Issue 46, Winter 2007/2008

    Advent Christmas 2007

   I write to you just before the Sunday we now call “The Reign of Christ”, in the Prayer Book it is called “The Sunday Next Before Advent”. The Collect from the Prayer Book begins “Stir up”, this Sunday became popularly known as ‘Stir up Sunday’, and we all went home to make our Christmas puddings. It is the end of the old year, and the beginning of another, and Christ reigns. Christ reigns, does he really at St Paul’s? And if He did what would we look like?
   We just had the Bishop with us for a day, and it was a good day. At the morning ‘forum’ the question of sexuality raised its head. We haven’t talked much about this, it is an uncomfortable subject for many. The Dean of the Cathedral had told me about a book called “SEX GOD” by Rob Bell, thinking it might help, I bought it. If you haven’t read it I can recommend it to you as a really good place to start. I am reading another of Bell’s books, “VELVET ELVIS”, it too is good. Both are available at your local Christian bookstore.
   We’ve just had our Bazaar. A lot of hard work went into it, and it was a tremendous success. Too bad that the hard work seems also to breed hard feelings. What really got to me, I understand someone complained when they saw that the excess food from the lunch was being taken to feed the poor. Does Christ really reign at St Paul’s?
   Our Organist has resigned, the situation wasn’t handled well, for that I am sorry. In her letter to us Jean said that she wishes to continue as a member of our parish, and I welcome that, as I’m sure we all do. At present I am in conversation with four organists who for a time will play for us. We really need to find a new vision for our music ministry, raise the appropriate budget, and be about the business of hiring a new Organist / Choir Director. If you would like to be involved with a small group working on these things let the Rector know.
   Stewardship and thanksgiving have been very much on our minds of late. We invited those who offered to help us pay down our past debt to come worship with us in thanksgiving for what God is doing here. Our stewardship theme seems to have focused on a need to invite our friends to walk with us on this path to ‘glory’. The Bishop commented that we need to evangelize. Seems the writing is on the wall.
   One always needs to look back before moving forward. Evaluation is often a good and sometimes a humbling thing. God is wonderfully patient with us, for that we can all be thankful. But, you know, we all made a covenant with God at our Baptism, it would do our souls good if we could move just a little closer to doing what we said.        Jesus is our King, Christ reigns.       Andrew

VISION TO SEE, FAITH TO BELIEVE, COURAGE TO DO!
WEB SITE: www.stpaulsesquimalt.com

HOLLY BAZAAR

  Thanks to all who contributed in any way to making this THE BEST BAZAAR IN VICTORIA! The total to the end of November is $9583.00!
  The committee is already working on next year. The Craft Group are taking a vacation until January when meetings will resume. A lunch will be planned for the new year.  (see website for more pictures)

 Those Baptised:
  Katelyn Amanda Chelsea Kelly
  Serenity Anne Young

 Those Married
  John Hugh Harkin & Teresa Beryl Cross

 Those Buried:
  Dorothy Elizabeth Park
  Gordon Eugene Cooper
  June Esplen
  Ernest Roy Barnes

TRI-REGIONAL MEETING
FEBRUARY 23RD
ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

  The women of the lower island will gather at
St. Paul’s, Esquimalt at 10:00am for a church service
followed by the Speaker, Sister Doreen, topic:
“Are you a radical woman?”
Lunch will be served, followed by group discussion.

HELP WANTED!!

Social Convenor - To co-ordinate social events.
Gardener - To help keep the garden looking its best (in spite of the deer!.)