Advent 2007
Dear Friends,
Well, it looks like we will have a white Christmas here in the
Townships. I’m all for that. The snow puts a sparkle in the trees
and the reflected light of the Sun on snow has a positive effect on
our spirits. There’s nothing worse than a drab, green, and wet
Christmas – which was what we had last year if I remember correctly.
How are you doing with your Christmas preparations? Bought all those
gifts that you have on your list? Struggling to figure out what to
give Uncle Jim or your nephew in Toronto? Wondering what to buy for
someone in the family who seems to have enough stuff already?
With the end of American Thanksgiving comes the rush towards
Christmas. From the end of November until Christmas Day you and I
are bombarded constantly in by ads on television, radio, newspapers
and in the Publi-Sac. “Here is the perfect gift to say I love you –
at only $89.99”.
The preparation recommended by our consumer society is one of buying
your way through the season and spending in order to get into the
spirit. Our consumer culture knows no other way to celebrate
Christmas than to buy, buy, buy.
At Grace Church, we have a poster up on our bulletin board in the
hallway. On the poster is an icon of Jesus with a caption beside the
icon which reads, “Where did I say that you should buy so much stuff
to celebrate my birthday?”
It’s a good question. What is this celebration really about? Sure,
we enjoy giving and receiving a few gifts from friends and family.
And all that eating together and feasting is really enjoyable.
But are we out of balance in our spending and are we missing the
reason for this season?
The season of Advent is really counter-cultural. You will find
nothing in the Sunday bible readings about snow, decorations,
Christmas trees or the virtues of an overdrawn credit card. Instead,
the time of Advent is given to us an opportunity in which to look
within and ask ourselves about the meaning of our lives. Who is
running the show – in your life? Whose agenda are you following? Do
you take your cues from the culture which so often only values you
as a consumer of things? Does your sense of worth depend upon
whether people accept or reject you (do you try and ‘buy’ peoples’
approval) ? Or do you find your worth in God, who sees you as a
child of his and as one of his dearly beloved?
Do you know that you are loved not because you can buy stuff, not
because you measure up to someone else’s standards, but because you
are a child of God? Advent prepares us to welcome the Christ Child
into our midst. This child is born as a sign of God’s presence among
us and as a sign of God presence within each one of us. As we take
the time to recognize the divine gift of the Christ Child, let us
take time to look within and discover the divine gift of God’s love
within us.
“How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts, the blessings of his heaven.” (from
O Little Town of Bethlehem)
Since our last newsletter we have celebrated the marriage of Jessica
Sharman and Kevin Mitchell on
Saturday, October 13th.
And we remember in our prayers all those who have died: Barbara
Olmstead buried on October 5th;
Georges Fischlin on October 12th; Lena Jane Safford on November 3rd;
Jan Chayer on November 23rd; and David Burnham on November 26th.
“Rest eternal grant unto them O Lord, and let light perpetual shine
upon them.”
This is your church, please take time to be here during the holiday
season. You are always welcome!
Upcoming Events in 2007
• Chantons Noël/ Christmas Carols for the Whole Family on Sunday,
December 16th at 3 pm at
Grace Church Parish Hall. Carols in French and English with lots of
cookies, juice, fun and friends; sponsored by the churches of
Sutton.
• Foyer Sutton Ecumenical Christmas Service on Thursday, December
20th at 2 pm.
• Family Service at Grace Church with Carols on Sunday, December
23rd, at 10:30 am.
• Christmas Eve Service on Monday, December 24th, at 7:30 pm.
• Christmas Day Service on Tuesday, December 25th, at 10:30 am.
2008
• Ecumenical OutMass: Celebrating the Gifts of Gay and Lesbian
People in our Churches and Communities on Saturday, January 12th, at
3:00 pm at Grace Anglican Church,
52 Principale sud, Sutton, Quebec. With guest preacher, the Rev.
David Lefneski. Join us young and old, families and single persons,
as we celebrate the goodness of God towards all his children. With
hymns, prayers, and Eucharist, we welcome everyone to the table of
the Lord. A reception to follow in the parish hall. There is no
charge, and no collection will be taken. Everyone is welcome to
participate, whatever your church affiliation is.
• Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 5th, beginning at
5 pm.
• Ash Wednesday Service (the beginning of Lent) on February 6th, at
7:30 pm.
• Our Annual Vestry Meeting of Grace Church on Sunday, February 24th
following the 10:30 am service.
On behalf of the churchwardens, Doreen Page and Terry O’Regan, we
wish you and your family a wonderful Advent and Christmas season.