A Letter from the Rector - Advent 2009
Dear friends,
This is a particularly fecund time of year – the orange pumpkins are appearing, animals are fattening up for the winter, and before long we will be blessed with the extraordinary migration of the salmon up the Goldstream.
There can be a sense for us, particularly if the weather is good, that we are at the receiving end of a remarkable process of generosity. That generosity surrounds us on every side – the energy of grass pushing its way through concrete, the variety and abundance of apples, the endless creativity of artists in paint, music and word. There seems no end to the magnificent upwelling of life and glory all around us. And we ourselves are part of that upwelling. Humanity is the product of the same processes which lie behind all the wonder of this harvest time of year.
No wonder we are moved to give thanks! No wonder we bring fruits and vegetables and animals into church, for in doing so we give voice to all creatures in thanks and praise for the surging of life throughout creation.
St. Francis explored this life-giving presence of God in creation, and his day, October 4th, this year falls on a Sunday. So it is that our annual blessing of animals will take place at the 10:00 service that Sunday. For practical reasons, animals are encouraged to stay on the left-hand side of the church so that there can be an allergy-free zone on the right-hand side. And of course, animals may be brought in and out of the church during the service as needed. The actual blessing will take place during the service.
Harvest Thanksgiving will be the following Sunday, October 11th. Please bring fruits of the field, but also any books or instruments or manufactured objects of value, for God is expressed also in them, and for their creation, we will also give thanks.
In the weeks ahead, we will be giving thanks for a number of matters. On October 9th we host the young people from our companion church of Burma-Myanmar at supper in the hall, I begin the second presentation of the course on “The Second Paul” starting October 14th at 7:00 p.m., St. John's takes part in a study of papers written by our national church regarding same-sex blessings after Divine Brunch on Sunday, October 25th.
You will see in the enclosed calendar many other events planned for this fall.
I enclose an envelope for your use as you express the generosity of God in your life, and enable St. John's to be generous within and beyond our congregation. (On the Web, use this link.)
Sincerely yours,
