News Update and Service sheet for Sunday September 26th Pentecost 18
Notices for the Week of September 26th-October 3rd
The Season of Creation - Up to early October we are in a time of focussing on creation, giving thanks to the Holy One for all the blessings and bounty of the earth. We give thanks for all the creatures and all that grows in this world and reflect on our relationship with our environment and the world around us. As we approach Harvest Thanksgiving may we continue to remind ourselves of how dependant we are on the earth and the necessity for the well-being of every living thing that we may survive and thrive here alongside the rest of the creation. The earth, as a whole, has its life. What ways might you be able to express your gratitude for the blessings that come to us?
Today is the Last Sunday of our Rector – Please join us for the potluck luncheon following this morning’s service as we take this opportunity to say goodbye say goodbye to Steve and Jos and wish them well.
Another Last Sunday - This is also the last day for our postulant to the Diaconate, Neil Seedhouse. Neil came to us last December in the midst of the pandemic to participate in our services and reflect on his vocation as a deacon. Neil will be going to St. Barnabas in New Westminster for the months of October and November to complete his one-year placement.
The Next Two Sundays, October 3rd and 10th and the Interim The official date of our Rector, Steve’s retirement is October 15th. He will be taking the vacation time owed to him so, for the next two Sundays. We will welcome the Rev. Philippa Segrave-Pride as our supply priest for the 10am Eucharist. From October 16th, Phillipa will be our interim Priest-in-Charge guiding us into the future as we begin the search for a new rector. We welcome Philippa to St. Helen’s as we move into a new phase of our parish life.
Contact through the Church Office – As we hope everyone knows by now, we have taken on a parish administrator. Matthew Ma, who is also our church musician, will be working in the office Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9am to 2pm. We are looking forward to the office becoming a hub for contact and activity in the parish. For most things Matthew will be the first point of contact. If you need to be in contact with the wardens, a parish council member, the chair of a committee, you can contact them by sending an email to the parish office or by phoning the office. You can leave a message if it is outside office hours. Matthew will forward your message or email to the right person. If you are making an inquiry about hall rental, that would also be through the office. Once Philippa is onstream with us, pastoral issues, sacramental needs etc. will likely be arranged directly with her. This will work its way out over the first couple of months after her arrival. For the time being, please make contact with the parish office. The phone number is 604-581-4800 and the email address is churchoffice@shawbiz.ca
Church Decorating for Harvest/Thanksgiving - The Altar Guild will be decorating the Church on Friday, October 1, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Help is always appreciated, and all are welcome to join in the fun as we clean, tidy, and ready the Church for Harvest and Thanksgiving Sundays. There is no need to be a member of the Altar Guild to come long at these times of special decorating. You can be a ‘Friend of the Altar Guild’ and as we know friends do come along to help out friends.
Orange Shirt Day – This Thursday, September 30th is Orange Shirt Day/Truth and Reconciliation Day. We remember the children who never went home from the residential schools. We remember the grief and pain, the trauma, and the long-lasting effects of the residential school system on the lives and communities of First Nations people. We are each encouraged to reflect and participate in educating ourselves about this dark history in our country. This is too important to be left to others to do. Each of us can participate. There are events taking place around the lower mainland this week and on the day. Here is a link to our diocesan website listing at least some of these. Just copy and paste this into your browser. https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/events/truth-and-reconciliation-day-orange-shirt-day-2021/2021-09-30
ACW Meeting – The ACW will meet at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 6 in the Upper Hall. This is a move to daytime meetings for the next few months. Please bring along your bag lunch, tea and coffee will be provided. All the women of the parish are most welcome this time of warm fellowship and sharing.
WE KNOW YOU CAN HELP! We have an urgent need for people to come forward and put their ‘Can Do’ thinking into action, to share their talents and abilities, in all ways, large and small, short term or long term. Please have a look at the pink coloured volunteer opportunity sheet that is on the table at the back of the Church and answer this prayer for your help. Then speak to either of the Wardens, Lynn Turner or Roy Francis, or any member of the Parish Council. Everything from greeting on a Sunday, or making small maintenance repairs to arranging the Sunday flowers or putting on the coffee...there are many ways you can offer your gifts to the parish.
Daily Prayer – The livestream of Daily prayer is now suspended until further notice. But that does not mean you need to stop praying. You can pray morning prayer, evening prayer, and/or compline each and every day on your own. The BAS and the BCP both have all you need to help you keep praying.
Sunday School – With Covid, we are having a slow start for Sunday school. Parents may not be quite ready for their children to be gathering outside of school. But we do need to people to help with teaching on a rotation basis. If you would like to offer yourself for the children’s ministry, please be in touch with Fil Sotana through the parish office. Matthew will forward your message to Fil.
Flowers for the Altar – We are looking for people to sponsor the cost of the flowers on the altar for October, November, and December. You are invited to contact Heather Herd to donate the cost of flowers for a memorial or thanksgiving, or as an expression of gratitude to God for blessings. You may make your donation by cheque made out to St. Helen's Anglican Church and send it in the mail or leave it in the offering plate on a Sunday or by Interac e-Transfer. The email address to transfer electronically is: giving2sthelen@gmail.com
Cameras for the Church Grounds - CCTV Surveillance –The installation of the CCTV system will begin around October 5th, just a couple of weeks from now. Donations are still welcome. Thank you to those who have donated. Your donation to St. Helen's may be made by cheque or by electronic transfer. Please earmark a cheque or the electronic transfer for the CCTV system To contribute by etransfer: The email to use is: giving2sthelen@gmail.com
Prayer Requests to the Prayer Circle – please be in touch with Judy Nicholson who will receive and forward your prayer requests to the prayer circle. If you do not have her contact details, please send an email to the office email address and it will be passed on to her for distribution.
Dates for Your Calendar As we look ahead for the rest of the fall up to December, the following events and opportunities to gather have been suggested. More information about each of these will be forthcoming closer to the time of each event.
October 31st - All Saints Sunday
November 7th - Remembrance Sunday. Poppy cross will be in the cemetery again this year.
November 14th - Sunday supply – Jonathan Pinkney will be here to preside and preach.
Nov 21st - Reign of Christ Sunday (Last Sunday of the Church Year)
Nov 28th - Advent Sunday (Lighting of the Advent wreath)
Dec 4th - Saturday Mini Bazaar. Christmas themed with Tea Room and raffle tickets etc.