May Musings

May 27, 2022:

Truly, spring has arrived and the nursery shops are busy places. A dear friend, however, commented that calling those little plants "bedding out plants" may be inappropriate. Rather, "Squirrel food" might be more apt. 

St. David's is definitely into a post-Covid phase with lots going on. Tonight and tomorrow afternoon, it is "Music Recital" time with the talent of young musicians being showcased. June 5, 2022 features the annual Congregational Budget meeting following service.

Enjoy! There are many "Strollers for the Soul" participants from the Chinook Winds Regional area, recording their mileage and capturing pictures of their adventures. 

The coming week features "Healing Touch" on Wednesday evening and it's the Annual Barbeque for the Friendship Group. Time to get out the Stampede Gear (and put away the Flames regalia for next year!) Oops!

May 16, 2022:

It's been a very busy week of preparation. Janice Rider continued with her creative screen writing with the one act play, "The Support Squad." With a cast of 14, the young people of Chameleon Drama Group began their rehearsals in January and last week, they gathered on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that their presentation was as great as possible ... And it worked. Thanks are extended to Janice, Yvonne, Deb, Alex, Ocean, Erwan and to parents who helped make the presentation possible. (I worked the Sound and Light Board, tested batteries and taped mics to masks and today, I returned our rental equipment.) We have one last task to complete -- our granddaughter Iris was looking forward to a cast party at Menchies!! The photo collage is thanks to Rev. Nancy. 

Check out the Newsletter for May 22, 2022 attached as a file. 

May 7, 2022:

Mothers' Day is about to happen on Sunday. As a little girl on the farm, we always drove the 15 miles or so into town so that we could attend church. My little brother and I would both have new outfits (or at least they were new on Easter Sunday -- the other Sunday of the year when we made the drive into town for church.) Everuy Sunday morning on the farm, my mom would lead us through a Sunday school session and it wasn't until we moved to town when I was 11 and had two little brothers that attending church on Sunday morning became a life-long pattern for me. 

On Mothers' Day, the service will be lead by lay folk from both Northminster and St. David's while our ministers are attending the Chinook Winds Regional along with the reps from both congregations. The nasty COVID pandemic is still with us so be expecting new faces filling in for old faces while everyone recuperates. All part of the team!!

Eldon Godfrey received his Order of Canada award yesterday -- COVID had prevented him from a formal presentation earlier. He was recognized two years ago. He and Carly-Jean were very involved in the sport of Diving, serving on national and international boards over the years. Congratulations, Eldon. 

May 2, 2022: 

It has begun! Our partnership with Northminster United was a cause for celebration on Sunday morning. Including our livestreaming to Youtube and FaceBook Live, there were nearly 300 people who participated in this service of worship with Rev. Nancy Nourse and Amy Haynes presiding. Barb McPherson, Northminster, was our scripture reader and the combined choirs under the direction of Sarah Corrigan and Brent Tucker offered their ministry of song.

Tech team in the balcony this morning were Craig, Maryann and Deb along with Hugo and I on the sound and light boards. Greeters were on hand early to welcome worshippers. Sacred Service coordinators are still carrying out pre and post service tasks with the help of folks from Northminster who, together, made sure that we had wafers and grapes for communion and coffee and tea available after service. Downstairs, children and youth participated in a 'scavenger hunt,' finding their way around the building. It truly was a community affair.

Service began about 10:30... excitement was in the air as we listened to Sarah on piano and the seats of the sanctuary filling. Nametags helped with introductions and Rev. Nancy caused a ripple of laughter when she mentioned "people being in other people's pews." Not really an issue because our attendance as we've opened up the sanctuary has been increasing weekly but with social distancing being important, on Easter Sunday, there were 90 or so of us and this morning almost 150. For the first time, the new furniture in the TM and foyer were put into full use. 

Just a reminder to folks: We have many recently published spiritual books available for you to take home and enjoy. Of course, we have the lending library which is situated in the foyer and the little Free Library exchange box on the street in front of the church PLUS a plethora of books collected over the past 15 years or so. If you would like to peruse the giveaway collection in the balcony, just pop up on Sunday morning or give me a call and I will meet you there. 

This week we have two opportunities for you: Healing Touch on Wednesday evening and Friendship Group on Friday evening with June Bergman. As well, there is Saturday Crafting from 1-4 at Northminster and Saturday evening Book Club featuring the book "The Gown" by Jennifer Robson. I'm excited. 

The pictures below include the sharing of the Christ candles -- the flame of the Northminster candle was used to light the Christ candle on the Communion Table. Later, the children took their lit lantern as they headed to Robertson Hall.  The Collage is from the Saturday afternoon "moving in" of the children and youth programs to designated areas at St. David's. As well, the office has been revamped so that both Chantal and Barbara can share the space. New furniture, new protocols, new friends. Awesome!!

April 29, 2022: 

I'm getting a head start on May News, mostly because of the anticipation and excitement of our new partnership with Northminster United Church and Rev. Nancy Nourse. It's been a busy week getting things ready for our new partners who will be joining us on Sunday morning, May 1, 2022 at 10:30 -- note the time change! New spaces have been created with Chantal sharing space with Barb, Rev. Nancy moving into the big office and new offices being molded out of the space in the McDougall Room. 

St. David's is becoming a busy worship and program centre as we emerge from COVID restrictions. We have new furniture in the T.M. room and in the foyer. The library has been updated and the many volumes of books that were shelved in the big office are now on bookcases in the balcony. These books are yours for the taking. Visit with us in the balcony on Sunday morning and take what you wish. You can always return them at a later time for other readers to enjoy. These books reflect the building of resources housed at St. David's that no longer fit the categories in the lending library. Several volumes have been moved into the little library on the street so keep your eye on the changing volumes to be found there. 

Check out the newsletter for further information.