Notices: November 17, 2024
Dear St. Aidan’s,
Advent is fast approaching. We are planning a few ways to mark this season of preparation that leads us toward celebrating Jesus’ birth at Christmas. First, we will make Advent wreaths together here at the church on the First Sunday of Advent, December 1, after both morning services. See below for a link to sign up to participate and order supplies.
Second, this year we have a parish-wide Advent reflection book, Embracing Humanity. If you haven’t yet reserved a copy or downloaded it via Kindle, I hope you will between now and December 1. Details of Advent book gatherings will be announced soon.
Third, please save the date if you’d like to be part of our Advent Retreat Day, Sat., Dec. 14, here at St. Aidan’s. We’ll begin in the morning, share lunch together, and continue our retreat in the afternoon. The day will culminate with our Advent Lessons and Carols service at 4 p.m. that afternoon. More details on the day (and how to sign up) will be sent out by the end of November.
This week we wrap up our Walk in Love stewardship campaign with Commitment Sunday, when we say special prayers in thanksgiving for pledges of support for the new year. I am so grateful for the many people who generously give to St. Aidan’s some of what God has given to you.
We encourage all who haven’t yet turned in a pledge to support St. Aidan’s in 2025 to bring your pledge card to church this Sunday—or follow the link to QR code to let us know your pledge that way. Whether you are planning on pledging at the same level of support in 2025, or choosing to make an adjustment, our parish leaders need to have a clear sense of parishioners’ giving as we make budget plans for the new year. Your decision to make a plan to give regularly allows our church to share Christ’s love and light not just with people within our church, but also with our neighbours in the community. Thank you.
I hope to see you in church soon,
Becky+
Notices at a Glance
Scroll down for details on each of these items.
1. Live Streaming at 10:30 a.m., Order of Service
2. Still need to make your pledge to support St. Aidan’s in the new year?
Opportunities to Gather & Grow
3. Next Sunday! Inspiring Music for All Ages
4. Want to craft your own Advent wreath?
5. This year’s Advent reflection book
Opportunities to Share & Serve
6. Leaf Raking and Winter Mulching on Sat., Nov. 23, 9 to 11 a.m
7. Out of the Cold volunteers needed
8. Euchre
9. Beach Interfaith Outreach
10. Busy Bees Play Group welcomes children ages 0-3
Other Announcements and How to Give
11. Nursery now available during Sunday worship
12. Announcements for the Notices
13. Offerings
Notices for the Week of November 15, 2024 – November 22, 2024
1.Live Streaming at 10:30 a.m., Order of Service - The service will be livestreamed at the following link:
Click here to view a PDF of the November 17th order of service
2. Still need to make your pledge to support St. Aidan’s in the new year? Help us reach a 100% response rate by returning your pledge this Sunday, which is the last day of the fall stewardship season. To fill out the pledge card online, visit: https://staidansinthebeach.com/stewardship
Opportunities to Gather & Grow
3. Next Sunday! Inspiring Music for All Ages (facilitated by Michael Pirri)
Sun., Nov. 24, 9:15-10:00 in the Parish Hall. Gather to sing and discuss the riches of our own musical identities, bring hope and inspiration to the music in our lives, and learn more about how we glorify God in worship. This session explores music-making as a biblical endeavour, exposing the scriptural roots of why, what, and how we sing God’s praises.
4. Want to craft your own Advent wreath? Those who would like to participate in making your own Advent wreath with us on Sun., Dec. 1 (after both worship services), let us know that you plan to participate by filling out the form (visit https://tinyurl.com/Wreaths-at-St-Aidan) so we know how many supplies to have on hand. If you already have a brass ring or candles from Advents past that you will re-use, you may indicate that on the sign-up. Questions? Contact Martha Asselin or Rev. Becky.
5. This year’s Advent reflection book: Advent is the season in our church year when we prepare our hearts in anticipation for the birth of Jesus at Christmas. This Advent, our parish-wide Advent reflection book is Embracing Humanity by Isabelle Hamley, with a short reflection and prayer for each day from Dec. 1 through Dec. 25. The book is available on Kindle, or a paperback can be ordered online. To reserve a book from the church’s book order, please email Rev. Becky. Details on the online and in-person groups will be announced next week.
Opportunities to Share & Serve
6. Leaf Raking and Winter Mulching on Sat., Nov. 23, 9 to 11 a.m.: Join us for coffee, doughnuts, and getting the St. Aidan's gardens ready for winter. We will rake, mulch and compost fallen leaves and spread mulch around newly planted shrubs. We have some rakes and shovels available; bring your own if you can!
7. Out of the Cold volunteers needed: If you would be interested in volunteering one Monday evening a month to prepare and serve food for Out of the Cold guests, socialize with them or help with clean up please speak with Bruce Mori or Deacon Michael Van Dusen (mjpvandusen@gmail.com). We will provide basic training for this important outreach ministry.
8. Euchre: Join us on Tuesday nights from 7-9 p.m. for a fun and friendly evening of progressive Euchre downstairs in the parish hall. Beginners welcome. Cost is $5.00 to play with all proceeds going to support St. Aidan’s community outreach to neighbours in need.
9. Beach Interfaith Outreach: Locations and dates for all lunches are listed in the Beach Metro News. The next lunch held here at St. Aidan’s is Tues., Nov. 12, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. As part of St. Aidan’s involvement in the Beach Interfaith Outreach Committee, we support the Grace Pascoe Care Centre. Your weekly donations (to the basket by the church office) are gratefully received.
10. Busy Bees Play Group welcomes children ages 0-3 and their caregivers on Thursdays from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in our Parish Hall. We offer stories, music, and activities. We are looking for lightly used toys for babies and toddlers for our Busy Bees Play Group. Do you like to bake? We are looking for people to bake peanut-free goodies for the Busy Bees Play Group. If you can support us in either of these ways, please speak with Elizabeth.
Other Announcements and How to Give
11. Nursery now available during Sunday worship: We will be offering nursery care for children ages 0-3 during the 10:30 a.m. service. The nursery is located in the Beech Room, adjacent to the main basement hall. For more information, please speak with Erika or Elizabeth.
12. Please submit new announcements for the weekly notices to Mary at office@staidansinthebeach.com by Wednesdays at 4 p.m. All notices are subject to incumbent’s approval, and will be edited for clarity and conciseness.
13. Offerings - Thank you for your support. There are a variety of ways to make your donation:
· PAG – set up monthly pre-authorized debits from your bank account directly to St. Aidan’s by completing the authorization form found on the Giving page of our website https://www.staidansinthebeach.com/giving
· PAG Changes – to change the amount of an existing donation, send an email with the details to donations@staidansinthebeach.com
· E-transfer – send to donations@staidansinthebeach.com
· Envelopes – to obtain a set of weekly offering envelopes, send a request to donations@staidansinthebeach.com
· Cheques should be payable to and can be mailed to: The Church of St. Aidan, 2423 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4E 1H6, or dropped in our secure mailbox beside the front door.
· Credit card – click on the link Canada Helps: St. Aidan's Church or scan the QR code below.