With a Rush of Grace Advent & Christmas Services · Advent & Christmas Services ... ows lengthen,...

The Newsletter of the Anglican /United Church of St. Mary’s, Sorrento, B.C.

Advent & Christmas Services

Nov 29 Advent 1 Morning Prayer

Dec 2 Taizé Prayer 2 pm Sorrento Centre

Dec 6 Advent 2 Holy Communion


Dec 13 Advent 3 Morning Prayer


Dec 20 Advent 4 Holy Communion

Dec 24 Christmas Eve 7 pm Holy Communion

Dec 29 Service of Carols & Lessons

Are we the pregnant pause

between Advent and Epiphany?

Once there was a young Galilean girl

who was filled with joy (and terror)

at the awesome mystery

growing within her body.

Who should she tell

about this miracle?

Who would judge her,

reject her,

stand by her?

“Why me, Lord?

Why me?”

Once more we walk with Mary,

talk with her

learn from her -

not quite certain

who will be present

when we speak about the Mystery

that is growing within us -

The mystery that grows

and guides us

to birth new beginnings

in the midst of our confusion

(when we feel least prepared,

leaning on the strong arm

of the One who will not abandon us).

We cry out. We catch our breath.

… We gather courage …

And with a rush of grace

we realize the wait is over.

Our instincts take over

as we learn how to sing lullabies

to this new Blessing of Peace and Joy.

With a Rush of Grace

By Carol Makalah & Grace Scott

“Mary Poppins”

aka Rev. Bruce Chalmers

coming in on a rush of wind

at Pentecost!

The Spirit

The Sorrento Food Bank

T he Sorrento Food Bank in conjunction with the Sorrento area

churches will be delivering Christmas hampers on Dec. 18th.

Items needed to make the hampers more special are: small jars of

olives, pickles or onions, fancy tins of cookies, boxes of nuts and

tins of oysters. Gifts are also appreciated. Financial donations

may be made through St. Mary`s (please designate your donation

to the Sorrento Food Bank). Direct donations may be made to:

The Sorrento Food Bank, Box 568, Sorrento, BC V0E 2W0.

Receipts are issued for any donation of $10 or more. Thank you

for your continued support.

IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE IN NEED OF A HAMPER,

PLEASE CONTACT MIKE 675-4920 OR VERNA 675-4900

CP Holiday Train

Wednesday, December 16 at 9:15 pm at Notch Hill

The “train of lights” (more than one million LED lights) will once

again travel the Canadian route from Montreal to Port Coquitlam.

A second US train travels to the Northeast and Midwest states

and loops back into Canada, stopping in Saskatchewan and Al-

berta communities. The musicians presenting the concert this

year are Kelly Prescott, Jim and Devin Cuddy. You are invited

and encouraged to bring a food item or money donation. All do-

nations remain in our community, in aid of the Sorrento Food

Bank. Come early and watch the train wind its way through the

valley, enjoy the bonfires, hot drinks and goodies provided by

The Notch Hill Community Association. Between the music and

the holiday light show there is something for the whole family to

enjoy!

New Life Mission Appeal

We will be collecting clothing for the New Life Mission in

Kamloops until December 20. Any warm clothing, jackets,

vests, hats, mitts, socks and footwear would be appreciated.

Special needs are: warm underwear for men and women,

disposable razors, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Thank you

for making the cold weather more comfortable for the less

fortunate. The Outreach Committee

Not celebrate?

Your burden is too great to bear?

Your loneliness is intensified during this Christmas season?

Your tears have no end?

Not celebrate?

You should lead the celebration!

You should run through the streets

to ring the bells and sing the loudest!

You should fling the tinsel on the tree,

and open your house to your neighbors,

and call them in to dance!

For it is you above all others who know the joy of Advent.

It is unto you that a Savior is born this day,

One who comes to lift your burden from your shoulders,

One who comes to wipe the tears from your eyes.

You are not alone,

for He is born this day to you.

By Ann Weems

Kneeling in Bethlehem

PWRDF Christmas Cards Are Here!

They are beautiful—and a bargain at 12 cards for $20. And better

yet, all proceeds go to emergency relief, refugees, development

and justice! Yes, you can

make a difference in the

world—one Christmas card

at a time!

If you would like to pur-

chase a package or two,

please contact Val

Johnstone at 250.675.4920.

The Spirit

Farewell, Good-Bye, Auf Wiedersehen ...

W e were saddened to say good-bye to a number of our parishioners this past year!

First to “fly the coop” were Patrick and Lindsay O’Dwyer who decided to move to Abbots-

ford to be closer to family. We weren’t able to give them a proper send-off or blessing along their

way, they basically left town “in the dark of night”, it seems. BUT as they have kept their summer

cottage in Eagle Bay, we are sure to see them again when they will return to their beloved Shuswap

Lake cabin for summer holidays. We miss their friendly faces and in particular Patrick’s “top of the

morning” Irish greeting upon entering St. Mary’s; also, St. Patty’s day will never be the same

again—no Irish Cream after church during coffee hour!!!

Next to leave St. Mary’s was Julie Thurston who sold her home in Sorrento to move to Salmon Arm.

Julie had many commitments that took her into Salmon Arm four

to five times a week sometimes. She now enjoys being closer to

the places where she volunteers and in particular to the local

swimming pool where she can be found doing aquatics three times a week. She will not miss the

snowy roads and especially her treacherous driveway in the winter months. We however miss her

very much, she served as Rector’s Warden and on the worship committee among other things for

many years. She taught us how to care properly for the sacred “things” in the sacristy (including

the orchids).

Another long-time parishioner who pulled up stakes was Marsha

Miller. Marsha and John put their house on the market and to

their surprise sold it within days!!! The race was on to find a

place to move to and they decided to settle in Langley, again

closer to family. Marsha was a tireless worker for the benefit of

St. Mary’s Church. The positions she held on the Board are too

numerous to mention, but one of the crowning glory in her work

was chairing the Centennial Committee during 2010/2011. We

could not have done it without you, Marsha. Many thanks! Of course the choir misses her very

much, too.

And finally we said good-bye to Eva Culver who had been attending St. Mary’s Church since the

1980s. Eva and Dave Culver were married at St. Mary’s and Eva was a faithful member of the con-

gregation serving on the Board and the Guild for many years. Both Eva and Dave were sad to

leave their friends and miss looking after the animals on their farm in Notch Hill.

We know that moving away to new surroundings is a hard thing to do, especially leaving your long-time friends behind. We have

contact information for Patrick and Lindsay, Julie, Marsha, Eva and Dave, so please keep in touch and let them know that we will

always remember them!

God Bless!

Patrick & Lindsay O’Dwyer (604) 744.1663

#30—2625 Yale Court, Abbotsford, BC V2S 8G9

Julie Thurston (778) 489.5498

#104—160—5th Ave. S.W., Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1R4

Marsha & John Miller (604) 530.5900

#49—21848—50th Ave., Langley, BC V3A 8A9

Eva & Dave Culver (250) 489.5228

#114—900—5th Ave. S.W., Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1L2

The Spirit

The long walk to the manger

I ’m nine years old, waiting for my Aunt Reta to unfasten her

brown rubber boots. They have rabbit fur around the top and

fold over a simple design to keep Toronto slush at bay. She fi-

nally straightens and hugs me. “I’m so glad I made the trip,” she

says.

My Aunt Reta, ancient then, my age now, rode the bus all

the way from the city to see her nieces and nephew sing, recite

and dance on the little stage at Vandorf Community Hall. The

next day, she headed home, reversing her winter journey of love.

For me, December is about journeys, real or imagined,

with passport or not, and some requiring great strength of heart.

It is reimagining that journey depicting so often on Christmas

cards. For me, every year, this is different.

That journey to Bethlehem must have been wild. Christ-

mas cards always seem to catch a serene moment in time: eve-

ning, star-lit path, or daylight, palm-shaded path. The roadway

has no obstacles. The couple is alone, but for their docile don-

key. We cling to this image in song and art. But Mary would

perhaps remember the trip—eight-and-a-half-months pregnant,

120 kilometres on a donkey—somewhat differently.

I imagine watching as her mother caresses her face and

tries not to fall to pieces as she wonders who will be a midwife

for her beloved daughter. I watch her dad as he places coins in

Joseph’s hand, “for the journey, for the child.” Mary’s best

friend arrives with a wool blanket she has woven. Mary’s ride

will be softer.

The road is open to the horizon. The morning sun is hot

and the wind sucks moisture from hair, lips and skin. Mary

rides sometimes but walks to relieve her leg cramps and stress in

her lower back. Thieves, wild animals and hostile Samaritans

keep the couple alert and cautious day and night. When shad-

ows lengthen, they search for an inn or seek company for safe

camping near the road. Other women travellers offer Mary

words of comfort and a massage, and silently give thanks it is

not they who are pregnant on this dusty, dangerous road.

I think Mary would laugh out loud about how carols and

cards have captured that journey to Bethlehem. Serene? Quiet?

What journey is like that, really? Even modern stories I’ve heard

of holy pilgrimages in Europe have their moments of fear, dan-

ger, hilarity and passion.

This summer (2008), elder Gladys Radek of Vancouver

began a walk calling attention to missing and murdered Aborigi-

nal women. The Walk for Justice set out from Vancouver and

ended in Ottawa. There, they presented the list of 3,000 names

of women whose cases are unsolved. My husband and I met

with the walkers in Calgary, heard the stories and witnessed

their determination and courage.

When we drove across the Prairies this summer (2008),

we met up with our colleague Imam Syed Soharwardy on the

TransCanada Highway in Saskatchewan. Syed is the founder of

Muslims Against Terrorism. After a Mississauga, Ont., father was

charged in the murder of his own daughter, Syed mortgaged his

house, purchased a motor home and drove to Nova Scotia. From

there, he began the long walk to Vancouver.. The Multi-Faith

Walk Against Violence invited people of all faiths to make a

statement about terror in our own neighbourhoods, schools

and home.

Their journeys were not easy. A drunk person threat-

ened Gladys and her supporters late one night. An angry

bear stepped between Syed’s group and their vehicle on a

deserted road. Both encountered mechanical problems and

friendly strangers. What a gift they gave Canada by their

determination and inspiration. We need brave stories like

these.

Some of our journeys to Christmas will be journeys of

the soul, some into painful memories, fraught with danger,

real or imagined. Some will end in an airport waiting room,

surrounded by anxious fellow travellers. Some will end in

hospitals, police stations or in new and wonderful places.

We never really know at the beginning where the jour-

ney will take us. Even my little old aunt, determined to cheer

for her younger brother’s family, never knew if a storm or

traffic accident would waylay her, or a patch of ice would

prove too much for her brown rubber boots.

We don’t know at the outset if our companions will

stay with us. We don’t know if our destination will change.

We prepare in hope. And we know, as Mary and Joseph,

Gladys and Syed knew, that we are not, we are never, alone.

Blessings on your journey to Christmas.

By Carolyn Pogue

The United Observer—December 2008

The Spirit

Shuswap in green and yellow fall colors Remembrance Day 2015

A few days ago I was travelling along Hwy 1 between Sorrento and Chase and I was

looking across Lake Shuswap onto the north shore. The shoreline was beautiful in dark

green fir and cedar trees with some golden yellow inlays from birch and aspen, the color of

their last leaves of the year. The shore line was in sharp contrast to the still blue water of the

lake. We live in a peaceful part of the world. I can not ignore that my thoughts are not only

on the landscape but also on earlier days of my life, when the Cold War was happening.

Many questions starting with: Why, comes to my mind. It was close to Memorial Day, a day

when we here in Canada celebrate the memory of the Canadian men and women killed in

the wars and conflicts around the globe. Here in Canada we live in peace, food is plenty, for

most of us, we have freedom of religion, so we can believe in God or not, live the Christian

way or any other way if we so wish, we have freedom of expression. Therefore I and many

others can be at cenotaphs around Canada and speak today.

So many wars and conflicts are ongoing in the world today, resulting in mass migration of people from their homelands, may it be

from Africa or Asia . These people have lost their homes because of oppressive or no leadership in their homeland. Some of them are

coming to Canada, so let us welcome them so they can feel safe and show them why we are a peace-loving nation, so they, in time,

can become true Canadians as well.

It is known around the world, what we have and are participating in the recent wars in Asia but we as citizens have to show the

world what we are not in these wars for our gain but to support a worthy cause: their freedom from oppression.

A remembrance day prayer:

Lord God, be with the souls of all fallen soldiers also with the souls of all that are remembering them today and all of you that are

here to honor them today. Their graves are not only here, as the graves of many are all over the world, may they be friend or foe and

many are in unknown and unmarked graves. May God bless us what we may not forget them, and their struggles as they lost their

lives for our freedom from oppression. Amen.

By Lennert Pettersson

Latkes for Hanukkah

It has long delighted me how different cultures take very basic ingredients and make them just a little more interesting, so when I

came across this recipe for Latkes in Canadian Living in 1990, I saved it. Now, every year around Hanukkah, which this year starts

December 7th, we enjoy latkes for supper. The recipe calls for baking potatoes, but I just use whatever type of potatoes I happen to

have on hand. Here is the recipe:

5 baking potatoes (ca. 2 ½ lb)

2 small onions quartered

3 eggs

3 Tbsp flour

¾ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

Vegetable oil for cooking

Sour cream or applesauce to serve with it

(Makes 4 to 6 servings)

Peel potatoes and (alternately with the onions) shred them. This mixture keeps the potatoes from browning (only somewhat in my

experience). Transfer the potato mixture to a colander. With hands, squeeze out as much moisture as possible and discard liquid.

Transfer to a large bowl. Mix in eggs, flour, salt and pepper; let stand 5 minutes. Pour out any liquid. In large skillet, heat ¼ inch

oil over high heat till hot but not smoking.

To skillet, add ¼ cup of the mixture (or as much as you want for the size you like) per latke. Flatten slightly with a spoon or fork.

Fry latkes till well browned and crisp around the edges (3—4 min). With slotted spatula, turn latkes over and fry till crisp and

golden brown. Transfer latkes to paper towel and drain well. Repeat with remaining mixture, adding more oil as necessary. I of-

ten keep them warm in the oven. Serve immediately with sour cream and/or applesauce.

Inge Maier

The Spirit

Debt Free !!!

On All Saints Day, November 1, 2015, the congregation of St. Mary’s gath-

ered after worship for a very significant ceremony. We were burning a

symbolic “Loan Certificate”. Archbishop John Privett was present that

Sunday and joined us in this joyous celebration.

The property in question was purchased in the Spring of 2004 for the price

of $115,000. The congregation raised $20,000, the Diocese of Kootenay ad-

vanced a loan of $20,000; the Anglican Foundation gave us a grant in the

amount of $5,000 as well as a loan for the remaining $70,000, payable over

20 years. We are grateful for the Diocese and the Anglican Foundation for

assisting us in this endeavour. The purchase of the adjacent property to the

church will enable St. Mary’s to plan for the future congregations in the

Sorrento area. The property is presently being rented out.

Thank you to all who made this project possible.

UCC 42nd General Council Meeting

The General Council meeting was held in Corner Brook, Newfoundland August 8 -15, 2015.

Each congregation was invited to send a “prayer fish / flag” to the event. These “prayer fish/

flags” were hung in the space where the commissioners from across Canada gathered and

deliberated. At the end, each of the Council delegates were given a flag to take back to their

home. Our flag consisted of a photo of the Adams River Salmon Run (credit Darrel Nitsche),

with the parishioners’ signatures at the bottom.

The delegates also elected a new moderator for the next three

years: the Right Rev. Jordan Cantwell. She is the minister at

Delisle-Vanscoy United Church, Saskatchewan. At a press con-

ference, Cantwell described the challenges she faces as she leads

the United Church in the midst of reinventing itself. “People

will be in all kinds of difference places on the journey. Some

will be in a time of lament. Some will be in a time of panic.

Some will be in celebration and excitement. My intention will

be to journey with folks where they are and remind us that the

stories of our faith teach us that God is with us on our journey, wherever we are.”

God’s Blessings on your journey, Jordan. Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell

St. Mary’s Prayer Flag

The Spirit

The Journey of the Magi

"A cold coming we had of it,

just the worst time of the year

for a journey,

and such a long journey:

The ways deep and the

weather sharp,

The very dead of winter."

And the camels galled, sore-footed, refractory,

Lying down in the melting snow.

There were times we regretted

The summer palaces on slopes, the terraces,

And the silken girls bringing sherbet.

Then the camel men cursing and grumbling

And running away, and wanting their liquor and women,

And the night-fires going out, and the lack of shelters,

And the cities hostile and the towns unfriendly

And the villages dirty, and charging high prices:

A hard time we had of it.

At the end we preferred to travel all night,

Sleeping in snatches,

With the voices singing in our ears, saying

That this was all folly.

Then at dawn we came down to a temperate valley,

Wet, below the snow line, smelling of vegetation;

With a running stream and a water-mill

beating the darkness,

And three trees on the low sky,

And an old white horse galloped away in the meadow.

Then we came to a tavern with vine-leaves over the lintel,

Six hands at an open door dicing for pieces of silver,

And feet kicking the empty wine-skins.

But there was no information, and so we continued

And arrived at evening, not a moment too soon

Finding the place; it was (you may say) satisfactory.

All this was a long time ago, I remember,

And I would do it again, but set down

This set down

This: were we led all that way for

Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,

We had evidence and no doubt. I have seen birth and death,

But had thought they were different; this Birth was

Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.

We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,

But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,

With an alien people clutching their gods.

I should be glad of another death.

T. S. Eliot (1885-1965)

Celebrating in Joy On June 14, St. Mary`s held a

service in celebration of the 90th

anniversary of The United

Church of Canada. The church

service was led by members of

the board. Joyful hymns in-

cluded “This Little Light of

Mine”,”This is the Day”, “Joyful,

Joyful We Adore You” and “You

Shall Go Out With Joy.”

The anniversary cake, with the

United Church Crest on it was

baked and decorated by Janice

Cambruzzi.

After the service, parishioners were asked to mark on a map of

Canada, the locations where they had connections to a church on

their journey of faith. The map was full of headpins!!! Every prov-

ince and territory were represented with a total of 117. There were

also 22 representations from other countries. This congregation

has come from far and wide!!!!!!!!!!

Advance Notices:

Here are some very important dates to mark on your calendar

for 2016:

St. Mary’s congregation will be hosting the Kamloops-

Okanagan Presbytery Meeting February 19-21, 2016. We are

expecting up to 100 delegates from all over the Kamloops-

Okanagan region. It will be a fun time—albeit busy!

We are also hosting the World Day Of Prayer this year, it

will happen on Friday, March 4, 2016 at our church. The

host country is Cuba!

Once again we will enjoy listening to the Northern Lights

Chamber Choir on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at 2:30 pm

We are a busy little congregation—our motto is:

SMALL CONGREGATION—but—BIG HEARTS !

St. Mary’s Anglican / United Church 1188 Trans-Canada Highway

Phone: 250-675-2294

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: stmarysorrento.ca

An Ecumenical Shared Ministry

Incumbent: The Rev. Bruce Chalmers

Phone: 250-852-3511

E-mail: [email protected]

The Spirit

Editors’ Corner

When we started pulling articles together for this newsletter, we were looking for

something “Christmassy” - it wasn’t long before we noticed a common thread in all

the stories: Journeying. In one way or another, we are all on a journey during Ad-

vent, we don’t know where the path will take us, but we know that we are not alone

and we prepare for Christ’s birth in hope and anticipation.

We trust you will enjoy catching up on St. Mary’s news and find some of the articles

of interest to you. Val Johnstone & Verna Nitsche, Co-Editors

O Town of Bethlehem

O—Town of Bethlehem, how we see thee lie,

Caught amid your peoples’ fears -

This wall blocks out the sky

O—town of Bethlehem, how can we sleep?

As you are imprisoned, I hear your people weep.

O little town of Beth-le-hem

How still we see thee lie.

Waiting at the mercy of our outraged cry.

If my name were Mary and I laboured at your gate,

Would my child die helpless, locked out by fear and hate?

If my name were Joseph, would there be a test?

Would you check my fam’ly name?

Would I face arrest?

O little town of Beth-le-hem, do you ask us why

We remain so silent as we watch your people die?

O town of Bethlehem, O town of Bethlehem …

Words & music by Juanita Austin Jan 13/2014

Let’s keep talking …

about just peace in Palestine and Israel. This was the topic of a presentation by Rev. Juanita Austin on No-

vember 22 at St. Mary’s Church. In 2013 Juanita made a pilgrimage

to Palestine and Israel and shared her experiences with us in a

photo journal entitled “A Journey of Contradictions”. Juanita is the

minister at Sicamous United Church. She is a gifted musician, and

wrote the moving words and music to the song printed here. This

lament is a play on the words of the beautiful Christmas carol “O

Little Town of Bethlehem”, but it also integrates the painful experi-

ence of occupation in Palestine. In particular it focuses on the re-

strictions of movement of Palestinians through military check-

points—a difficult experience for pregnant women in labour need-

ing medical attention.

Get Well Wishes

It seems so many of our parishioners are facing illnesses this time of year. Our

best wishes for God’s healing grace to all who are not well, especially to:

Ida & Boyd Webb

Faye Bryce

Joy Thompson

Ina Branson

Peter Grout

A Very Merry Christmas to All!

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