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Easter Food Drive
Usually this time of the year, St. Paul’s sponsors a three or four week Easter drive in support of the Agincourt Community Services Food Bank. Thanks to Councillor Jim Karygiannis for highlighting their service, St. Paul’s is eager to support ACSA and the needs of the food bank. As always, a monetary gift is the most practical and serves the exact needs of the food bank. And like everyone else, gifts can be given online: www.namf.ca/donate-now.html Church Calendar The online Church Calendar has been updated to include all the events that are available online - www.stpl.ca/events.html. Friday Night Bible Study - on Zoom The Friday night Bible studies on Matthew carries on. If you'd like to join online or by regular phone or mobile, even if you haven't done so previously, you are most welcome. This week's lesson is taken from Matthew 24:45-25:46. It is Lesson 22 in the study guide, "Matthew for Everyone" by Tom Wright. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: www.stpl.ca/events.html Sunday Prayers - Easter Sunday The parish of St. Paul's is called to prayer this morning at 10.30 a.m.. A short video and handout are available for those who wish to follow along: www.stpl.ca/services.html The Tamil and Chinese congregations have had a number of studies and prayer meetings by remoted. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Milton ([email protected]) or Pastor Andrew ([email protected]). Sunday School every Sunday morning at 10 am Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: www.stpl.ca/events.html Evening Prayer on Sundays via Zoom Evening Prayer is said every Sunday at 6 pm. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: www.stpl.ca/events.html S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday Nights, 7 p.m. Friday fellowships carry on. Information about how to connect is available on the Church Calendar: www.stpl.ca/events.html For more information, contact Sarah: [email protected] Morning Prayer - Record attendance The regular schedule of Morning Prayer according to the Book of Common Prayer meets Monday to Friday at 7.30 a.m.. All are welcome and may participate by phone or internet. It's short, simple and quiet, but a proven path and one of the gems in the Anglican tradition. We follow the Book of Common Prayer, beginning on page 6. If you want to look ahead, the lessons from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the Psalm, are taken from The Daily Office Lectionary and can be found here: https://lectionary.anglican.ca/. Here’s the link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/397231088 Here are the phone numbers and ID: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 397 231 088 And as a matter of historical record, in my time at St. Paul’s yesterday and today registered the largest attendance at a weekday service of Morning Prayer - although I believe, praying by zoom at St. Paul’s is historically unprecedented. (One way or the other, we set a record.) So if you can stand the crowd in the cloud, we invite you to join us for prayer at Morning Prayer. Coronavirus Updates - The Bishop of Toronto, in consultation with the provincial college of Bishops, has chosen to suspend all public worship and other gatherings in the Diocese until further notice - www.toronto.anglican.ca. The Diocesan website provides regular updates. Diocesan Jubilee - In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, and the large financial strain on the parishes, Bishop Andrew Asbil has announced a Jubilee: “As a family, and in response to this time of great crisis, I can announce that the Diocese of Toronto is proclaiming a Jubilee – a time of generosity and forgiveness. For the months of April and May 2020, parishes will not be required to pay their allotment to the Diocese or to pay the costs of clergy remuneration (stipend, housing and associated benefits). It is my hope that this measure will alleviate the financial pressure that many of our parishes are under, freeing them up to carry out their ministry and to prepare for the day when their doors will open again.” FURTHER UPDATE - Letter to the Congregation - April 9, 2020 Last Thursday (April 9), a letter to the parish was sent regarding our financial standing in the midst of the Corvid-19 pandemic. The next day, we received letters from our Member of Parliament, Jean Yip, and from Rob Saffrey, Executive Director of the Diocese of Toronto, indicating that St. Paul’s is probably eligible for the Corvid-19 staff subsidies offered by the Federal Government. And on Tuesday (April 20), the Diocese announced that it will apply on behalf of all its parishes for the government subsidy. This is generous support from the Diocese and from the Federal Government for charities like St. Paul’s. If successful, it will make it possible for us to pay the staff in full for the time covered. It is important to note that the situation is in a state of constant flux right now, one of the great unknowns being what we will face when and as the emergency measures are lifted. But these offers of support are a big help, and the support of the parish remains strong. Tax Receipts - have now been mailed. Alpha Online Alpha Online will be offered by St. Paul’s. Watch for details. Brother’s and Sister’s Keepers – If you are willing to be your brother’s or sister’s keeper by being in regular contact with one or two other persons from the parish, please contact the office or any of the clergy for more information. Have you moved? If you have moved recently, kindly notify the office of your new address, phone number and e-mail address. We appreciate your help. Gifts and Offerings The emergency measures and suspension of all church services and programs presents a large challenge to churches and charities dependent on regular gatherings and fundraising events. Your faithful support is as important now as it has ever been. Church Envelopes can be sent through the mail. Members may wish to sign up for the Pre-Authorized Giving Program (contact the office). Or, gifts can be made online at our website through CanadaHelps, here: https://stpl.ca/give.html One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. (Psalm 145:4) Staying in Touch The clergy of St. Paul's are all in the vicinity. If any one of us can be of service, don't hesitate to call or write. Church website: www.stpl.ca Church phone: 416-499-1545 Church email: [email protected] Fr. Dean Mercer: [email protected] Rectory phone: 416-497-6352 God bless you. Fr. Dean Mercer+ Comments are closed.
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December 2023
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