, December 22, 3 pm, Rio Terrace

Continuing our Walking Together series with Temple Beth Ora and Oskya Matchetawin, All Saints' Cathedral is planning a moment in the river valley (Rio Terrace community) on Sunday, December 22, at 3 pm. There will be a short walk (200m) to a view of the River Valley, where we will smudge, pray, and reflect together as long as the weather allows. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate (provided) in celebration of the Winter Solstice. The meeting location will be provided when you sign up. 

Sign Up
Experience a Different Style of Worship

Experience a Different Style of Worship

~ WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR PARISH ~

~ WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR PARISH ~

NEW OPENING TIME - Wildroots Coffee House

NEW OPENING TIME - Wildroots Coffee House

Tuesdays from 11.30am - 2.30pm

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.

Office Notes

Office Notes

An important message from our Rector

An important message from our Rector

Spam requests for donations

Every couple of months clergy get imitated and unsuspecting parishioners get spammed with sob stories and requests for gift cards.  A reminder that if you are ever unsure if an email is from your Rector/clergy, to check the email address.  If it is not from rector@staugustinesedmonton.com it is not from me.  I will never ask you for gift cards via email.  It is worth double checking in every case before ever giving money out online.

Donations reminder

Donations reminder

Tax donations for 2024

CRA is picky - cheque or cash donations need to be into the church office by Sunday noon so we can deposit and time-stamp before the year end.  Donations given in the new year cannot be back-dated.

Online donations also need to be processed before the year change.

Recent Goings On

Recent Goings On

The Messenger December 2024

The Messenger December 2024

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

The December issue of The Messenger is full of good news, from coverage of the 69th Synod to a reduced and robust church, to rest as resilience. The Canada Post strike will delay the mailing of the papers. Fortunately, you can download a digital copy here. 

The Messenger welcomes story ideas, opinions (Letters to Editor) and photo submissions relating to news and events of the Athabasca and Edmonton dioceses. Written content should be limited to 500 words. Pictures must be high resolution, at least 1 MB (300 dpi), and include the photographer's name and a brief description of the subject matter.

Please send submissions for the January 2024 edition to anglicanmessenger@gmail.com by December 1.

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Christmas and New Year In Touch Newsletter

Christmas and New Year In Touch Newsletter

The Christmas and New Year edition of In Touch, the ACW newsletter, is available to read and download. As the mail strike is ongoing, subscribers can pick up their print copy of the newsletter this Thursday, at the noon service at All Saints' Cathedral.

Read In Touch
Strategic Planning Next Steps, 2025 Diocesan Budget

Strategic Planning Next Steps, 2025 Diocesan Budget

Members of the Executive Council of the Anglican Diocese of Edmonton met on November 28 at All Saints’ Cathedral for their first meeting since the 69th Synod in October.

Between synods, the Executive Council functions as the governing body of the family of churches comprising the Edmonton diocese. Members are elected to represent each of the four regions of the diocese. Because members of the newly-elected Executive Council reside in Edmonton or the surrounding cities of Sherwood Park and Devon, meetings will be convened in person, except during inclement weather when they will move online. 

Strategic Planning

According to Bishop Stephen London, “the most important issue” this Executive Council is tasked with is the creation of a strategic plan for a dynamic, sustainable future, based on the findings of the first phase of the strategic planning process, a comprehensive environmental scan as presented to Synod by Anna Bubel, Another Way Consulting. Bubel’s report identified an abundance of assets upon which to build, such as: “spiritual dedication, talented people, land and buildings, commitment to community service and diversity/inclusion.”

However, she used a health metaphor to underline that although approximately 25 per cent of parishes are “in good health and/or thriving,” approximately 42 per cent of parishes are “experiencing chronic health issues,” and 33 per cent are “palliative” and “actively dying.”

Read More

 

Every Week at St A's

Every Week at St A's

HANLEY HOME GROUP

HANLEY HOME GROUP

Taking a break over the Christmas and New Year period

Hanley Home Group will be taking a break over the holiday period.

Stay tunes for the start up date in the New Year!!

Warmest blessings for Christmas

Advent at the Sharing Circle

Advent at the Sharing Circle

Wednesday evenings via Zoom

The Wednesday Sharing Circle is using a special resource for the weeks of Advent. Anyone is welcome to join.  The process will begin tonight 8pm on zoom. (Contact Jonathan for the link).

We will use "paths to peace" an eco-spiritual resource from the eco sisters. Below is a link to access the content for each week.

https://ecospiritualityresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/advent-2018-paths-to-peace.pdf

 
GATHER ‘ROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE

GATHER ‘ROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE

Gathering is taking it's annual "Advent Break"

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

Warmest blessings for the Christmas season

Anne

Update your Information

Update your Information

So you stay in the loop!!

Please email the office with any changes or corrections with your address, phone numbers, or email addresses.  We do are best to keep this information updated but realize that sometimes we are missing updated information.

 office@staugustinesedmonton.com

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~ Ways to Connect ~

~ Ways to Connect ~

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

Financial and giving: Cheryl at treasurer@staugustinesedmonton.com

Pastoral, worship, spiritual: Rev. Jonathan at rector@staugustinesedmonton.com or text/call 780-619-3170 (text preferred).  Jonathan's day off is Monday, but he his always available for an emergency pastoral need at the above number.

Parish Stewards (parish leadership and support): Mikaela Hanley & Steve McAuley (contact available through the office)

Children's ministry: Simone at kids@staugustinesedmonton.com

Youth Ministry: John Prokopuk

Music: Megan at megl_miller@yahoo.com

Space Use: Jodi Howard at rentals@staugustinesedmonton.com

 

*A reminder that any church purchases over $200 need to be approved via email to Corporation (Rector, Stewards, Treasurer) who meet every two weeks.

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6110 Fulton Road
Edmonton, AB
Canada T6A 3T3

780.466.5532

office@staugustinesedmonton.com