Newsletter: Getting ready to plan ahead...
Thinking about a 5-year plan…
Where do we want the church to go?
From now through the month of February, Parish Council is going to be preparing for our Annual Vestry Meeting which will take place on the last Sunday of February after the 10am service. I’d like for us all to start wondering about ministry that happens here at St Andrew. As a way of getting started, here are the Five Marks of Mission of the Anglican Communion:
To proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
To teach, baptize and nurture new believers.
To respond to human need by loving service.
To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.
I wonder if you can imagine how some of the ministries we have here at St Andrew’s are connected to the Five Marks of Mission. What things do we currently do? What things did we do before but don’t anymore? What things could we do in the future?
A Message from Sources Food Bank
Thanks to Bev for her great commitment to the Food Bank!
Sources Food Bank Langley supports the people of Langley. Our distribution center is open for clients Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
There are 1595 clients per week: 934 adults ,661 children, plus 65 seniors. There is also a mobility service for 24 people who cannot make it to the Food Bank. Clients choose from the weekly menu. The choices include a protein, fruit, vegetable, and dairy, plus other items available that week including bread and pastries. Diapers, supplements and feminine products are always available.
The Aldergrove Sources is now open on Thursdays.
Thanks to the parishioners of St Andrews for the produce and monetary donations. Everything is greatly appreciated.
Volunteers are always needed for distribution and sorting. If you are interested and have a few hours a week contact me or Sources.
Suggested Food Donations
When choosing food donations, please consider healthy choices
· Canned protein (ex. Tuna, Salmon, Chicken, Ham, Chili, Stew)
· Rice and Rolled Oats
· Peanut Butter
· Pasta
· Canned fruit
· Canned vegetables
· Fresh fruit
· Fresh vegetables
· 100% Fruit juice
· Meal replacement (ex. Ensure, Boost)
Everyone has a right to safe, nutritious food. The link between poor diet and illness is well-established. Concerns grow with the alarming increase in diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease and obesity-related health conditions that are evident at the food bank. People on a low income do not have access to enough nutritious food to meet their needs.
Sources White Rock/South Surrey Food Bank provides the minimum mandated 2 days’ worth of food per person, per week; therefore, it is important that the food we distribute is nutritious.
Donations
can be made at the Food Bank: 208 20445 52 Ave Langley, BC, Monday to Thursday 8:30pm—4.00pm
Food donations can also be left at all local grocery stores.
Events!
Tuesday Bible Study has begun again on Zoom at 7pm. In this season before Lent, we’ll be having a look at the Gospel of Mark
And on Thursdays at 11am, we have a Healing Eucharist Service every week. If you or someone you know would like to be anointed with the Holy Oil, this is the service for you. The service will also include an extended prayer time so bring your prayer concerns with you.
Our Saturday afternoon Spiritual Practice Retreat will be on the 27th this month, beginning at 2pm and going until 4:30. Our topic is the Women from Matthew’s Genealogy: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth & Bathsheba. Please sign up for the retreat on the sheet on the office window! There will be retreats on February 24th, March 30th, and April 27th. Stay tuned for those topics.
Keep your eyes open for the Knitting Group. They usually meet on Wednesdays. February’s date TBA.
Ash Wednesday will be on Valentine's Day, February 14th. We’ll have a service in the evening at 7pm for those who would like to be marked with ashes.
Family Eucharist services will be on two Saturdays, February 17th and April 20th from 4:30-630pm. The theme in February will be Ash Wednesday, and the theme in April will be Easter! This is a fun time for the whole family and includes a bible story, some crafts and activities, Holy Communion, and pizza supper. Please mark these days in your calendar and plan to bring your whole family. And, if you are interested in helping with some of the activities, Cathy & I are going to have a short meeting to make some plans. Please let me or Cathy know if you would like to help out!
The Annual Vestry Meeting (which is the church’s AGM) will be held on Sunday, February 25th after the 10am service. We’ll begin the meeting in the church at about 11:30 am. If you are interested in helping with coffee or snacks for the meeting, please speak to Cathy or to Marsha.
Care Home Ministry
Harrison Landing: Wed, Feb 14 at 2pm
Harrison Pointe: Thurs, Feb 15th at 2pm
As always, please let me know if you or anyone you know would like a visit from the clergy!
Love from,
Andrew
