Busy, busy

star weed-puller

June has been a busy month at SPPC.  Must be something about the end of the school year -- even though church does not take a summer vacation.

clean-up team

At the beginning of the month, there were a couple of work bees outside.  Volunteers pulled weeds, hacked down blackberry vines and trimmed back overgrown shrubs.  Many thanks to all.  Our property is looking very neat and tidy.

On Tuesday of this week, another group of volunteers (actually, there was overlap with the weeding volunteers) spend a morning deep cleaning the kitchen, reorganizing and cupboards and labelling the doors and drawers.  The work was just in time for the strawberry tea on Saturday. 

Well, set up actually began on Friday.   

The event was well attended and the food was beautifully presented.  Thank you especially to Diane and Darlene for that.

lady-in-waiting

ready for topping

assembly line sandwich-making

Craig Henderson Trio

Finally, on Sunday, we relaxed with the church picnic at Island View Beach.  Leftovers from the tea were a welcome bonus to the picnic lunch.  

girl with a pretty hat

welcome shade on a hot day

serious game of bocce

Next week we have the last Bible study of the season.  The choir goes out to dinner.  We lead worship at Saanich Peninsula Hospital on Sunday afternoon.  Like I said -- busy!

STRAWBERRY TEA

   

The strawberry tea on Saturday afternoon can be counted an all around success.   From the beautifully decorated hall to the plates of delicious food to the wonderful piano music, everything worked together to provide patrons with an excellent experience. 
     There were many visitors among the diners and I heard nothing but congratulatory remarks.  "I've never been to a church tea that was as lovely as this," commented a guest at my table.  "What an attractive space," said another.
     

The food was so plentiful and so tasty that many people asked for take-home containers.  They couldn't finish the amount on their plate, but they didn't want to abandon it either!


      

     

  The genealogy group came.

       The ladies took tea.
       

and the gentlemen too.

The production crew perfected their technique.

       We were privileged to have Elizabeth provide background music -- Some background!  She played Beethoven!

      I didn't get pictures of all the "behind the scenes" workers, but Darlene was in charge of the crew and brought some of her friends on board to help.  They did a terrific job.  

      Many thanks to the cooks, the bottle washers, the ticket takers, the launderers, the decorators, the advertisers, the servers and the tea pourers who combined to make the afternoon such a delight.  

   Oh yes, as well as providing a time of fun and fellowship and community, the strawberry tea was a fund-raiser for our youth who will take part in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in March 2015. The final tally isn't in yet and there are still donations coming, but it would appear the tea raised approximately $1000.00 for that project.  Well done everybody!

  

by Felicity Smith

   After much consideration, Maximillian, Diane, and I, Felicity, have decided to join with another local team to embark on a mission trip. This trip will take us to San Pedregal, located in the Dominican Republic during March of 2015. 

     In the past this group has helped to build homes for the most needy in their community, as well as other buildings used to serve their community. They also run an afternoon program for the children; allowing the team to make personal connections, while bringing some joy into all of the children’s day.

    During the next few months we will be doing a fair number of fundraisers, including, bake sales, a BBQ, a “variety talent night”, a Silent auction, a Strawberry Tea, and a Bridge Luncheon. With these fundraisers, we hope to include the community  that surrounds us our church, inviting them into our church home to participate in these events.

    We welcome you all to attend our first event on July 19th, a Strawberry tea. For information on this event and to purchase a ticket call the church office at 250 656-2241

    For more information on following events and the mission trip itself, feel free to talk to Max, Diane, or myself after the service any Sunday.

    Thank you all for your support as we embark on our journey of a life time.