April 19, 2024

Dear St. Aidan’s,

Next Sunday, April 28, we will gather for one worship service at 10:30 a.m. as we welcome Bishop Kevin Robertson to St. Aidan’s, when he will confirm 10 youth and adults. Confirmation is an important moment in the Anglican tradition when someone is confirming their belief in God’s love for us in Christ, and committing to an active life of faith.

We are hosting a special reception following the confirmation service, and need many more helpers not only to provide special treats to enjoy, but also to help us set up and clean up. If you can help us in any way to make this a special moment for those being confirmed and their families, and to show our area bishop a very warm welcome, please sign up here through this Sign-Up Genius link or on the paper sign-up list in the Narthex.

Springtime is here and as we celebrate the newness of green shoots, new leaves, and blossoming bulbs, it’s appropriate to take some time to reflect on our responsibilities for this beautiful yet fragile world that God has given us to live in and care for. This Saturday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m., you are invited to join us for an Earth Day Celebration at the church. Elizabeth and several volunteers from the congregation will be offering arts and crafts (using recycled materials) and stories with a care of creation theme. (Weather permitting, the event will be in the front driveway of the church—otherwise, look for activities inside.) Then in our worship services this Sunday, we will include special prayers and music selections reminding of us of the connections between our faith as Christians and our responsibility to act as Good Shepherds of the Earth.

If any of the above inspire you to want to get more involved with activities related to reflecting on and advocating for environmental stewardship, please contact John Brewin, Martha Asselin, or Michael Van Dusen about being a part of our Ecospirituality Group, which organizes book discussions and activities meant to draw awareness to living more sustainably. As we will promise when we renew of baptismal vows in next Sunday’s confirmation service: “Will you strive to safeguard the integrity of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life of the Earth? I will, with God’s help.”

I look forward to seeing you in church soon,

Becky+

Week of April 21 -  NOTICES AT A GLANCE – more details below

  1. Live Streaming at 10:30 a.m., Order of Service
  2. Altar flowers dedications
  3. You are invited to our Earth Day Celebration
  4. Confirmation and bishop’s visit
  5. Confirmation celebration
  6. Children’s and youth ministries parents’ meeting
  7. Gardening Group seeks new volunteers
  8. Today, we begin our annual Moorelands ‘Send a Kid to Camp’ campaign
  9. Beach Interfaith Outreach
  10. Euchre
  11. Archive of sermon manuscripts
  12. Announcements for the Notices
  13. Offerings

 

AND NOW THE DETAILS:

 1. Live Streaming at 10:30 a.m., Order of Service - The service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/91628466455

Meeting ID: 916 2846 6455
Passcode: 548507
Phone: 647-374-4685

To access the Order of Service click here: 

https://mcusercontent.com/9602008078ea1b1ac17a38d52/files/20bb262a-1a08-6d41-eb6d-43a34e188972/2024_April_21_Worship_Booklet.pdf

 2. Altar flower dedications: We include fresh flowers in our worship space to remind us of the wonder, joy, and provision God shares with us through the gifts of nature. Several dates from June to August are open.

See the binder in the Narthex for a full list of dates. If you would like to donate for a specific date, please fill in the information on the list.

 3. You are invited to our Earth Day Celebration on Sat., April 20 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. We will share stories, activities, and crafts for all ages.

 4. Confirmation and bishop’s visit: On Sun., April 28, we will welcome our area bishop, the Right Reverend Kevin Robertson, who will preach, confirm youth and adults, and celebrate the Eucharist. We will gather for just one worship service that day, at 10:30 a.m., with a festive reception to follow to welcome our bishop and honour our confirmands.

 5. Confirmation celebration: We will gather for an extra special reception following the 10:30 service on Sun., April 28. Please sign up to bring food items and/or to do volunteer tasks on the sign-up sheet found in the Narthex (church entry) or in the weekly e-notices. Thanks in advance for helping make this a festive day in the life our church!

 6. Children’s and youth ministries parents’ meeting: We will gather on Sun., May 5 after the 10:30 service in the Willow Room. Childcare will be provided. For more information, contact Elizabeth Achimah.

 7. Gardening Group seeks new volunteers: You’ll have noticed the construction happening in the West Garden. Plants have been ordered. We’ll learn delivery dates soon. A communal planting date may be determined. In addition, the driveway garden was cleaned last fall by a small group, who will continue with planting and weeding this spring and summer. If you’d like to join us for that work, or the West Garden tasks, please send a note to Ian MacRae, Courtney Ebner, or Sheila Dunn. If you have any perennials that could do with splitting, please contact Ian. No hostas please. A garden group member will arrange a visit and will take your treasure for transplanting in the driveway garden.

 8. Today, we begin our annual Moorelands ‘Send a Kid to Camp’ campaign. Please see the display in the Narthex (church entryway), or go to the Moorelands Kids website (moorlands.ca) for more information about their camp programs for Toronto children. It costs approximately $1800 to provide a child with a session of camp. Donations can be made to St. Aidan’s, and at the end of June we will forward 100% of the funds to the camp. Thank you in advance for your support!

To make a donation to this campaign:

 9. Beach Interfaith Outreach: Locations and dates are listed in the Beach Metro News. Tues., April 23, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. is the next lunch here. As part of St. Aidan’s involvement in the Beach Interfaith Outreach Committee, we support the Grace Pascoe Care Centre. Your weekly donations (to the basket by the church office) are gratefully received.

10. Euchre: Join us on Tuesday nights from 7-9 p.m. for a fun and friendly evening of progressive Euchre downstairs in the main hall. Beginners welcome. $5.00 to play. All proceeds go to our community outreach.

11. An archive of sermon manuscripts by Rev. Becky, along with sermons and weekly reflections by Deacon Michael, can be found on our website: https://staidansinthebeach.com/services/pages/sermons-and-reflections

12. Announcements for the Notices: Please submit announcements for the weekly notices to office@staidansinthebeach.com by Wednesdays at 4 p.m. Notices may be edited for clarity and conciseness.

13. Offerings - Thank you for your support. There are a variety of ways to make your donation: 

  • PAG – set up monthly pre-authorized debits from your bank account directly to St. Aidan’s by completing the authorization form found on the Giving page of our website https://www.staidansinthebeach.com/giving 
  • PAG Changes – to change the amount of an existing donation, send an email with the details to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • E-transfer – send to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • Envelopes to obtain a set of weekly offering envelopes, send a request to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
  • Cheques should be payable to and can be mailed to: The Church of St. Aidan, 2423 Queen St E, Toronto, ON, M4E 1H6, or dropped in our secure mailbox beside the front door.