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Grapevine Advent Christmas 2021
Grapevine Advent Christmas 2021
Grapevine Advent Christmas 2021
101 Winchester Rd. E., P.O. Box 274, Brooklin, ON., Canada L1M 1B5
Church Office & Hall Bookings Phone: 905-655-3883 Email: office@stthomasbrooklin.com
Website: www.stthomasbrooklin.com
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.
OUR MISSION
St. Thomas’ is a loving, caring community, called to
encourage and nurture people to grow in faith; to
share the Gospel message through the diversity of
our worship experience; to live out our faith with joy
and to invite others to share our spiritual journey.
SUNDAY SERVICES
8:30 am BCP
10:30 am with Choir and on-line
Sunday School at 10:30 am.
Reserve seating at both services.
All Covid-19 regulations are observed.
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came
into being through him, and without him not one thing came into be-
ing. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the
light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
As we near the winter solstice and each day the hours of daylight
become fewer, this Gospel passage comes to mind. It’s also the Gos-
pel reading that is appointed for Christmas day – which is no coin-
cidence. At the time of year when the darkness is most pervasive,
the light of Christ comes into the world and shines in our midst.
My article for the Advent/Christmas issue of The Grapevine was
about beginnings: the beginning of the new school year; the begin-
ning of my ministry in this community; and the beginning (God-
willing) of a return to a more normal rhythm of worship and com-
munity life as we re-open. This issue, we are once again on the The Rev. Benjamin Gallard
threshold of a new beginning as we launch into the season of Ad-
vent and embark on the journey towards Bethlehem. Advent marks the start of a new year in the
Christian liturgical calendar. Indeed, the word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin Adventus which means
arrival. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation as we await the arrival – the Adventus -–
of Jesus Christ.
This year, as we journey towards Bethlehem and the arrival of the Christ child, I have three words
on my heart which I invite you to likewise ponder, pray, and act upon: anticipation, presence, and
encouragement.
Anticipation: to anticipate is to do more than just wait passively. Anticipation implies activeness and
intentionality. When we anticipate the coming of Christ, we kindle within our souls a spiritual hun-
ger that yearns to be filled with the Good News that is the Word of God; living and active in Christ
and in us.
Presence: Christmas is the celebration that Christ has come into the world to be present with us. I
have a book titled God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas. It is a spiritual resource
that includes daily meditations for Advent through to Christmastide. A key theme throughout is the
notion that Christ is coming to be present with us. Amidst our challenges and sorrows, and amidst
our frustrations and even anger, Christ is – and always will be – present with us.
Encouragement: there are many reasons right now to feel discouraged. But the arrival of Jesus
Christ is a reason for encouragement for us as we anticipate the joy, light, and hope that accompa-
nies his arrival. I invite us, as a parish family, to intentionally prepare for the coming of Christ by
embracing a spirit of encouragement – for ourselves and those whom we love, and also for one anoth-
er in our community. We continue to navigate many challenges as we re-open, and it’s easy at times
to become critical or frustrated, including with one another. As we continue to make headway in our
re-opening process, it remains vital that we support and encourage one another.
My friends, I give thanks to God every day that I have been gifted with the opportunity to serve in
ministry alongside you. As we go into this season of Advent and a new liturgical year, I hope and
pray that you feel spiritually energised to anticipate the arrival of Christ; that you feel his presence
in your lives; and that you will be filled with a spirit of encouragement. May the light of God, the Fa-
ther, Son, and Holy Spirit, shine upon you and those whom you love, now and always.
Yours in Christ,
Benjamin+ Priest-in-Charge,
St Thomas’ Brooklin
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Let us know if there are other ways that we can help you
stay connected.
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Forgiveness
Pain punctures the soul.
Ridicule injures the heart.
Past memories resurface,
To tear us apart.
Though cloudy days may lie before us, We must forgive ourselves and not
We’ll travel this road with assurance. Be burdened with that heavy load.
Sunshine rays and rainbow moments God’s guidance and forgiveness will
Will strengthen our path with endurance. Be forever bestowed.
Timothy Pryce
Memorial Library
You have probably noticed that I like to encourage everyone to read. I put fun stuff in the
library because I believe recreation is a good reason to read. But, I promised to add some
books with deeper content this time for our resident scholars and theologians. Look for
these three newer books if you want to stretch.
RELIGION and the RISE of CAPITALISM by Benjamin Friedman This is
a brand new take on a classic theme. I found the book easy to read.
Published this year, it’s an overview of the intersection of belief and econom-
ics since the Eighteenth Century. Fascinating stuff!
THE WAY OUT by Peter T. Coleman
The book’s subtitle is ‘How to overcome toxic polarization’ which is a big
problem these days.
Coleman gives some really specific ideas that may help you talk to people
who you passionately disagree with. These techniques are useful for
personal or political situations.
SIMPLY TRINITY by Matthew Barret
The author is a conservative Baptist professor. I think his scholarship is respectable to
say the least. This is my own book and I am not finished reading it yet, so it
may be a little while before I bring it in. Barrett knows the work of Roman
Catholic scholars (and others) which I read in seminary. Those of you who
have done some extra reading in theology might really enjoy wrestling with
his ideas. Many pastors cringe at the idea of having to preach on the Trinity,
but Barrett takes it on full tilt. Ouch!
* * * * * * *
ATTENTION BEGINNING READERS AND PARENTS!
I have discovered some good books for kids. They are wonderfully illustrated life lessons
featuring a boy named Drew and his friend, a dragon named Diggory Doo (Drew’s alter
ego?) Maybe you’ve already met them. Together they face many of the fears and prob-
lems that children have to deal with. I will put these books on the shelf under the win-
dows in the library.
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A personal welcome to Rev. Benjamin! I’m enjoying working with him and appre-
ciate his passion for liturgy in worship.
It is so nice to have the choir singing and leading again in our worship services.
We are being careful to adhere to the Diocesan guidelines regarding singing.
Although it is not completely normal, we are happy to be back together again. We
are rehearsing every Thursday at 7:30 and would love to have some extra voices
for the Advent/Christmas season.
Thank you to our other instrumentalists/soloists who offer their talents during our
worship services.
I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to have some
congregational singing for Christmas.
I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!
Merry Christmas!
Linda
Each and every creature is a unique word of God, with its own message, its own
metaphor, its own energetic style, its own way of showing forth goodness, beau-
ty, and participation in the Great Mystery. Each creature has its own glow and its own unique glory. To be
a contemplative is to be able to see each epiphany, to enjoy it, protect it, and draw upon it for the common
good. Living close to nature as he did, Francis could see Christ in every animal he encountered. He is quot-
ed as talking to or about rabbits, bees, larks, falcons, lambs, pigs, fish, cicadas, waterfowl, doves, and the
famous wolf of Gubbio, to name just a few. Those of you who love dogs know that each one is uniquely gift-
ed by God and blesses our lives in special ways. Their unconditional love, forgiveness, and loyalty show us
what God is like. My successive dogs, Peanut Butter, Gubbio, Venus, and now Opie, have enriched my life
in many ways. I really think human beings need someone to love, someone to awaken us to the flow of love
and to keep that flow going. I can understand why so many people have adopted pets to ease their isolation
during the pandemic! I often wonder if there doesn’t have to be an object (which then becomes a subject)
whose goodness, truth, and beauty draw us out of ourselves. That someone doesn’t even have to be human;
it can be an animal to whom we give ourselves and through whom we feel ourselves given back. Remem-
ber, our English word ‘animal’ comes from the Latin word for “soul” or anima. Animals are ensouled
ones! I will never forget Venus’ amazing ability to make eye contact with me. She’d come to my bed
around 5:30 in the morning, put her head on the side of the bed, and just look at me. And I’d roll over and
try to get my eyes open and look back at her. Humans can’t seem to sustain eye contact for long. But dogs
just keep gazing at us with their very “soulful” eyes. And I’d wonder: What did she see? What was she
thinking? What was it that she genuinely seemed to like in me? They say the eyes are the windows to the
soul. I’m convinced these beings that we thought lived at a rudimentary level of consciousness can see the
one thing necessary: love! They don’t get lost in labeling and categorizing. Maybe that’s why they can
maintain the flow of love—often unconditionally. From Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
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DEADLINE FOR
LENT/EASTER GRAPEVINE
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Send your submissions to the Editor -
Bruce Beveridge
at
bdbeveridge2@gmail.com
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CHRISTMAS BELLS
Stress, anxiety, depression and assorted negative vibes are all around us this Christmas,
but from our faith, we will still sing out ‘Joy to the World’. For sure, we are not alone in
facing troubled times. In the nineteenth century, civil war was threatening in the U.S. (the
bloody war happened!). Philosophers were upending many cherished beliefs (Friedrich
Nietzche published his ‘God is Dead’ work). But, the country’s favourite poet, Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote a poem called Christmas Bells that was set to music. We
often sing the first couple of verses, but I think it is good to read the rest of the poem.
I offer it here for you to contemplate.
I heard the bells on Christmas Day their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
I thought how the day had come the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black. accursed mouth the cannon thundered from the South
And with the sound the carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!
Inner Peace:
If you can start the day without caffeine,
Lexophiles
-I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.
FOR THE
KIDS &
THOSE
YOUNG AT
HEART
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Christmas Hamper Offerings - St. Thomas’ Anglican Church members work with Brook-
lin United Church members for the Christmas Hamper Drive. This year, we’re asking
parishioners to contribute by cash or cheque using dedicated envelopes. The final Sunday
for receiving contributions will be Sunday, November 28. Tax receipts will be issued for all
donations.
Friday, November 26, 7:30pm. “Youth Group Games Night” with Ping Pong, board games
and more! Youth in grades 6 through 12 are welcome. Please be in touch with Michelle
Clouter or Tammy Bussey with any questions.
Sunday, November 28 (Advent 1) - Back to church Sunday! We invite everyone to make a
special effort to be present in worship (either in person or online). Advent 1 marks the
beginning of a new liturgical year; a year in which we hope to be able to come back
together as a parish family and recover from the effects of the pandemic. Live streaming
and health protocols will continue to be in effect.
Wednesday, December 8, 7:00pm. Blue Christmas Service - For many, Christmas can be a
difficult time of the year. The Service is a quieter, more contemplative service and includes
prayers for healing.
Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 to 4:00 pm Family Gingerbread Event, pre registration is
required.
Sunday, December 19 at 7:00pm. Christmas Pageant- Our children’s ministry team is put-
ting together a recorded Christmas Pageant. Households are being invited to come to the
church at specific times to film scenes, which will then be edited together. The film will
Premier on Zoom on Dec. 19th. Inquiries and expressions of interest can be directed to
Lisa Del Bono, Jen Campeau, or Linda Kellington
Friday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Services
4:00pm – Family Worship (Preceded by an outdoor 'Surprise!' from 2:00-4:00 – stay
tuned for more details!)
10:00pm – Candlelit Choral Eucharist (Preceded by Christmas carols outdoors from 9:15-
9:45pm).
Pre-registration is required for both services and will open the week before.
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Morning
We will be offering a service of Holy Eucharist with
musical accompaniment at 10:00am on Christmas morn-
ing. Pre-registration will open the week before.
Sunday, February 27, 2022 – Vestry Sunday
There will be one joint service at 9:30am in the main
worship space, which will be immediately followed by
vestry. Further details will be shared in January.