Monday, October 31, 2016

Boo!

Once again the Parking Lot Club suffered a rain out on Thursday, so we were the indoor Parking Lot Club.  Some watched a movie in the lounge, some played with dolls in the quiet room and the rest turned the hall into a hockey rink.
The action was too fast for my camera but you get the idea.

Everyone enjoyed a spread of Hallowe'en themed snacks.
I loved this "healthy" skeleton.





Many thanks to Felicity and her helpers for putting on such a feast for us all. 

 The Parking Lot Club is a joyful couple of hours on Thursday evenings, 4:30pm - 6:00 pm. that is fun for those who play with a ball and stick and those who cheer them on.  Young or old, please come and enjoy.  You'll meet friendly faces, enthusiastic sportsmen, and a surprising array of goodies.

While you're enjoying your Hallowe'en ghosts and goodies, remember that you are really celebrating the e'en (evening) of All Saints Day.  The really big event is November 1 when the Church honours every saint, known and unknown.  In the New Testament, the word saint (meaning “holy person”) refers not just to people who are unusually virtuous, but to all members of the Christian community, present and past,  On All Saints Day we give glory to God for the ordinary, holy lives of the believers in this and every age, especially those of our own community who have died in the past year. We also pray that we may be counted among the company of the faithful.

Happy Hallowe'en and a Blessed All Saints Day to you all.

Monday, October 24, 2016

World Food Day

Last Sunday was World Food Day -- a day designated to raise public awareness about the global struggle against hunger and malnutrition and inspire solutions for lasting change.
Don't worry if you missed it.  You can make a contribution any day.
The Presbyterian Church, through our World Service and Development division works in partnership with organizations such as Canadian Foodgrains Bank, to end world hunger.  
Just a few facts:

  • There is enough food in the world to feed everyone, but around 800 million people do not have enough to eat.
  • Roughly 97 per cent of hungry people live in developing countries.
  • Unfortunately, the people who are most food insecure are rural farmers -- at least 70% of small-holder farmers regularly go to bed hungry.
  • hunger and malnutrition hit children hardest.  A lack of nutrient-rich food puts children at a higher risk for stunted growth and disease.
Canada used to claim the title "bread basket to the world." Today Canadian farmers are heavily involved in supporting Canadian Foodgrains, providing food, assistance, and knowledge to allow farmers in developing countries improve their own production.
To help, you can donate directly to Canadian Foodgrains Bank or donate to Presbyterian World Service and Development either through their website or in your weekly envelope.

If it seems this blog has been a lot about giving recently, it's because October is Mission Month at SPPC and because we are commanded by God to be generous. 



 Luke 3:11 – He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise. (KJV)

2 Corinthians 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.(KJV)






Monday, October 17, 2016

Bible Study and New Elder



by Ruth Rockliff


I was so thankful to be able to attend the last two sessions of the Wednesday morning Bible study in the spring. Having just moved to the Island from Chilliwack I have been wondering how The Lord would be leading me to find Christian Fellowship and spiritual support. 
The Bible study was beyond my expectations!
 The topic "How We Got the Bible" could have been very dry indeed if it weren't for the passion and extensive knowledge ‎of Reverend Cunningham. I learned so much from his excellent and very inspiring presentation style. SPPC are truly blessed to have such an amazing teacher.
I also loved the discussion groups and the warm and welcoming reception I received. All in all I can't wait until September for the start of a new topic. 
                                                              **************

With that recommendation fresh in your mind, all are invited to come to the new Bible Study "How to Pray in Your Own Way," by Kathy Cawsey.  We're talking about personal prayer, not public prayer.  Don't be afraid you'll be asked to pray aloud in front of the class.  Instead, the course explores techniques to help individuals reach deeper into their own psyche and personality so that personal prayer is more meaningful.



And speaking of prayer, the entire congregation joined in thanksgiving and commitment on Thanksgiving Sunday as we ordained Joan Adamcsak as an elder.  She has accepted a role of great responsibility within the congregation and we offer her our thanks, our assistance and our prayers as she undertakes her ministry. 

 Lord, pour Thy Spirit from on high,
And Thine ordainèd servants bless;
Graces and gifts to each supply,
And clothe Thy priests with righteousness.


Wisdom, and zeal, and faith impart,
Firmness with meekness, from above,
To hear Thy people in their heart,
And love the souls whom Thou dost love.

                                    --James Montgomery








Monday, October 10, 2016

Let Us Give Thanks


At Thanksgiving, this blog usually features gratitude for the harvest of the garden, the field and the orchard.  This time, I want to celebrate a different harvest with a poem.

Let Us Give Thanks

Let us give thanks for a bounty of people:

For children who are our second

planting, and though they grow like weeds
and the wind too soon blows them away,
may they forgive us our cultivation and 
fondly remember where their roots are.

Let us give thanks,
For generous friends - heart-
and smiles as bright as their
blossoms;

For feisty friends as tart as apples;


For continuous friends, who, like scallions
and cucumbers, keep reminding us
that we've had them;

For crotchety friends, as sour as 

rhubarb and as indestructible;

For handsome friends, who are as gorgeous as

eggplants and as elegant as a row of corn,
and others, as plain as potatoes and
just as good for you;

For funny friends, who are as silly 
as Brussels sprouts and as amusing
as Jerusalem artichokes, and serious friends,
as complex as cauliflowers and as intricate as onions;

For friends as unpretentious as cabbages,

as subtle as summer squash, as persistent'
as parsley, as delightful as dill, as endless
as zucchini, and who, like parsnips, can be counted
on to see you through the winter;

For old friends, nodding like sunflowers in the 

evening-time, and young friends coming
on as fast as radishes;

For loving friends, who wind around us

like tendrils and hold us, despite our
blights, wilts and witherings;

And, finally, for those friends now

gone, like gardens past that have been harvested,
and who fed us in their times that we
might have life thereafter;

for all these we give thanks.

                          -- Max Coots


Ed. Note:  Bible Study begins this Wed. Oct. 12, 2016

 The Parking Lot Club is every Thursday, rain or shine.  When it rains, we play hockey in the hall.


Monday, October 3, 2016

Church Life

This blog is always looking for new topics to discuss, new programs to present, new people to interview.  But "new" is not really necessary.  At SPPC, we're a community and stuff happens in a community.  So here's a glimpse of life at SPPC over the last week.

Barb and John celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.  They shared the occasion with the congregation.  The cake was not only beautiful, it was delicious. 

 Also on Sunday, we led worship at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.  That's another event that comes around regularly, but each time is different, because the people are different.  This time we sang lots of naval hymns because there was a retired submariner in the congregation.  "Will Your Anchor Hold" was a hit.

  On Thursday night the Parking Lot Club began its weekly schedule.  There was a threat of rain, but it didn't dampen the spirit of the hockey players. 

  Our woods seem like magic to two little girls. 


There was also pizza.  Good thing, since some of us stayed for Choir practice at 7:00 pm.  Barely time to clear up the parking lot, let alone go home for supper and get back again. 

Speaking of Choir practice, it is every Thursday from 7:00 - 8:00 pm.  Larry would love to have more singers join us.  Even if you can't read music but love the sound of choral voices, come talk to him.  Come on a Thursday and give it a try.  We don't bite.

Yesterday we celebrated World Wide Communion.  Bombs and injured children are so far from our peaceful corner of the world, but on World Wide Communion, we celebrate the Lord's Supper with Christians everywhere.  Some will be affluent and safe, like us, others will live in fear, yet we are one in spirit.  We claim "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord."

So, there is a glimpse of a week in the life of Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.  Perhaps there's something there for you.  We're open every Sunday.