THE ANGLICAN PARISH OF ST MARK & ST PHILIP NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER "One night, a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand - one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that, many times along the path of his life, there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times of my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why, when I needed you most, you would leave me". The Lord replied, "My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you". Words to ponder and thoughts to encourage and strengthen our fellowship in St. Mark and St. Philip Parish, Anglican Diocese of Calgary. This poem is so popular and it gives encouragement and strength to us especially in times of trouble and trials. People sometimes/ oftentimes complain to God why things like these [ issues that we are facing] needs to happen. Nobody, no one likes trouble and troublesome trials. These trials are happening around the world, in our country, in our society, in our community, in our family and in our church. But through Faith and Trusting to our Almighty, He will carry us all and lead us to a better and happy tomorrow. Isaiah 41:10 said, and I will quote, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous Hand". Encourage and strengthen each and every one through our living faith and trust. Let us do all our best and God will surely do the rest. Padi Joey Vallejo, Interim Priest
FOOD BANK Joan W., who has been transporting the contents of the Food Bank donation boxes to the Food Bank, noted that she recently delivered 230 lb. of food to the Calgary Interfaith Food Bank depot. Thank you to all who donated non-perishable food items! "BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS" SUNDAY Sunday, October 16th, marked our "Blessing of the Animals" service. We could not get permission to bring live animals into the church, so pictures of beloved pets (alive and deceased), were displayed on the altar. [This service is usually held close to Oct. 4th, the day which commemorates St. Francis of Assisi, famous for his love of all animals. He is often portrayed with a bird, usually in the palm of his hand] STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN November traditionally marks the start of our annual Stewardship campaign, during which parishioners outline the level of financial support to the church that they are able to offer in the next year. Having an idea of the level of support that can be expected, helps with long term planning. Please give this some thought. More details will follow during the month. Also, there is a way that monthly donations can be made easily and without any effort on your part - Direct Deposit. You simply indicate the level of monthly contribution, and the date each month at which your contribution can be transferred from your bank account to St Mark & St Philip's bank account. You never have to worry about remembering to write a cheque, and if you are away for any reason, your contribution can still be made. Please speak with Andrew Daye if you wish to set up Direct Deposit. A REMEMBRANCE DAY PRAYER
Remember Ypres, Gallipoli, the Somme, Mons and Verdun. Remember the Western Desert, El Alamein, the Normandy beaches. Remember Coventry, Dresden, Hiroshima and the Burma Road. Remember Korea, the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, the Balkans, East Timor, Afghanistan and the Gulf. Remember the courage, the comradeship, the ingenuity, the spirit of working together for a common cause, the planning together for a better world that would come with peace. Remember the call to arms, the patriotic songs, the partings which were such sweet sorrow. The sound of the drum, the skirl of the pipe, the prayer that God would be on our side. Remember the carnage; the colossal horror of war. Remember the widows of sixty years and more, the old men and women who never knew their fathers. Remember the love that was lost, the wisdom wasted, the minds that are still pained by memories. Remember the families bereft by recent wars and conflict. Remember this day the children who will die while nation fights nation. Remember the One who asked us to remember them. Father, remember us; and forgive us our sins against you and our fellow man. "PLANNING THE FUTURE" WORKING GROUP The Working Group has met regularly since the beginning of this year. A main focus of the group in recent months has been the creation of a survey, which will be going to all parishioners who attend SMSP on a regular basis. The group provided feedback to a couple of drafts of the survey, and the final version is ready to go. The Working Group has also been discussing missional activities (such as the BBQ which was held on June 4th for a number of Syrian refugee families). The idea of a Thanksgiving-themed event was raised, but the time frame was quite tight to tie into the Oct. 9th Thanksgiving date. The concept of continuing with Outreach activities to the Syrian families was supported, especially in offering them a chance for fellowship together as a group. We are now looking at some type of event in mid- January, and hope that our contact person who was so helpful in planning the June event will be able to assist us again. There was also discussion about holding a prayer service to pray for the people of Syria and their loved ones here and in other places, or supporting the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer with a service they are planning. The next meeting of the Working Group is on Sunday, Nov. 6th at 10 AM, in the Fellowship Room. Any interested parishioners are warmly welcomed.
ELIZABETH SHORT Elizabeth Short, who worked with us in the summer and spring around "Transition" was ordained to the Vocational Diaconate on Tuesday, Nov. 1st. We wish Elizabeth well in her new role. SNOWFLAKE TEA Our annual "Snowflake Tea & Bazaar" will be taking place this Christmas Season, on Saturday, Dec. 3rd from 1:00-3:00 PM. There will be a tea room with sandwiches, and plates of home baking, along with tea and coffee. The bake table, which is always impressive, will feature home baked goodies, and some of our famous homemade jams and jellies. In the bazaar area, look for handcrafts, white elephant items, and jewellery from "Grannie's Attic", along with Christmas-themed decorative items. There will be a Jar Auction, and a Soap & Lotion table as well. Please check your closets for items you could donate. A contribution of three bake sale items, plus a slice for the tea room, would be greatly appreciated. The price this year is $5.00. Please call Joyce at (403) 249-3797 to volunteer. REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE This year, in addition to marking Remembrance Day on the Sunday closest to Nov. 11th, we are also having a specific Remembrance Day service, on Remembrance Day itself. The service will be held at 10 AM on Friday, Nov. 11th. We will be marking this day of remembrance of loved ones who served in the military, by putting together a special slide presentation, with music, incorporating pictures of individuals who served in the military and who are connected to members of our congregation. We ask that, over the next 2-3 Sundays, you bring pictures with you to church,
which we will scan and return to you, so that no precious photos go astray. We would also like the name of the person, and their relationship to you (father, mother, uncle, friend, etc.). If you have any questions about this, please speak with either of the Wardens, or Padi Joey. COMBINED TAGALOG/ENGLISH SERVICE Parish Council and Padi Joey had some discussion about offering services in Tagalog (a dialect in the Philippines) and English. Padi Joey is working on developing a booklet for such a service, which would have Tagalog text on one side, and English on the other, as he wants speakers of both languages to feel at ease in the service. He hopes to have this ready for a service on Nov. 6th. PARISH OFFICERS Interim Priest: Rev.(Padi) Joey Vallejo Parish Officers: Incumbent's Warden: Mary Smith People s Warden: Andrew Daye Treasurer: Harold Hippe Envelope Secretary: Andrew Daye Organist: Mary Ross Sunday School Coordinator: Stephanie Daye ACW: Joyce Setters Prayer Partnership: vacant Altar Guild: Neila Russell Parish Council: Sam Bird, Harold Hippe, Sharen Stevenson, Leslie Miles, Joan Williams Lay Delegates to Synod: Nina Chiba, Leslie Miles Church Address: 1802-33 Ave. SW, Calgary, AB T2T 1Y9 Phone: (403) 244-0198 Email: office@parishofstmstp.com GOING INTO HOSPITAL?? If you are, it is helpful for the parish and clergy to know so that you can be remembered in prayer and visited. If you can t send a message yourself let a family member, friend, or a member of the nursing staff know that your faith family is important to you and get them to phone and leave a message at the church: (403) 244-0198. Don't forget- Automatic Debit is now available for your offerings. Please let Andrew Daye know if you wish to set up this automatic service.
The deadline for submissions for the December issue of the newsletter is Nov. 20th. There is a submission box outside the church office, or you can e-mail your submissions to murmor01@telusplanet.net - (subject line: "SMSP Newsletter"). Thank you!