At a Glance – Sunday, December 20, 2020

Advent and Christmas News
The Diocese has informed us that all in-person activities and worship services are cancelled until further notice. The letter from the Covid Task Force can be read here.

ADVENT: As we continue to be at-home for church, reflection, celebration (everything!), I encourage you to take out, or create for the first time, some kind of “advent wreath” for your household. You can use whatever items you have on hand! See “Advent Prayers” note below with a link to a booklet with some explanation and resources for a prayer practice at-home.
Lessons & Carols service will replace our regular 9:30am service on Sun. Dec 20.
Christmas Eve we will meet on Zoom at 9:00pm to celebrate Christ’s birth, and will include a service of “spiritual communion”.
This service will be recorded and available to be viewed Christmas morning or thereafter.
The National Church Lessons and Carols service can be found here:
https://vimeo.com/492202194

There is a visitor sign-in log at the front table that we ask you sign upon entry, once you have sanitized.
Before you come by St. Andrew’s, for any reason, please self-monitor for possible symptoms of Covid-19 by reviewing this document.

2021 Offertory Envelopes are ready to be picked up from St. Andrew’s, whenever that is possible. Some have already been delivered and if you are concerned about receiving yours then contact John MacKinnon, 403-282-0074,  johnm9@telus.net
and we’ll arrange to get them delivered. A few people will be using new envelope numbers as we order a smaller quantity each year.

2020 Donations... Please note that to be eligible for a 2020 tax credit, donations must be received by December 31, 2020. They must be hand-delivered to the office or post-marked no later than Dec. 31, 2020. Many thanks for all your financial contributions in this crazy year!

Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who donated to Aventa, St. Edmund’s (the knitters!) and the Drop-In Centre. All the donations were greatly appreciated!

Fall Stewardship Update
St Andrew’s continues to be financially sound at the end of September with slightly more income than expenses due to grant money. Parishioner donations have been lower this year ($25,000 below planned budget and $10,000 less than 2019), however we have received two grants from the diocese this year and also the Federal Government Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy. This kept our income stable, while we reduced our expenses.

We continue to work toward getting roof repairs done, but it has been difficult to get bidders given the extensive repair work in NE Calgary due to the severe hail storm there earlier this year. Depending on what the cost estimate is, we expect to use money from the building fund. If costs exceed that, we will approach the parish for financial contributions to ensure the roof work is completed.

If you need assistance with anything or know someone who does, please don’t hesitate to contact Christine or the Wardens.

Christine, Dick and Dave

Calgary Cares (Caring Action Relationships Education Seniors)
We are looking for Volunteers of all ages! (Ages 16-60+)
6 month volunteer opportunity
January 2021 – June 2021
Calgary CARES senior empowerment project will:
> Promote volunteerism among seniors and other generations
> Engage seniors in the community through the mentoring of others
> Expand awareness of elder abuse during COVID lockdown
> Support the social participation and inclusion of seniors
For more information or to volunteer fill out the volunteer form here

Come and Let Us Pray Together
At the most recent meeting of the AFP executive we discussed ways that we could respond and help people dealing with the COVID pandemic.  Our response is to say why we don’t we do what we do best- and that is to pray.
We will be hosting a one-hour time of prayer on December 21, January 18, and February 15 at 1:00pm Eastern time. It will be a mixture of biblical readings, reflection, music, intercession, silence and other types and kinds of pray. You are welcome to actively participate or simply listen and pray quietly.
We will use the “Zoom” way of gathering people together. For more information see the weekly email.

PWRDF
On Saturday, August 8, 2020 the Government of Canada launched a dedicated Matching Fund for the Lebanon crisis that will double the contributions of Canadians and support the relief work of the members of Canada’s Humanitarian Coalition, including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Through its membership in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, PWRDF will be participating in the Humanitarian Coalition appeal to support people of Lebanon through this crisis. Please go to the link below to read the update and to donate.

https://pwrdf.org/donations-for-lebanon-eligible-for-humanitarian-coalition-
match-through-membership-in-foodgrains-bank

PWRDF World of Gifts
World of Gifts will be coming soon to Journal subscribers! In the meantime, please browse the gift guide online at pwrdf.org/worldofgifts? Gifts can be made online anytime!

Did You Know…?
We have copies of the personal devotions “Our Daily Bread” at the church for  for September through to November.  They can be picked up in the narthex if you’re at the church or we can drop one in the mail for you if you contact us!

Society of Saint John the Evangelist
Short reflections are published weekly. The latest is about “enlarging your perspective.” It can be found here.

Turbulent 2020s: A Theological Field Guide had its last session earlier this week. Videos of sessions are still available.
Session #1.
Session #2.
Session #3.
Session #4.
Session #5.