Weekly Notices - February 20

Friends, we are planning to re-open the church for in-person services on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd, and it will be open thereafter.  Our last Zoom service will therefore be on Sunday February 27th at 9:30, and then services in the church will resume on Sundays at 8:30 and 10:30 am.
 
There will be an official celebratory opening service with Bishop Kevin Robertson on Sunday March 27 at 10:30 am. Please pray with us that our final preparations will be completed smoothly, and the long period of disruption come to a close.
 
And now this week's notices:
 
NOTICES AT A GLANCE - more details below
 
  1. Zoom link for Sunday eucharist, 9:30 am
  2. Children's ministry on Zoom
  3. Service videos
  4. Celebrating Black History Month
  5. Epiphany meditation series
  6. Annual Vestry Meeting February 27th
  7. Social Justice and Advocacy motion
  8. Pancake Tuesday March 1st
  9. Re-opening in church for Ash Wednesday March 2nd
 10. Church kneelers
 11. Volunteer readers at Sunday services
 12. Altar Guild flowers and aumbry candle
 13. Offerings
 14. Tax receipts for 2021
 
AND NOW THE DETAILS:

1. Zoom Link for Sunday Eucharist, 9:30 am
We continue to worship by Zoom, and the link to join is here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84505590891
Meeting ID: 845 0559 0891   Phone: 647-374-4685
This Sunday our guest preacher for Black History Month is the Rev. Canon Dr. Stephen Fields, Vicar of St James Cathedral, Toronto.

2.  Children's Ministry on Zoom
Gemma is with us at the start of our 9:30 service each week, and we invite families with children to join us. After singing a song Gemma then opens a separate Zoom session for the children.

3. Service Videos on Website and YouTube
We are recording our Zoom services for those unable to attend them live. Look for them on the church website here: https://www.staidansinthebeach.com/services/pages/virtual-services or on our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3Gtpvu9EWn9-g7oZ1VyKfA.

4. Celebrating Black History Month
At St. Aidan’s we are intentionally celebrating Black History Month as part of our Zoom Sunday services. Here are the remaining themes and homilists:
Feb. 20: The Enduring Black Presence in the Church, with different Black voices from our church
Feb. 27: Where Do We Go From Here? (Lucy Reid)
These services feature special music from Urla Duncan. Join us, and invite friends and family!
 
5. Epiphany Meditation Series
The final session in this meditation series  takes place on Wednesday evening, 7:30 to 8 pm, by Zoom.
The link is here:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86535845519
Phone: 647-374-4685  Meeting ID: 865 3584 5519
The theme for this series is Epiphanies of God's Presence in All Things, and some simple instruction is given on using the silence to settle more deeply into the heart of God. All are welcome.
 
6. Annual Vestry Meeting February 27
Our annual vestry meeting will be held on Zoom on Sunday February 27 following the 9:30 am service. We expect to call the meeting to order around 10:30 am. All parishioners are encouraged to attend. The brochure with all reports etc will be sent out by email early next week.
 
7. Social Justice and Advocacy Motion
Once again the diocesan Social Justice and Advocacy Committee has put forward a motion for parishes to consider at their annual vestry meetings. This year the focus is on justice for workers, especially those who are precariously employed. You can read the full motion and its backgrounder on the diocesan website here:
 https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/diocesan-life/social-justice-advocacy/social-justice-vestry-motion/?lang=en
There is a 12 minute Q and A video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MAfpBzOa8A&t=1s
Bishop Andrew has issued a letter about it here: https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/from-our-bishops/letter-to-the-diocese-from-bishop-andrew-feb-4/
 
8. Pancake Tuesday March 1st
Join us on Zoom for a Pancake Party at 6:00 pm! This Pancake Tuesday we will gather (virtually) to cook together, catch up, and play a game or two! All are welcome and we hope you can make it: https://tdsb-ca.zoom.us/j/91046036597
 
9. Re-opening in church for Ash Wednesday March 2nd
We will be holding our Ash Wednesday services in the church at 10am and 7:30 pm, with ashes and eucharist at both times, and abiding by the latest protocols for safety from the province and our bishops. This will be our first day back in the church for worship since March 11 2020.
 
10. Volunteer Readers at Sunday Services
One of the ways to participate in our Sunday services is by volunteering to read a passage, usually from the Old Testament or the Epistles. There is a roster of almost 50 St. Aidaners at present, but this list is NOT closed. If you would like to take a turn at reading one Sunday, please contact Barry Webster at balmybarry@gmail.co or 416-693-4900.
 
11. Church Kneelers
Calling all crafters for our Needlepoint Kneeler Project!  Join our team and help to create new kneelers for our renovated space. No needlepoint experience necessary! Pick from hundreds of patterns including symbols, church year, saints, and more!
Please contact Colin (colin_snider@hotmail.com) if you are interested in helping or leading this project. 
 
11. Altar Guild Flowers and Aumbry Candle
Once we are back in the church we are going to resume our donation programme for altar flowers and aumbry candles. If you would like to dedicate the flowers or candle for a particular Sunday the cost for flowers is $80 for one Sunday and the aumbry candle is $40 for a full month. Please contact Hian-Lie Liem at 416-706-3775 or at hian.lie.liem@gmail.com
 
12. Offerings
Your regular offerings support the mission and ministry of St Aidan's, and we thank you.  Here's how to make a donation:

• E-transfer from your bank account to donations@staidansinthebeach.com  Please note the new email address.  Security password is not required as auto deposit is now enabled.
• Donate online using your credit card at Canada Helps: St. Aidan's Church
• Mail cheques to the church: 2423 Queen St. E., Toronto, ON M4E 1H6, or drop off your donation in our secure mailbox on the front of the building near the stairs at the north-east corner of the building
• If you would like to consider moving to pre-authorized debits from your bank account to make it easier for you to fulfill your ongoing support for the ministries at St. Aidan’s, please go to the Giving page of the website and print off the PAG Authorization Form to sign up: https://www.staidansinthebeach.com/giving

If you already give by PAG, and wish to change the amount of your monthly donation, please send an email with the details to donations@staidansinthebeach.com 
 
13. Tax Receipts for 2021
Receipts for your 2021 direct donations to St. Aidan’s will be sent out next week. Where possible, the receipt will be sent electronically to the email address we have on file for you.  If your email address has changed in the past year, please ensure we have the correct one by sending an email to donations@staidansinthebeach.com
If we do not have email on file for you, a receipt will be printed and mailed to you. If you have any questions, feel free to send a message to the donations email address.  Thank you for your support of our parish.