Thursday, December 10, 2009

1)  Annual Advent Choral Service

This Sunday, we will be celebrating our annual Advent Choral service.  As well as the regular portions of our weekly services, extra music prepared by the choir will be woven into our worship.   As has been done in previous years, a special offering will be collected towards our support of the Boarding Homes Ministry.

2)  Out of the Cold - weekly update

Joe-Anne Roberts, who writes a wonderful weekly summary about each Monday night's dinner, said in this week's email that: 

I have been reprimanded for not putting the evening's menus in my morning report.  Very remiss of me.  I just assumed everybody knew it.  However, from now on I will include the menu.  Last night, on offer, was:  Beef Barley Soup, Bangers (Sausages) and Mash with peas & carrots.  The vegetarian was a Vegetable Curry which included coconut and tofu.  The dessert was Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing.

We served 222 guests.  We had to ask some of our guests to wait outside as  the room got filled up quite quickly.  While they were standing in the line up they were served a cup of soup.  One of our guests later told Jackie he thought that was a very thoughtful and loving thing to do.  He had never experienced it before. 

The reviews, again, were phenomenal, great, excellent, and good down home cooking.  Unfortunately, I didn't see Liz leave so I don't have the advantage of her opinion.

Reports from the boutique:  A guest was particularly pleased, he told me  he had a good dinner and got a good toothbrush - Oral B, the best.

Another guest came in sandals and wet socks.  He was very pleased to get a good pair of boots.  When I left, I noted his sandals and socks in the garbage by the front door.

All in all, another successful night!

Financial donations to support the program are always welcome, and can be sent to the church office.  Please make cheques payable to "St. Andrew's Church" and show "Out of the Cold" in the notation line.   St. Andrew’s covers all administration costs and all financial donations go directly toward the purchase of food and supplies for the program.  

For information about corporate participation please speak to the "Out of the Cold" Coordinator Lorraine Irvine.    Please feel free to share information about the "Out of the Cold" programme in your workplaces if there are requests for suggestions about corporate charity donations.

If you would like to donate new or used warm winter clothing, books (not romance novels, please) or magazines, please bring the items to the church or contact Judy Neal in the church office.

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3)  "Wine, Cheeses & Jesus" - Thursday December 17 - 7 pm.

The next meeting of the Wine, Cheeses & Jesus fellowship group will be on Thursday, December 17th at 7:00 in the second floor meeting room.  The group will celebrate the holidays by having pot luck refreshments (finger food).  The discussion theme for this meeting will be "Christian global responsibilities".  Everyone is welcome!

4) "A Moveable Feast" Fundraiser and Silent Auction

This past Tuesday night, the third annual "A Moveable Feast" fundraiser and silent auction was held.  It was a great evening, and thousands of dollars were raised for the "Out of the Cold" programme -- the final totals will be available soon.

5) Advent and Christmas Events at St. Andrew's

    December 13      -  Special Choral Service at morning worship

    December 13      -  St. Andrew's leads worship at Belmont House at 7 pm

    December 16      -  Third Advent Noon Meditation - The Rev. Dr. Malcolm Sinclair

    December 18      -  The 36th Annual Rugby & St. Andrew's Carol Service - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. in the sanctuary

    December 20      -  Special Christmas Remembrance Service - 7:00 p.m. in the Chancel

    December 24      -  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Lessons and Carols - 7:00 p.m. - Holy Communion

                                 -  Christmas Eve Candlelight Service of Holy Communion - 11:00 p.m.

6) The Annual Rugby Carol Service at St. Andrew's - December 18, 2009

On Friday December 18 2009 from 7:30 – 9:00 pm, the 36^th Annual Rugby Carol Service will be taking place at the church.  For years, members of one of the local Rugby leagues, and their families have been having the caroling evening at St. Andrew’s and have “passed a hat” for the Out of the Cold programme.  It is great evening – all the old great Christmas carols sung with gusto in a relaxed and fun atmosphere.

This year, it is our intention to begin a new tradition of having a great participation from the people of St. Andrew's as well.   Arrangements are being made for childcare for kids up to age 4 – and kids of all ages are welcome to join in the caroling.   Every year, there are a few kids from the Rugby community and they are invited to join in the caroling with everyone else.

One of the reasons why this would be such a great evening for the kids is because it will give them a chance to hear, learn and sing many of the old Christmas carols that we do not have a chance to gather to sing in many other contexts.  Please plan to be here -- and bring your friends and family members.

7)  Presbyterians Sharing...  in Kenya

8) Group Discount Rates for the ROM Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

We are organizing a group to take a self-guided tour of the Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit on Sunday, December 12th.  The group will qualify for the group discount ticket prices.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Kristen Stout at kwmathewson@rogers.com.

This very special exhibit runs until January 3, 2010.  If you can't join our group but would like to go at a different time, you may obtain the discount price for 1-10 tickets by purchasing online with your credit card.     For details click here, please see the following:

1) Go to: http://www.rom.on.ca/visit/group/index.php

2) Click on the button for "Buy your tickets online"

3) In the "Corporate Clients" box, click "Buy Now"

4) Select "Dead Sea Scrolls + General Admission"

5) Choose your date and time

6) For the "promo code", enter STANDREWS and click submit

7) At the next screen (which should display the discount prices), select your tickets

8) Submit your credit card information, and print your tickets

Enjoy the show!

9)  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!