What's Happening?

There were no big events at the church this past week, but over the past little while, there have been a number of small things worth celebrating. 

• We have two new members in the choir.  Ruth sings tenor and Diane is an alto.  We are delighted to welcome them.  The alto and tenor parts have been underpowered for some time.  It is wonderful to hear those inner voices rounding out the sound of the choir.

• There has been birthday cake. 
  

• We're gearing up to send another team to the Dominican Republic.  There was a silent auction last Saturday and Soup and pie orders were delivered after worship this Sunday

                                           

• SPPC led the worship service at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Sunday. 

• Today a group is meeting at the church to start on Christmas decorations.  Yes, already!

Teddy Bear Love

If love were measured in teddy bears, our Hazel would be overflowing. For the past many years she has knit these toys of comfort for children in troubled parts of the world.  To date, she has completed more than 1700 or them.
If she ever considered slowing down, she can't.  Her sister sent her 72 balls of yarn from the UK.  No quitting until they are all used up.

Hazel began with a pattern from Melody--the lady responsible for getting this congregations knitting cotton squares at Friendship Coffee.  SPPC has sent thousands of those squares to third world countries.  For Hazel, the teddy bears proved to be her passion.  

The bears are completely knitted, including the eyes and buttons on the overalls.  Hazel reminded me that sew-on ornaments can be pulled off and become a choking hazard for very young children.  So, her creations are not only charming and cuddly.  They are safe as well.

She can knit one a day.  When the knitting is complete, she sets them aside for stuffing at a later date.  Blanche "finds" the stuffing and passes it on.  Hazel says she wouldn't be able to contribute all those teddies if it weren't for Blanche supplying the stuffing.
  And speaking of Blanche, she can't even count the dozens of shortbread cookies she has made for the church, but we all recognize her offering on the dessert table.

   Blanche has been baking since she was 4.

   Back to the teddy bears.  When Hazel has completed a goodly number, they are packed into a Compassionate Warehouse container and sent into the world to bring smiles to needy children. Then she settles down to knit up the next batch.
   For a change of pace, she once knitted up a complete Nativity Scene, but usually her needles are busy with teddy bears.
   

To see Hazel in action, come to Friendship Coffee in the lounge at 10:00 am on the second and fourth Thursday of the month.  You'll meet Hazel and Blanche and a whole bunch of knitters and talkers.  They'll welcome you in, offer you a cup of coffee and maybe share a pattern or two.

Never Forgotten

With Remembrance Day just passed, I want to share with you this story from one of our congregation.  Andy Wallace was Gladys' father, and one of the thousands of Canadians who fought in "The War to End All Wars," WWI.  He saw action at Vimy Ridge.  When the battle ended, Andy, a carpenter by trade, worked on a large wooden cross to commemorate the dead of the 44th Canadian Infantry.  Just three weeks after the victory, Andy's cross was raised on the crest of the ridge. 

He might even be one of the soldiers in this photograph.  He and Sapper McIver created the huge wooden cross from 8x8 inch oak logs within range of the enemy's guns.  Other members of the section mixed the concrete. In a letter, a fellow veteran, A.C. King wrote to Andy, "Here is a picture of the cross.  It doesn't look so big but, boy, oh boy, that concrete took some mixing."

The cross was twelve to fourteen feet high and about six feet wide.  It was held together by wooden dowels and had no inscription on the carving itself.  There was a copper plate in the stepped concrete base that reads:

 to the memory of the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 44th Canadian Infantry who fell in the attacks on Vimy Ridge, the Triangle, and La Coulotte in April, May and June of 1917.

The monument was originally erected on Vimy Ridge, France by the 44th Battalion in 1917. In 1924,it was moved to its present location in Vimy Ridge Memorial Park on Portage Avenue in Winnipeg by members of the 44th Battalion Association and next of kin. Plaques on the sides of the monument listed those in the 44th Battalion who had lost their lives during the Vimy Ridge battle. Dedicated in June 1926, it was restored by the Department of Veterans Affairs in June 1967 and by the City of Winnipeg in October 1992.

The iconic Vimy Memorial that now stands on the ridge has eclipsed the battlefield monuments in the public imagination, but those rough crosses, built by fellow soldiers in the midst of battle truly bear the "blood, sweat and tears," of our military.

Thanks to Gladys for sharing her story, and thanks to Andy Wallace for his service to Canada. 

Andrew Wallace 44th Regiment, Canadian Infantry

Happy Feet

Lots of us like to go barefoot in warm weather, but when the temperature dips, a pair of warm socks makes us warm and cozy, ready to snuggle down for the cold months.  Apart from the comfort aspect of socks, they fulfil other functions. Sock manufacturers cite the following:

• Terry cushion sole for added comfort and shock absorption.
• Accepted by the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association
• Ultra-Fresh treatment to resist the growth of odour causing bacteria.
• Non-binding cuff for free circulation. 
• Soft non-binding cotton terry cuff for support and added comfort. 
• Smooth toe seam. 
• it’s a lot easier to keep your feet healthy, than to fix them once they start to hurt.

Most of us take socks for granted.  We might spend some time pondering the colour and style but the "if" of socks is not a problem.  Except, for some, it is. 

Members of our community who live on the street don't care about colour and pattern so much.  They just want their feet to be warm and dry.

Enter, warm-toes.  For the month of October, SPPC has been collecting new socks, stuffing them with small toiletries and filling baskets and bags with the result.  On Sunday, those offerings were dedicated to God and the service of our neighbours.  This week they'll be delivered to The Mustard Seed for distribution.

Next time you snuggle your toes in a pair of soft, warm, everyday socks, count your blessings and give thanks.