WEEKLY BULLETIN FOR Sunday May 31st, 2020 Pentecost Sunday PRAYER INTENTIONS THIS PRAYER MINISTRY IS MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT NOW! Your prayers DO MAKE a difference. Please take additional time in your day and in you daily prayers for those most vulnerable and in need of healing.
We are honoured to hold in prayer – family, friends, loved ones, and all in need. We pray especially for those listed in the bulletin and those in our hearts this day.
PLEASE NOTE: If you would like to request prayers for someone, please fill out the Prayer Request Form in the bulletin and place it in the offering plate or submit to the office, or email to: holytrinityststephens@gmail.com. Our prayer team will include your loved ones with their allotted intercessions. First names will printed in the weekly bulletin.
Prayers for those in need of Health and Healing: Roseanne R., Phillip, Rebecca, Kyra, Diane, Barbara, Lisa, James, Petra, Hailey, Carol, John & Val, Kristen, Kylee, Molly Rose, Catalina, Soledad, Bea, Linda, Sandra, Luke, Peter, Diane, Peggy, Evan & Family, Edith, Jerry, Cheryl, John, and Krista
Prayers for those in Long Term Care or Seniors Homes: Marg, Diane, Noreen, Helen, Jim, Peter, Gene, Evelyn, Dave, Shirley, Rhiannon, Janet, Junia, Cliff, Shirley Mac, Florence, Leona, Laurie, Gloria, Joannie, Hazel, and Bob.
With Sympathy It is with feelings of sadness as well as relief that I inform you of the passing of Sheila Molnar, on the evening of Wednesday May 27. Sheila had been diagnosed with COVID-19 and seemingly recovered only to have died three days after being returned to her room. As many of you are aware, Sheila had been inflicted with MS for a great many years. This condition had worsened in recent years trapping her in an uncomfortable physical and mental state. May she eternally rest in our Lord's care. Please include her husband Bob and her family in your prayers.Thanks to Anne for the dedicated care she extended to Sheila through her on-going visitations, and she will continue to do so for Bob. Blessings, Heather
Although there’s no actual Altar Flowers to assemble, those noted below still have a place of importance for us as a parish family to honour and remember.
MAY ALTAR FLOWERS: May 3 - Given to the Glory of God by Rob & Miriam Hewitt in memory of Marjorie Hewitt, Winifred Holt, and Wendy Smith. May 10 - Given to the Glory of God by Ruby Stone in memory of husband Cliff Stone. May 17 - Given to the Glory of God by Vince McCarthy in memory of Joan, loving wife and mother, who passed away 2 years ago. May 24 - Given to the Glory of God by Linda Butt and family in loving memory of mother and grandmother Myrtle Noel. Forever remembered. May 31 - Given to the Glory of God by Anne Buchanan with warm thoughts to all her parish family. Hoping this finds you safe and to worship together soon.
Photo Directory Update An update on our parish photo directory. The company that is producing the directory (IPC) is currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were hoping to receive our directory this spring but it will more likely be sometime in the late fall. Thank you for your patience and we will keep you updated! 2020 Vacation Bible School:UPDATE Please be advised that in consultation with Parish Council, it has been decided to cancel this year’s Vacation Bible School, which was scheduled to take place August 17-21. The health and well being of the children and volunteers is vital. As well, Covid-19 rules regarding how a day camp might function are yet to be defined. In fact,day camps may not be permitted to open at all. We would like to thank everyone for stepping up to help with VBS 2020. This is a disappointing outcome but a time will come when we can restart our efforts to reach out again to the children of our community. “This too shall pass.” Blessings, Chuck
CROWN THE LOUNGE UPDATE Further to our Parish Vestry meeting in January 2020 we voted acceptance on a motion to raise $50,000.00 for a new lounge roof and other projects. The intent was hopefully to achieve this goal through the Parish raising $10,000.00; Current Investment Funds of $10,000.00; and a Grant of up to $30,000.00 from the Diocese of Huron. We are now pleased to report that our good and faithful Parishioners have raised to date $13,995.00! (Will your last bit of ‘green’ put us over 14k?!?) We are currently awaiting a decision from the Diocesan Council. Thank you to each and every one of you for your dedication and commitment!
UNDIE SUNDAY UPDATE Thank you for all those who contributed to Undie Sunday! We collected and will be donating 116 Pairs of Undies, 2 T-shirts, and 32 pairs of socks.
Daily Bread Daily Readings Booklets We have received the Daily Bread readings booklets. We will distribute 15 at a time in our front mailbox at HTSSM, and once depleted we will add more. Parishioners can come by and pick one up from our mailbox. If there are none at the time, please call the office and they will be replenished. Take care and stay safe. Thanks, Jeanette
Various options are always available for regular tithing & contributions! Are you looking to ensure that you are still able to contribute on a regular basis? Here are some options available to you at any time for your convenience. 1) Pre-authorized payments on a recurring monthly date of your choosing. Please contact Jeanette in the church office for more information for set up. 2) If you would like to make your regular offering to the church directly from your bank account you may do so by using the Interac e-transfer option through your banking institution’s website. Simply select the ‘Interac e-Transfer®’ option, and then for the Recipient, please enter our parish email address: holytrinityststephens@gmail.com. You may then specify your giving under “Comments” (e.g. Easter offering; Bread program; general offering; Crown the Lounge, etc.) If you should have specific questions or require additional instructions please consult your personal bank for further assistance. 3) Regular envelopes may still be mailed to the church or deposited in the church mailbox at 727 Southdale Road (cheques only please). Your contributions are always continually appreciated. Thank you for your faithful stewardship!
CONNECTING WHILE APART! "For what it matters, now is the time to act with compassion, kindness, and cooperation." This is a time of loneliness and anxiety for many people, young & old; please consider calling an elderly neighbour, long-distance relative, or friend in self-isolation. Do a wellness check, chat for a moment, listen to each other, maybe tell a joke, share your time and your compassion. Wishing everyone Blessings and Prayers. Stay safe, wash your hands, be socially responsible through physical distancing, and BE KIND! We are being called by God to do our part and share our faith!
Further to Rev Rob’s previous Wednesday's check-in, here are the authors and a few titles that he suggested for personal reading: John Collins (Intro to Old Testament) Bart Ehrman (The New Testament), N T. Wright (Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian) Marcus Borg (The Heart of Christianity) , Brian McLaren (The Great Spiritual Migration) Brian McLaren (We Make the Road by Walking), Henri Nouwen (Wounded Healer, Return of the Prodigal Son)
In addition to the above suggested readings, here are a few from other parishioners: Allison G’s reading list: Rachel Held Evans (Searching for Sundays; Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again) Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community)
Colin Shutt’s reading list: Frederick Buechner (pronounced buckner) Wishful thinking: A seekers’ ABC; Whistling in the dark: A doubter's dictionary; Peculiar treasures: A biblical who's who Rowan Williams - Being Christian
Community Outreach - Being the Church in a Time of Crisis There is still much need in our communities for us to find ways of being the hands of Jesus in the world, especially for the most vulnerable of our neighbours. The latest newsletter, Spring 2020, was sent from Rev. Pam Cullen at the London Community Chaplaincy and you are encouraged to read it, especially the section titled "Serve". For those who have the means, this is a wonderful way ‘to be the church’ in our neighbourhood. A copy of the newsletter is available for download from our Community Outreach page under the Ministries Menu.
Local Community Food Banks are still in need of donations! The Food Cupboard at Westminster Park Community Church on the corner of Southdale and Millbank is still open and currently accepting food donations at their front door. If you are able to help, please drop off your donation and ring the doorbell for pick up in order to observe physical distancing. Their most needed items are: cereal/pancake mix, peanut butter, canned meat/tuna, Kraft dinner, pasta and pasta sauce, soup and crackers and of course…toilet paper! You can find more information at their website: https://londoncommunitychaplaincy.com
St. Paul's Social Services Food Bank St. Paul's Fellowship Centre is currently closed for Lunch Distribution due to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, but the Food Bank is still open and the staff and volunteers are dedicated to assist the community during this difficult time. Food and Monetary donations are always welcome and accepted. For donations please visit their website: http://stpaulssocialservices.ca. For the safety of staff and clients, they are offering service and intake by phone and web. For inquiries please call: 519-673-3242 or visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/St.PaulsSocialServices
Parish Council: The 2020 Vestry Report has now been posted to the website under Warden’s Page. Please contact a Council Member if you have any questions and concerns to be addressed.
BOOK SALE & SPRING MARKETPLACE: POSTPONED until further notice All donations will still be needed! Please continue to collect and save all donations for when we are back together again. Please bring your book donations to the lower hall in the church as soon as possible, so that they can be sorted. We are also looking for games and puzzles, CDs, DVDs, spring purses, scarves and jewellery, and small assorted gift items for our “gifts to go”. As well, if you are interested and available to help , please contact Pat Edgerton. Thanks in advance!
2020 Vacation Bible School: August 17-21st Planning for Vacation Bible School is still underway! YOUR help will still be needed to make this year's day camp a success. There are many volunteer opportunities: making snacks, leading games, running story time and many more. We would love for you to prayerfully consider helping and serving in this way.
Deanery Council News: 1) Resources are available from the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, at anglicanprayer.org. See Lynda Sheils for what is available. 2) Bishop of Huron Conference Saturday, May 2, 2020...”Prayerfully Engaging the Five Marks of Mission”. See anglicanprayer.org for more information
Check out the Vicars' Crossing Podcasts: Itunes, YouTube or Soundcloud OR simply go to Rev Rob's Blog page listed under "Rev Rob's Corner" and click the link to view the many podcasts available.
DATES TO REMEMBER: Aug 17-21 The Big Blue Church Camp 9am - 1pm
Recurring Meeting Times: Next Euchre & Games Night: Thurs April 2 at 7pm Next Crafts & Laughs: Thurs April 9 at 9:30am Next Open Prayer Group: Tues April 14 at 9am Next Camp Committee Mtg: Thurs April 16 at 7pm Next Parish Council Mtg: Tues April 28 at 7pm Next Family Movie Night: Friday April 24 at 7pm Next Ladies Coffee Hour: Tues April 28 at 10am