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What joy to ‘fill the House’ last Sunday! Attendance reached 97 people (25 youth and children!) for Advent Week 4 and a messy All-Age service. The youth and children’s participation was delightful! And we gather again Christmas Eve at 5 pm and 10 pm to enter the Holy eve of the Birth of Jesus with music and candlelight and most of all – with each other. Please invite family and friends who may not have anywhere to gather for this sacred holy-day. God met the shepherds through the angels bringing good news of great joy and surely, we will be met as well!  If you are unable to attend in person, perhaps the livestream or recording can work.  

Christmas blessings to each one as we move closer to the manger and bow our grateful knees in awe at the presence of God manifested to us in such vulnerable, tender and every-day ways – always giving to us with love. Thanks be. 

With love, Lorie

Notes: 

  • Thank you to Brian and Lisa Minter for donating the two gorgeous poinsettias at the altar! Thank you to Tina, Jeff, and Faith for the beautiful creating and the awesome decorating of the church for Christmas! Thank you to Christine and the Music Team for their dedication and wonderful worship leading at the many Christmas gatherings! Thank you to Nancy for her extra admin work given over this busy season! Thank you to Marlene for the best communion bread EVER for Sundays and Fridays!
  • Give away – Take away TABLE is overflowing – in the hall of the Hall/Office building. Check it out at coffee time - or any time the church is open. Let’s Re-cycle+Re-use!
  • The Centre for Spiritual Renewal @ St. Thomas & beyond

WINTER 2026 PROGRAM GUIDE is now available! Registration is open for Jan – March

events. Check it out! Thanks to James for the brilliant and beautiful work!

  • Giving envelopes – see Wayne this Sunday
  • PAD Pre-authorized deposit forms are in the Narthex brochure stand. – see Wayne
  • St. Thomas’ Preservation & Expansion Project. The total donations received for this project are at $8,150! We are off to a fantastic start – way to go St. Thomas!

Project details are HERE. Contact person: Jeff Tisdale, Treasurer.

                                          604-795-0356    604-819-9351 Church office: 604-792-8521

UPCOMING:

  • CHRISTMAS EVE gatherings:

5:00 pm All-age Candlelight service

10:00 pm Christmas Candlelight service

Looking for a Christmas Morning Service? 10:00 am @ St. John’s Anglican, Sardis.

  • CAROLS & READINGS SERVICE:  Sunday December 28 @ 10:00 am Lots of Christmas Joy!

 WINTER 2026

  • A Winter Pause – The church will be open for quiet prayerful rest in the sanctuary. Tuesdays in January @ 1 – 2:00 pm. Details are HERE.
  • Circle of Grace – Entering 2026 with Curiosity & Quiet A new series Jan 9, 16, 23 with Sharon Tiessen and Joanna Bravo. See what’s coming!
  • Double Digits Youth gatherings: 1st & 3rd Thursdays of the Month 4:30 – 6:30 with Supper!
  • Bible Book Club: 2nd Wed of each month at 6:30 – 8 pm. Meet in the Couch Rm in Hall.
  • Family Fun & Faith – an afternoon of activities and supper to grow in faith Feb 7 at 4:30 pm.
  • Men’s Breakfast in January! Check website for details.
  • Board Game Café – all-age event:   Friday Jan 30 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Watch for details!
  • Holy Hurt – An online small group – 6 wks starts Jan 26 – check website!
  • Women’s Circle Online Monthly – starts Feb 4 Watch for details on the website!
  • Shrove Tuesday – Pancake dinner at the Hall – Feb 17th
  • Ash Wednesday Service – Imposition of Ashes – February 18th
  • Vestry (AGM) – Sunday, Feb 22 after the morning service!
  • Live Online Seminar with Cynthia Bourgeault – Feb 28 10:00 am. – 12:00 pm.
  • Men’s Gathering in Lent – March 7 – 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Details to come. Save the Date!
  • LGBTQ+ Coffee & Conversation Evening – March 18 with Rev. Lauren Kirkley – Invite others!
  • Music Team Morning Retreat – coming soon.
  • Baptisms – Easter Resurrection Day! Let me know if or you or your kids are interested!
  • Confirmation Classes – Interested?!  (To prepare for Archbishop John’s visit April 12th !)

See the St. Thomas WEBSITE for details and registrations Here.

YouTube This is the home address for our YouTube page for services and recordings.

 

James Lam – Youth & Family/Centre Communications        james.lam@stthomaschilliwack.org

Janice Guretzki – People’s Warden                        jangrr@hotmail.com                                   

Irene Tisdale – Vicar’s Warden                                 itisdale@shaw.ca

Lesley MacMillan – Associate Warden                 lesley.macmillan@gmail.com

Deb Edwards – Associate Warden                         countryedwards@telus.net

Jeff Tisdale – Treasurer                                                    jeff-tina@shaw.ca

Shauna Fortin – Building & Yard                                shauna.fortin@icloud.com

Larissa Johnson – Ruth & Naomi Mission       lkjohnson.017@gmail.com

 

NOTE: If you would like a pastoral visit, please let me know! 

Lorie  lorie@loriemartin.com or stthomaschilliwack@gmail.com. 604-217-6966.

the Reverend Lorie Martin

Vicar St. Thomas Anglican Church Chilliwack BC.

Inter-parish Director The Centre for Spiritual Renewal.org

lorie@loriemartin.com 604.217.6966

“Teach us that by your grace, all shall be well, all shall be well, all manner of things shall be well.” 

- Lady Julian of Norwich

I acknowledge that I live and love on the traditional and unceded lands of the Stó:lō peoples with prayers and action toward reconciliation, reparation, and healing.