The Spirit, Dec 2011

FRIENDS OF THE CRECHE

Did you know there is an organization called Friends of the Crèche?  It is dedicated to furthering the tradition of the Crèche, for those who collect, exhibit, study, create or simply treasure Christmas Nativity scenes.  (See www.friendsofthecrèche.org)    

John Raynor must be a member of that organization for he is the one behind this amazing display of Crèche scenes in our Sanctuary on Bazaar day.  This year, there were 36 different scenes  brought in by members of the  congregation.  This is the third year that John has encouraged us to share our treasures, and what treasures they were—everything from a cardboard cut-out version to hand carved olive wood from Israel!     

It was a great joy to act as a host, along with Mike Smith, and to see the reaction of people as they walked into the beautifully decorated Chancel.  There were expressions of awe, reverence and joy on their faces.  Words followed, some of which we share as best we can remember:

“I’ve been in churches all over Europe and I have not seen any more beautiful than this.”

“There is such a feeling of warmth and peace in here.”

“These windows (stained glass) are the most beautiful of any church in Oakville, they all match!”

One tall refined gentleman walked in off the street.  He proceeded down the centre aisle only to the edge of the balcony and silently took it all in.  When asked about his origin, he told us that he was Macedonian Orthodox.  In Orthodox tradition, there is much emphasis on the visual in worship.  He went away with a pamphlet about our December services and a warm invitation to return.

Deb’s Music Notes

The month of December will overflow with joyful noises as we journey through Advent and celebrate Christmas.

On December 4, during the 10:30 am service, the Junior Choir will present the musical Where is the New Born King? by Anna Laura Page and Jean Schafermann.  With both original music and familiar Christmas carols, this pageant is sure to get us thinking about what Jesus’ birth means to us.

On December 11, the Henderson Memorial Bell Choir will present a mini-recital before the church service at 10:30 am, and that evening at 7:00 pm, all of the choirs of St. John’s will join together to present this year’s Candlelight Service entitled Yearning for God.  This service of lessons, carols and anthems focuses on humankind’s need for God, and the many questions we all share about life and the meaning of Christmas.  Special guests Darryl Burton, bass, and Svetlanda Kotliarenko, organ and piano, will complement our own musical forces.  Solos by Stephanie Barone and Paul Schillaci, anthems by our Chancel Choir, City of God, Junior Choir, Henderson Memorial Bell Choir and congregational carols promise to make this an uplifting and yet thought-provoking musical worship experience.

On Sunday morning, December 18, the Oakville Children’s Choir under the direction of Sarah Morrison (this year’s Leslie Bell Conducting Prize winner) will bless us with their fabulous voices and wonderful selection of Christmas music, including a special anthem, John Rutter’s Star Carol, which will feature both the OCC and the St. John’s Chancel Choir.

Saturday night, December 24 (Christmas Eve), the 7:00 pm Family Service will be led musically by City of God and the Junior Choir.  At 10:30 pm, our Candlelight Communion service will feature music by our wonderful soloists, Paul Schillaci and Stephanie Barone, and a beautiful new anthem from our Chancel Choir.

Christmas Day is on Sunday this year.  Please join us that morning to sing your favourite Christmas Carols!

Merry Christmas and God bless us, every one!

- Deb Bradley, Director of Music

Library News

I am pleased to announce a special feature of the Library beginning in the New Year, of the books written by St. John’s members, past and present.

It may surprise you to know that in our Library collection, there are books by 12 different authors from our church.  Each month, we will feature one or two of these authors, and we hope that you will check out one or more of these books for an interesting read.

 This month, take note of the “stained glass window” art work done by Margaret Campbell, posted on an easel just outside the Library. 

Also, be sure to come in and browse any time.  We have CD’s and DVD’s as well as many books for borrowing.  We also have a current copy of The United Church Observer which you may like to borrow if you don’t receive your own copy.  Remember that the Library is here for your pleasure.

- Margaret Godefroy, Library Convenor

STEWARDSHIP UPDATE

The Stewardship Campaign is well under way.  Many pledges have been received already and we wish to thank everyone who has been so conscientious in returning their pledge form. 

If you have not yet returned your pledge form, an Elder will be contacting you by phone very soon. Please keep in mind that completion of our 2012 budget will be made so much easier if you are able to indicate your planned contribution to the church for the year. 

The campaign should be completed by mid-December and results will be announced in due course.

- Dennis Thacker, Chair of Finance

A Message from the Pastoral Care Team

Are you a knitter?  If so, get out your knitting needles and call Dee Webber at 905-844-8394 for information about knitting more prayer shawls for the sick and shut-ins.  This has been a very appreciated ministry, but the team has run out of shawls.  With the winter months ahead, knitting by the fire and sipping hot chocolate can be a very therapeutic pastime and a very welcome gift to those who receive one.

Bazaar Day

It was wonderful weather outside and a warmth inside which helped make our Bazaar a success.  The main and lower levels were packed with wonderful bargains, from the craft table, the gift baskets, the treasure room, the bake table, the silent auction and all the vendors, there was a huge selection.  Marg and Sue served coffee and muffins in the lower level while Dee and her crew served lunch on the main level.  A great job was done by all!

The basket ladies were absolutely amazing with their 197 gift baskets in all, 143 of which were sold on Saturday morning!  More will be available on Sunday, December 4 after church if you are still looking for great presents. 

Brenda Chisholm and Dianne Morris were the creators  of the gift baskets. They want to say a huge Thank You to every one who brought in baskets and good quality items to put into the gift baskets.  This made their job so much easier.  They will begin collecting again early in the spring for next year’s bazaar, so do keep all those baskets and clean tissue paper and gift items you can’t use!

So far, our Bazaar has brought in about $9,000 for our church operating fund.