November 2021

Remembrance Day and Advent

Coordinating Minister's Report | Maggie Enwright, Coordinating Minister

  • In recent weeks, there has been a sizeable number of pastoral concerns and several folks experiencing hardship and loss. It is always a delicate balance between confidentiality and sharing concerns, but I know that several people have experienced that a burden shared is a burden eased.

  • Committees and staff continue to explore ways to carry forward some of the good things about operating virtually – images and intimacy of speakers in worship, new connections at coffee hours, and less driving and time for attending meetings online. 

  • Communications continue to be a challenge – as many congregation members are not reading our weekly newsletters.  

Arts Committee | Heather Swallow, Chair

  • We are attempting to coordinate an evening gathering on the lawn in December for carols and comradery, possibly with the Parenting group. Date to be decided.

  • For Advent, the committee will be enhancing the outdoor space with Christmas lights. Some décor is in the gym. We are working with Mark Mikulec to retrieve it and sort it in a safe space.

  • Merrilee Thompson is hosting a two-session Advent Altar workshop. Kathleen Barber is collecting the $5 registration fee through the office. To be held in the E/W Room for no more than 15 people on November 28 and December 5.

Children Youth and Family Committee | Irene Griffiths, Chair

  • Work is underway on a short Christmas pageant, to be produced as a video and viewed as part of one of the Advent services and also included in the 4:00 pm service on Christmas Eve. The younger children will appear in the pageant, and older children and youth will assist with production.

  • The CYF group is looking at ways to have a celebratory pre-Christmas event for the parent group and all others who would like to attend.  We are using last year’s Mardi Gras Zoomed event as a model. 

Finance Committee | Julie Poznanski, Chair

  • No takeaways for the congregation for this month, but committees will be preparing budgets for 2022 by December 3, 20221.

In-Reach Committee | Sally Ball, Chair

  • No takeaways this month. Roll report submitted to the council.

Outreach Committee | Patricia Alexis, Chair

  • Current initiatives are Focus on First campaign for undergarments and rain ponchos, Christmas gifts; Springhouse; Truth and Reconciliation; Refugee Sponsorship; Climate Action; Affirm.

Ministry and Personnel Committee | Jacqueline Kelly, Chair

  • Topics under discussion include part-time custodial; hiring of persons under 19; Christmas Holidays; and an employee vaccination policy.

Property Development | Gordon Esau, Chair

  • No report for this month.

Property Oversight Committee | Mark Mikulec, Chair

  • To repair or demolish the gymnasium - the conversation continues.

Spiritual Nurture Committee | Chris Epting, Chair

  • Virtual Coffee hours - 11:30 am on Sundays after the service via Zoom.  See the link in the newsletter and notes of the Youtube stream.

  • Sallie McFage’s book:  A New Climate for Christology: Kenosis, Climate Change, and Befriending Nature, has been published.  Janet Cawley is looking forward to leading a group to explore this book in the Spring of 2022. 

Trustees | Doug Smart, Chair

  • Approved Covid Protocols were distributed to committees with the proviso that continuing meetings and other activities via Zoom may still be the best choice for many groups.

Worship Committee | Merrilee Thompson, Chair

  • Plans are underway for the Christmas season with advertising, tickets, and banners. Members of the congregation will be served first and the wider community will be informed one week later.

Photo credit Veronika Andrews | Pixabay.com


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