Dear St. Stephen’s church family,

Some news:

Confirmation class

meets tomorrow from 2-4. See you there!

Clergy Blessings

We are blessed to have clergy who have been a part of our parish family for many years and seasons. The Rev Canon John Davies acted as hospital chaplain in Saskatoon hospitals for many years, and served in many ways as a pastor and leader in St. Stephen’s and elsewhere. Last Sunday, on the feast of All Saints and All Souls, he celebrated communion. Thank you John for your love and commitment to our parish and to the church. 

Praying Together

Thank you to the Rev Perry for organizing and leading 2 prayer workshops to help us grow in daily prayer and worship, using the Anglican books of prayer as a resource. This morning he led us through the green prayer book–the Book of Alternative services and helped us navigate the lectionary, prayers, collect, litanies etc.!

During Advent, it would be wonderful to hold Evening Prayer each day (not weekends) at 6 pm at our church, led by a parish member. The service would be simple, 20 minutes long or so, and all would be welcome to attend, but the leader may be (will most likely be) there by themselves, praying on behalf of the whole church community. This may be a way for you to deepen in personal devotion and practice as you take part as you are able. If you are interested in taking part, please meet with me following the service on Sunday, November 30.  We will talk about schedule, liturgy and logistics to see if this is possible and good. I am thinking about how we could broadcast this time of prayer (thank you to Margaret H for the suggestion), and it may be that one could participate by zoom. These details will be decided! English Language Conversation Circles

Jingle Bell Bazaar News

Thank you to Cathryn and Bronwen for organizing last night’s Jingle Bell Bazaar Work Bee and to all who attended. It was a productive and cozy evening of working together on the various items we will have for sale next weekend. It was a wonderful surprise to have Anna Cheriyan bring some members of Power to Change (the campus organization where Andrea and Rev Perry work), to help out! They were looking for some volunteer service opportunity and decided to come and pitch in. Youth Group Schedule

                              

Jingle Bell Bazaar: Saturday, November 15th, from 10-2.  Come and join in the fun. There are still some volunteer slots that need to be filled. Take a look at the sign up sheet in the Mitchell Hall for details. 

And this is from Bronwen: Ladies and Gentlemen, start your ovens! We would love to receive your baking donations (bread, buns, loaves, squares, cookies, preserves, etc.) on Friday afternoon between 1:30-5:30. Don’t worry about pricing. We will do that for you so that it is consistent. Craft items welcome too, with thanks.  

White elephant items can be brought anytime (Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday between 9:30-1:30 best), or Friday between 1:30-5:30. You may price if you wish, or let us do it. Our goal with white elephant items is to clear the table by the end of the day, so prices will be reduced as we get closer to the end of the sale so there is less to bring to various second hand stores. (PS one of the needed volunteer jobs is to bring these unsold items to Mission Thrift or another location after the sale). Thank you for saving your treasures, gently used or new items for the sale. 

Hope to see you all there on Saturday! Bring a friend, bring a neighbour, stay for lunch, enjoy the Jingle Bell Bazaar! **Don’t forget to place your order for Jingle Bell Biryani! Made with love by the Rev Sunil and Sabitha. Tell your friends, spread the word. Pick up is November 23rd.

Cozy Advent Afternoon

Sunday, December 14th from 2-4: Cozy Advent Afternoon. Horse and wagon rides, an Advent craft for all ages and Evening Prayer. This is a wonderful event for friends and family. Sign up sheet to help out on that day on the bulletin board in the Mitchell Hall.

Christmas Pageant

Planning is underway! The Pageant will take place on Sunday, December 21st, during the 10:30 am service, with dress rehearsal on the 20th. Practices Sundays in Advent, during church school. 

Photo Bulletin Board

Thank you to all who had their photos taken for our parish bulletin board photo directory. If you didn’t have a chance, Jen will be taking photos again on Sunday, November 16th (also the day Bishop Chad visits the parish).

Young Adults

Young adults meet with Rev Perry Sunday–tomorrow– afternoon. See Perry for details. And please note the opportunity to make lunch at the Friendship Inn together, in service of God and neighbour on Saturday, December 13th. Talk to Amy. See also the upcoming Winter Retreat with Bishop Chad as guest speaker! Register now and talk to Perry for details.

Parish Newsletter: the Scroll

The deadline for the December edition of the Scrollis November 28th. Please have all articles, news and submissions in to Linda B by then. Linda can be emailed or paper copies of submissions can be put in her mail box. (Mailboxes are found at the top of the stairs, and mail will be put in the box under the first letter of your last name).

Study Opportunities

Advent Book Afternoons–Thursdays beginning late November, for 4 weeks. We will read and discuss: Once Upon A Wardrobe, by Patti Callahan. If you would like me to order a book for you, let me know by Sunday–tomorrow. Feel free to find your own copy and read and bring. I will let you know the amount once I have placed the order. 

Advent Evenings at Sherbrooke: Tuesday, December 2, 9, 16 at 7 pm. Come and explore the traditional themes of Advent: peace, joy, hope and love. All are welcome. Parishioner and Sherbrooke resident Marc C and Amy lead this study together. 

News and Dates:

Confirmation Sunday, January 26th at 10:30 am. The Rev Amy is made territorial Archdeacon in the Diocese of Saskatoon–Tuesday, January 13th in the afternoon/evening.

Monday: for Indigenous veterans and their families. For all who served in war, for all who never came home. 
Tuesday: for all veterans and their families, for all who have experienced the pain and reality of war, for those who are currently serving in various places in the world. For healing and peace for all. 
Wednesday: for Kingsley and Faith, with Sophie and Zoey 
Thursday: for Jeannette I  
Friday: for Jen, with Kyla, Chase and Colton 

In Christ’s peace and love, 

Rev Amy <><
 

What have you done this day because it was the will of Christ? Have you dismissed, once dismissed, an anxious thought for the morrow? Have you ministered to any needy soul or body, and kept your right hand from knowing what your left hand did? Have you begun to leave all and follow him? Did you set yourself to judge righteous judgment? Are you being wary of covetousness? Have you forgiven your enemy? Are you seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness before all other things? Are you hungering and thirsting after righteousness? Have you given to some one that asked of you? Tell me something that you have done, are doing, or are trying to do because he told you.
-George MacDonald