Wednesday November 5, 2008

As well as the regular updates and announcements, please make sure to read the detailed report, with pictures, of the work on the West Tower.  Please see below for more information.

A photo of last Monday's Out of the Cold evening crew. 

A special thanks to Tom Kovats for the picture.

1) Remembrance Sunday - November 9, 2008

Please join us this Sunday for our annual Remembrance Day observances during the morning service of worship.  Our worship will be enriched by the presence of bugler BSM (WO) John Murray, CD and bagpiper  WO Iain Dewar, CD, both from 48th Highlanders Regiment.

2) 'OUT OF THE COLD' dinner programme

Last Monday night, we began the 2008 - 2009 season of the "Out of the Cold" programme.  It was a great evening, with wonderful food, volunteers and guests.  A special thanks is extended to everyone who was able to join us.

As announced last Sunday at church, we are very pleased to announce that Lorraine Irvine has agreed to serve as the 'Out of the Cold Coordinator'.  Lorraine is an elder in the congregation, has worked with the OOTC programme for many years, and we are very pleased that she is willing to serve in this capacity.

The menus and food preparation are being coordinated this year by David Alderson and Robin Young; the clothing boutique is being coordinated by Darlene Treen; and the volunteer coordinator is Joan Matheson, who can be reached at jmmatheson@rogers.com

We were also blessed with a wonderful donation of clothes from Windfield Terrace.  Pictured below are Peter and Darlene Treen and Greg Furmanczyk, who picked up the clothes this past Monday.

3) Online Donations

We are pleased to announce that donations to the Church, and to ministries such as the 'Out of the Cold' programme, can be made online.  To learn more, please click on the button below!

4) "The Art of Prayer: Responding to Icons as Christian Theology" -- the 2008 Fall Supper Seminars Conclude Tonight

Last evening, we concluded the 2008 Fall Lecture Series, led by Dr. Richard Schneider.  For more information about these events and about our guest speaker, Richard Schneider, please click here.  If you would like to order a CD of the lectures, please contact the church office.

5) St. Andrew's Annual Fall Retreat -- Saturday November 15, 2008

The 10th Annual Congregational Retreat will take place at The Old Mill Inn, 21 Old Mill Road (Bloor St. W., South Kingsway)  Our guest leader will be the Rev. Karen Horst from First Presbyterian Church, Collingwood, who will facilitate a discussion of “Strengthening Our Spiritual Core”.  To register, please contact Judy Neal in the church office 416-593-5600.  Registration fee is $35 (a subsidy is available for those who are in need of financial aid).

• Discover the diversity of paths for spiritual connection with God

• Explore contemporary theories of why many people feel a loss of meaning and hope

• Examine approaches to faith-sharing that are most meaningful in our contemporary culture

• Understand a variety of methods for deepening our spirituality

• Explore the corporate nature of spirituality

• Enjoy a time of peace and restoration for your soul

6) An Update on the West Tower Restoration Project

Please click here to read an informative update on the progress of the West Tower restoration project.

7) Faces of Faith - John Rigzin Tute

One of the dedicated members of St. Andrew's amazing choir is John Tute.  It is interesting to note that John is also a practicing Buddhist -- which offers a wonderful reminder of Jesus' own words that his house is to be a place of prayer for all people.  Please click here to read John Rigzin Tute's wonderful contribution to the "Faces of Faith".