October 2011
It’s October and our church is bustling. All of our committees, our volunteers and our church staff are busy meeting and planning wonderful events and activities for us all to join in on. As you follow the reports in this Newsletter, you will note that the level of commitment and goodwill that we enjoy at St. Andrew and St. Paul is truly amazing.
Our Fall Fair is fast approaching. It is our most significant fundraiser of the year. Come, have fun and lend your support in whatever way you can. Also, don’t forget to see who our Unsung Hero is this month, following the Youth report.
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Also, if you have any comments or suggestions regarding our Newsletter, please contact us at: A&P NEWSLETTER
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October 2011 Highlights |
| Sat, Oct 1 |
Patrimoine Church and Organ Tour (11 am)
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| Sun, Oct 2 |
The Sacrament of Holy Communion (11 am) |
| Sun, Oct 2 |
Annual Family Apple Picking (1 pm) |
| Sun, Oct 2 |
Patrimoine Church and Organ Tour (2 pm) |
| Sun, Oct 9 |
Thanksgiving Sunday Service (11 am)
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| Sun, Oct 9 |
Chapel Communion Service (12:15 pm)
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| Sun, Oct 9 |
Young at Heart Luncheon (12 - 1:30 pm) |
Sun, Oct 16
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Sunday Service (11 am)
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Sun, Oct 16
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Lunch & Learn Series (12 noon)
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Sun, Oct 23
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Mission Sunday Service (11 am)
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| Sun, Oct 23 |
Commissioning of Stephen Ministers (during service)
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Thu, Oct 27
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Young At Heart Luncheon (12 - 1:30 pm) |
Fri, Oct 28
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Annual Pumpkin Ball (6 pm)
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| Please do not forget to check other regular activities and committee meeting dates and times on our website. Just click here |
IMPORTANT NOTICES |
The Knitters for Neechewagon are making up our parcels again in late November and doing well but as ever, we are seeking wool and new knitters. Please leave wool donations at the church office or join our group at the church the first Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m.
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The Church School needs volunteers. If you would like to join our team of teachers and shepherds or have a talent to share even just once a month, please contact me at 450-689-4379 or email grammy.shani@sympatico.ca
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A Word from Our Minister |
 Dear friends,
Thanksgiving is almost upon us again. It is a time set aside to give thanks for the countless things that make our lives worthwhile. Although it is commonly believed that the Thanksgiving tradition began in 1621 when pilgrims gathered to share a meal to offer thanks for their first harvest in North America, I think the practice began much earlier than that.
Indeed the call to give thanks to God echoes throughout scripture.
In fact, the argument can easily be made that gratitude is the fundamental Christian emotion, that it is the basic human response to the goodness and mercy of God. The deeply influential 20th century theologian, Karl Barth, reminded his students that the heart of Christian experience is not guilt, as we have sometimes been taught. It is not obligation, as we occasionally conclude, but gratitude because life, all of it, is a gift. We did nothing to earn or deserve it. Rather it was given to us gratis.
Another prominent Christian, C.S. Lewis, observed the connection between gratitude and personal well-being: "I noticed how the humblest and at the same time most balanced minds praised most, while the cranks, misfits, and malcontents praised least. Praise almost seems to be inner health made audible." Jesus would concur. For example, on one occasion Luke reports that Jesus healed ten people afflicted with leprosy (17: 11-19). He then instructed them to go show themselves to the priests who would subsequently announce them as being clean and permit them to re-enter society. The ten went as instructed. However, only one returned to Jesus thanking him and praising God. Jesus then said something very curious to the man: "Your faith has made you well." Was not the man already healed? Apparently there is much more to health than being disease free. As Jesus saw and named it, the man’s sense of gratitude was what made him well.
The basic Christian response to God is gratitude: gratitude for life, for the world, for loved ones, for daily bread, for gifts and talents, for wonder and beauty, for God’s love in Christ and for the church, where we can worship and live out our faith. Writer Anne Lamott says that her two favourite prayers are, in the morning, "Help me. Help me. Help me." And at bedtime, "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you." I would add my own personal favourite, the weekly ritual of standing and singing, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."
Be well,
Jeff |
A Word from Our Interim Assistant Minister |
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 "Young at Heart Luncheons"
A new opportunity for fun and fellowship has been created for members and friends of A&P, particularly those of Senior years.
A "Young at Heart Luncheon" will be held on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month from 12 – 1:30 p.m., through to the end of November. A light soup and sandwich lunch will be served in the Iona Room (3415 Redpath St.) for a modest cost with a lighthearted programme to follow. This is an excellent opportunity to spend time with friends, make new friends and come to feel more at home at the church.
The first lunch was held on September 22nd with a programme of ecclesiastical humour by Rod Ferguson. On October 13th we will have a Thanksgiving theme and on the 27th, Professor Yuzo Ota will speak on Japan following the Tsunami. November 10th will have a Remembrance theme with Dr. J.S.S. Armour telling the story of the Black Watch Window. The November 24th lunch programme has yet to be decided.
Come out and join us!
Rod Ferguson
Interim Assistant Minister
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Kirk Session During the summer, the Kirk Session held a special meeting to consider a request from Kosta Theofanos, a member of this congregation, to be recommended to the Presbytery of Montreal for recertification to the Presbyterian College as a candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament. Kosta had previously been certified to the College by another congregation but, for personal reasons, had been unable to complete his studies. In the meanwhile, Kosta became a member of our congregation so our recommendation was sought. On July 17th, Session approved the necessary recommendation and on September 20th, the Presbytery recertified him as a candidate.
With this recertification, our congregation now has two members pursuing their studies toward being called as ministers. In December 2009, Session recommended Joel Coppieters for certification; he is now entering his In-Ministry year with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. Lambert.
In addition, Session has been asked to recommend two additional members for certification. These requests will be considered by Session this month.
How exciting it is for our congregation to have so many members seeking to become ministers. We ask everyone to support them with their prayers and encouragement as they go forward in the service of our Lord.
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Music |
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 October is a time of preparation in the Music Department, like pulling back the spring on a catapult that will launch us into the Advent and Christmas seasons.
We have held a spate of organ-related events recently, including a recital as part of the Festival Orgue et Couleurs (September 29th) by Julie Pinsonneault, winner of the 2011 Lynnwood Farnam Organ Playing Competition; and a series of guided tours of the church and organ on the weekend of September 30th to October 2nd, presented in collaboration with the Patrimoine réligieuse du Québec.
Besides an ambitious weekly Sunday music list available here: /current-music-list/, our special projects for the Fall include the Maison du Parc benefit concert with the MSO Players' Association (Friday, Nov. 25th), the CBC Sing-In (Sunday, Dec. 4th) and Carols by Candlelight (Sunday, Dec. 18th).
We are excited about our ongoing projects and we appreciate all of your support.
Jonathan Oldengarm
Director of Music
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Mission & Outreach |
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 The start of the new church year proved to be as busy and exciting as we anticipated. The first meeting of the Mission & Outreach Committee welcomed five new members:
Clara Maranzano
Diane Gardner
Derek Foote
Jacqueline McClaran
Siska Chen
Our program to reinvigorate the historic partnership with Tyndale St-Georges Community Centre in Little Burgundy focuses on establishing a happy band of volunteers to lend a hand in their many programs. Françoise Morin-Lyons will lead a dozen youngsters on Saturdays with ReachOut with Music programs starting in October and is delighted with offers from A&P members of guitars, violins and trombones. We are hoping that we can find an occasion in our busy church calendar for her  to bring children from a similar program in Kanawake to share worship with the Church School one Sunday.
Tyndale was also the destination for the September 25th PWS&D Walkathon in support of vulnerable families in Pakistan. We raised $1960.00 for PWS&D Pakistan and enjoyed fellowship starting with a BBQ in the Quiet Garden. We then walked over to Tyndale Community Center, many sporting our new easily recognisable T-Shirts and no doubt creating a bit of a stir as we proceeded down Guy Street.
 Once at Tyndale, we were greeted by a warm and welcoming team of the Board of Directors and a lovely table of sweets. A personalized tour of their facility quickly showed us the breadth of services they offer. It is extremely impressive. They have programs for all ages ranging from their stellar afterschool program which includes support for students with learning disabilities and the Mother Goose programme of reading for tots in conjunction with the Montreal Children’s library. They also offer cooking and nutrition workshops; pre-employability programmes and business start-up support; computer and internet courses (also offered on-line) and the Tyndale Treasures shop.
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 We would encourage anyone who has a few hours to spare, to share your talents as a volunteer withTyndale by contacting them at:
Centre communautaire Tyndale St-Georges
870 Richmond Square
Montreal, Quebec. H3J 1V7
Tel: 514-931-6265
E-mail: volunteer@tyndalestgeorges.com
You can also see where you could lend them a hand by viewing volunteer activities at the following http://www.tyndalestgeorges.com/english/volunteering/.
For those who love Sushi, there is a fund raiser for Tyndale on October 5th.
The Mission and OutReach team would like to thank everyone who contributed, walked and helped out on the 25th. Without you, it could not have been possible.
Planning is underway for what could become a regular addition to Christmas at A&P. The reading of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" will take place on Sunday afternoon, November 27th and should prove popular with all ages. Similar events have been a big hit at other churches. All who would like to help out will be welcomed by kindly contacting djana@sympatico.ca. We appreciate all talents…set construction, costume design, ticket sales, etc…etc…etc.
The Rev. Stewart Folster sent along a report from Michelle Lepp, Student Support Worker this past summer at the Saskatoon Native Circle Ministry. She began by expressing her fear about the "dangerous area consisting of drug dealers, street workers" she had heard of on 20th Street, and concluded:
"The people who come into the mission are not the harsh and frightening group that I had pictured in my mind. In fact, they are kind and caring people who unfortunately have circumstances in their lives which leave them unable to provide food for themselves and/or their families. And while some of them may have made negative choices in their lives, this does not define who they are or the area of town in which they reside. A strong trait I can see in the people who I have had the pleasure of meeting is strength - strength in the fact that they are able to make it day to day even though they may not have a roof over their heads or money in their pockets. They show strength in the fact that they are able to set aside their pride and acknowledge the fact that they need help. And finally, there is strength in the fact that they are willing to keep their morals and faith when facing hard times even though it would be easier just to let them fall away."
It is those strong people for whom we pray and who will receive our little gifts of knitted articles and food certificates at Christmas.
Ensuring that visitors are welcomed with Christian hospitality is everyone’s responsibility and Outreach tries to do our part with the Welcome Table and the increasingly popular Coffee & Conversation, a time and place to overcome our shyness and shake hands with strangers. With the pressure on space due to pre-Christmas events, we’ll try again to fit the gathering into the Memorial Tower on several occasions without distracting worshippers with the aroma of brewing coffee. You are encouraged to volunteer to help out with Coffee & Conversation. It’s a pretty simple process and a great way to meet new friends. We’ll also renew efforts to ensure that newcomers to our intercultural community receive all the encouragement possible to find their place in our midst.
Also, stay tuned for more news on a special service to be held at Tyndale St-Georges Community Center on Monday evening, November 14th. Please save this date in your calendar.
Keith Randall
Co-chair, Mission and Outreach Committee
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Ministry Committee |
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Generation XYZ
We continue our Bible study and we have also had movie discussions this month. This fall the group met on September 7th for the first meeting.
We discussed the new Bible study we were going to do. 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. The emphasis is on natural approaches that work over time to bring family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to the point of trusting in Christ. This program involves a work book, DVD’s and of course, the Bible.
The group will meet on Wednesdays on the following dates this month: - October 5th, 19th, and 26th.
Please consult the Church Calendar on our website for times.
For information please contact Generation XYZ leader Brian McLeod at brian.macleod@mail.mcgill.ca
Church School
Welcome Back to Church School Sunday took place on September 11th and it was wonderful to see the children again after such a beautiful summer.
We welcomed back our staff with breakfast and I am so pleased to report that all of our teachers have returned other than Rachel Bradley who completed her studies at McGill and returned to the United States.
A display was setup in the Iona Room for the parents and students to enjoy.
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It showed off just some of the wonderful work completed during the Summer Program.
We are all very excited to begin our new "Faith Alive" series which I am sure the children will enjoy as they learn and grow in their faith.
 On Sunday, September 25th we participated in the "Walkathon" to Tyndale in aid of PWS&D/Pakistan. It was a great success with participants from the church school, youth group and congregation.
We had wonderful tours by the Tyndale volunteers and were treated to delicious desserts and juice when we arrived.
It was a day of fellowship and an opportunity for our young people to do their part in helping others in need and to visit the organization that they help support in numerous ways throughout the year.
On October 2nd we will be heading off on our Annual Family Apple Picking trip after the service –  "Rain or Shine" as there are sheltered picnic areas. This year we will be going to "À la Croisée des Pommes" in St. Joseph du Lac. It is a beautiful location with a wonderful park for the children to play in, as well as wagon rides and of course an animal farm. Buses will be leaving the church at 1 p.m. and all are welcome to join us. The cost is $5 to $20 per bag of apples depending on which size bag you choose. Please bring along a picnic lunch – there is a country store as well, so you can treat yourselves to some wonderful goodies!!
Mark Friday, October 28th on your calendars!!
 The Pumpkin Ball is being organized by the A&P Youth Group and we have booked some very special entertainment for the children – It is a surprise – Don’t miss "Fire and Ice"!!!
Please reserve for supper at 6 PM!!
We are always in search of volunteers, so if you would like to join our team of teachers and shepherds or have a talent to share even just once a month, please contact me at 450-689-4379 or email mailto:grammy.shani@sympatico.ca
A&P Youth Group
Our Youth Group enjoyed getting together again after the summer at Thursdays Restaurant for a Brunch/Brainstorming Meeting. What amazing ideas they have come up with including many activities to help those less fortunate than themselves locally and worldwide and of course some fun events to enjoy together.
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We are pleased to have some new members who joined our senior class this year, and all were made to feel very welcome by our older teens.
Their first activity this year was be to participate and help out with the younger Church School children in the PWS&D/Pakistan "Walkathon" on Sunday, September 25th.
On October 28th, they will be organizing and participating in activities as well as hosting the family dinner at our Annual Pumpkin Ball.
On November 5th, they will once again be helping out with the Fall Fair cleanup and then they will be off to dinner and a movie after their work is done!!
We are currently seeking out venues for a Laser Tag event – details will be noted in the Church Bulletin as soon as a date has been chosen.
Some of the organizations and causes our young people would like to help, in addition to PWS&D, are Dans La Rue, SADD and they are once again planning to participate in the Canadian Cancer Relay for Life in the spring. This is indeed a very caring group of young Christians who believe they have a responsibility to help wherever they can.
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
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Unsung Hero |
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 Ms. Diane Gardner
I meet Diane Gardner in the Quiet Garden. She’s wearing her gold A&P t-shirt, serving hotdogs the day of the walk to Tyndale-St. Georges.
After lunch we sit down on one of the benches in a quiet part of the Quiet Garden. Diane's British accent makes me wonder where she’s from: Shropshire, she tells me "But I spent a lot of time in Oxford and London, teaching English literature in high school." Then, with an 18-month old son, she and her husband set off on an adventure: they moved to Toronto! "Sheer wanderlust", she says, "we wanted to see something!"
Diane taught English for 30 years there, finishing out her career at East York Collegiate. She loved her students. She says: "It's wonderful. I don't want to sound corny but I enjoy teenagers' energy. For the most part, they’re willing to learn." Her favourite writer? Shakespeare. She says she and her students did a lot of acting, role playing, modernizing the roles. "It’s great to see kids all ready to go, with tremendous optimism about life."
After her husband died in the early 2000, Diane moved to Montreal to be closer to her son. She was attracted to the European context of Montreal and enjoys being surrounded by the French language. She first came to A&P on Christmas Eve, 2005 and became a member a year later. It was Mary Jane Stikeman who convinced the former Anglican to try A&P. When Diane objected, saying that she wasn’t Presbyterian, Mary Jane replied "You have to go to my church, just go and see." So Diane did and she was impressed by the architecture, the music, Dr. Topping's sermons, the strong sense of fellowship and community. "I felt something special happening here."
She jumped right in, accepting to be social convenor for the Guild for four years. Edna Ralston got her on board as co-convenor first off with the explanation "It’s just a little job, some teas and such!" Of course, as Diane found out, being social convenor is a very big job. She says "You’re always in the kitchen or coordinating volunteers for the various receptions, dinners and Lenten lunches. There are things to do ten months of the year. But Diane says it was a wonderful way to get to know so many people in the church. "I got back just as much, if not more."
Diane is now on the Mission and Outreach Committee, thus the walk to Tyndale. It’s part of a fundraiser for the PWS&D to raise money for the most impoverished areas of Pakistan. She’s modest about her contributions and conscious that you have to draw a line to keep on having fun. But some of her favourite moments are Flag Day when she carries the British flag and chopping in the church kitchen for the Christmas puddings.
Diane travels a lot with her partner Derek Foote, including regular visits to England. She plays tennis and belongs to a long-standing book club. "Notes from an Exhibition" by Patrick Gale is the book she is presenting this month. She recommends it for the theme of the connection between bipolarity and creativity and says there is a Quaker streak in the novel. It’s about the very messy business of family and enduring marriages. So with the inspirations of literature and involvement in her church, Diane sets off with many other A&P members, a contingent in gold t-shirts, to walk through the streets of Montreal on a personal and communal mission to be involved in her community.
Thank you Diane for your participation in the life of our congregation.
Written by Jeanette Kelly
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| Newsletter Editor - Elizabeth Austin |
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