Nov 26:

More families, bigger families, more kids.

This is the story for 2022. We estimate that the Christmas Hamper Ministry this year will cost about $12,000 and while donations have been strong, we still need another $4000 to break even. Please do what you can to support this important Ministry.

We are also gratefully accepting donations for our Christmas Marketplace: Christmas wrap and cards, small decorations, school supplies, warm socks.

 

Nov 18:

The All Saints’ Christmas Hamper Ministry has, for over 50 years, worked with partner churches to ensure that low income families in our community are able to share the special blessings of the Christmas season. This year is no exception.
 
Between 150 – 200  family units are supported each  year. As always, we rely on your generous support to bring this Ministry to life.
 
Here’s how you can help:
 
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION
The Christmas Hampers given by All Saints contain both a Food and a Gift portion.
 
Both Food and Gifts (clothing/toys) are provided in the form of grocery and retail gift cards tailored specifically to the size of the family unit.
 
Gift cards give these families the opportunity to purchase exactly what is right for them including what their child is hoping to get for the holidays
 
You can make cash donations towards the grocery gift cards and/or the retail gift cards by:

• placing envelope on the collection plate
•  dropping  off at the church office
•  using the Donate button on the church website allsaintswhitby.org.

Whichever donation method you choose, please make sure your donation is clearly marked for the Christmas Hamper Ministry. Distribution will take place in early December so we would appreciate receiving your donation as soon as possible.
 
CHRISTMAS MARKETPLACE
Giving an envelope isn’t quite as much fun as giving a toy or gift so during the Hamper pick up we invite our clients to enjoy our Christmas Marketplace, an assortment of Christmas cards, wrap, small decorations, candles, confectionery, knitted goods, personal care items…a variety of items that add a little extra to the season.

Donations of items for the Marketplace are also appreciated and will be made available to our families when they pick up their Hampers.
 
SPONSORSHIP
If you would normally be going to a Christmas lunch with a group of colleagues from work or with friends, consider collecting that money and using it to sponsor a family. It costs approx. $200 to sponsor a family of 4.
 
Thank you for helping us to share the Joy of Christmas with those less fortunate.

Thursday, November 24

by the Rev. Jennifer Schick

 “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come.”
   ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The season of Advent is upon us.  It is a season that calls on us to build hope, peace, joy and love in our hearts as we wait for the coming of the Lord.    

For most of us, these attributes take time and patience to nurture. So it is that Advent – like Lent – is a special season where Christians are called to intentionally spend some time to grow in their faith.  We invite you to think about participating in one or more of these events:

• Join us Friday night to craft an Advent wreath for your home.  Only a few spots left.  Sign up here
• This season, All Saints is offering a Tuesday evening Zoom gathering focused on Arts & Faith. Attend on Zoom (Tuesdays at 7pm)
• We also will be distributing print copies of One Good Thing sheets: Think of it like a reverse Advent calendar. It gives you a chance to look for one good thing each day to record as part of building up a practice of gratitude.
• The All Saints Bible study on Thursdays will also focus on Advent themes.

Outside of our church, there are also many other resources to build up your faith in advent:

• Consider Birth of Hope’ Daily Advent Resource from the PWRDF, for example.
• You can also pick up a daily devotional from the back of the church to help kickstart a daily prayer habit this season.

There are lots of opportunities to grow in the virtues of hope, peace, joy, and love this season as we wait for our Lord to come.  
 
Blessings to you on the way! 
 
Prayer

Almighty God,
purify our hearts and minds,
so that when your Son Jesus Christ
comes again as judge and saviour,
we may be ready to receive him,
who is our Lord and our God. Amen. 

From Common Worship: Additional Collects (2004) alt.

Art & Faith: An Advent Exploration via Zoom – Tuesdays, Nov 29, Dec 6, 13, and 20, 7:00-8:00pm

Join Arleane online on Tuesday nights to prepare for Christmas and deepen your experience of the Advent season. Each week we will watch a short video commentary prepared by Loyola Press about a work of sacred art inspired by that Sunday’s Scripture. No art history experience necessary. We will explore these works of art as open-hearted learners, and along with related prayers, readings and activities, together we will look at this season of hope from a different angle. Come to one, some or all meetings.

Week 1 (Nov 29): “Isaiah” detail, Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo, 1477–83

Join the Zoom meeting Tuesdays in Advent at 7pm 

The final cash tally for the Bazaar came to $13,588 and the on-line auction brought in an additional $3,206 for a total of $16,794.

Please note that we will have our bazaar follow-up meeting on Wednesday, November 30 at 7:00pm in the parish hall. Please bring your concerns and suggestions on how to improve things for next year to this meeting.