Good Day St. Paul's,

To comply with provincial restrictions, we will continue to physically distance at our Sunday services. Please maintain a one pew buffer between yourself and other parishioners and, if in the same row, please keep at least 2 metres from those from other households. Passing the peace will once again be done as visually passing of the peace from your seats. Masking will also continue and masks continue to be available for those without one.Our 10AM Sunday service will also continue to be available online as a live-stream and Sunday's bulletin is attached here. To find our live-stream service, please visit our website and visit the Events tab and click on the “St. Paul’s Sunday Service” event to find links to our YouTube Channel.As always, please read on for more announcements.

Sincerely, Asher H.

Office Administrator, St. Paul's Anglican Church - Edmonton

 

Community Corner for Sunday, December 12, 2014

Partner in prayer: A delegation of Inuit, First Nations and Metis Peoples from Canada were supposed to go and meet with Pope Francis about Canada’s Residential Schools Dec 14-21, 2021, but that has been delayed because of travel restrictions and concerns arising from COVID. The delegation was to have met with the Pope just after the pandemic started, and now the meeting has been postponed several times. Please pray for a meeting to occur soon, and that it would be a fruitful one for truth, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Grovenor Elementary School Hampers – This year we are sending Christmas Hampers to Grovenor school to give five of their families the things they need to celebrate Christmas Dinner together. Thank you to St Paul’s for the generosity you have shown to provide the means to put these hampers together. If you are interested in helping assemble the packages on Monday, Dec 13 please contact Michelle S.

Are you interested in being part of a book study or small group in the New Year? If you have a particular book or author you would like to share with others, or you are looking for a small group to be involved with for learning, fellowship and prayer, let Michelle know by phone or email (michelle@stpauls-anglican.ca)

Advent Fundraising: During Advent, St Paul's Community Outreach and Focus on Missions are partnering to raise financial support for Rev. Lori C.Earlier this year, Rev. Lori Calkins spoke to our congregation regarding her work as an Indigenous cultural birth helper to Indigenous families here in Edmonton, across Treaty 6 territory and beyond. This work plays an essential role in healing, breaking intergenerational cycles of trauma, and cultural reawakening for Indigenous families of many nations. It also provides direct, tangible, multi-generational redress for the harms done by our church’s role in running Residential Schools.The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action include: "We call upon church parties to the Settlement Agreement, in collaboration with Survivors and representatives of Aboriginal organizations, to establish permanent funding to Aboriginal people for: Community-controlled healing and reconciliation projects. (61:i)”. Financial support for  this ministry directly responds to this call to action. The first year of this ministry was funded by the Diocese, but it has since become necessary for Lori to search out her own funding, which has included grants; individual and family donations; and foundation and endowment funds. Lori has shared with us that she is very grateful to know this Advent project is taking place. Funding is close to depleted so this contribution will help her essential work to continue. Please hold her, her colleagues and the families they support in prayer. Our goal during Advent is to raise $15,000 towards her salary, which is roughly two months worth of work. Only together can we ensure the spirit and goals of the TRC Calls to Action are met and exceeded.  When you donate, please write "Advent Fundraiser" in the memo line of your cheque or e-transfer. For more information please speak with Michelle S. or one of the members of Focus on Missions. For an update on how far along we are, please see the Fundraiser Thermometer posted in the side foyer.

Layette Activity: On December 19 after the service, you are invited to join in the creation of several small layettes for clients of Indigenous Birth of Alberta. New or gently used items can be donated to this activity on December 5 and 12, and a box for those donations will be set up in the foyer. Items that will go into the layettes include:• receiving blankets,• sleepers, onesies,• a bigger blanket,• pads (for the birthing person),• diapers,• wipes,• baby socks and• hats.Please keep in mind that newborn sizes typically only fit smaller babies so both newborn and the next size up would be helpful. The same for diapers. Sizes newborn and size one would be helpful. Gender neutral clothing is best where possible.To help with assembly on December 19, please add your name and phone number to the sign up sheet in the side foyer.

 

Sunday, December 12 Music

Below are titles with links to this Sunday's music selections.

For The Beauty Of The Earth

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Ready My Heart

Hope Has A Name

God With Us

 

Service Volunteers Reminder for Sunday, December 12

Music/Sound: Youth Team/Asher

Service Team: Parker Team

Prayers: Carol R.

Vestry: Michelle S.

Chapel: Laurier B., Barb M., Kjeryn A.

Kids: Kids stay in service 

 

Advent Reflection Stations: Each week of Advent there will be a different station set up at the back of the church as a point of reflection for our Advent theme of active waiting. You are invited to stop at the station and consider the material offered there.

Advent 4 Choir – December 19: It’s not too late to join the Advent 4 choir! If you want to join, please stay for the rehearsal after the service on December 12.

Daily Morning Prayer: Myron and a few parishioners have begun meeting for daily morning prayer gatherings on Zoom at 8am during the season of Advent. Every Thursday we will meet at St. Paul’s in person for morning prayer and to discuss Joan Chittister’s book Wisdom Distilled from the Daily. If you would like to join, please talk to Myron or Asher, or email the office for the link. 

Christmas Tree Needed: Michelle is in contact with a family in the community that is looking for a Christmas Tree. If you are able to help, please contact Michelle at michelle@stpauls-anglican.ca

Christmas Cards for Karen: Our parishioner Karen J. has said that she would very much appreciate getting pretty Christmas cards to display in her room during her illness. If you have cards please get them to Gay G. or Terry B. to pass along. 

Advent and Christmas Services at St. Paul’s: All Christmas services at St. Paul’s will be available on our YouTube Channel (search “St. Paul’s Anglican – Edmonton”). Please plan to join us!!December 24: Christmas Eve Live Streamed service at 7:00PMDecember 25: Christmas Day service available starting at 9:00AMDecember 27: Diocesan service available starting at 9:00AM

Youth and Kid’s Club: Youth and kids are not in session for the remaining services of the year. Youth and kids are welcome to be part of all of the upcoming main services until January.