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Dear friends of the Parish,  

Autumn – a season of falling leaves and plants ending their life cycles, with skies being darker and the air being chillier. At St. Thomas we could say that as a community, we are in an Autumn season with many deaths of parishioners and family members, our Lutheran friends having two dear ones in hospice, all involving much letting go, painful sorrow, and big change, with the sense of things being darker and chillier. Even as the loss swirls about, the autumn colors shimmer so vibrantly and beautifully. In the same way we have experienced the sacred beauty in beautiful moments shared with each other at hospital beds, prayer and painting gatherings, church and funeral services. May the beauty of deep love, family ties, caring for each other, and the hope of eternal life continue to shimmer for us in these times. May we notice the beauty in the midst of the sorrow – for where there is beauty, goodness, and truth = the three ‘Transcendentals’ – there we have God in presence and action. I wonder which Transcendental you have noticed recently. Be-hold it in your heart again and again and be-filled and re-filled with beauty, goodness, and truth. HUGS of LOVE to you, Lorie

Notes:

With deep sadness we acknowledge the death of our friend Doug Renwick who died yesterday with his mother, Mary, 4 siblings, and special friend BettyAnn encircling him at Chilliwack hospital. Doug’s gentle kind heart and his Sunday morning greeting and ushering will be missed. Please pray for his loved ones as they grieve. Doug’s Celebration of life and Internment of Ashes will be coming shortly. Even as Doug was passing away on Tuesday, Joanna was planting 112 flower bulbs in the memorial garden to have spring beauty in the ashes, and the oil of joy in the mourning (Isaiah 61). Thank you Joanna.

We also just got word that today, Nov. 13, dear Sally Jones from Christ Lutheran Church has died in hospice with her loving husband Ralph and two daughters and granddaughters. CLC has been attending St. Thomas twice a month and have become dear faith family members to us. Our deepest condolences to Sally's family and to CLC friends. 

This Week:  

 WEDNESDAY

  • Bible Book Club: Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:00 pm in the hall Couch Room

          behind the stage.

  • Parish Council Meet in Church – 6:30 pm.

FRIDAY  

  • Circle of Grace – 10am. Last one of this series. Details: The Unfolding of the Feminine
  • Friday Healing Eucharist – 11:00 am and Centering Prayer meditation 9:30 am.

SATURDAY

  • Men’s Breakfast – Nov 15 at 8:00 am Midtown Café Restaurant, Chilliwack.

Upcoming:     

  • Beyond Paul-o-phobia – Teaching with Brad Jersak – Nov 19 at 6:30 Don’t Miss!
  • The Well – Young Adults – Fri Nov 21 – The Great Chilliwack Bake Off. See James for details
  • Latria – Music and Communion – Nov 26  7:00 pm Invite friends! A relaxed time in worship
  • Newcomers Lunch – After church on Sunday, Nov. 30th – Save the date.
  • Ruth & Naomi’s Mission – Serving dinner on the 1st Sunday of the month at 5:45 – 7:00 pm.

See Larissa! lkjohnson.017@gmail.com

  • ADVENT gatherings:

Circle of Grace – Friday mornings at 10 am – What’s Giving Birth. A 4-week series begins Nov 28th with Cheryl Rostek facilitating. Drop in for one or all!

Time with Mary – Annual Advent Retreat Morning at St. Dunstan’s with Lorie Martin Sat. Dec. 6 @ 9:30 – 12:00 Register Here. 

Here I am – Online Advent Retreat Evening. Thurs. Dec 11 at 6:30 – 8:30 pm.

                        Lorie Martin with The Contemplative Society. Register Here.

Christmas Violin Concert – Symphony performer Uli Janzen Dec 13, 7:00 pm. Invite others!

Longest Night candlelight service for times of grief in the holidays – Wednesday, December 17 6:30 – 7:30 pm.

See the full 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 

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.