Advent starts in just 4 days! Many folks at the church have been working away at many things to make the season meaningful. There is an Advent Devotional Book available to go along with the theme; we are only printing them for those who request them. Also an opportunity to participate in an Advent Photo a Day Challenge on Facebook, let me (Rev. Catherine) know if you’d like to do so.
As usual, when we change seasons, you will see and experience many changes in worship this week. The colours will change to blue, the opening and closing music will be different. This week we will welcome Kathy Ibel into full membership of the United Church. We will give thanks to our outgoing Official Board and install our new Leadership Team.
The scripture this week is Luke 1: 26-38, it’s the story of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary… and you just might encounter Mary in worship on Sunday! But before that, Come out and help decorate on Friday, November 29th @ 6:30!
It’s been a week again… here’s just a sample… official board meeting, accompanying a candidate for ministry to her ordination interview, making arrangements for soup for Wellness Wednesday, Joan did a great presentation on stress and blood pressure, while I led them in a mindful/spiritual practice. So MUCH promotional material creating for the Advent/Christmas season, photographing items for the silent auction uploading them to Facebook, bulletin creation, a conversation about children and youth ministry.
Many thanks to Wilf, Kim and Bob for removing two pews and putting a table in the space. Even though we don’t often have children, the Transition Team and the Worship Committee have agreed that it’s important to have a space for them. Current wisdom is that the space be somewhere that they can be part of what’s going on, not segregated at the back, where all they will see is the backs of people’s heads. We will get some appropriate crafts etc. and be ready for children. And there is still letter writing, PowerPoint creation and an Association of United Church Clergy Executive meeting.
On top of that, my mother was admitted to the hospital with heart issues and we had to say good-bye to our cat on Tuesday, so my heart is heavy. Many thanks to Debra Keays-White and Murray Wylie who stepped in to lead Tuesday Pause because I was not up to it.
St. James United Church Dartmouth 
You have had stress added to stress this past week. With your mother in the hospital and losing a cat, it takes a lot of the good out of you as it is happening. You still give your all. WE were saying we appreciated your Mindfulness exercise on Wednesday. i can commiserate with how it feels to lose a cat. i lost my two this past year with their being 17 and 19. i feel like part of me is missing.
i do wish your mother well.
Fran MacKnight
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Fran, I’m just seeing this now for some reason. Rev. Catherine
LikeLike