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ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH 73 Simcoe St. Toronto, Ontario M5J 1W9 -- 416-593-5600 www.standrewstoronto.org The people of St. Andrew's are called to serve in faith, hope and love in the heart of Toronto. |
Friday September 26, 2008
Please note that there are two events this Sunday which will affect your trip to church. Details about the Scotiabank Waterfront Marathon and the 'Word on the Street' can be found by clicking here.
We are glad to report that the Marathon has a different route this year, which will make it much easier to get to church - -but plan a few extra minutes anyways!
A huge thanks is extended to everyone who helped with the congregational fall barbecue last Sunday -- and particularly to David, John, Joan and (server extraordinaire) Jack Matheson.
To visit the church website, please visit www.standrewstoronto.org
If you have a different email address to which we should send this weekly newsletter, please let us know at info@standrewstoronto.org.
At A Quick Glance (details below)
1) The St. Andrew's Reading Society (and the first book is...)
2) Sacrament of Baptism this Sunday - Eleanor Claire Neal
3) SAGA Monthly Meeting - Friday, September 26, 2008
4) Out of the Cold Planning Meeting - Monday, September 29, 2008
5) Funeral Service for Eleanor Copeland - Saturday October 4, 2008
6) St. Andrew's Annual Fall Retreat -- Saturday November 15, 2008
7) The Canadian Society of Presbyterian History - September 27, 2008
8) "The Art of Prayer" -- the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars
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This Coming Sunday Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost Sunday, September 28, 2008 Exodus 17: 1-7 Psalm 78: 1-4, 12-16 Philippians 2: 1-13 Matthew 21: 23-32
Greeting Elder: Jack Reynolds Reader: Brian Birdsell
The Catechism This Week… Question 13. Why do we call God “the Father”? Earlier this summer, we began a weekly journey through a recent catechism produced by the Church Doctrine Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The present section concerns the various phrases and assertions in the Apostles' Creed, which is sometimes viewed as a concise summary of the substance of the Christian faith.
Please remember, when reading the catechism, that it is best experienced by contemplating the question before moving too quickly to consider the suggested response. How would you answer this question?
The Catechism's response to Question 13 First and foremost, the word “Father” identifies God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In calling God “my Father and your Father”, Jesus invites all humanity to acknowledge and to share with him the privilege of being God’s child. A further reflection: There is a significant amount of discussion in contemporary spirituality about the gender exclusivity that such a title for God implies. For many -- both men and women -- the language of 'father' for God is no longer as powerful as it once was. In your own prayers, what other images and names for God are more powerful for you?
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1) The St. Andrew's Reading Society (and the first book is...)
As previously announced, there will be a book group that will be starting this fall. We have received a number of suggestions for possible books to read and discuss, and welcome other suggestions.
The first book that we would like to discuss is a recently published book entitled More by Toronto author Austin Clarke. The novel is set right here in downtown Toronto; includes an exploration of the place of the church in the downtown area and in the life of an immigrant woman; and addresses issues of racial discrimination, gang violence and urban poverty.
Austin Clarke is a recipient of the Order of Canada, the Winner of the 2002 Giller Prize, as well as many other literary and civic honours. There is a chance that he may be able to join us for our discussion, but more about that later.
Other books that are being considered for later meetings are William P. Young's The Shack, Anita Diamant's The Red Tent and Jeffrey D. Sachs' recently published Common Wealth: Economics for a Crowded Planet.
Details about the times and dates to meet will be announced shortly. In the meantime, enjoy your reading! As well, any suggestions for the name of the reading group are welcome..."Readers of the Lost Ark" anyone?
2) Sacrament of Baptism this Sunday - Eleanor Claire Neal
Please join us this Sunday as we celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism for Eleanor Clare Neal, daughter of Lisa Jeffrey and Radford Neal.
3) SAGA Monthly Meeting - Friday, September 26, 2008
Everyone is invited to join the SAGA Group for its monthly meeting in the Great Hall. A Potluck Dinner (with Middle Eastern food theme) at 6:30 p.m. will be followed by a presentation and discussion at 7:30 p.m. Cynthia Humphries and Lorraine Wong will share their experiences on a recent trip to the Holy Land.
4) Out of the Cold Planning Meeting - Monday, September 29, 2008
We will soon be starting the 2008-2009 season of the Monday evening 'Out of the Cold' dinner programme. A special planning meeting for the season is going to be held on Monday, September 29 so that we can effectively review our plans and designate responsibilities for the upcoming year. We will be meeting from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.
A light dinner will be provided, so please indicate to the church office your intention to attend this planning event. The church office can be reached by phone at 416-593-5600 or by email at info@standrewstoronto.org
5) Funeral Service for Eleanor Copeland - Saturday October 4, 2008
The memorial service for Eleanor Copeland will take place at St. Andrew's on Saturday, October 4 at 2 pm, with a reception to follow.
6) St. Andrew's Annual Fall Retreat -- Saturday November 15, 2008
Our Fall Retreat will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Old Mill Inn in Etobicoke. Our special guest will be the Rev. Karen Horst, co-minister at First Presbyterian Church Collingwood. Details to follow.
7) The Canadian Society of Presbyterian History
The society will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, September 27th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at Knox College, 59 St. George St. Olive Anstice, of St. Andrew’s, will present a talk titled Rosalind Goforth, A Missionary’s Wife at 2:00 p.m. Please see the poster in the Great Hall for more information.
8) "The Art of Prayer" -- the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars
This fall, please plan to join us for the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars, which will explore "The Art of Prayer: Responding to Icons as Christian Theology". For more information about these events and about our guest speaker, Richard Schneider, please click here.