We'll Eat Again

 Link for this week's live-streamed service is here

Sunshine Lunch

After a pause of two and a half years, the Sunshine Lunch was back on Monday of this week. This is a time of fellowship for people of our congregation who live alone. As was proven during the pandemic, loneliness is a hazard to both physical and mental health, so the return of this program is most appreciated. Thanks to Joan and Darlene and their helpers for reviving a much valued tradition. Special thanks to Barb for being a volunteer driver.  The few pictures below show only a hint of the hard work and the good spirits that went into the lunch. There will be another one in December.

Friendship Coffee

On Thursday, Friendship Coffee returned to the church building. This is a time of fellowship for all, including visitors and out-of-town relatives. Thanks to Brian and Vivien, Al and Irene for the coffee and cookies, set up and take down. 

Newcomers Lunch

On Sunday, we held our newcomers lunch. Again because of the pandemic, we have had to put this custom on hold, so our "newcomers" might not have been that new, but it was still a lovely time to welcome them into the family of SPPC. And, as Rev. Irwin said, thank them for choosing us. 

We had a delicious hot lunch -- lots of casseroles -- and cake. Each newcomer was welcomed with a little gift bag including note cards and a church directory. 

There were lots of old-timers too!

Vera Lynn sang "we'll meet again, don't know where, don't know when." But we'll eat again on Tuesday at the legislature!

*****

Sign of the times: 

We've sacrificed one vehicular parking space to make room for a bike rack to accommodate eight bicycles. The spot was well marked with warning cones and reflective tape to prevent any unwary driver from running into it. 😀

More Thank yous:

Fred has been pitching in to tend the flower beds. The one at the north side of the lounge was particularly overgrown. Look at it now!

We've had a wonderful week at SPPC. Our "newcomers" have joined right in, reading scripture, singing in the choir, working in the kitchen and digging in the garden. Welcome, welcome, and thank you. One person told me she'd found SPPC to be very warm and welcoming, without overwhelming her. That sounds like a good balance. Just in case you're interested, we have room for more -- in the pews, on the committees, in the choir, in fellowship and in study. Come join the family at SPPC.

Welcome

Valentine's Day fell on Sunday this year and SPPC celebrated  -- not young love, although there was a couple celebrating their wedding anniversary -- but agape.  Since our preferred expression of love is to break bread together, we held a newcomers pot luck lunch after service.  

A newcomers event used to be an annual happening at SPPC but somewhere in the past few years it got lost.  

That made Sunday's event lots of fun as we weren't sure who should be categorized as "new."  Some of our "new" members have attended for a couple of years or more, some for only a few Sundays.  No matter, all were invited to fill up at the food table, and some, who were definitely new got a rose corsage.

In addition to the time of fellowship, there were some useful pamphlets distributed.  "Who's who? at SPPC" is a handy reference for newcomer and old-timer alike.  Some ministry's in the church are obvious -- Larry is our organist and choir director, Irwin is our preacher and Josh hangs out on the PA system most Sundays.  But what about Mission and Outreach?  Nurture? Finance and Property?  Members of those committees change from time to time so it's nice to have a list -- with phone numbers! I'm sure there are activities not covered by the brochure, Camp Imodene for example, but it's nice to have a quick guide to the common activities at SPPC.

There was also a leaflet on weekday groups in the congregation.  Bible Study, Prayer Group, Saanich Peninsula Hospital Services, Friendship Coffee, Choirs, Compassionate Resource Warehouse, Grief and Recovery Group, Genealogy Group and The Sunshine Lunch, to list some, but not all the opportunities for service and friendship at SPPC.  The number of activities made me catch my breath.  We are a very active congregation!

Thanks to the fellowship committee, especially Janet Smith,  for organizing the lunch.  Thanks to those who brought food and thanks to those who ate it.  Special welcome to those who came for the first time and to those faithful members who come Sunday after Sunday, year after year.  

As the anthem says, "Many gifts, One Spirit."  May we all, new and established, seeker and settler, share our gifts and give thanks to the Spirit who blesses our fellowship with His love.