This notice is to inform you of our 2012 Vestry, which will be held in Marian Hall on Sunday February 24 immediately following our 10:30 a.m. service.
Bishop Don Harvey’s Lenten Pastoral Letter
February 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
THE LENTEN PASTORAL LETTER
OF
THE RIGHT REVEREND DONALD F. HARVEY
BISHOP AND MODERATOR
2013
My dear Friends in Christ:
I am writing this in Toronto after spending a glorious weekend “celebrating” with our Celebration Church in Barrie as they move into their third year of celebrating their call from Christ to come out and witness to the Faith that is so sustaining to them. Earlier in the week we had a very wonderful couple of days of renewal and refreshment with our clergy in the Toronto area, and on Saturday a very spirit-filled morning as some 73 men from the area gathered together for a Prayer Breakfast. On Sunday evening, many of us were able to congregate at Christ the King in downtown Toronto for the ordination of two young deacons who became Priests in Christ’s One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
These activities of coming together do much to restore and boost our spiritual batteries both as individuals and within our church families as well. We are reminded that while we bear one another’s burdens, we also have the opportunity to share our mutual joys. Such events long will be remembered and we are so grateful that there are some areas where our geographic locations permit such times of refreshment.
When I unpacked my luggage last night I discovered that in my haste to get from one engagement to another, I had carelessly left the package containing all of my medications back at the Rector’s home in Barrie. It was only when I no longer had them, that I fully realized just how much I was depending on some of these pills for my continued good health.
Like many, if not most of you, my medicine needs consist of a number of things which, though probably desirable, are non essential to my immediate well being. If I still want them, I can get them over the counter of almost any pharmacy. However, there are others that have been prescribed by a doctor and must be taken at regular times and with proper dosages or illness is likely to occur. Many of you know just how important it is to take blood pressure medications, for example, on a consistently regular basis or we may find ourselves not feeling well and probably in store for big trouble.
But is it not the same for our spiritual lives? We all have our own “prescriptions” in order to advance and come closer to Our Lord on a daily basis. Some of our aids are like the supplements we take, not essential yet very helpful. Others, though, are critical, and without them our times at prayer and meditation can become dry, listless, and even depressing.
Just as few of us have exactly the same medical needs, so each of our spiritual journeys is distinctive and hand-tailored to suit where we are in our relationship to Christ and to one another. As they say, one size rarely fits all.
Yet we all need the “basics”, found in prayer, sacraments, and spiritual exercises. Many of you have Spiritual Directors, prayer groups or clusters of people who share your desires and needs and with whom you feel as one when you pray. Above all, we are called upon to “bear one another’s burdens” as we constantly intercede for one another.
Lent certainly is a time for us to re-examine our spiritual medications and see what they are doing for us. Do some of our aids need to be increased or do some of them now need to be replaced with something completely different to meet our present situation? In other words, we need time for self examination – from which can come further action. Jesus took such time for prayer and reflection when he went into the wilderness at the beginning of His ministry; and as we commemorate that period of time we call Lent, we strive to build up the spiritual stamina for the next challenge or temptation that comes our way.
This Lent, I call upon you to do two things.
As individuals, allow a deliberate time each day for silence. It is not an easy request in our talkative society, but it is only through this gift that can hear that “still, small voice” that the world, the flesh and the devil is so anxious to drown out. Surely, it is as important to listen to Him as it is to speak to Him.
As parishes, I am calling on every congregation in our Diocese, to take on some special activity or study, or prayer time, during the Lenten period. It may be something new, or simply intensifying something you already are doing.
And, since this will be my last Lenten Pastoral to you, I would be touched if someone from each congregation dropped me an email, telling me what you attempted and what was accomplished.
May this be a Blessed Season for us all as day by day we move towards the Joy of Easter.
+Donald
Your Bishop and Moderator
Join us On Shrove Tuesday
February 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Join us On Shrove Tuesday for our annual Pancake Dinner.
Tuesday Feb. 12th at the K of C 6:00 p.m.
Sign up at St.Hilda’s Sunday Service on Feb. 3rd and Feb. 10th.
Adults $6 + a non perishable food item for the food bank. Children under 12 free.
Fellowship Outing – JOIN US!
January 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
We are inviting you to join us for a Fellowship Lunch on Sunday Feb. 17th at “The Dutch Mill Country Store” (weather permitting)
Date: Sunday Feb. 17th 2013
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Place: The Dutch Mill Country Store
Address: 533 Millgrove Side Road, Waterdown, Ont. L0R 2H2
Since we have to make reservations please let Sharon Jenkins know if you are coming – and numbers – by Sunday Feb. 10th. Thank you.
To check it out go to the link below.
Christmas Greetings from Bishop Charlie
December 17, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Dear Friends of ANiC,
It is my joy and honour to write a Christmas Greeting on behalf of Bishops Don and Trudy Harvey, Stephen and Nona Leung and Trevor and Dede Walters, Ron and Jan Ferris and Malcolm and Mary Lou Harding and myself and my wife, Judy. It is our prayer for you all, your families and the congregations you represent that you may experience a very wonderful Christmas celebration and a happy entry into what promises to be a very exciting, 2013!
As long as I can remember, I have always loved the Gospel of Luke. Even when I was very sporadic at Bible reading, as a child growing up, if I did read the Bible, I usually started with the Gospel of Luke.
Now many years later, I still love Luke. One of the reasons is because of the first two chapters which give such wonderful information about the birth of Jesus.
The message of the angels to this rag-tag band of shepherds in the hills by Bethlehem is one of my favourite parts. First of all, it is personally so important (“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11) But more than that, their message also gives a mandate for gospel proclamation to every person around the world. (“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Luke 2:10)
Dear friend, Jesus was born in Bethlehem for you. And later he died on a cross and rose again for you. He ascended to heaven and one day will surely return for you. This is not being self-indulgent. It is not being self-centred. Such a viewpoint is exactly what the angels heralded that glorious night.
But he came not just for you. He came for everyone, everywhere. Jesus came to this world with every person in mind and he is needed by every person whether they know it or not.
This is good news for the world- good news of great joy which shall be for all people.
It is also a huge call to those who have already been found by this same Jesus to make him known as generously and as broadly as we possibly can. Surely this is why in our mission statement as ANiC states that we are seeking to “build Biblically-faithful gospel-sharing Anglican churches.”
No surprise that the shepherds having encountered the baby Jesus exactly as the angels had told them, it says: “and when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” (Luke 2:17.18)
If Christmas rightly is a time for sharing, and it is, then sharing the message of Jesus with people is the most meaningful and most important gift you could ever share. You can’t share what you don’t have, so make sure you yourself have received him. But then please make provision this Christmas time and throughout 2013 for extravagant sharing of him who was born for everybody.
Go ahead please make your Christmas a time for sharing Jesus with the people around you. The world will be better for it.
Christmas love and greetings to you and all you love!
+Charlie
St. Hilda’s Christmas Dinner 2012
December 16, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Christmas Flyers 2012
December 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment
One of the House Churches distributed Christmas messages to the houses surrounding our old building.
We have moved but not vanished! More here.
House Church Christmas Outreach
December 9, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Every Christmas, we deliver a package of cookies and a Christmas message to the residents at 17 Stewart Street.
The preparation:
The aftermath
The loot:
The distribution:
The party afterwards:
More here.
Christmas Services
December 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Mon. Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve Service 7:30 p.m.
Tues. Dec. 25 – Christmas Day Service 10:30 a.m.
(both services at 1494 Wallace Road)
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