ST. MARY S NEWS. News from the Wardens. St. Mary s Anglican Church Winter Christmas Services. December 24 th 4:30 pm & 9:00 pm.

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1 ST. MARY S NEWS News from the Wardens Hi All, The process of finding a new minister is continuing. Your selection committee of Sheldon Box, Mona Saunders and the wardens has completed the Parish Profile and it was submitted at the beginning of November. Currently applicants are being sought and we expect to have the interview process take place in January or February. The selection committee as well as representatives of the diocese will be part of the interview process. We will keep you updated when we know more. The Christmas season is a very busy one at St. Mary s. We have many activities coming up and we hope to see you there. We wish you all a happy holiday season and a wonderful Christmas. Merry Christmas! Janice Stewart & Erik Talgoy Christmas Services December 24 th 4:30 pm & 9:00 pm December 25 th 10:00 am St. Mary s Christmas Dinner Saturday, December 19 th 4:30-6:30 pm We are looking for donations of desserts, buns, people to cook potatoes, turkeys, people to serve, people to deliver and drivers. Volunteers of all ages are needed. Please contact Janice at if you are able to help. This is our third annual dinner. Last year, we served 75 meals. If you know of anyone who could benefit from a meal, please let Janice know.

2 Celebrate St. Mary's Dessert Challenge On Friday October 16th, St. Mary's and the Stewardship Committee hosted the Celebrate St. Mary's Dessert Challenge. An extremely well attended and fun event, we had approximately 20 entries in the adult category and 7 entries in the youth category. A secret ballot was held, and Peter Wickens was the winner of the adult category, with his delectable Oreo Truffles. Kirsten Talgoy was the winner of the youth category with her scrumptious Cloud Nine. Now they both have bragging rights for the coming year, and can come back to defend their titles next October! $67.00 of free will offering was raised for the church. Thanks to all who made this evening a joyous occasion. Special thanks to Shannon Good, Ryan Guillemin, and Don Smith for all their help. Tara Davidson Jesus Birthday Party Sunday, December 13 th Donations for Naomi s House. Potluck lunch to follow 10:30 service. Come out and enjoy some great fellowship while helping out a worthwhile cause! Naomi s House Wish List is on the final page of this newsletter. Mary the Prophet The bible is full of stories of God calling prophets, and their responses. Often, they are reluctant: Moses claimed to be a nobody, Isaiah said, "I am a person of unclean lips," and Jeremiah said, "I am too young." Yet the prophet Mary not only says "let it be, according to your word" (or, "I'm ready to serve" according to The Message) but bursts into song, proclaiming the goodness of God. At this time of year, we see Mary a lot, usually dressed in blue, in Christmas cards, manger scenes, and nativity pageants. But do we really notice her? This young, previously unknown teenager from Nazareth made an amazing speech (Lk 1:47-54) and - in addition to birthing the Messiah - did a number of other powerful acts in her life as well. In the midst of this busy season, pause and pay a little attention to Mary. Read her story, and listen to her challenge. A little child, A shining star. A stable rude, The door ajar. Yet in that place, So crude, forlorn, The Hope of all The world was born. - Author unknown 2

3 Baptism is the sacrament of belonging. It is the sign that we belong to God, through Christ. And belonging to God, we also belong to one another. On October 25, 2009 Thomas Geoffrey Brooks (son of Charlotte and Geoffrey), and on November 8, 2009 Logan James McCulloch (son of Victoria and Todd) were baptised at St. Mary's Anglican Church Russell. These little boys are often seen being passed from relative to friend throughout Sunday service and during the fellowship period that follows--they are sure to grow up knowing that they belong. Only a year earlier, their older cousin Keith (son of Marion and Mike Cobb) was also christened at St. Mary's. Joy Scharf Dear St. Mary s We are asking for Gently Used clothing for our new Outreach Program. Clean items may be placed in the basement with a label/note attached to the package. Any questions please contact Danita Knight at With many thanks for your constant generosity, Danita Knight 3

4 At the 2009 Synod we were asked to write down all the ways that our parish reaches out to others in the community and beyond in different ways. Sheldon and I quickly wrote down ways that we could think of that St. Mary's has done and continues to do so. Maybe you can think of other ways or if you weren't aware that we have been doing certain things and are interested in helping on a certain project, please let Sheldon Box, Erik Talgoy, Janice Stewart or Mona Saunders know and we will put you in touch with the coordinator of the project. These are the ones we thought of: Food Bank donations Free Christmas Dinners to anyone in community (eat-in or delivered) Donations to Bales, Packing & Shipping Bales to Canada's North Foster Child Program by Sunday School Pie Baking Workshop Christmas Pageants open to public Mitts & Toques for homeless Sponsor and visit handicapped persons Provide opportunity for student volunteer hours Spring and Fall Bazaars open to community Provide rides to those who need transportation Supply furniture and appliances to new immigrants Community Remembrance Day Service Ecumenical Vacation Bible School Ecumenical World Day of Prayer Provide for local needy Giving Garden Samaritan's Purse Christmas Shoe Boxes Collection of Coffee Mugs for Centre 454 Clothing Recycle Program St. Mary's Player Dinner Theatre Productions Dessert Challenge open to public Outreach through Beef donation program Supported Russell Fair's 150 th Anniversary Make church hall available to non-profit organizations Repair and supply bicycles to needy Donations to Naomi House (hostel for women & children) Support for outreach abroad Kenya trips, sponsor orphan children, HIV aids program, orphanage Ecumenical Bible Study Group Ecumenical Christmas Sing Noel Program Ecumenical Good Friday Walk Stitch & Praise Group make quilts for cancer patients When we completed the list, we were surprised in how many different ways we reach out but we know there are always more ways to be of service to others in our community and abroad. We are thankful that the people of St. Mary's are willing to give of themselves in time and talent for others. Please continue to seek more ways to serve others. Mona Saunders 4

5 St. Mary s Making A Difference! Updates on our current outreach activities Samaritan s Purse Shoeboxes 95 children will receive gifts from St. Mary s. Thanks to all who participated so generously. Mugs for Centre 454 Over 1500 mugs were delivered in the past year to Centre 454. These were greatly appreciated, as there is always a need for them. We will continue to collect, so be sure to tell your family and friends about this great cause. Milk Bags for Mats We are now collecting the clean outer package of a 4-litre milk bag to be recycled into sleeping mats for third world countries. These will be delivered to a Vernon resident who participates in The Milk Bag Project through World Vision. It takes between bags to make a mat depending on the size. Another way St. Mary s can make a difference. Ottawa Mission Church Project The ACW is collecting the following items for someone moving from hostel to home: New pillow and pillowcase, new or gently used medium sized pot, frying pan, juice mug, and new shower curtain. If you would like to participate, please bring your donation to the Church by December 13 th. Soup Labels and Postage Stamps The ACW collects Campbell s soup labels and used postage stamps. The soup labels help provide school supplies for children in need. The postage stamps help raise money for leprosy. The ACW would welcome your contributions. Joy is the true gift of Christmas, not the expensive gifts that call for time and money. We can communicate this joy simply: with a smile, a kind gesture, a little help, or forgiveness. And the joy we give will certainly come back to us... Let us pray that this presence of the liberating joy of God shines forth in our lives. - Pope Benedict XVI ACW Calendars on sale now ACW Christmas Bazaar Thank you to all who participated in the Christmas bazaar. The ACW raised just over $1800 to help with their work. Great job! $5.00 each. Call Evelyn Presley at Makes a great Christmas present. Meat Pies Orders St. Mary s famous meat pies are available to be ordered until December 10 th. $9.00 each. The sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the front hall. Table Grace Grant us, God, the grace of giving, with a spirit large and free, that ourselves and all our living we may offer faithfully. 5

6 Naomi's Wish List 2009 Women's Needs : Housecoats all sizes s-xl, Slippers all sizes, Two piece PJ sets all sizes s-xl, Women's Socks, Women's underwear- sizes small & medium, Writing Journals, Pocket Calendars, Travel Soap dishes Personal Care Items: Shaving cream Bubble bath Hairbrushes Diapers size 4-6 Baby wipes Children's Needs: Winter wear- head bands/ear muffs, Hats sized 0-24mo, 2-3x Mittens sized small and for babies, Infant PJ's Boys & Girls 3 months to 24 months, Toddler sized socks for boys and girls, Girls PJ's all sizes 1-16, Girls socks sizes , 1-4, Girls underwear sizes 2,and 8-16, Children's slippers small large and extra large, Girls housecoats all sizes 2-16, Boys PJ's all sizes 1-16, Boys socks , Boys Underwear all sizes, Boys house coats all sizes 2-16 Seasonal items: Women's new swimsuits- all sizes, Childrens sized summer hats, New children s new swimsuits boys & girls Craft items: Craft supplies such as gems, shells, glitter, foam shapes, picture frames and locker mirrors to decorate, jewellery making kits, Glue sticks/white glue Markers, pencil crayons, and crayons, School supplies such as: Back packs, lunch bags, pencil cases, scissors, math sets, calculators, rulers, erasers, and highlighters Household Needs: Gift wrap, bags,bows and tape Pens, markers Twin pocket folders Copier paper, white and coloured Lined paper, Bath towels/washcloths, Kleenex Toilet paper, Unscented laundry soap, Unscented dryer sheets, Antibacterial Clorox Wipes Handsanitizer Food items: Coffee/tea, Non-perishable food (apple juice, peanut butter, condiments, soup, crackers, cheesewhiz, honey, pickles, jam...) Other: Batteries all sizes, Gift cards for groceries, drugstores, household... 6