*The Queen
In the year I was born, Queen Elizabeth II had already reigned nearly a decade. She was born a decade before both of my parents and survived them both by a decade more. As so many have said, she is the only Queen we have ever known. Two simple thoughts. One of the great features of our constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy is that the Head of State and the Leader of the Governing Party are two different people. The one we look to as the model citizen is separated and distinguished from the party leader responsible for the necessary rough and tumble of governance. Our laws are meant for the common good of us all and are to be rigorously tested in parliament by both the governing and opposition parties, both supported by the taxes we pay. It is to the monarch we look for national ideals of character and conduct. And here, for over seventy years in Queen Elizabeth II, the ideals and the person have been consistent: humility, duty and self-sacrificing service. Which brings me to the second thought. During her reign Canada and the world moved into the modern time. Not only did it mean the transition to independence for many in the former British Empire, it meant the transition from the worst wars in history through the Cold War, the Fall of the Iron Curtain, 9/11 and its aftermath, and through dramatic social changes under the influence of individualism, technology, materialism and secularity. Life was being turned on its head. But through it all - for over seventy years! - there was the Queen - humble, dutiful, and serving the realm, linking our nation to the past, summoning our courage and responsibility for the future. There was the Queen, a living standard helping us judge the changes through the timeless values she embodied. There was the Queen, raising our sights and turning our eyes to Christ on Christmas Day. We have been fortunate, indeed. May she rest in peace. As King Charles III said: "May ‘flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest.’" Fr. Dean+ ***** *Sunday Hours have resumed 8.00 a.m. - Holy Eucharist 9.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School 11.00 a.m. - replay on Zoom of 8.00 a.m. service 11.15 a.m. - Holy Eucharist & Sunday School 1.00 p.m. - Chinese service 3.00 p.m. - Tamil service 6.00 p.m. - Evening Prayer (in person and online) *Office Hours: Tuesday - 10.00 am to 12.30 noon Wednesday to Friday - 8.30 a.m. to 12.30 noon ***** AND HERE WE GO . . . *Steel Pan Practice - Saturdays, 12.30 noon! *SPARC Resumes - Thursday September 15 Our after school tutoring program resumes on Thursday, September 15, at 4 pm for children ages 6-12. Tutoring will be offered in math and English. Registration is at the Thursday classes, but the program is limited to 15 children. Refreshments are served at 3.45 pm., and crafts conclude the afternoon. Final prayers are said at 5.45 pm.. As we restart and reopen, we are also recruiting adult and youth Math and English tutors, 16 years and older. For high school students, tutoring is eligible for community hours. For more information, contact Kathy B. *Adult Choir - practices, Saturdays, 4.00 p.m. *Youth Music Program Resumes African Dance Program - Saturdays at 10.30 a.m. - beginning October 1. Pan practices began on Saturday, September 10 at 12.30 noon. A new youth voices program (ages 12+) practice on Saturdays at 4.00 pm. The string program resumes on Saturday, September 17, at 4.30 pm. NOTE: The startup for the Children’s Choir is presently on hold. For more information, contact David McCartney. *Back to Church Sunday and Back to Sunday School - September 25! *Launch of the Adzua Fellowship - honoring the African presence at St. Paul’s and a continuation of the St. Paul’s Immigrant Support Program: Saturday, October 1, 6.30 pm - potluck meal, tribute to Timothy and Tervor Adzua, launch of new program. *Friday Night Bible - Fridays at 7.00 pm - at the church and online - The Gospel of Luke. ***** Mission Trip & Safari to Tanzania: July 2023 - Fr. Kim Beard, leader. For anyone interested (including families) in joining a group traveling to Tanzania from July 4-22nd, 2023, please join us for an information meeting where I will present the itinerary, budget and travel information for this trip. The Tanzania experience will include five days visiting and connecting with Anglicans in Tarime and Zanzibar, the chance to see and participate in a variety of development projects, safaris to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro National Park, and a week exploring Zanzibar island. Please join us for this important meeting to sign up to join the team. Spaces are limited on the team. We will be meeting at St. Paul's on Thursday, September 15th from 7:30 -8:30 p.m.. If you would like more information please contact: the Reverend Canon Kim Beard at beard3300@rogers.com. *The Zoom replay of the recording of the 8.00 a.m. Sunday service has restarted. The replay is at the usual time of 11.00 a.m., Sundays, using the "Church Service" Zoom link. *A Single "Church Service" Zoom link for all church services This new link applies to all English church services which are streamed on Zoom, for the replay of the Sunday recording, and including Evening Prayer on Sundays at 6.00 p.m. and Morning Prayer, Monday through Saturday: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86566347435?pwd=WnhpMDJQRkxjMEV3d2pMU0FCa0JuUT09 By Phone: Meeting ID: 865 6634 7435 Passcode: 501805 647-374-4685 647-558-0588 As all three services have resumed, the Sunday recording has been scaled back as the time devoted to it has now been shifted back to the three services. (The recordings with music could take 8-12 hours of preparation and involved a team of over 35 people.) That said, after experimentation, we can provide a simple but high-quality Youtube recording of the 8 a.m. service and, in most cases, have it ready for viewing and playback on Zoom by 11.00 a.m.. The playback on Zoom is offered especially for those whose contact is by telephone. Kindly note the new time for the replay. Each Youtube recording will be available on the website for several weeks. A word - at St. Paul’s we continue to uphold and support the Christian standard of gathering together on the Lord’s Day. The Youtube recordings are not an attempt to provide an electronic alternative but rather a meaningful representation of the Sunday lessons, prayers and sermon for those unable to attend. Since the invention of television, the electronic church has been with us, but it involves a significant investment of money and people and it cannot answer the duty or replace the joy of gathering and praying together. *Assistance for Refugee Couple - Sanaz and Alireza More good news. This past we learned that the refugee couple St. Paul’s is co-sponsoring have received their VISA and will be free to leave Turkey for Canada in September. We thank God for this wonderful development. We also extend sincere thanks to generous members who have stepped forward and provided a new bed, bedroom furniture and household supplies. While most of the major items needed have been provided, there is still the need for the following: Electric Kettle (for making tea or coffee) Coffee table Pots and pans Floor lamp (2 if possible) *War in Ukraine For those wishing to contribute to refugee relief, The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund is now accepting donations to support those displaced by the war in Ukraine, here: www.toronto.anglican.ca/news/pwrdf-accepts-donations-for-ukrainian-refugees/. Our Outreach Committee donated $2000 to refugee relief program. *Indigenous Spiritual Centre at St. Paul’s On Saturday, March 12, a public meeting was held to consider the development of a spiritual centre at St. Paul’s for the indigenous community in Scarborough, serving as a bridge to youth and senior programs. The original impetus was a report to the SPLC Board (Senior Persons Living Connected) identifying a significant community of indigenous seniors in Scarborough. This possibility remains an active pursuit. A planning committee has been formed and begun. If interested, and for more information, contact Fr. Dean. *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. *S.P.Y. - St. Paul’s Youth - Friday nights at 7 pm - resuming Friday, September 16. Contact Sarah for more information: splcyouthministry@gmail.com. *Friday Night Bible Study - on summer break until September 9 Join us at the church or online for study, following the Bible study guides of Bishop Tom Wright which are available online (www.amazon.ca or www.parasource.com or www.christianbook.com) or may be ordered through Fr. Dean for $13. We are studying the Gospel of Luke. Next study, Friday, September 9 at 7.00 pm: Luke 8.26-9.17 - Lesson 10. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/830877703 Telephone: 647-374 4685, or 647-558 0588; Meeting ID: 830 877 703 *Looking Ahead Annual Walk-a-thon - Saturday, September 24 - forms now available. Anniversary Sunday - Sunday, November 20, 10.00 a.m. (combined service) *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 permitted once again to visit in homes. Don’t hesitate to call or write. Website: www.stpl.ca; Church phone: 416-499-1545; Email: stpl@stpl.ca; Fr. Dean Mercer: deanmercer@hotmail.com; Rectory phone: 416-497-6352. Comments are closed.
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