Weekly News & Notes
Dear friends of the Parish,
Blessings+ to you on this week where we remember our commitment as a Country and as a Church to Truth & Reconciliation. Oct 30th holds both the sorrow of our history and the hope of healing, repair, doing life, prayer, and service together with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in our families, churches, and communities. Some are asking for this liturgy we spoke on Sunday to have as a prayer on Wednesday. May it bring light, truth, and healing. We are all invited into the peace and presence of God's love being on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen.
With love, Lorie
Litany: We are Still Here
Indigenous: We are still here, on Turtle Island, placed by the Creator.
Non-Indigenous: Some of us came seeking home, displaced or persecuted.
Indigenous: And we were here, diverse nations, many peoples —at home.
Non-Indigenous: Some of us came seeking adventure, riches or glory.
Indigenous: And we were here, living with deep connection to the land.
Non-Indigenous: Some of us came seeking a better life, security and possibility.
Indigenous: We offered peace and friendship
Non-Indigenous: And some of us accepted, treaty people, living in relationship
Indigenous: We shared the land, and our deep wisdom of this place.
Non-Indigenous: And some of us were open to hear.
Indigenous: At first you were few and we were many.
Non-Indigenous: And then we were many, with greater and greater hunger for land.
Indigenous: The land of our ancestors, our identity.
Non-Indigenous: The land we imagined could be ours.
Indigenous: At first, we were friends and allies
Non-Indigenous: Then you became enemy, in the way of what we wanted.
Indigenous: We shared and still share a deep reverence for life gifted from the Creator
Non-Indigenous: We seemed unable to recognize your faith, seeking to impose our own.
Indigenous: We believed we could live side by side, two boats in the same river.
Non-Indigenous: We could only imagine you becoming like us.
Indigenous: You spoke benefit but brought harm
Non-Indigenous: Trying to dissolve you into our image.
Indigenous: You brought unspeakable pain
Non-Indigenous: Abuses of power, holding tight to a sense of superiority.
Indigenous: You took our children from us
Non-Indigenous: Breaking sacred bonds of kinship.
Indigenous: Your gospel of love distorted by hate.
Non-Indigenous: How could we have been so wrong?
Indigenous: Your ways tried to break us.
Non-Indigenous: But still you rise.
Indigenous: Your vision tried to disappear us.
Non-Indigenous: But still you stand.
Indigenous: We are resilience and strength.
Non-Indigenous: We are beginning to understand.
Indigenous: We are coming home to our traditions.
Non-Indigenous: We still seek home, but now alongside and with you.
Indigenous: You are facing this truth.
Non-Indigenous: We are listening, unlearning, and learning anew.
Indigenous: Stand beside us in acts of justice.
Non-Indigenous: Receive our contrition, embodied in solidarity.
Indigenous: May the Creator’s plan
Non-Indigenous: for right relation in this place
All:
come to be. Amen
Notes & News:
· Myrtle & Mary – Our dear Myrtle and Mary are in Chilliwack Hospital at this time. They are doing well considering serious health concerns. Please continue your prayers for them and their families who carry these concerns. And of course, visit if you are able :)
· ThanksGIVING – Oct 11 Please note to drop off items for the Thanksgiving Display on Wednesday or Saturday before Sunday Oct 11. (vegetables, corn, fruit…)
Please consider bringing food for the Salvation Army Food Bank to them or St. Thomas to deliver as they are at an all time low with families and seniors now coming for food.
· EXTRA SPECIAL PIES – fund raiser for the church building. See Irene on Sunday!
· The Chilliwack Progress is publishing a special edition on October 30, that will take readers on a journey through Chilliwack's rich history from the early days of our pioneers and downtown streets to the vibrant community we are today. Wondering if anyone from St. Thomas would like to donate funds or contribute to this edition where we can share our story, connection to the community, with photos and memories: Tell Us Your Story - Hometown Proud - Half page and full page ads receive an editorial with your advertising! 1/8 page - $335 1/4 page - $510 1/2 page - $895 Full page - $1495 Add 10,000 digital display ads on our high traffic website theprogress.com for only $265!
This Week:
· THURSDAY - DOUBLE DIGITS (Youth) 4:30 - 6:30 pm in the Hall Couch Room - supper included.
* FRIDAY MORNING GATHERINGS are not meeting this week – Will resume the following Friday – Oct 9 for Living the In-between Fridays, Oct 9, 1, 23, 30th with Carrie Chesam.
· SUNDAY – Children & Youth Choir – Parent Meeting after church on Sun Oct 4th - Get your coffee and meet in the Hall Couch room. Come if interested so we know whether to move forward with this new initiative.
NEW Autumn events: (note: events are being added or changed occasionally)
· CIRCLE OF GRACE: Centering Prayer at 9:30. Healing Eucharist at 11:00 Next series:
Living the In-between follow-up sessions on Fridays, Oct 9, 1, 23, 30th with Carrie Chesam.
· CARE FOR THOSE WHO CARE – A contemplative retreat for spiritual and healing caregivers. Sat Oct 24, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. With a panel of professionals to lead in a time of care.
· ANNUAL HARVEST DINNER! Sat Oct 24 Save the date and invite friends and family.
· AN EVENING WISDOM RETREAT – The Sacred Passage through the fall Triduum (Halloween, All Saints, All Souls) Sun. Nov. 1 6:00 – 8:30 pm. With Heather Ruce from L.A.
· All-AGE BOARD GAME CAFÉ – Fri Nov 13 6 pm – Drop in @ the Hall, bring snack and game.
· CIRCLE OF GRACE: ADVENT: The Holy Practice of Noticing with Cheryl Rostek. 4 Fridays in Advent: Nov 27, Dec 4, 11, 18.
· CHRISTMAS BRUNCH & SILENT AUCTION – Sat Nov 28 11:00 am – 1:00 pm SAVE THE DATE
An all-age gathering to celebrate the season and to raise funds for St. Thomas.
· AN EVENING OF BIBLE TEACHING: WHAT REALLY MATTERS? How the Old Testament Proclaims Good News (and when it doesn’t) Wed Dec 2 6:30 pm with Dr. Bradley Jersak.
· A SPACE FOR CHRISTMAS TOGETHER – A Magical Christmas Concert Fri. Dec 11 7:00 pm at St. Thomas. Save the date!
· LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE – Thurs. Dec. 17 6:30 – 7:30 pm. An evening of quietness and comfort. Simple rituals and candlelight for those who grieve or struggle over the holidays.
Ongoing weekly/monthly Gatherings
· Friday Centering Prayer & Healing Eucharist Start-up on September 11.
· Men’s Monthly Breakfast and Gospel Reflection. Next: Oct 17 8:00 am with Rev. Lorie Martin. New location at the church hall! From Wayne: Menu: 2 eggs, sausages or bacon, pancakes or waffles, hash browns, sliced tomatoes, Coffee (juice available), white or brown toast etc. A wonderful woman, Valorie with a great personality, will be preparing our breakfast. Cost is $16.00 for basic Breakfast incl coffee; Pancake/waffle $8.00; Tips are up to the individual; NOTES: ***Payment needs to be in cash as there is no debit/credit machine.*** I need to know who is attending on the Thursday before the event as Valorie needs to have an idea about amount of food to order. My Phone Number is 604-845-7234 (Call/Text/or respond verbally) *** Looking forward to seeing you. Wayne
· Double Digits – Youth gatherings – 1st & 3rd Thurs 4:30-6:30 pm. See James
· Bible Book Club – 3rd Wed, 7-8:30 pm. Couch Rm in Hall. Starts Sept. 16th. See Amanda.
· Ruth & Naomi Mission – serving dinner – first Sunday of each month. See Larissa.
· Norman Manor – Prayer & Communion – 1:00 pm First Thursday/month. See Lesley.
NOTE:
· St. Thomas WEBSITE for details on upcoming events Here.
· The Centre for Spiritual Renewal fall registrations are open. Fall Program Guide
· YouTube - This is the home address for our YouTube page for services and recordings.
· Available on Sundays in the Narthex!
Ø The Scripture Readings appointed for the day in print – if you like to read along.
NOTE: The page # of the Scripture Reading in the Pew Bible is in the weekly bulletin.
Ø Music sheets for songs not in the blue Common Praise Hymnal.
Ø News & Notes – weekly email from Rev. Lorie – For those without computers.
Ø Give Away/Take Away Table – Items are available to reuse and share for all – In the hall of the hall building up by the offices and washroom.
James Lam – Youth & Family/Centre Communications james.lam@stthomaschilliwack.
Christine Millar – Music director millarmusicstudio@gmail.com
Janice Guretzki – People’s Warden jangrr@hotmail.com
Irene Tisdale – Vicar’s Warden
Jody Shaw – Associate Warden groundflyer@shaw.ca
Deb Edwards – Associate Warden countryedwards@telus.net
Jeff Tisdale – Treasurer
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.
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St. Thomas Anglican Church