All Church Volunteers must show proof of vaccination 

 To model love and care of neighbour all church volunteers must show their proof of vaccination to our Senior Wardens (Tim Ralph or Karen Carter). You can show your proof of vaccination on the following dates: 

 In person:  

Saturday September 25th – 12pm – 2pm by the Breezeway doors.
Sunday September 26th – 8:45 -10:30 After both in-person services.  From 10-10:30 by the Breezeway doors.  
Sunday October 3rd - 8:45 -10:30 After both in-person services.  From 10-10:30 by the Breezeway doors.  

Over Zoom*:

Monday September 27th from 7pm-9pm by Zoom
Wednesday September 29th from 7pm-9pm by Zoom   

 *Please note that only one person at a time will be admitted into the Zoom room to ensure privacy when proof of vaccination is being shown. If you are not admitted right away, please know you are in the queue and will be admitted shortly.  

 Proof of vaccination will not be required to attend church, only to serve in church. 

 The Diocesan vaccination policy can be read in full here 

 If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to our Senior Wardens (Tim Ralph or Karen Carter) or Mthr. Jennifer.

 We thank you all for your compliance and for continuing to serve the church by sharing your time  and talent.  We are all the body of Christ, and through your work in the church we are stronger and more visible in shining the light of Christ to the world. 

See how our garden grows with the latest news and images …

Approaching the Final Harvest Video (September 8, 2021):

Other News:

We were so pleased that the All Saints Community Garden was featured in the Summer, 2021 issue of Dig This, a publication of the Durham Integrated Growers.

Garden Facts:

• Growing Surface Area = 400 Square Feet
• Soil and Compost delivered and transferred = 16 cubic yards
• Volunteer hours to prepare beds and complete planting = 65 hours
• Number of different types of vegetables and herbs planted = 20
• Number of tomato varieties = 6
• Monetary value of raised boxes = $1550
• Surface area of landscape fabric = 300 square feet

Garden Spring Video (updated June 12):

Blessing of the Garden:

Eternal Father, maker of heaven and earth, we bless you and give you glory for all the gifts you have given us. Receive all we offer you this day. Bless these seeds, and make them fruitful. Look upon our work this season, and grant that the seeds we plant will produce plentiful crops, providing food and work for many. In your love, give us favorable weather throughout this growing season. Make us truly grateful for all our gifts, and willing to share our goods and talents with others, especially those without adequate food. All praise and glory are yours, almighty Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, In the unity of the Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saturday, November 13th, 9:00am-2:00pm 

at All Saints, 300 Dundas St. West,
Whitby, Ontario

Shoppers at the Bazaar* can look forward to browsing and buying at their favourite sections as in seasons past, including:

• Sweets, Jellies, Jams & Preserves: lemon curd, pepper jelly, Christmas jam, and chocolates. Need we say more? Because we could go on and on about the dazzling and tasty choices. Perfect hostess gifts or thank-you presents for schoolteachers, good neighbours, or those relatives who say they don’t want anything.
• “Pins & Needles” Table: knitted, stitched, and crocheted items, handmade with love and ready to keep your loved ones cozy this winter. (Trust me, you’ll buy something for yourself, too; everyone always does.)
• Classic Treasures: high-end secondhand and vintage items, all spiffed up and ready to sell ‘new to you.’ Perfect for thrifting that unique gift for a friend or acquaintance, without breaking the bank or hurting the planet. Includes a section of previously loved jewelry, another source for that special gift for someone who appreciates items with a little history.
• Gently Used Book Room: this is where you are going to stock up on paperbacks and nonfiction for winter reading. Bring a sturdy bag and buy a stack! Nothing like getting several good books for the price of one bought new.
• Christmas Cactus & Other Plants: something seasonal and life-giving for your home or office or your home-office, at a fraction of regular prices. And what a provenance … hand grown and potted by the parish sexton and nurtured in the light of a south-facing church window. They must be good!
• Christmas Past, Present & Future: a selection of new and secondhand Christmas decor and kitchenware to spark your seasonal decorating. Seriously, these items were so cherished, they are only used once a year! Refresh your collection with something new-ish and different this year.
• The Parish Bake Shop: be sure to stop by the parish bake sale room for a cake or pie for your dinner … I mean, dessert … and maybe a plate of cookies or squares for your lunch through the week. These treats are baked fresh on the day, and sell out fast because everyone knows church baking is the best!

We’re also pulling together a Tea Room Takeout (as opposed to an eat-on option). At the start of their visit, shoppers can order a lovely soup & biscuit combo to take away for a late lunch at home. And we’ll shortly be launching our traditional Silent Auction Online. It’ll be so silent, all you will hear is the clicking of your mouse as you bid on a carefully curated selection of new and one-of-a-kind items.

Watch this space or our social media accounts for more details.
The Bazaar is All Saints’ major fundraising event of the year,
and we are so grateful for the support of the community of shoppers
who make this part of their pre-Christmas shopping tradition.

*Note: Logistics for this signature parish event are evolving to match provincial and Diocesan gathering parameters. Everything is going to be a little more spaced out, and the customary protocols for masking, safe distancing, and contact tracing will be in effect.  Parish volunteers will be fully vaccinated.

September 16, 2021
by Claire Bramma

Afghanistan Humanitarian Crisis = Prayer Intentions and Invitation to Respond

Our former seminary intern, Claire Bramma, served in Afghanistan as part of her military service, getting to know the land, the people and the politics intimately. Since hearing about the downfall of the Afghanistan government, she has started volunteering for the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA). Claire recently shared with Mthr Jennifer this reflection she wrote, and she has granted permission to share it with members of All Saints.  

It has been nearly one month since the world has been watching the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, which has exacerbated an already challenging humanitarian crisis in the country. We have been praying as a church each week as we gather for Sunday worship, and many of us have also been praying daily for specific aspects of the crisis that God has put on our hearts. By the love and compassion of Jesus Christ, might we continue in steadfast prayer and be inspired to take action?

1. Pray for peace, dignity, and freedom for Afghanistan. That diplomatic efforts and other non-violent interventions would quell the conflict and overcome oppression.

2. For courage, vision and generosity within the international community responding to the most recent refugees. Pray for protection from COVID-19 and other diseases, as well as for perseverance and logistics to ensure adequate food, water, and shelter.

3. For the resettlement process. May the international community work together and countries uphold their pledges to accept Afghan refugees. Action can be taken now through financial donations, such as to the Anglican United Refugee Alliance (AURA). AURA’s goal is to assist sponsor groups who currently do not have the money to access the private sponsorship process. They have recently established a special fund in anticipation of the resources needed to support the influx of Afghan refugees. See the Aura Afghan Relief Fund

4. Finally, may we keep in prayer the members and veterans of our Canadian Armed Forces who have either directly and indirectly supported the mission in Afghanistan.

While the terrible situation in Afghanistan looks bleak, may we pray and respond by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and in the love of Jesus, finding hope in redemption and having faith that God brings beauty from the ashes.
_____________________________

Prayer:

We are moulded, each one of us,
in the image of God,
and within our souls there is a fingerprint
none can erase.
We pray for those who have no regard
for anyone but self,
who put no value on human life.
For nations and individuals who abuse and kill.
We are not called to be judge or jury,
but we are called to be agents of change,
and if the butterfly that flaps its wings
should be our attitude to others
then so be it, Lord,
and may the hurricane this generates
somewhere within the world
reach into the hearts and souls of those
for whom we pray, and reveal to them
how precious are those
for whom they have no love,
and how precious are they
who now bring tears to the eyes of God.

–  John Birch