Call to Prayer - Epiphany 7 - Black History - February 20, 2022

Safety Guidelines Update - Public Services Resume - February 1, 2022
On Thursday, January 27, the Bishops of Toronto announced that Anglican Churches in Toronto may re-open and have been returned to Stage Amber guidelines. The in-person Sunday services resumed on Sunday, February 6. All other online programs continue as they were. Morning Prayer will be said Monday through Saturday - no longer on Sunday mornings.
Information about all the services is available on the online church calendar or here: https://stpl.ca/services.html.
Black History Sunday at St. Paul’s - Sunday, February 20
We mark Black History at St. Paul’s on Sunday, February 20, in the public services and online, with special music and Fr. Arthur Boers preaching.
General Meeting for A New Fellowship - supporting new immigrants and honoring the African presence and contribution at St. Paul’s. With a planning committee already in place, this idea has been in the works over the last few months and a general meeting to consider it, as well as share a number of exciting plans will take place on Saturday, February 19 at 2.00 p.m. in the church. Everyone interested is welcome.
Ash Wednesday and beginning of Lent - Wednesday, March 2 - with Several Additions
Ash Wednesday is on March 2. The Lenten schedule returns to the usual routine of Lenten Wednesday eucharists at 7.30 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m..
At the succeeding Wednesday evening eucharists, there will be a series of reflections on the topic, "How Are We to Have Life in Christ?":
March 9 - The Dignity of the Human Person;
March 16 - Human Community;
March 23 - The Church;
March 30 - The Ten Commandments;
April 6 - The Great Commandment.
NOTE: The Wednesday evening service will be live-streamed. Link information will be available on the website calendar and here: https://stpl.ca/services.html.
Holy Week 2022
April 10 - Palm Sunday
April 13 - Stations of the Cross, 7.30 pm
April 14 - Maundy Thursday, 7.30 pm
April 15 - Good Friday, 10.30 am (English) & 3 pm (Tamil)
April 16 - Easter Vigil, 8 pm
April 17 - Easter Sunday
Wednesday Bible Study - after the 10.30 a.m. Eucharist - Resumes on March 2
With study leader Don St. Kitts.
Sarah Mair - new Youth Coordinator for York Scarborough Area
Congratulations to Sarah Mair who has been appointed Youth Co-Coordinator for the York-Scarborough Area. It is a position she will hold alongside serving as Youth Director for St. Paul’s. Congratulations, Sarah. They recruited one of the best.
Community Youth Basketball Program Resumes - the long wait is over - the week of March 1. Last week the Toronto District School Board re-opened their gyms for community groups and with the approval of the Bishops we are able to resume the youth basketball program, now the week of March 1. Safety guidelines will be in place. Details to follow. For more information, contact Sarah Mair - splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
The Spiritual Companions Program - is a companionship program to encourage spiritual growth. Open to those who are 22 years or older, companions are placed in groups of two, committing themselves to meet weekly for reflection and prayer. Those couples may include married and dating couples. The materials for reflection are agreed on by the pair and may be a reading or Collect from Morning Prayer, from Our Daily Bread, or from another devotional source. Guided by respect, honesty and confidentiality, pairs will agree to a convenient date and time and may meet in person, over the phone, or on Zoom. For a copy of the manual and application, call the office (416-499-1545) or check online: https://stpl.ca/spiritual-companions-program.html
Questions - contact Carol Shih (Wycliffe student) - carol.shih@mail.utoronto.ca
St. Paul’s Youth Music Program Resumes with the Strings
Our parish and community youth music program re-started on Saturday, February 5, with string practice at 4.30. A great group. Our largest string group ever. Registration at practice.
Steel Pans Return in March
The St. Paul’s Steel Pan band will resume in March. Hope is in the air.
Morning Prayer on Zoom - Password Added
Morning Prayer is said Monday to Saturday at 7.30 a.m. on Zoom. Join us.
Computer Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/397231088?wd=ekhBRm9XcDRmWXo5Z0Via2dyY2tpUT09
Telephone Access - (647) 374 4685, or (647) 558 0588
Meeting ID: 397 231 088; Password: 549300
Schedule
The full schedule of in-person and online services and programs can be found on the online church calendar - www.stpl.ca/calendar.html - or here: www.stpl.ca/services.html. This is the quickest and easiest way to get service and program information.
Indigenous Centre in Scarborough: General Meeting with Archbishop Mark MacDonald
Saturday, March 12, 2.00 p.m., at St. Paul, L’Amoreaux.
Would an Indigenous centre for prayer, for residential and personal services to elders, and of programs for youth be a welcome addition for the indigenous community in Scarborough? A discussion about that possibility will be led at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at St. Paul, L’Amoreaux, by Archbishop Mark MacDonald, Bishop for all indigenous Anglicans in Canada.
The idea of a spiritual centre and bridge to senior and youth services rose from a recent discussion between Archbishop MacDonald and officers from SPLC, St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Residential Centre for Seniors, and St. Paul’s L’Amoreaux Church. The senior residence and services serve a part of Toronto where seniors are notably "underserved". A recent demographic study, presented to SPLC, also identified a significant community of indigenous seniors within the region.
The general meeting will feature a presentation by Archbishop MacDonald, followed by an opportunity for discussion and reflection. Educated at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto, Archbishop MacDonald has served in Ontario, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and the southeast regional mission of the Diocese of Navajoland. Since 2007 he has served as the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop in Canada. He is a published author on a range of subjects such as youth ministry, care of creation, and native spirituality.
Also attending will be Fr. Andrew Wesley, an experienced leader among indigenous people in Ontario and Toronto, with special concern for the needs of elders and youth.
Due to Covid, seating is by reservation in order to provide enough room and to contact guests in the event of changes or cancellation. Seat reservations can be made by phone (416-499-1545) or online: www.eventbrite.ca/e/general-meeting-with-archbishop-mark-macdonald-tickets-256761248807
Anyone interested is welcome to attend. For more information, contact:
Fr. Andrew Wesley (647-501-5753; bertwesley3@gmail.com), or,
Fr. Dean Mercer (St. Paul’s; 416-499-1545; deanmercer@hotmail.com)
Sunday Services by Phone on Zoom
The weekly Sunday recording can be heard by phone on Zoom.
By Phone: 647 374 4685; 647 558 0588;
Meeting ID: 854 0290 8277; Passcode: 970844
Computer link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85402908277?pwd=Q1RIdkxCZXJNTFJJek5tYWpOTzlFUT09
Ontario COVID-19 Vaccine Booking - You can currently book an appointment at a mass vaccination clinic through the provincial online vaccine booking system (https://covid-19.ontario.ca/book-vaccine/) If you prefer to schedule an appointment by phone, call the Provincial Vaccine Booking Line at 1-833-943-3900 (TTY 1-866-797-0007). This line is available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Information is available in more than 300 languages. If St. Paul’s can be of any help to you in this process, please let our office know.
IMARA Generation Project Taibu Community Health Centre is conducting a consultation for parents and other concerned adults regarding Black youth and their mental health. For more information or to participate, please contact coladehinde@taibuchc.ca
New Honorary Priest at St. Paul’s
Effective December, 2021, The Rev'd Canon Kim Beard has been appointed by Bishop Robertson as honorary priest at St. Paul’s, L’Amoreaux. Canon Beard is the recently retired priest of St. Paul on the Hill, Pickering.
Mission Trip to Tanzania Rescheduled: July 2023.
Fr. Kim Beard will be leading a work mission trip to Tanzania, now re-scheduled for 2023. Look for an information session this spring or early Fall.
Sunday School Every Sunday at 10.00 on Zoom
Check the church calendar for links and information: www.stpl.ca/calendar.html
S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm.
Contact Sarah for more information: splcyouthministry@gmail.com.
Friday Night Bible Study - join us at the church or online for study, following the Bible study guides of Bishop Tom Wright. The study guides are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean for $11. The study has resumed with a study of Ephesians. Next week: Ephesians 3.1-13. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703
Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703
The Annual Stewardship Letter and 2022 Pledge Card is now available - from the church office or online: https://stpl.ca/give.html
Vestry Report 2022 - The final edition of the 2022 Vestry Report is now available here:
https://stpl.ca/applications-forms--reports.html
The 2022 Offering Envelopes are Now Available for Pickup at the Church
St. Paul’s 2021 Income Tax Receipts - by Mail & E-mail!
Tax receipts for 2021 are being completed and will be distributed at month’s end. St. Paul’s is now able to distribute them electronically. If you would like your receipt sent to you by email, let us know by replying to stpl@stpl.ca. Otherwise, your receipt will be sent by regular mail or you can make arrangements with the office (416-499-1545) for it to be set aside and picked up at the church.
Thank you for your Faithful Gifts and Offerings - St. Paul’s is a strong parish and remains strong due to everyone’s faithful support at a time when never has it been more important. Gifts can be dropped off at the church or sent by mail. Kindly ensure that your name and envelope number is included. Or, members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Members who use online banking can now make E-transfers (instructions here: www.stpl.ca/give.html). Gifts can also be made at our website through CanadaHelps: www.stpl.ca/give.html.
NOTE: Of the various means for online giving, we recommend The Pre-Authorized Giving Program. It is regular, matching the regular responsibilities of the parish, and once initiated all it takes is a phone call or quick e-mail note to increase, decrease, or cancel the donation. The monthly amount is withdrawn on the 20th of each month, and the cost to the church is 50 cents per transaction, irrespective of the amount of the gift. This makes the PAG the most economical of all methods of giving.
Contact - The clergy of St. Paul’s are all in the vicinity and visiting in homes again, abiding by diocesan safety guidelines. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: [http://www.stpl.ca;/]www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: [mailto:stpl@stpl.ca;]stpl@stpl.ca; Fr. Dean Mercer: [mailto:deanmercer@hotmail.com;]deanmercer@hotmail.com; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352.