Parish Annual General Meeting 2015

     On Sunday past we held our Parish's Annual General Meeting at St. Peter's Church in Alberton.  The service began at 10:30am - we used the Dr. Seuss Liturgy again this year!    I forgot my camera - so used my smart phone to get a couple of images of the service.

     In lieu of the Rector's message we had our annual slide presentation of the year in review - thanks to Christine Batten for putting this together.  Below are a few of those photos.

     Following the service we had a potluck lunch in the church hall, followed by the AGM.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Image cf. www.christianslikeme.net

     We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Service at St. Peter's and St. Luke's - we have lots to be thankful for!  

     The following are a few photos sent in by Verna C. of St. Peter's Alberton, beautifully decorated - thanks!

Blessing of the Animals Service at St. Peter's

     We had a great service on Sunday morning in St. Peter's Hall with the Blessing of the Animals.  
     There were a few animals who preferred to stay in their car, however, we had a good turn-out of pet dogs, along with photos of animals who couldn't come to the church, ie. cats, cows, geese, ducks, etc.
     Here's a few photos.

Reading from a Sermon of St. Francis: 'Peace, birds, peace!'  My brother and sister birds, you should greatly praise your Creator and love him always.  He gave you feathers to wear, and wings to fly, and whatever you need.  God made you noble among his creatures and gave you a home in the purity of the air, so that, though you do not sow nor reap, he nevertheless protects and governs you without your least care.

     ( Adapted from "Occasional Celebrations of the Anglican Church", and "For All the Saints", Anglican Book Centre, Toronto; a liturgy prepared by the Rev. Barbara Allen Chaplain, Lort Smith Animal Hospital August 2007; and a liturgy prepared by The Rev. Robert P. Morrison of the Episcopal Parish of St. James in Lincoln City, Oregon )

Blessing of the Animals: 

"(pet name), you were created by God, and you are loved by God.  May you and your human family experience joy and companionship together, and continue to be a blessing to each other.  In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Amen."

Following the service we had our regular coffee fellowship time in the Hall. 

PWRDF Lent Resource: Lent 5 Poverty

PWRDF Lent Resource: Lent 5 Poverty John 12: 1-8
     We are reminded that the poor will always be with us - and that as much as we do, there will always be more work.  We are challenged to be generous but also to acknowledge our own needs and to do so without guilt.

image cf. http://www.layeducation.org/

     This week we will consider how poverty impacts what we eat - our ability to grow or purchase food, the quality of what food we eat, and how much we are consuming.
     Mon: We Want - Health.  Is your spiritual life healthy through diverse practices or does it need new variety?
     Tues: We Don't Want - Inequality.  Is your spiritual food worth fighting for?
     Wed: Mix it up - Consumption.  Is the time you spend in spiritual development carefully budgeted or is it time spent in a luxuriously impulsive way?
     Thurs:  In the Garden - Environment.  What are the pests that have impacted your spiritual growth in the past?  What action are you taking to prevent future repetitions?
     Fri: Going Back to the Source - Access.  Do we recognize those areas in our own lives where we are spiritually poor?  How do we interact with those around us whose spiritually poverty we recognize?
     Sat:  The Process - Production. How much would you labour to receive spiritual nourishment?

     The following photos were taken at this morning's service at St. Peter's Church, Alberton.

     Above: the choir sings the recessional hymn.  Below: Rev. Andrew and Lay-Reader Jan at the closing of the Morning Prayer Service.

Below: parishioners happily greeting one another.

The Palms are here!

Hi Friends,

     The palms are here. I am happy to make all the crosses for Palm Sunday - but I don't want to deprive others of the fun and pleasure of it if they want to make crosses.

     I am suggesting a get together on Wed March 20 at 10:30 am in St. Peter's Hall for palm cross making.  And I thought I might have palms available for cross making on Friday at Games Night too. I could give a lesson on making the crosses in church this Sunday and also supply palms and instructions to anyone who wants to try making a few at home. 

     The St. Luke's Sunday School will make some crosses this Sunday. I will reserve some palms for church decorating as well. We have a smaller bunch of palms this year than last year. Please spread the word to those who don't have email. Thanks!  

-  Janet (and Rev. Andrew)

 These are photos from Palm Sunday last year - 2012

Baptism at St. Peter's

    A baptism is always a time to celebrate and praise God for all his blessings.  On Sunday past we had a baptism at St. Peter's in Alberton - that of Layney Wanda Blair Smith, daughter of Lisa Marie and Kevin Benjamin Smith and sister to Landen Terrance Lee Smith.

  

 In His Constant Care

By artist Simon Dewey

      Biography of Artist: Simon Dewey was born in London, England. His father was an amateur artist who instilled in Simon a love for art. Simon studied for a while at a London art college, but later decided to work by himself to develop his talents. He soon had established a reputation as an excellent illustrator in London publishing circles.
     Simon came to find that his true love was in the painting of images of events found in the scriptures. These images received significant approval, and this encouraged Simon to enter the world of fine art. As Simon's talents have grown over the years, he has developed a truly special ability to portray the Savior Jesus Christ. His works bring us close to the Savior as they radiate love and compassion to all who view them.
     Simon currently lives in Cardston, Alberta with his wife and five children.

(from on line Biblical art – www.familyartusa.com)

 Above cf. Parish Bulletin Sept. 2, 2012

Games Night, St. Peter's Alberton

     Games Night in St. Peter's Hall is a popular event for parishioners and friends to come in fellowship to have fun playing games such as Chicken Foot, Rook, etc. 

 

     Games Night's are held every Friday evening during the fall, winter and early spring.  There will be no games on Good Friday this week.

Thanksgiving Sunday

We had wonderful Thanksgiving Services at St. Peter's Alberton and St. Luke's O'Leary yesterday morning.  We are so thankful for God's many blessings!  And too for the beautiful day he gave us yesterday - it was a glorious bright sun filled day with a warm breeze and temperatures reaching near +25C breaking all previous records for this date.

Below are a few photos taken at St. Peter's Service - the church was beautifully decorated.

Here Rev. Andrew, Lay Reader Jan and members of the choir are near ready to being the service.



We welcomed parishioners, families and visitors over for the holiday weekend.

Rev. Andrew's talk to the children was about Thanksgiving.  Janet made a tree in Thanks to God - when Rev. Andrew asked the children what they were thankful for, he wrote it on a leaf, Janet added tape, then the child placed it on the tree.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Dear Lord, as we praise and give You thanks for Your love

and generosity this Thanksgiving weekend, may we more

deeply appreciate Your goodness.  Amen.

c.f. Parish Bulletin Oct.9