Pause Table

Over the past few years during exam time in December and April, St. Andrew’s supports the Pause Table at Carleton University.  This is coordinated in conjunction with the Carleton Ecumenical Chaplaincy.   The Carleton Ecumenical Chaplaincy is not funded by the university budget.  The university welcomes and accommodates the Chaplaincy but it is a not-for-profit corporation (charity) that depends on religious organizations and people of good will for its financial support.

The goal is to provide a ‘pause’ and a snack for students during exam time.  St. Andrew’s may partnered with another church for one morning during the exam period (10-2).  St. Andrean’s volunteer their time and either prepare or send goods to be shared with the students.  We are contacted by the Chaplaincy as to the date.

The following items have been popular:
- bananas, oranges, clementines, apples
- granola bars
- yoghurt
- bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter, jam
- baked goods - muffins, scones, biscuits, cookies
- sandwiches
- chocolate milk
- Wagon Wheels, Rice Krispie squares

The Chaplaincy supplies apple juice, coffee, tea, milk, sugar, stir sticks- coffee cups and cups for cold drinks as well as a coffee urn, kettle and toaster

We're volunteering with the Chaplaincy on April 16th, please sign up in Grant Hall if you're able to donate or spend a morning giving out snacks at Carleton.

Blue Christmas

In gathering together during the darkness and cold of winter, we wait expectantly for  the Christ Child and open our hearts to God’s loving presence and healing power.  Join us December 21st, at 7:30 p.m.

A Service of Light in the Midst of Darkness

There are many of us who approach the days of Christmas with mixed feelings. During these weeks of December as we are bombarded by preparations, gift buying, colourful decorations and endless “holiday” music, we may find ourselves remembering with sorrow times past and loved ones lost. It can be a hurtful and lonely time in the midst of a celebrating world.

In response and care, The Pastoral Care Ministry is again honoured to host The Blue Christmas, a moving service of quiet worship traditionally held on the longest night of the year. Through peaceful meditation, scripture reading, prayer, singing and the lighting of candles, we are invited to open our hearts and souls to God, and prepare to receive the Christ child — the greatest gift our world has ever seen — a gift of hope and healing, love and redemption.

Following this candle lit service in the Sanctuary, we gather together in Grant Hall to enjoy some warm cider and comforting treats while finding assurance and strength in the company of friends.

This special service is a welcome retreat for everyone and especially for those who are experiencing bereavement and other challenges in life. Please come by yourself or with a friend and be with us during this time of peace, encouragement and consolation.

White Gift Sunday

This year collected on December 14th, our gifts will go to Bayshore and Connaught Public Schools. 

Many Bayshore students are learning English as a second or third language.  They would benefit from patterned and rhyming books, books with detailed clear instructions to assist with discussion to develop descriptive language skills, and books to encourage empathy.

Connaught has expanded to include students in French Immersion, and so their library will benefit from more books to serve their larger population.

Bayshore and Connaught children, families and teachers appreciated books they received last year, and are happily anticipating having more books added to their library.

Please wrap in white paper.  The books will be delivered early in the week of December 15.

Book Titles Wish List from Connaught School

Easy Fiction

Skippyjon Jones Snow What – Judy Schachner

It’s okay to make mistakes – Todd Parr

The Thankful Book – Todd Parr

The Earth Book – Todd Parr

The Family Book – Todd Parr

It’s okay to be different – Todd Parr

The Feelings Book – Todd Parr

Mix It Up – Herve Tullet

Goodnight, goodnight Construction Site by Rinker

Once upon an Alphabet – Jeffers

Dashing through the Snow – Becker

Pyjama Day – Munsch

The Easter Egg – Jan Brett

Louise Loves Art – Light

The book with no pictures – Novak

Waiting is not easy – Willems

The pigeon needs a bath – Willems

The Animal’s Santa – Brett

Dragons love tacos – Rubin

This is a moose – Morris

A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead

The Lion & The Mouse by Jerry Pinkey

A Ball For Daisy by Chris Raschka

Cinders by Jan Brett

Bear Stays up for Christmas – Karma Wilson

The Christmas Wish by Lori Evert

Penny and her Doll by Kevin Henkes

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse

Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs by Mo Willems

The boy in number four - Koostra

Fiction

Ivy & Bean – Take the case

Ivy & Bean – No news is good news

Ivy & Bean – Make the rules

Judy Moody – Mood Martian

The Ranger's Apprentice Books 3 & 4 by John Flanagan

Wings of Fire - #’s 4 & 5 – Sutherland

Heroes of Olympus series - Riordan

Restorative Justice Week

This week, November 16-23 is Restorative Justice Week.  The Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC) partners with organizations and communities across Canada, including the Presbyterian Church in Canada, to promote the principles and practices of restorative justice.

Restorative justice is founded on a vision of justice that heals and restores. It is based on an understanding that crime is a violation of people and relationships and that justice is served when those most directly involved in an offence are given opportunities to redress the harm caused. The values of restorative justice include caring and compassion, equality, healing, responsibility, truth and honesty, inclusion, trust, safety, respect, non-judgmentalism, self-awareness, integrity, flexibility, and empathy.

Visit the CCJC website to learn more.

Sunday Worship as scheduled

Sunday's services will go on as scheduled this Sunday, Oct 26th. St. Andrew's Children's Choir will be performing the Prayer of St. Francis. After this week's events on Wellington Street, will be sung the words: "make me a channel of your peace."  

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to all men that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.