As I write this, I am preparing for the Community Candlelight Service in our old church.
Referred to as a “Blue Christmas” service in other places, it is an opportunity for those people who have lost a loved one to death in the past year to gather, to come to the quiet, to grieve and to remember.
As some of you will know, this may be a more challenging service for me this year. My niece Sheena passed on Nov. 20 th . She was only 53 years old.
As a result, this year more than others I am reminded that there is probably no more difficult time to mourn the loss of a loved one than this season. After all the 12 Days of Christmas are for celebration, festivity, light heartedness, merriment and laughter. Truly a time to celebrate birth and the love of God for all of us.
For many who will gather tonight at this service, this season is a conflicting mix of life
and death. The season of birth is for a time, a season of death and dying. In previous parishes and locales I have been called upon to officiate in as many as 32 funerals in a year. I thought that I would be able to handle the death of a niece, but such was not the case.
Imagine my surprise that the unfolding of her death, her dying, the wake, and the mass of remembrance took so much out of me. I was exhausted. To that end, I took a couple of days off to decompress, to reflect, to pause, to remember, and to renew my strength.
I am now more fully aware that in this season of birth, now veiled somewhat by a dying, I and many others with me are called to do the uncomfortable – to mourn when almost everyone is celebrating, to see in our loved one’s death a ‘birth door’ to their new life and to remember giving thanks for the life that I / we remember.
I am also aware that there will be homes where beds once filled will be empty at this season. There will be powerful memories of gifts and their giving, of love offered and shared. May our Lord Jesus be with each of you.
It is my hope that as we celebrate the ‘Birth in Time of the Timeless One’, we might look around and see if there are others who could use our loving presence as they ‘process’ their emotions this challenging season.
In Christ,
Bryan +

As many of you will appreciate the majority of my time among you is spent in planning and offering Worship. Since my arrival at the beginning of September I have also sought to listen to the many folk who dropped into my study space to share their thoughts about St. Michaels and its worship offerings. From those conversations, from the records of worship attendance and my experience here this year and from years before, I have come to a decision.
In the New Year, we will have worship in our old historic church and in our larger worship space, the hall. On the first and third Sundays of the month, the worship will be held in our historic church and on the second and fourth Sundays, worship will be offered in our larger worship space. Where a month has a fifth Sunday (March, June, September & December) we will offer worship in the larger worship space (the hall) followed by a Brunch or a Potluck Lunch.
The latter will be a chance to break bread together as a community something we have not done for a long time.
In the new year, we will offer the Holy Eucharist each Sunday and will offer communion to all who wish to receive in both kinds. To bring that to fruition, we have purchased small glass cups and holders. These will have wine and will be consecrated in the Thanksgiving Eucharistic prayer. There will be simple instructions to make this possible at each service offering.
It is my belief that most members of St. Michaels wish to receive both the bread and wine, the body and blood of Jesus’ offering at worship. Should you not wish to partake of the wine when the small glass cups of consecrated wine are offered simply depart the altar rail after receiving the consecrated bread. Yes, I said the altar rail. When we worship in the old church all can come to the altar rail to receive the body and blood of Christ – kneeling or standing.
I hope that these ramblings have the effect of keeping you informed of the upcoming adjustment to our Worship offerings in 2024.
Blessings to you and yours,
Fr. Bryan +

Join us on Sunday at 10 am as we anticipate the coming of Christ and turn to celebrate his birth at Christmas. 

Celebrant:

The Rev. Bryan Beveridge

Readings:

ISAIAH 40:1-11;

PSALM 85:1-2, 8-13;

2 PETER 3:8-15A;

MARK 1:1-8

Hymns:

All are Welcome - Link

On Jordan’s Bank - CP103 - Link

I hear a sound … - Link

Waiting in Silence - Link

Ancient Words - Link

The River - Link

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus -  CP88 - Link

Reader:  Lenora and Virginia

Greeter:   Virginia 

Pianist:  Yun-Chu

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Ambrose was governor of Northern Italy, with capital at Milan. When the see of Milan fell vacant, it seemed likely that rioting would result, since the city was evenly divided between Arians and Athanasians. (Explanatory Note: Athanasians affirm that the Logos or Word (John 1:1) is fully God in the same sense that the Father is, while Arians affirm that the Logos is a creature, the first being created by the Father. East Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Prebyterians, Reformed, Baptists, Methodists, etc. are Athanasians. The Watchtower Society (J's Witnesses), the Philippine group called the Iglesia ni Christi (spelling?), and some other groups are Arians. The Unitarians started out as Arians, and some of them still hold this position.) Ambrose went to the meeting where the election was to take place, and appealed to the crowd for order and good will on both sides. He ended up being elected bishop with the support of both sides.

Christmas Services Schedule 

December 24th - Family Service at 5pm.

8pm and 11 pm.

December 25th - 10 am. 

The Anglican Church Women of St. Michael’s wish you all a very Merry Christmas - starting with a cozy cup of tea! Last Saturday was a very happy community event, where Girl Guides helped to serve hot beverages along side our ladies serving the Christmas dainties. The home baking was the star of show and together we raised over $2000. to be dispersed among many worthy charities here and abroad. Thanks so much to everyone who donated or bought goods, attended the event or helped make it a success. May God bless you and keep you safe.  

Theresa, ACW. 

Tuesdays 3pm to 5 pm, and Wednesdays 4 pm to 6 pm.

Pop in to St Michaels Church for a moment of peace and tranquility. A time to pray, meditate, knit or read. A time to come and relax in your favourite pew and enjoy the beauty of the historic church. All are welcome!

Food and Friends has a new way to sign up as a volunteer. Opportunities are listed through July 31.

There are lots of openings available. The Food and Friends program is a great way to contribute to a St. Michael’s outreach program and to the community. Consider signing up for one or more weeks by clicking the button.

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