February 2010 Volume 44, No. 1 Christ Church Brampton, Anglican

Lent

The Courier is published four times a year by:

Christ Church Anglican	Editor:	John Olley
4 Elizabeth Street North	Production:	Jeffrey White
Brampton, Ontario L6X 1S2	Interviews:	Elizabeth Hornemann
Phone: 905-451-6649	Additional Contributors:	Rev. Michael Clarke, Nate Gerber, Rev. Byron Gilmore, Karen Harper, Jane Harvey, Mary Muncey, Nancy Perrault, Lois Ramsay, Janet Volkes, Gloria Watts, Andrea White, Martha Whittaker

Warm, Friendly, Caring…

Christ Church Anglican is a warm and caring community that has been serving God in Brampton since its inception in 1851.

We are fully wheelchair accessible, having a ramp at the west door on Elizabeth Street, and an elevator in the David Jones Cloister outside the narthex. Nearby free parking is also available.

Sunday Services include a Said Eucharist at 7:45 am, a Contem-porary Eucharist at 9:00 am, and a Choral Eucharist at 10:45 am.

Baptisms are celebrated at specific dates through the year, and include preparation for sponsors, godparents, and older candidates. Application forms for baptism are available in the reception area.

There is a nursery for children under 3 at the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services. Sunday school classes are available for children aged 3 to 12 at both the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services. We also have a unique intergenerational youth group on Friday nights, with occasional special events for youth.

Christ Church is active in community outreach, supports the Knights’ Table, Salvation Army’s Family Life Centre, Our Place Peel, and participates in Caring and Sharing at Christmas.

Not only do we have committed lay participation in all aspects of worship, we have several active fellowship groups within the parish. This includes, but is not limited to, the Parish Group and Ladies’ Fellowship Group, who meet monthly.

We hope you are encouraged by what you read within these pages, decide to learn more about us, and become more involved yourself, with our active and friendly parish community.

Rector’s Message

Every clock, no matter how accurate, needs to be adjusted from time to time. The season of Lent is just such a time when we are invited to reset our spiritual priorities as individuals and as a community by self-examination, penitence, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and by reading and meditating on the Word of God (BAS pg. 282).

Lent is the “forty days plus the sixth Sunday” period between Ash Wednesday and Easter. For centuries Lent has been observed as a special time of self examination and penitence, a time for simplification and concentration on the essential values and priorities of the Christian faith.

Throughout Lent, our worship services become a little simpler; banners are taken down, the word Alleluia isn't used and the colour purple, signifying penitence, decorates the chancel and sanctuary. These things help us as a worshipping congregation to mark this special season of renewal.

In the personal realm, we are invited to observe a Holy Lent by talking on a spiritual discipline; giving up some thing(s) and taking on other thing(s). A great Lenten discipline would be to commit to daily prayer, Bible reading and other sorts of study for your mind and spirit. Why not consider coming to Evening Prayer on Sundays, followed by our Lenten video and discussion series entitled: Simply Christian - Why Christianity Makes Sense by N.T. Wright, Bishop of Durham.

Fasting is another discipline that can also help us reset our "clocks", especially on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday (see pg. xiii BCP). Going without food for a day or for a meal can sharpen our spirits and help us hear God more clearly. Giving up sweets, meat for all or some meals or alcohol either completely or in some measure, are other good examples. The time from a "given up" meal could be spent in prayer or in serving someone else.

Money saved from giving up a meal or a particular kind of food can be given to the poor through FaithWorks or the PWRDF or other such ministries.

Lent is an especially appropriate time for reconciliation (BAS pg. 166). While private confession is never mandatory for Anglicans, it is always available for persons who desire to hear the words of absolution spoken directly to them in response to anything that may trouble their conscience (all may - none must - some should).

One final note: Remember to factor a day off from your discipline. The season of Lent should never be a "downer" but rather a time of exercising our spiritual muscles in order that we may become fitter instruments of God’s love, joy and peace. Don't forget that all 52 Sundays of the year are always feast days, because even in Lent we are people of the Resurrection.

May each of us have a wonderful and fruitful Lent!

-- Byron^†

Associate’s Message

Our 2010 Confirmation program is well under way. This year we have seven Christ Church participants joining with nine folks from Holy Family. This is a wonderful program of inter-generational fellowship and learning, with lots of site visits to interesting places. All are welcome to participate in this program, even if you’ve already been confirmed.

I am currently in talks with several folks about starting another Friday evening program to make use of the great floor mats and gymnasium space that we have. If you are interested in something like a dance/exercise program, martial arts, fitness, yoga or meditation program, or any other physical group activity involving an inter-generational mix of youth and adults, talk to me with your ideas. I have contact with leaders trained in each of these disciplines who are willing and able to lead us.

I am also in talks with people about a young men’s weekly study group. If you are a male, 15 years or older and you are interested in gathering one evening a week with others like yourself to look at Scripture and discuss current life issues, talk with me about your ideas.

I have developed a relationship with the chaplains who work at the new Roy McMurtry Youth Centre on McLaughlin Road in Brampton. We have been discussing the potential volunteer involvement of Christians who have a passion to help hurting youth, particularly in areas of therapeutic arts programs, i.e. drama, music, visual arts workshops. Talk to me if you are interested.

Future planning that is currently in the works include the upcoming Backyard Study series, a possible fall retreat, and a couple of group fishing days, including an ice fishing event that I would love to coordinate before the end of winter.

The Christ Church community is a great place to be and I continue to be fascinated with the work here. Tina and I love our church community, that’s all of you!

Blessings,

-- Rev. Michael^†

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -- John 3:16 (NIV)

Advisory Board Update

The following is an abridged summary of some of the items discussed at the January 19, 2010 Advisory Board meeting. Catherine Archdekin opened the meeting with a devotional.

Property Committee

The small project mentioned before is currently nearing the stage of completion, with all financing already in place, as previously mentioned. The final design details have been worked out, and the vendor is completing their work. The goal was to have this completed by Valentine’s Day as the dedication is relevant to that date.

It was noted that the piano in the Canon Allen Room is in need of tuning again. Usually we wait until a concert is to be held where the piano is needed. Then the tuning can be done in the sanctuary to minimize the movement once tuned.

It was also noted that the construction at the side of the church is leaving a mess on our property. Some people periodically clean this up, but they do not devote their time to this activity. If you see garbage, please help by throwing it out.

Administration

The initial order of name tags were received and placed on the two new magnet boards. This has been quite successful so far, and people not on the first order have been asking to get one as well. Martha has made available (blue) forms at her desk for people to fill out if they would like a name tag of their own.

Tax receipts are coming out as planned and will be ready before the end of February. People are reminded to talk to Valerie Brown if they notice any errors or omissions. Overall this process has improved over the last few years.

There is an idea afloat to create a communication chain for emergencies. This would be mainly an email mailing list and a phone call tree for people without email. This would be in control of the main office staff (Byron, Michael and Martha) only to ensure that the list is not abused. This is in response to a few events that have occurred where a quick dissemination of information would have been desired if available. More to come on this once further plans are created.

Financials

The preliminary budget was presented to the board for discussion. This was in preparation for the 2009 Vestry meeting held February 8, 2010. The good news is that we ended the year with a surplus for the first time in a large number of years. This is thanks to God providing through the congregation to allow us to grow our ministry.

The take-away is that this is a journey and not a destination. We cannot rest on our laurels of last year if we expect to continue to grow. As the budget shows, we are conservatively projecting a deficit budget for 2010 that will go to Vestry for approval [see further details later in this edition of The Courier.]

Liturgical Schedule

February 28, 2010 to May 23, 2010

February 28, 2010 – Lent 2		April 11, 2010 – Easter 2
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist	9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist

March 7, 2010 – Lent 3		April 18, 2010 – Easter 3
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist	9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist

March 14, 2010 – Lent 4		April 25, 2010 – Easter 4
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist	9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist

March 21, 2010 – Lent 5		May 2, 2010 – Easter 5
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist	9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist

March 28, 2010 – Palm Sunday		May 9, 2010 – Easter 6
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist	9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
11:00 AM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist

Holy Week – Monday to Thursday		May 16, 2010 – Easter 7
7:00 PM	Said Eucharist	7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
		9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
April 2, 2010 – Good Friday		10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist
9:00 AM	Children's Liturgy
10:45 AM	Our Lord's Passion	May 23, 2010 – Day of Pentecost
		7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
April 3, 2010 – Great Vigil		9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
7:00 PM	Choral Eucharist	10:45 AM	Choral Eucharist
* Baptisms & Confirmations

April 4, 2010 – Easter Sunday
7:45 AM	Said Eucharist
9:00 AM	Contemporary Eucharist
11:00 AM	Choral Eucharist

Laying on of Hands

Is anyone among you sick? Then they must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick -- James 5:14-15 (NAS)

At Christ Church we offer this anointing on the first Sunday of each month at the time of the Eucharist, to any who are struggling with physical or emotional distress. Please take advantage of this beautiful, ancient practice.

Parish Registry

Baptisms

February 14, 2010

Megan Irene Missy Dowson-Trimble born September 28, 2009

Nathan Michael Rennie born May 1, 2009

Marriages

December 19, 2009

Julie Susan Fay and John Oliver Shaugnessy

Funerals & Memorials

November 25, 2009

Una Jean Mountford born April 27, 1927 died November 23, 2009

November 27, 2009

George Amos Howlett born June 26, 1924 died November 24, 2009.

January 8, 2010

Hector Fountaine born July 1, 1950 died November 18, 2009

January 15, 2010

William Earnest Banks born February 13, 1924 died January 11, 2010

January 19, 2010

Ivy Violet Lyons born January 19, 1915 died 14, 2010.

January 24, 2010

Ronald Thomas George Crawford born August 2, 1942 died January 21, 2010.

Around the Sanctuary

Lenten Banner

The work of Mrs. Joyce Holman, the blue patchwork cross with red silk tassel denoting the wound in His side, on a purple mottled field is symbolic of the atonement made by Our Lord for all humanity. This is left up until Easter.

Easter Banner

Easter Alleluia in blue and white, made by Helen Butcher and Sybil Watts for the Parish Group.

Group Updates

Fellowship Group

The Fellowship Group gets together on the 2^nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 pm except for July and August. We are always looking for new members. The members take turns in being hostesses and provide us with a variety of topics/entertainment, and refreshments which take place after a short business meeting.

All ladies are welcome, no appointment necessary.

It has been decided to bring back by popular demand as our major fundraiser, our Bridge and Euchre in the fall. Please stay tuned for further details.

-- Nancy Perrault (President)

Parish Group

The Parish Group meets the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm in the Canon Allen Room unless otherwise specified. We are looking forward to expanding our membership in order to help us with our projects. (Many hands make light work). New members would be warmly welcomed, and you would find us a friendly, sociable group.

We have a varied program with interesting speakers. Our year begins in September with a pot luck luncheon. Every January we have an outing to the Mandarin for their buffet. You will see we are not all work and no play.

The Parish Group raises money in support of the church, such as choir and server gowns, as well as the ACW and Outreach programs.

The Parish Group hosts a very popular Strawberry Tea in June. We also contribute to the Annual Bazaar by operating Santa’s Café.

-- Lois Ramsay (President)

A Humourous Moment

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:

God is like Hallmark Cards:

He cares enough to send His very best.

God is like General Electric:

He brings good things to life.

God is like Bounty, the quicker picker upper:

He won't fall apart on you

-- Janet Volkes

Parish News

AWARE 2010

AWARE is a conference started by women for women. Originally held in 1985 at Geneva Park Lodge (near Orillia), it has been held there every year since then.

Other AWARE conferences are now held in Ontario, and Québec, including those held at Elim Lodge (near Peterborough), Montréal, Niagara, Kingston and now, in 2008, at Lavrock Centre serving the areas of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Who can come to AWARE? Any woman is welcome to come to AWARE.

Be Inspired: Deepen your relationship with God. Learn about and experience the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Experience a personal relationship with Jesus.

Get Instruction: Enjoy workshops and small groups. Discover your personal gifts and learn how to use them.

Get Insight & Healing: Experience healing of the total person - body, soul and spirit.

Have Fun: Experience creative corporate worship. Interact and share with women from other churches. Be refreshed and renewed.

The AWARE Preparation Day is on Saturday March 27, 2010 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm at St. Dunstan of Canterbury Church (56 Lawson Rd. Scarborough).

The 2010 conference is being held April 23 to 25 at Geneva Park Lodge with special guest speaker Elaine Poutney. The Chaplain for this event will be the Rev. Joan Waters-Garner.

More details available online: http://awareconference.org/

2010 Offertory Envelopes

This year’s offertory envelopes are now available. Should you wish to switch to Pre-Authorized Givings (“PAG”), simply complete the form available at the church office or from the Envelope Secretary. For you, the donor, PAG provides:

convenience to you – your offering is received automatically every month.
continual support of the church when you are away.
continual support of ministries and program funded through FaithWorks.

For Christ Church, the advantages are:

regular, dependable flow of contributions.
reduction in paperwork and bookkeeping.
reduction of bank overdrafts.

Easter Flowers

Once again, we contemplate the Lenten and Easter season. We look forward to praising our risen Lord and celebrating together as a Parish Family on Easter Sunday in a beautifully adorned sanctuary decorated with love by the Altar Guild committee.

You are invited to remember your loved ones by contributing to the floral arrangements for Easter. Cheques should be made payable to Christ Church, clearly marked with your envelope number and “For Altar Flower Fund”.

These donations may be put on the offertory plate or left at the church office. Please write your memorials on a separate envelope in care of Karen Harper or leave at the church office.

The deadline for Easter donations and memorials is Sunday, March 28, 2010.

-- Karen Harper

Financial Update from Vestry

During the 2010 Annual Vestry Meeting the proposed budget was reviewed and approved. The following is a summary of the financial numbers discussed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your Wardens (Jeffrey White and Dale Neilly).

	2009 Actual	2009 Budget	2010 Budget
Revenue
Offerings	$331,948	$309,500	$335,250
Other Income	81,656	61,650	58,450
Revenue Total	$413,604	$371,150	$393,700

Expenses
Diocesan Allotment and Outreach	$65,288	$58,800	$57,800
Staff Compensation	173,346	177,400	180,400
Administration	26,996	25,400	26,600
Music	41,974	37,900	42,600
Christian Education	3,897	3,200	5,000
Property Maintenance	80,473	80,600	84,000
Financial Services	1,893	2,150	2,150
Designated Expenditures	8,840
Expenses Total	$402,707	$385,450	$398,550

Operating Income (Loss)	$10,897	$(14,300)	$(4,850)

Financial updates will continue to be a periodic feature in the bulletins and The Courier. If you have any questions about any of the numbers, please feel free to talk to one of the Wardens.

-- Jeffrey White (Rector’s Warden)

Lenten Series

Sundays Evenings in Lent beginning February 21st, 2010

7:00 pm Evening Prayer

7:30 pm Video & Discussion

Refreshments to follow

Study: Simply Christian - Why Christianity Makes Sense

Distinguished New Testament scholar, theologian and Anglican Bishop N. T. Wright will guide us through an introduction to Christian theology via a video presentation and discussion series Sunday evenings in Lent at 7:30 pm in the Canon Allan Room.

Wright holds that there is a deep-seated desire in the human heart for justice, spirituality, relationship and beauty. Our human longing and partial experience of these themes "echo" God's voice "fleshed out" in Jesus Christ.

Wright maintains that Christianity “is not about Jesus offering a wonderful moral example,” nor about Jesus “accomplishing a new route by which people can ‘go to heaven when they die’". Rather, “Christianity is about something that happened” (pp. 78-79). Through Jesus, “God’s future has arrived in the present” – now, “instead of mere echoes, we hear the voice itself: a voice which speaks of rescue from evil and death, and hence of new creation” (p. 100).

Wright goes on to discuss how God's voice speaks in worship, sacraments, prayer and scripture. Jesus shapes a "way of being human, the cross-and-resurrection way of life, the Spirit-led pathway” – it's life lived in anticipation of “the full, rich, glad human existence which will one day be ours when God makes all things new” (p. 189). Christian ethics are therefore not about living in rules but, “about practicing, in the present, the tunes we shall sing in God’s new world” (p. 189). God's new creation in Jesus Christ is the perfection of creation, the fulfillment of all our longings for justice, spirituality, relationship and beauty (p. 202).

Tom Wright has a way of speaking in a deeply reflective manner that is accessible and engaging for the average person. He touches the heart and mind in such a way that leaves the reader/listener engaged and refreshed.

I hope you can make it Sunday evenings in Lent. Come and hear, reflect and contribute to the discussion as you are comfortable.

-- Byron^†

Primate's World Relief and Development Fund Update

This year is the 50th Anniversary of PWRDF!

As a result of our prayers and donations to PWRDF in 2009:

A girl brought up in a brothel in Bangladesh will be able to choose a different life from that of her mother.
A family in Mexico will sleep in their own home tonight because they have been supported in efforts to maintain their land.
A man in South Africa spent Christmas with his family because of his improved health through HIV and AIDS education offered in his community that combats the stigma of living with HIV.
An indigenous teenage boy in Northern Ontario will build healthier relationships because of the Wolf Spirit training program.
A family suffering the disaster of drought in Kenya will receive a month's worth of food rations.

In 2010, PWRDF is responding to the alert issued by ACT International (Action by Churches Together) for the Haiti earthquake. PWRDF has announced an initial grant of $15,000 for ACT's Rapid Response program.

Thank you for praying, acting and giving in support of PWRDF. Donations can be made through Christ Church, by telephone at 1-866-308-7973 or online through Canada Helps.

-- Gloria Watts

World Day of Prayer

This is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together the first Friday of March to observe a common day of prayer each year. Brampton’s downtown churches have taken turns in hosting this event for many years and now it is our turn. Along with our neighboring churches, we invite you to attend. Please join us in joyful prayer and praise.

“Let everything that has breath praise God”.

Prepared by the women of Cameroon, West Africa.

Christ Church: Friday, March 5^th at 2:00 pm

-- Jane Harvey (Coordinator)

Benjamin’s Top

Costumes were dusted off, lines were learned, practices were held and on December 20^th it all came together. During both the 9:00 am and 10:45 am services the children of Christ Church performed the Christmas play Benjamin’s Top. The children were fantastic! In total over 30 children participated representing all Sunday school classes and the nursery. The children practiced for weeks in their respective Sunday school classes, coming together as a full cast only once for a very short dress rehearsal the Sunday preceding the performance.

There were many highlights as those in attendance are aware: there was wonderful narration by Laura and Spencer; the angel choir led by Hailey, who stepped in the week before; Robert as Benjamin, as he fumbled for his gift for the baby; Avery who, with authority as Benjamin’s father, reassured and led; Natalia and Nathan humbly gave their gifts to Jesus while the rest of the shepherds gathered for a glimpse of the little babe; the quiet thankfulness of Sarah and Nicholas; and our toddlers Noah and Eric who decided when they had had enough and it was time to go. Whatever your moments, we hope you enjoyed the show.

A performance like this is not possible without the assistance of volunteers and I send a huge thank you to all of them for the work they put into making the performance a success. The children are already talking about next years performance, so stay tuned in the fall for details.

Kids to Kids

There has been much talk in the news and in church about the earthquake in Haiti. It seems at times that everywhere you turn there is a group raising money for Haiti relief. Rev. Michael in his children’s Homily showed the children before and after photo’s of the church in Haiti and asked the children what they could do. The children could pray.

Our children, while they do pray for those in Haiti, believed they could do much more. They have decided that they want your assistance in helping them help the children in Haiti. Kids to Kids! The children are going to be collecting arts and crafts supplies to send to Haiti. Before the earthquake, most children who were able to attend school had a pencil and maybe some pencil crayons to share. After the earthquake, many have nothing.

Starting March 7^th the children will be collecting arts and crafts supplies until the end of April. There will be a decorated box in the Narthex for the collection of supplies such as:

Pencils
Pencil crayons
Crayons
Markers
Construction paper
Pom poms
Googly eyes
Foam shapes
Erasers
Small pencil sharpeners
Rulers
Glue sticks
Pipe cleaners
Beads

This is not an exhaustive list, so anything else you can think of is appreciated.

Note: Please, no oil pastels as they melt in the heat.

Please watch for posters around the church and bulletin announcements for details of this exciting outreach project the children are undertaking.

-- Andrea White

People in our Parish

Featuring short information spotlights on people at Christ Church to help us get to know each other better. Profiles are randomly selected and approved by The Courier Editor. If you would like to be profiled please contact Elizabeth Hornemann.

Carolynne Atkinson

Carolynne has been a member of Christ Church since 1985, usually attending the 7:45 am service. She had initially attended St. Jude’s in Bramalea where she taught Sunday School. Her daughter Kerilyn and son Michael were confirmed at Christ Church. Carolynne can often be seen in the Parish office where she volunteers, assisting where needed, folding bulletins, etc. Last summer she was made Screening In Faith Coordinator and is responsible - in conjunction with the clergy - to ensure that those staff and/or parishioners who are working in vulnerable ministry positions, have proper security checks in place and receive ongoing appropriate training.

Carolynne was born in Worksop, England and immigrated to Canada at the age of four. Her mother was from Winnipeg and her father from England. He was the late Jack Atkinson, a long-time parishioner of Christ Church. The family initially lived in Winnipeg before moving to Calgary and Thunder Bay where Carolynne grew up. When she was 18 she travelled to England planning to stay six weeks, but staying three years. While there she was employed in administrative work at Bairnswear, a company that made sweaters for Marks & Spencer. She also worked with the Church as envelope secretary, Sunday School Teacher, and was a choir member. Reuniting with the family, especially her grandparents, whom she hadn’t seen for many years, was a great and memorable experience.

On her return to Thunder Bay, she became an Accounts Payable Supervisor at Great Lakes Paper Company and Sillman Company. In 1970, Carolynne was married and six years later her then husband, an accountant with Canada Car, was transferred, moving to Brampton.

From 1982 to 2006, while raising the children, Carolynne joined the staff of Sheridan College at the Trafalgar Campus on a part-time basis working in Computer Information and Technology. She moved to a full time position at the Davis Campus in Brampton eventually managing the Career Centre, assisting students having difficulty or concerns with subjects or programs, and periodically teaching computer software.

Her hobbies include travelling, knitting, making prayer shawls, reading and baking. Last year, after a service at Christ Church, Carolynne took her father back to his native Worksop for burial, as per his wishes. She is the proud grandmother of Kerilyn and Demetri’s son, Linkyn, who was born last April 2nd, one day after her father died.

She will be returning to the U.K. again this spring to spend time with her Dad’s 94-year old sister. Last month she visited Jamaica, where she stayed at a countryside guest house of friends, enjoying a very traditional taste of the culture and food, an amazing experience.

Reg Rawlins

Reg Rawlins was born in Toronto to Shirley and Terry Rawlins and has two older sisters, Lesley and Merilee. His family moved to Bramalea when he was 3. Reg attended Balmoral Public School (and later Senior Public) and Bramalea Secondary School before later moving on to study at Humber College and York University. He later worked at various jobs including assisting the families of brain injured individuals with neurological therapy programs through the Association of Neurologically Disabled (AND) Canada. In 1980-81 Reg was involved with Katimavik, a Government Youth Program, where he spent time working for various communities across Canada. The following year Reg participated in the Lay Ministry Project, a training program held at Sorrento Anglican Retreat and Conference Centre in Sorrento, B.C. This later led him to work with the Diocese of Edmonton, assisting with the establishment of a new church plant in the suburb of Millwoods.

In 1988, Reg joined deHavilland Aircraft in Customer Support. His father, Terry Rawlins retired from deHavilland later the same year after 38 years of service. This company is now known as Bombardier Commercial Aircraft, where Reg is a Maintenance Data Analyst in the Maintenance Engineering department. From time to time the department has him travel to visit various customers around the world. This month he will be travelling on business to Riga (Latvia), Athens (Greece) and Rome (Italy). He has also been to England, Norway, Sweden and several times to the United States.

Just after Christmas four years ago, Reg married Samantha Caravan at Christ Church. The Rev. Mary Patiki performed the ceremony. Reg has been a faithful parishioner of Christ Church for ten years, where he has added his bass voice at times to the Praise Team and also assists, from time to time, on the sound system. For many years, Reg sang in choirs at St. Joseph’s Anglican Church in Bramalea where he grew up, and later for a time at Church of the Holy Family in Heart Lake. Samantha serves Christ Church Deer Park where she is employed as Director of Children’s Ministries and she is also employed at St. Clements Church, Toronto, in an administrative capacity. Samantha will be ordained to the deaconate on May 2, 2010.

Reg has two children. His daughter, Talysha, is 20 years old and currently attends Kemptville College in the Equine Management Program. She also sings in the St. James Anglican church choir in that community. Reg’s son, Taryk, is 19 and is in the process of deciding which University he will attend in England or Wales to study Ancient History and Archaeology.

Reg’s favourite hobbies are spending time with his family and working with his hands, especially repairing and building computers.

Reg usually attends the 9:00 am service.

Events Update

Blessing of the Dogs

Many people who know me would know that I have a special fondness for animals and, yes, dogs in particular. I would suspect that a number of you have enjoyed a good hug (that is how I describe her leaning into people) from Stella, my giant Schnauzer/standard Poodle cross and before that from Harley, my Bouvier cross. Dogs have been great companions in my life along with some 1^st class cats and I most recently I have come to know a pretty fabulous parrot named Jonah. Often I have Stella with me at work and without any encouragement she knows who needs some attention and with that she quietly leans into that person. It is really quite a marvel to watch and not interrupt while she shares herself with others. Quiet, peaceful and calming, Stella helps put a smile on our faces – what a gift that is. That is not to say, that she can’t also be playful, mischievous and simply a handful but can’t we all! It is all about balance.

That said, this past October we took time to acknowledge and give thanks to our animal companions. Last year, we celebrated on October 4^th, which happened to coincide with the birthday of St. Francis. Traditionally, “animal services” are celebrated on the Sunday closest to October 4^th so it was fitting that we were able to reintroduce this tradition at Christ Church on the actual feast day. Typical for a day in October it was gray and blustery but fortunately did not rain. Our plan was to “simulcast” the outdoor Blessing of the Animals at the 9:00 am service, but as luck would have it, we ran into a few technical difficulties. Not to worry, this simply means that there is room for improvement this year. I am sure that we made quite a sight for anyone who was driving along Queen Street.

What was really out-of-the-ordinary that day was a service that Byron conducted in the afternoon at the Off-Leash Dog Park that I attend on a regular basis. Under a lovely canopy of trees, we kept dry and Byron had the opportunity to bless another fifty or so dogs and their owners, too! The feedback that we got for “going to where the people are” was very encouraging. For some of these folks, it has been years since they have been in a church but there we were gathered for a service that included hymns, readings and a sermon – very much like you would see on a Sunday at Christ Church – just the scenery was different. You simply never know where you will have the opportunity to meet someone and perhaps let them know that as Christians we have a responsibility for creation and we can champion its care. Should anyone want join Stella and I at the dog park, simply let me know and we would be happy to introduce you.

Collect:

O Lord, give us humility to thank You for the creation of animals, who can show affection which sometimes puts us to shame. Enlarge our respect for these your creatures, of whom we are the guardians. And give us a sense of responsibility towards all your creation, for Jesus Christ’s sake, Amen.

A Prayer from Robert Runcie

102nd Archbishop if Canterbury

Appointed President of the RSPCA in 1981

-- Martha Whittaker

Pictures from the Blessing of the Dogs

-- Martha Whittaker

Children’s Christmas Party

Once again this past December, Tim and Catherine Laing and their team of elves hosted a wonderful Christmas party for the children. The children had a wonderful time of fellowship: they were entertained by a magician, coloured pictures and were served a great lunch. Again this year, Santa took time out of his busy schedule to attend to give each child a present.

-- Various Photographers

Congregation Contributions

The Gardeners' Hymn

This delightful poem was written a few years ago, and has had wide circulation on the internet. Now the author has given permission for it to be included in parish magazines. As another Spring gets underway, all keen gardeners will empathize with this poem!

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

But what we never mention,

Though gardeners know it's true,

Is when He made the goodies,

He made the baddies too.

All things spray and swattable,

Disasters great and small,

All things paraquatable,

The Lord God made them all.

The green fly on the roses,

The maggots in the peas,

Manure that fills our noses,

He also gave us these.