December 2011 Highlights

IMPORTANT NOTICES

Word from Our Minister

A Word from Our Interim Assistant Minister

ADVENT... The Season of Hope

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition.  It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30th, and ends on Christmas Eve (December 24th).
Historically, the primary sanctuary colour of Advent is Purple. This is the colour of penitence and fasting as well as the colour of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King.  The purple of Advent is also the colour of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week.  This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death.  The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion.  The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection.  To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the colour of Lent.
Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing.  There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression.  It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
It is that hope, however faint at times, and that God, however distant He sometimes seems, which bring to the world the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice and righteousness over His people and in His creation.  It is that hope that once anticipated, and now anticipates anew, the reign of an Anointed One, a Messiah, who will bring peace and justice and righteousness to the world.
Part of the expectation also anticipates a judgment on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God.  We long for God to come and set the world right!  Yet, as the prophet Amos warned, the expectation of a coming judgment at the "Day of the Lord" may not be the day of light that we might want, because the penetrating light of God’s judgment on sin will shine just as brightly on God’s people.
The Advent wreath is an increasingly popular symbol of the beginning of the Church year in many churches as well as homes. The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.  The green of the wreath speaks of the hope that we have in God, the hope of newness, of renewal, of eternal life.
Candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son.  The four outer candles represent the period of waiting during the four Sundays of Advent, which themselves symbolize the four centuries of waiting between the prophet Malachi and the birth of Christ.
The light of the candles itself becomes an important symbol of the season.  The light reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, life, and hope.  It also reminds us that we are called to be a light to the world as we reflect the light of God's grace to others (Isa 42:6).  The progression in the lighting of the candles symbolizes the various aspects of our waiting experience.
The first candle is traditionally the candle of Hope.  This draws attention to the anticipation of the coming of an Anointed One, a Messiah, that weaves its way like a golden thread through Old Testament history.  As God’s people were abused by power-hungry kings, led astray by self-centred prophets, and lulled into apathy by half-hearted religious leaders, there arose a longing among some for God to raise up a new king who could show them how to be God’s people.  They yearned for a return of God’s dynamic presence in their midst.
The remaining three candles of Advent may be associated with different aspects of the Advent story in different churches, or even in different years.  Usually they are organized around characters or themes as a way to unfold the story and direct attention to the celebrations and worship in the season.  So, the sequence for the remaining three Sundays might be Bethlehem, Shepherds, Angels - or Love, Joy, Peace - or John the Baptist, Mary, the Magi - or the Annunciation, Proclamation, Fulfilment.  Whatever sequence is used, the Scripture readings, prayers, lighting of the candles, the participation of worshipers in the service, all are geared to unfolding the story of redemption through God’s grace in the Incarnation.
Both the season of Advent and the season of Lent are about hope. It is not just hope for a better day or hope for the lessening of pain and suffering, although that is certainly a significant part of it.  It is more about hope that human existence has meaning and possibility beyond our present experiences, a hope that the limits of our lives are not nearly as narrow as we experience them to be.  It is not that we have possibility in ourselves, but that God is a God of new things and so all things are possible (Isa 42:9, Mt 19:26, Mk 14:36).
Yet, it all begins in the hope that God will come and come again into our world to reveal himself as a God of newness, of possibility, a God of new things.  This time of year we contemplate that hope embodied, enfleshed, incarnated, in a newborn baby, the perfect example of newness, potential, and possibility.  During Advent, we groan and long for that newness with the hope, the expectation, indeed the faith, that God will once again be faithful to see our circumstances, to hear our cries, to know our longings for a better world and a whole life (Ex 3:7).   And we hope that as he first came as an infant, so he will come again as King.
My experience tells me that those who have suffered and still hope understand far more about God and about life than those who have not.  Maybe that is what hope is about: a way to live, not just to survive, but to live authentically amidst all the problems of life with a Faith that continues to see possibility when there is no present evidence of it, just because God is God.  That is also the wonder of Advent.

Rod Ferguson
Interim Assistant Minister

Kirk Session

Music

The A&P Choir resumed regular rehearsals on September 8th during which time our conductor Jordan DeSouza and Music Director Jonathan Oldengarm presented us with stacks of new music.  With the promise of a lovely "Welcome Back" reception following this initial rehearsal, we explored together our music for September and October.  Those who thought we would start slowly and gently were a bit mistaken as challenging but exciting music was given to us to prepare in a very short time.  Jordan also introduced an initiative with new exercises to sensitize our tuning.  Since then, he has diligently followed up on this theme with the result that members of the choir are indeed beginning to listen to each other in deeper ways.  It is easy to sit back and be happy that we get the notes right.  However, it is another thing to really listen to the balance of vocal frequencies as we do this.
During the month of October, the Choir has greatly enjoyed meeting the congregation in the Narthex following the services.  Here at A&P, October has been declared "Meet the Choir Month".  Each section of the choir—basses, altos, tenors, and sopranos—has had its opportunity to greet parishioners.  Reception has been very warm as choristers have greeted old friends and made new ones. 
Now, we are already into November with the upcoming Maison du Parc concert featuring the Mozart Requiem.  The choir is delighted to have the opportunity to explore even more the depths of beauty inherent in this magnificent composition.  Following that, the Advent and Christmas services begin which include the additional special presentations of the "CBC Sing-In" and "Carols by Candlelight".
For the Choir, there is much music to learn, and the holiday season seems just around the corner!!!

Wendy Glaubitz
Choir President

Mission & Outreach

It was a heart-warming evening of friendship on Monday, November 14th, at Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre in Little Burgundy.  Rev. Jeff Veenstra and Tyndale Chaplain Rev. Alan Marjerison led our worship service. Jeff’s homily, "You are the one" really struck the right note.
More right notes were sung in "Amazing Grace" and "Ode to Joy" led by the ReachOut with Music kids.  Afterward, over heaping plates of spaghetti and delicious desserts, new friends and old were soon laughing happily together.  It was a great evening, and we thank Executive Director Jen de Combe and her staff and volunteers for their warm welcome. 

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Thank you for your generous offerings to the ReachOut with Music program and especially to Diane Janna who worked tirelessly to direct the production.  If you missed it this year, it’s certain you’ll have a chance to catch up in the next Advent season.
Members of the Outreach Committee have once again been touched by the work and dedication of the twenty-one local service organizations in our community that your stewardship helps to support.  They all expressed gratitude for your gifts and look forward to meeting you again on Sunday, January 22nd, as we celebrate their care for our city’s most needy.  Many can use volunteers to lend a hand and you can learn more about them all on our website.
One of those organizations has offered us the opportunity, over the Christmas season, to serve the homeless in our community.  The Open Door, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church at the corner of René Lévesque and Atwater, has asked us (along with other local churches) to allow their staff to have some time off by replacing them for one day.  Our day is Wednesday, December 28th.  We also welcome those who cannot spend the day at The Open Door but who would like to help prepare food at home (cook a turkey or ham, prepare side dishes or provide desserts) as the cooking facilities at The Open Door are very limited for baking.  Get more information from Thea Calder by e-mail or phone (514-935-0638).
We’ve decided to change the name of the increasingly popular after-service gathering to Coffee and Fellowship which better capture its atmosphere.  It’s a chance to welcome strangers, to catch up with old friends and, yes, to discreetly conduct a little church business.  That increasing popularity and the often remarked-upon busyness in our church also stimulate creativity in finding room.  Our creativity fails us on December 4th when the CBC takes over a lot of space, so there will be no gathering on that Sunday.  However, on the following week, Christmas Pageant Sunday, Coffee and Fellowship will be held in the Memorial Tower.  Our coordinator, Thea Calder, has figured out a way to prevent the tempting aroma of coffee from wafting into the Sanctuary.
Two hundred and fifty lovingly knitted caps, scarves and mittens, plus a handful of retail gift cards will soon be winging their way to the Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry.  The knitting will help keep the needy and homeless a little warmer this winter, and the gift cards will let families buy food, jackets, blankets and toys. We have the impression that as important as these small gifts may be - for some the only gift they will receive - the love and friendship of friends far away is even more important at Christmas.
A new ReachOut with Music venture will underline this new way of carrying our rich musical heritage into the community… and you can take part on Wednesday, December 21st.  We revive the great old tradition of carolling. You don’t need a lot of ability to carry a tune, just the ability to carry a book of carols.  Thanks to Dr. Jacqueline McClaran, we’ll sing in the afternoon in the Palliative and Transitional Care units at the Montreal General Hospital and, after a short break, go door to door in Pointe St. Charles.  Join one or both. To sign up or for more information, please contact Diane Janna.
No date has yet been determined but once again in the New Year, flags will fly on Heritage Sunday as we celebrate those from around the world who enrich our intercultural congregation.  A Taste of the Nations reception will follow in Kildonan Hall.

Keith Randall
Co-chair, Mission and Outreach Committee 

The Guild

It’s hard to believe, but Fall Fair 2011 has come and gone…and  what a Fair it was, as you can see by the pictures!
The sun shone, and right on cue, old friends and new charged the Redpath Street doors at 9:30 a.m.  They were greeted warmly upon entering, and found a festive array of items for sale at the Christmas Table – what better way to begin one’s seasonal shopping? 
Kildonan Hall was decked brightly with a wonderful array of goods for sale:  Asian Delights, Linens and Laces, Jewellery, Trifles and Treasures, Books to enjoy on a cold winter’s night.  At the Bottle Shop, where we could pick a number and take a chance on a 'bottled' prize.  The Coffee and Muffins room was the place to be if you needed a little 'time-out' from the shopping extravaganza to enjoy an assortment of muffins. 

Finally, but by no means least, the Iona Room sold Home Baking, Preserves of all sorts, and our famous Plum Puddings!  Did you know that 350 lbs. were prepared this year by a dedicated, and ever-expanding number of volunteers?  We could probably sell even more!  And what goes better with plum pudding than hard sauce?  We really appreciate those volunteers who prepare this rich, tasty accompaniment, and rumour has it that this team is in need of more volunteers due to its popularity!

	For all who enjoyed lunch, we were guided to the perfect table by our dashing maitre d’, and greeted and served by a cheerful and fun team of waitresses!
	A delicious luncheon was prepared once again by a knowledgeable team behind the scenes and we thank them so much for their hard work – there were rave reviews!

Ministry Committee

Generation XYZ 

We are currently engaged in a Bible study.  It is called "Becoming a Contagious Christian".  It is a course designed to help everyday Christians – like you and me - to confidently and effectively share their faith with people they know.  
Our group will be meeting on Wednesday December 7, 2011.

Church School

The Congregation was treated to a wonderful performance by the Church School chorus recently – they performed a lively African song to the delight of everyone and we are planning many more performances in the near future!
Preparations are well underway for the Christmas Pageant which is scheduled for Sunday, December 11th at 4:30 PM.  This event is a huge undertaking and would not be possible without the help of numerous volunteers.

 If you would like to help out with supervising the children, costumes, makeup, etc. etc. please contact me at 450-689-4379 or email grammy.shani@sympatico.ca.
Rehearsal takes place on Saturday, December 10th from 1:00 - 4:30 PM and then the children and volunteers return on Sunday, December 11th at 3:00 PM for final preparations before Curtain Time!!
After the Pageant, we welcome everyone to attend the Church School Family Christmas Dinner held in Kildonan Hall.  This is a special sit-down dinner and a wonderful time of fun and fellowship - and of course a special visit from the jolly old man in red!!!  Please contact me at the above-mentioned phone number and email address to reserve space for your families – visitors are most welcome.
Proceeds from the Pageant will be donated once again to the SOS Children’s Villages Canada.
Four of our Church School families will be participating in the Advent Candle Lighting each Sunday as we prepare the children for the wonderful celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus.  The Church School Christmas participation culminates with a wonderful Family Service on Christmas Eve at 4:00 PM – a service that is directed completely to the children.  Please invite your family and friends to join us for this very special service.
Looking ahead to January – please note that the Youth Retreat is scheduled at Villa St. Martin – January 13th-15th.  Details will be noted in future Sunday bulletins.

Sharon Dworzak
Church School Coordinator

A&P Youth Group

On November 5th, the Youth Group did a wonderful job helping out with the Fall Fair cleanup and loaded up a large truck from Tyndale with numerous boxes of unsold items which were donated to many of their families in need.  Their efforts were immensely appreciated and we received numerous compliments on their behalf.  After the cleanup we headed out to dinner and a movie and celebrated Luca Cristofaro’s birthday together.  This coming Sunday another dinner is being planned and there's another birthday to celebrate – Happy Birthday Ashlea Potter-Powell!!!

The Youth Group is very much involved in the planning of the Christmas Pageant and many of the older members will be taking on different roles this year – helping out with lighting, with the supervision of the younger children as well as with costumes and make-up, assisting with the direction in the Narthex and in many other capacities.  Most of the members of our Youth Group have played various roles in the Pageant over the years and it is very exciting and gratifying to have them still interested and wanting to be involved.  As mentioned in the Church School Report – please note that the Youth Retreat will be taking place at Villa St. Martin January 13th – 15th.   This is a very popular and fun weekend and we are hoping that many young people from grades 6 through high school will attend.  More details of the weekend will be posted in future church Bulletins.
We invite all young people from Grades 6 through High School to join this energetic and friendly group.  For more information, please contact Art or Sharon Dworzak at 450-689-4379 or email grammy.shani@sympatico.

Arthur and Sharon Dworzak
Youth Group Leaders

Unsung Hero

Mrs. Lilian Trudel
Lilian Trudel calls herself a fairly new member of St. Andrew and St. Paul.  An Anglican by birth, she came first to hear Mozart's Requiem and says she loved the "wonderful music" at the church concerts.  She liked what she saw and heard, so twelve years ago, she decided to try the church.  She says "as a child, going to church is expected by parents, but until you learn it by yourself, it doesn't have as much meaning".  Now she is active in the Guild and walks downtown to church on Sundays and to the Thursday morning Bible Study.  "You pay more attention as an adult".
Lilian grew up in Westmount and studied English Literature at McGill University.  She spent forty years in theatre in Montreal, as an English teacher at Hampstead and Royal Dale schools and with the Montreal Repertory Theatre company.  She remembers the founder of MRT, Charles Rittenhouse, and his project to get members of the company to teach drama in schools.  For several years, students who were doing well at school got to take drama lessons twice a week.  A performance of "Little Women" at Hampstead stays in her memory.  "Children are marvelous. They have no inhibitions."  She says it was unfortunate that not all children got to take part in those classes and wishes the same kind of access to theatre was still offered in schools.
Lilian married a French theatre designer and they've travelled regularly to England and France.  She likes to go off on her own as well, to Spain, to Italy and to stay active.  She reads a lot, "I love history", she adds.  She is active in the McGill Institute for Learning in Retirement, MILR, now known as the McGill Community for Lifelong Learning.  She is reading about South America these days.  "Peru interests me enormously" she says.
With another Requiem performance in the offing, Lilian looks forward to the Christmas season services at the church.  "I'm very good at closing out the commercial side of Christmas".  For her, Christmas is best celebrated making a present for someone, like the little doll she made for a girl who didn't have one, when she was a child.  It's a thought we can all keep with us as we celebrate this year. 
Thank you Lilian, for your contribution to our church community!

Written by Jeanette Kelly