Christ Church

We have been invited to participate in a great day of training for those who are interested in being home or hospital visitors - or who just want to learn how to listen better. You can register directly and just go - but there may be some folks willing to carpool, so if you are interested please talk to Rev. Marie and we will try to facilitate this.

Here is the important information:
The Manitou Conference of The United Church of Canada will be holding the second of three session in Pastoral Visitation on Saturday 27 January 2013. The first session was excellent and attended by many people from different denominations. Speakers include Lianne Tooley, The Ven. Anne Germond, Rev. Catherine Somerville, and Rev. Dawn Vaneyk. If you are interested in attending click on the following links

http://www.manitoulearningcommunity.com/

For more information contact Gillian 705 671 0185 gschell@laurentian.ca

Looking forward to seeing you there!

On the last evening before his crucifixion Jesus prayed for unity among his followers.

For a number of years, there has been an international effort towards that unity that is marked by a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. You can find lots of information, prayers and devotions at

http://www.oikoumene.org/

Locally, the downtown churches have a tradition of joining together for a service of worship. This year we are delighted to be the host church for this important service.

Please join us at Christ Church on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 2 pm for a joyous service of unity with our ecumenical brothers and sisters!

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE

Instructed Eucharist
Why do the people at the front wear those unusual clothes? Who figures out which scriptures we read? Why do we pray THAT prayer at that time in the service? Why do we do things in the same order all the time - wouldn't it be more fun and creative to mix this stuff up?

I know that I wondered about lots of these things - but I was too embarrassed to ask someone! I think lots of us would have trouble answering all those questions, whether we are newer Anglicans, exploring the idea of being an Anglican, or we have been in this tradition for years.

On Friday January 18, at 6:30 pm you will have a chance to ask and explore lots of these kinds of questions as we celebrate an "Instructed Eucharist". This is a full Eucharistic service, with explanations of why and when as we go along/

Come along and learn together. You will find that the investment of a couple of hours will enrich your worship from then on!

See you there

Rev. MArie

Hello everyone

Just a reminder that our annual meeting will be at a different day and time this year - Wednesday January 23, 2013 at 7 pm.

Please plan to be there. We have lots of important things to discuss, and well, its just good to get the family together!

If you consider Christ Church your home congregation, you are a voting member ( the only requirements under church law are that you be 16 years old, be a regular attender and contribute to the church).

If you are very new and still "checking us out" to see if this is where you will settle - you are also very welcome. It is a good chance to understand how things work and who does what.

We have a number of committee and positions that will need filling so if you have any interest at all in being more involved, or changing the focus of your involvement please talk to Rev. Marie or the wardens before the meeting. All of us are given gifts to be used for the good of God's kingdom and we want to use all the wonderful gifts with which God has blessed this congregation!

See you there

In the meantime - pray and pray. We need to hear God's voice!
Rev. Marie

We grieve with our dear Muriel dePencier at the sudden passing of her brother, Charles, on Boxing Day. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 2 to 4 on Saturday December 29 with the funeral at Martyn's on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm (Rev. Marie celebrating).

We know Muriel and her family will treasure your expressions of comfort and care.

We pray for Muriel's strength and presence as she lives out the truth of 2 Corinthians 1, comforting her family with the comfort she receives from the God of all comfort!

Yours in the hope of the resurrection
Rev. Marie

Family

On Tuesday evening, at 7, we will be looking at a "snapshot" of our givings and spending patterns as a church. You are all invited to join us and to comment, ask questions (even hard ones!) and to discuss in love our future as stewards of God's good gifts to us.
See you there!
Rev. MArie

The music of Christmas is so wonderful - and we have so few chances to really sing it! SO if you enjoy singing, playing an instrument, just listening or "making a joyful noise" there are three great opportunities to do that and to share the joy of Christmas with others at the same time. In date order here they are:

Sunday December 16 at 7 pm at Christ Church - Our Annual Community Carol Sing!
This just keeps getting better every year! Bring your neighbours, friends and family for a relaxed time of singing, cider and goodies!

Thursday December 20 afternoon at NEMHC
We join our friends at the Northeastern Mental Health Centre for a rollicking time of singing and goodies. This is a time when our gift of a couple of hours ends up being a blessing to all of us! No experience required! For details phone 705-474-3170

Sunday December 30, a Neighbourhood Carol Sing beginning at 241 Victoria St. East at 6:45
We have received this lovely invitation from our sister church, St. John's, who are offering this event in cooperation with Calvin Presbyterian Church.

On December 30th we will be going Christmas carolling! We will meet at Fr. Nussey's house (241 Victoria St. East) at 6:45 and carol through the neighbourhood. We will return to his house for hot chocolate and goodies. We hope many of your parishioners will take part!

Joy To The World - Let's sing it out!!!

Good Monday morning in the first week of Advent!

Tonight (Monday) at 7pm we will meet again to pray for direction for Christ Church, and for our Facilities Review Committee

Wednesday night we will meet at the church at 7 pm to finalize the Building Assessment that we need to send to the Diocese as part of the Diocesan Strategic Plan ( all the congregations in the Diocese are - or will be - or have done - this!). Next week we will, finally, wrap this process up on Tuesday Evening at 7 when we look at our finances.

I know that this can seem like "nuts and bolts" work, but it is deeply spiritual. God has entrusted us with wonderful and generous resources and looking at how we have used them, and how we plan to use them is part of where "the rubber meets the road" as a church family ( and as individuals and families). We make the best plans we can, but only God knows what is in our future and so learning to listen as God guides us in this is critical. So whether you have been at Christ Church for many years, or you are a newer attender, we invite you to be part of this. You are welcome - and your voice is important!

See you there!

Now may the Christ who loves you, and came to us so that you might know this love, keep you in his care this day