Notices: October 4, 2024
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2, NRSV
Dear St. Aidan’s Parishioners,
Over the next six weeks, the Stewardship Committee will be leading the parish through a new season of giving. Our theme this year is Walk in Love, and it calls us to remember that our greatest gift in community is how we align and come together in purpose and mission. When we walk in the same direction, we can do so many things.
To support this year’s season of giving, hosts will invite and gather parishioners in groups of about 10 families for social gatherings in their homes (or at St. Aidan’s, or virtually, etc.) between Sunday, October 20 and Sunday, November 10. It is our sincere hope that everyone is able to gather, safely, and re-introduce each other while sharing stories of how the St. Aidan’s community has impacted you. During these hosted socials, everyone will get a copy and explanation of the Walk in Love offertory package for your thoughtful consideration.
During this season we talk a lot about money, about our budget. Yes, those things are important, they are the way we fund the Church, but our real focus is on what our gifts can do for the world. Jesus calls us to heal, visit, feed, accompany, protect, advocate, love our neighbour, and sharing our time, talent, and treasure is the way that we make this happen.
Each of us hears this call differently, just as each of us has been blessed by God differently. Our talents and training have been gifts freely given to us in Creation so that we may share them with a world in need. How will you feel God’s call to walk in love this year? How will you determine how you will share your gifts with God’s people in the world?
We will be updating the parish on pledge package returns and overall progress towards closing our offertory budget gap, so we’d ask everyone to have their packages returned no later than Commitment Sunday, November 17. At that time, all your gifts will be added to many others to be blessed, broken, and shared with the world. If there is anything we can do to support you or questions we can answer, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Walking with you in Love,
Adam Gordon, Chair
On behalf of the Stewardship Committee
Notices at a Glance
Scroll down for details on each of these items.
1. No livestream this week due to outdoor worship (weather permitting)
2. Outdoor worship this Sunday
3. Pet Blessing this Sunday from 3-4 p.m.
Opportunities to Share & Serve
4. Come sing with the St. Aidan’s Choir
5. Garden Work Day, Saturday, Oct 5, 9-11 a.m.
Opportunities to Gather & Grow
6. Gather & Grow—every Sunday morning, 9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall
7. Toronto Diocese Social Justice & Advocacy Outreach Conference Sat., Oct. 26
8. Weekly Busy Bees Play Group for children ages 0-3
Other Announcements and How to Give
13. Nursery now available during Sunday worship
14. Announcements for the Notices
15. Offerings
Notices for the Week of October 4, 2024 – October 11, 2024
No livestream this week due to outdoor worship (unless weather moves us back indoors, in which case we will livestream after all).
Click here to view a PDF of the October 6th order of service
Outdoor worship this Sunday! We will worship together in one service at 10:30 a.m. this Sun., Oct. 6, in our new garden (weather permitting). Our band will lead the music, Elizabeth Achimah will preach, and our youth will have special roles in the service. Remember to bring your own folding chair if you can (but know that we’ll set up chairs for those who don’t have one to bring).
Pet Blessing is this Sunday, October 6, from 3-4 p.m.: This afternoon, outdoors in front of the church, we will hold our annual Blessing of the Animals. Drop by anytime from 3-4 p.m.—there’s no formal liturgy or program, rather we will offer individual blessings for pets and their people. If you can’t bring your pet, we can also bless photos of pets or stuffed toy pets as well. In addition to the blessings, we will have pet treats to share and face-painting for children. All are welcome!
Traditionally, we bless animals on or around St. Francis Day (Oct. 4), as Francis is patron saint of the environment, ecologists, and animals. Legend has it that Francis preached even to the birds! According to earthday.org: “In some ways, St. Francis of Assisi could be viewed as the original Earth Day advocate. Not only did he care for the poor and sick, but he preached multiple sermons on animals, and wanted all creatures on Earth, including humans, to be treated as equals under God.”
Opportunities to Share & Serve
Come sing with the St. Aidan’s Choir! Are you passionate about singing, or simply love the sound of music? We invite you to become a part of the St. Aidan’s Choir this fall! Our choir is a warm and welcoming community, open to members of all ages and experience levels—whether you’re a seasoned vocalist or just starting out, there’s a place for you here. We’re looking to grow our choir with at least 4 new voices, and we’d love for you to be one of them. We’ll be scheduling brief, informal meetings to chat about your musical interests and conduct a simple vocal assessment—nothing too formal, just a chance to get to know you! Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings, and there are exciting opportunities to travel and perform with the group this season. If you’re interested or want to learn more, please contact Michael at music@staidansinthebeach.com. We can’t wait to sing with you!
Garden Work Day, Saturday, Oct 5, 9-11 a.m.: Garden Committee meets on the first Saturdays (9-11 a.m.) and the third Wednesdays (9:30-11:30 a.m.) of the month. This Saturday, Oct 5, we will continue to weed throughout the property, plant new plants in the West Garden and reseed the East Lawn. We need help preparing the lawn bed and spreading top soil, fertilizer and seed. For more information contact Courtney Ebner at staidans.warden3@gmail.com.
Opportunities to Gather & Grow
Gather & Grow—every Sunday morning, 9:15-10:15 in the Parish Hall. Every Sunday between now and Christmas, as part of our Diocese’s Season of Spiritual Renewal, we are offering a variety of conversations, speakers, and activities meant to encourage us to gather together as we seek to walk in love and grow in our faith. All adults and youth are welcome to join us for our weekly Gather & Grow program. Childcare is available for ages 0 through grade 5.
❦ October 13: Traveling the Way of Love—Turn and Learn
❦ October 20: Traveling the Way of Love—Pray and Worship
❦ October 27: Traveling the Way of Love—Go and Bless
❦ November 3: Traveling the Way of Love—Rest
Toronto Diocese Social Justice & Advocacy Outreach Conference: Sat., Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Zoom. You can choose to attend select sessions or the whole day. The conference theme is Communities of Resilience and Resistance. Keynote speaker is Chief Rudy Turtle of Grassy Narrows First Nation. The conference will also include workshops on a range of topics, including taking creation care seriously, preventing overdose in community, deconstructing myths about homelessness, seeing anti-racism as creedal theology, ending disability poverty, and more. To register for individual breakout sessions, https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/diocesan-life/social- justice-advocacy/outreach-advocacy-conference/outreach-conference-registration-and-workshop-descriptions/
A weekly 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. To learn more, or to get information cards to share with parents or caregivers you know who may enjoy such a group, please contact Elizabeth Achimah at children@staidansinthebeach.com.
Other Announcements and How to Give
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.
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.
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.