Blessings
One of the special roles of the church in a community is the ability to offer blessings for all manner of occasions and pursuits in life. At the beginning of the school year, we bless students and teachers and their backpacks. Around St. Francis’ Day (October 4), we bless pets and their human companion. At Halloween, we bless children’s costumes, and pray for safety and fun for their wearers. This past spring, we blessed motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles. Parishioners may also request our priest to come do a house blessing. Offering blessings on all of these aspects of our daily life affirms God’s presence in every corner of life—and reminds us of God’s joy at seeing us humans living, moving, and being in the midst of this beautiful, complex, interconnected world God has made.
This Week’s Notices:
Upcoming Events:
Lessons & Carols
ADVENT LESSONS & CAROLS
ALL OF CREATION GROANS IN EXPECTATION
Saturday, December 14, 4:00p.m.
A fresh take on the beloved service of nine lessons and carols.
Come and hear the Word and sing your favourite carols.
Advent Day of Retreat
ADVENT DAY OF RETREAT:
MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD
Saturday, December 14, 10:00a.m. - 3:30p.m.
Throughout the day our focus will be on Mary’s song (the Magnificat, Luke 1: 46-55), which we will engage through silent reflection, guided prayer, sacred music, visio divina, small group conversation, and worship.
All Souls' Evensong
All Souls’ Evensong
Featuring the join choirs of St. Aidan’s in the Beach and St. Nicholas’ Birch Cliff
All are invited to this joint evensong service for the Feast of All Souls' on Sunday, November 3rd at 4:00pm. This evening of prayer, music, and reflection offers the opportunity to gather two worshipping communities to remember those who have gone before us. If you'd like a deceased family member's name to be read aloud during the service, or have more questions, please contact music@staidansinthebeach.com.
Blessing of the Pets
Join us for the annual blessing of the pets, Sunday October 6th, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Garden Tour
Garden Tour
Popsicle Cart & Live Music
Join us on Sunday, September 29, from 4-6 p.m., we’re inviting everyone in the Beach neighbourhood to stop in and tour the garden as we officially celebrate its opening with the whole community. We will have popsicles and music, and Bishop Kevin will be here to bless the garden and join us in celebrating this milestone in the life of our church. Save the date—and think of someone you’d like to invite to come along.
Gather & Grow — A Rocha: Caring for Creation and Equipping Other to do Likewise
A Rocha is an international Christian organization which, inspired by God’s love, engages in scientific research, environmental education, community-based conservation projects and sustainable agriculture. We envision the transformation of people and places by showing God’s love for all creation. Restoring salmon habitat, training young scientists, inspiring school children, feeding low- income families – A Rocha is transforming people and places through hands-on conservation projects, environmental education programs and sustainable agriculture initiatives.
Benefit Your Ears Concert
Join out house band, ‘The St. Aidan’s Regrets’ and special guests for an evening of folk, country, rock, and gospel benefiting The Beach Cares.
Gather & Grow — Following the Footsteps of the Saints
We will gather to enjoy words and music reflecting on St. Aidan, the sea, and pilgrimage, originating from the Holy of Island of Lindisfarne on St. Aidan’s Day, August 31, 2024. The performance features poems written and read by Jay Hulme from his book The Vanishing Song (Canterbury Press), alongside choral works, sung by St. Martin's Voices, by Bob Chilcott, Eleanor Daley, John Rutter as well as the première of St. Aidan’s Prayer written and introduced by composer-in-residence Lucy Walker.
Back to Church Sunday
On September 8, we will celebrate the feast day of our parish’s patron saint, St. Aidan. We will not only mark the day in our worship (including blessing backpacks!) and with our traditional parish lunch, but we will also mark the day by offering an opportunity to reflect on how we can gladly share our gifts with our church community.
