Messy Church (the pizza phase of the proceedings), October 8
It’s been another busy month! Messy Church had another successful outdoor in-person gathering on October 8th, while continuing to meet every other Friday evening on Zoom. (Unfortunately, between the cold and the early darkness, it’s likely that will be the last in-person Messy Church until the kiddos can get their shots.) Many of our parish members attended the compelling Anti-Racism workshop on October 1st and 2nd, the Dio course, “Reading Scripture in the Season of Creation”, which wrapped up on October 12th, and the Children’s Ministry Day on October 16th, at which I was one of the presenters. The Corporation also had a mini-retreat that afternoon, to ensure that we are on the same page as the year wraps up.
In worship, we blessed our pets on October 3rd, celebrated Thanksgiving on the 10th, and remembered longtime St. Mark’s member Barbara Jamison at her funeral on the 13th. We are aware that in-person worship is still a challenging concept for many of our people, especially as our method of ventilation (opening all the windows) becomes less realistic as the weather grows cold. Please attend the Parish Meeting this Sunday and offer your thoughts on how we can continue to worship together while keeping everyone safe and welcoming back those who are hesitant!
Peter Lekx’s Lay Committee met on October 17th to begin its work, and he is getting plugged into our worship, pastoral care, and fellowship activities. If you haven’t scheduled a one-on-one with Peter, he would love to be in touch!
We will celebrate our patronal feast, All Saints’ Sunday, in fine style with two baptism on November 7th, and Remembrance on the 14th. In addition, on the evening of November 2nd, the Commemoration of All Faithful Departed (All Souls’), we will be holding a service of mourning and remembrance in response to the many losses that we as individuals and as a community have sustained since the pandemic began. Further details coming soon.
Groups will convene to reflect on the questions being asked by Primate Linda in the “Surprised by the Spirit” program; a Zoom group will meet on October 23rd at 3pm, and another in-person at the church on October 30th, also at 3pm. We’re also looking forward to our second annual Virtual Christmas Bazaar, with new enthusiastic team members and lots of fun ideas!
Before the end of November, four of our wonderful young people will begin meeting to prepare for Confirmation, which has been scheduled for Pentecost (June 5, 2022). Adults who wish to be confirmed or received are more than welcome to plan to be part of that service as well, so if you’ve never formally joined the Anglican church and would like to do so (or would like to reaffirm your baptismal vows), please let me know!
Peace,
Grace+
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