Reluctant Spring

 The link to last Sunday's livestream service is here.

We start this week with sad news. After a very long life, our friend Blanche, has been called home.

She'll be remembered for many things, including her fabulous shortbread cookies. There wasn't a single fellowship occasion at SPPC that didn't include at least one plate of Blanche's shortbread. Any that weren't eaten on Sunday mornings would carry over to Wednesday Bible Study.

She was a stalwart among the knitters at Friendship Coffee on Thursdays, often bringing supplies of yarn and batting for others as well.

At an age when most are stepping back from volunteer jobs, Blanche, along with her husband Bill, took on to produce The Shepherd's Way, our church newsletter. The Sunday a new issue arrived in our mailboxes was a happy day for the congregation.

Blanche was a saver. Her closets were stuffed with articles from all the decades of her life which meant, when we needed costume material, she was a "go to" source. Want a hat from the 1950's? Blanche had several. Need a flapper string of beads? Blanche had a boxful. A cane for the Christmas Musical? Ask Blanche.

Not only did she have all sorts of unexpected treasures she was eager and happy to share them. 

While the virus lingers as the worst of unwanted guests, spring has been a reluctant arrival this year. The odd warm day followed by weeks of frosty nights and chilly days. The death of our sister-in-Christ feels like another blast of winter. 

But spring is just around the corner and, though we will miss her, Blanche has arrived on the other side where flowers bloom, trumpets sound and friends rejoice to see her again.

Farewell, dear friend. Until we meet again.

The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended

Winter Blahs?

How to beat the winter blahs? One way might be to blindfold your minister emeritus and take him for a walk around the sanctuary. 

Another way is to celebrate birthdays. We had a lot in the first month of the year, but Blanche is a great example of longevity. I'm not betraying any secrets when I reveal that she is over 90.

How does she do it? One answer may be Saanich Peninsula Presbyterian Church.
Study after study confirms that those who attend church regularly, live longer, more satisfying lives.

A study published in Journal of the American Medical Association in 2016 found that women who attended church more than once a week had a 33% lower chance of dying than their secular peers in the same time period.
Another study found that regular attendance at church (or synagogue or mosque) decreased the body's response to stress leading to longer life spans.
Another study out of Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health identifies a social support network, an optimistic attitude, self-control and a sense of purpose in life -- all associated with churchgoers-- as possible reasons for the relative longevity of those who attend church regularly.

Others suggest that sensing we are part of God's plan imparts self-confidence to deal with the issues of life. At a biological level, that reduces stress contributing to fewer instances of high blood pressure or diabetes, depression and suicide.
In our age, many claim to be "spiritual but not religious." From a health point of view, those who practice their faith alone, do not reap the same benefits as those who are part of a faith community. Being part of a social group--like a book club or a sports team--may fulfil the need for community, but without a shared sense of meaning and a common vision of the meaning of life, these groups fall short of the health benefits of a church congregation.

We love to celebrate birthdays at SPPC. There is cake and singing and laughter and Christian love abounding. Why not join us? 

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.