Christmas 1 2022

 The link to the live-streamed Christmas Eve service is here.

 For the Christmas morning service, click here..

In my house, Boxing Day is reserved for reading. Every year I ask Santa to bring me books. He never fails. 

So, as I'm spending the day reading -- this post goes live on Boxing Day -- I invite you to do the same.

The late Stuart McLean was one of my favourite story tellers. You can find his stories on CBC's podcasts. Of course, "Dave Cooks the Turkey," is a classic but this link takes you to another, quieter Christmas story. Enjoy.

Advent 4 2022

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Whee, what a week! It seems SPPC is making up for time lost to the pandemic.

The beginning of the week, Monday, saw the Christmas edition of the Sunshine Lunch. People who live alone often miss out on Christmas parties; the Sunshine Lunch remedies that lack. The guests enjoyed good food, laughter, and companionship. Even Santa made an appearance.

On Friday 25 people rode the bus and went to the Legislature for lunch--we enjoyed the last outing of this sort so much, we asked for another. Most had the turkey dinner. Most also went for the fabulous dessert tray. One couple from Sidney got on a Langford bus when we were heading home but I saw them in church on Sunday, so they did find their way up the peninsula.

Sunday morning worship, the choir turn out was 100% and we sang a rouser of an anthem. If you missed it, listen to the YouTube version linked at the top of this page. Oh yeah, the sermon was pretty good too.

Also on Sunday was a bake sale to raise funds for our Mission Team that's heading to the Dominican Republic in the spring. It was a great opportunity for people who love homemade Christmas goodies but didn't want to make their own.

And . . . we had the blessing of White Gifts. These are items collected during December for the members of our congregation who find getting out and about difficult. As usual, the congregation was generous. At home, far away, or in the pew, we do not forget the members of our church family.

Finally, on Sunday afternoon, we invited the community to join us for a carol sing. There was snow in the air so numbers were low but those who came were enthusiastic. 

Our emcee, Minister Emeritus, Rev. Kinnon

We had an abundance of cookies after the singing, and folks did stay around and visit. Shortbread, mince tarts, almond tarts, apricot balls . . . Why go out in the snow when you can stay in and get a sugar high instead. 

And now we wait, in anticipation of Christmas Eve, that Silent Night, Holy Night, that hails the birth of our Saviour. The One who came to bring us hope and peace and joy and love. 

Please join us at SPPC for the 7:00 pm service on Dec. 24th.

Advent 3 2022

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Here we are at Advent 3 already. If you are like me you are racing about getting parcels wrapped and into the mail, writing Christmas cards, shopping, baking, decorating, making lists and forgetting where you put the list of your lists. I just had to leave off writing this blog to rescue my newly-purchased gift wrap paper from the cat!

At the church, the same sort of busyness occurs. On Monday we have Sunshine Lunch, an event for members of the congregation who live alone.  Later in the week there is a worship committee meeting, choir practice, lunch at the Legislature, then a bake sale and Community Carol Sing on Sunday the 18th, not to mention regular maintenance chores and Sunday morning worship. It's very easy to get caught up in the hurry and "must do's."

Last week, I came across a quote by Roy L. Smith. “He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.  

It struck me that much of my rushing about had more to do with the "tree" than the manger. In my mind the two are not disconnected. Wanting to show love to my family and friends and strangers with gifts and food and support is tied into the spiritual gift of hospitality. Showing love to others is witness to God's love for all, as manifested by the Infant Jesus and Christmas. Like most things in life, it's a question of balance. 

I'll keep working on my list of "to do's" but I'll try to feel less frantic. I'll remind myself of the why of my chores. I'll look for the Prince of Peace and rejoice. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Advent 2 2022

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

This Sunday we lit the second candle of Advent, the candle of peace, and celebrated the Lord's Supper.

    Rev. Irwin was back in the pulpit (welcome home Irwin and Diane) and he spoke of how society doesn't really recognize Advent as distinct from Christmas. Coincidentally, I had been asked that question just a few weeks ago. "What is Advent?" inquired my interlocutor, who had already put up her Christmas decorations.

    "A time of waiting," I replied. "A time of quiet and contemplation." A very simple reply to a complex topic but it was the best I could do.

    We're not good at waiting. I have a friend on the waiting list for medical treatment. The wait is draining him of "life," as he avoids any activity that could aggravate his heart condition. I have every sympathy with him for disliking the wait. But that's a different kind of waiting than what we do in Advent.

    I remember an adage from my youth that said "anticipation is half the fun." Waiting was vital to making Christmas Day wonderful. We used the month of December to plot and plan and dream and imagine the perfect Christmas morning. There were events leading up to the Big Day -- concerts, and carolling, and baking, and decorating, and letter writing, and counting how many Christmas cards arrived in the mailbox. We counted the days of waiting as a blessing. 

    Sunday's scripture was about John the Baptist and his cry to "Prepare the Way of the Lord." There is no shortage of preparations taking place for the great unwrapping of gifts on Christmas morning, or gorging on a feast on Christmas afternoon. But John called on us to prepare our hearts too. For that we need inner peace. We need time to pray. We need a period of waiting.

   

Among the preparations for Christmas are opportunities to visit. Last month a couple of our elders invited their district members to an Advent gathering in the lounge. Thanks to Joan for sharing the picture. 

And here is advance notice for one of my favourite Advent activities, a Community Carol Sing, on Dec. 18, at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary. Bring your friends and lift your voices in favourite carols. Refreshments will be served. Parking is free. The welcome is warm.

May your waiting this week be blessed.

Advent 1, 2022

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Saturday morning eight volunteers showed up at the church to put up Christmas decorations in time for the first Sunday of Advent. Many hands make light work and we had a good time besides. The Christmas tree, the valance lights, nativities in the narthex, wreaths on the back wall and swags on the front door, were all done in a few hours.

Thanks to Tore, Jerusha, Janet, Carmen, Pam, Joan, Barb, and Alice for their time, talent and good humour.

                                           Thanks to Elizabeth, we have angels joining the flock on the upper window ledge.

After the fun comes the clean-up

The outdoor lights had been hung when the weather was fine last week, but left unlit until Sunday. Now we have the candle of hope burning inside and out.  

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Rev. Irwin was away this week so we happily welcomed Pastor George to the pulpit once again. The last time he was here was Advent 1 in 2020. You can read about him here. Of course, that was during COVID lockdown and we had no one in the pews.

George's message reflected on the sorry state of our world today. War, want, fear, and disaster crowd the headlines. And yet . . . we light the candle of Hope. Hope in our Saviour. 

Hope in the world is vain. Hope in the Lord is unfailing.

May this season of Advent bring hope to your home. 

Reduce-Recycle-Reuse

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

It has been said many times by many people, "Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church is a very friendly church." On Saturday we found a new way to be friends -- we had a swap meet. Or perhaps I should call it a recycle event. The idea was to clean out the stuff in your house that is too good to throw away but that you don't want any longer, bring it to the church, and let others take it home. No money was exchanged.

I went with a firm determination to pare down my "stuff." I took seven items, which were all picked up by someone else. I collected three items, for a net loss of four. Score one for more empty closet space. But, my husband went to the swap meet with no items and came home with a boxful! Net gain, about twenty. So, no increase in empty closet space.

One of the great things about the swap was the opportunity to look at others' stuff and get to know them a bit better. The cup of coffee and plate of muffins helped too.

Left over items were left for Sunday morning so worshippers could pick up stuff as well. The remains are going to the thrift shop on Monday.       

                                       

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Sunday the congregation participated in a great giveaway as well. This was the last day to donate to our cozy toes mission. There were baskets and boxes and bags of donated goods, including but not limited to socks. I saw sweaters and coats and shirts and toiletries. These will all be given to the Mustard Seed church for distribution to Victoria's neediest citizens.

Jerusha has a personal mission to create twenty packages for the mission complete with socks, a toothbrush, a chocolate bar, and other sundries. Great example of generosity.

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Looking ahead, next week is Advent 1, so we're thinking decorations, carols, and special offerings. After two years of restrictions and lockdowns, we are so glad to approach this Advent and Christmas season with open doors and open hearts.

Let Them Eat Cake

 The link to our live-streamed service is here.

Marie Antoinette infamously said, "let them eat cake," in disparagement of the peasants pleading for bread. Historians argue that she never said those words, but they have now entered our collective consciousness so the French Queen is stuck with them. At SPPC we eat cake often and for many reasons, none of which have to do with starvation.

We eat cake to celebrate happy occasions, like Will's baptism. On Nov. 6 Joan's grandson took his own vows of baptism as an adult. We're more accustomed to infant baptism, so Will's event was a very special time. Of course, we celebrated with cake.

This Sunday, we used cake to mark a less joyous occasion. Jim is moving away. He is a long-term member, having joined the congregation in 2001, and served as secretary for the Board of Managers for many years, where he kept meticulous minutes. We are very sorry to see him go but we wish him and Cindy every happiness in their new home. We comforted ourselves with a piece of cake, just as we did earlier in the year when Archie left us to take up residence in Calgary.  

 

Also on Sunday, we had three birthdays. Of course, they were also acknowledged with cake. 

Gladys, who is very young

Benjamin, who loves cake, and Max

Missing from the photos is Kathy, who spent her birthday recuperating from her flu shot. We kindly ate her piece of cake for her.

A Sunday without cake is a rarity at Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church. The addition of bakery goods to our coffee hour speaks not only to the congregants love of sweets but to our commitment to be a church family. In baptism we are asked,  Do you, as members of the church of Jesus Christ, promise to guide and nurture N. by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging her/him to know and follow Christ and to be faithful members of his church? 

I think the many cakes served at SPPC are one of the ways we nurture each other. We share the joys and sorrows of life together. As members of the congregation, we promise to listen, to provide a shoulder to lean on, to offer the hand of fellowship--and to enjoy a gooey piece of cake together no matter the moment.

Welcome Will, fare thee well Jim, Happy Birthday Gladys and Benjamin and Kathy. Thanks for the cake.

Preparing for Mission in DR

The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

November 6 was a very busy Sunday that included Will's baptism. I'll have more on that next week. This week, we have a presentation on a mission trip.

Last Sunday, Diane held an information meeting about the upcoming mission trip from SPPC to the Dominican Republic.  There have been teams from our congregation go out in previous years and she included some pictures from those trips. In 2020 another team was all set to go from our church when the pandemic hit. The team had been commissioned on Sunday and on Monday the lockdown orders were issued by public health. A great disappointment to those team members, but a necessary safety precaution. 

This year, a new team is being assembled and more supplies secured. The trip will take place in March of 2023. It's all there in Diane's presentation which is embedded below. Just click on the little pop-out button in the upper right-hand corner to view the whole thing.

Thanks, Diane, for sharing your presentation, and for your work for House Upon the Rock.

Lunch at the Ledge

On Sunday morning we welcomed Rev. Ruth McCowan back to the pulpit. She's a regular there. You can watch the service on our youtube link here.

Tuesday last week, a cold, rainy, windy day, was perfect for an indoor adventure.  A group of about twenty-five from SPPC boarded the buses and headed downtown to the legislature building. We had lunch reservations for 1:30 pm. 

The food was great but first we had to go through airport-type security and the guards held our ID's until we exited the building. So, lunch at the ledge is great, but be prepared!

Visiting the legislative dining room was something I'd heard about but never had a chance to do, so thanks to the organizers, especially Barb, for making it possible.

We arrived early, so went inside the building to have a look around. There was a Diwali event going on in the rotunda, including food. It smelled delicious but I sensed the spices were hot so didn't join the buffet line.

I did take pictures of some legislative features, namely the scroll work over a doorway and the doorknobs bearing the BC logo. Maybe another time we should book a tour and bone up on our provincial history.

Just heard that there may be another expedition in December for a turkey lunch. There's a sign-up sheet in the narthex to let the organizers know if there is enough interest to make a booking.

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After service on Sunday morning, Diane held an information session

on the pending mission trip to the Dominican Republic. Watch this space for more. SPPC has sent a team there previously but the last one was cancelled when COVID shut down the whole world. It's exciting to know that the trip is scheduled again for March of 2023.