St. Philip's Lutheran Church61 West Deane Park Drive, Etobicoke, ON, M9B 2S1Telephone: 416.622.5577a member congregation of the
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It’s
November! Here in the life of
the church, that means that it’s time for the Finance Committee and Church
Council to put together a new congregational budget for the coming year.
The budgeting process, although time consuming and often rather tedious,
is an important task because it makes us step back and look at how our resources
are being used….and how we would like
them to be used in the upcoming months. You
know, there is often the implicit expectation that money shouldn’t be
discussed in the church. And
whereas I don’t believe it’s something we ought to dwell on incessantly, our
financial giving to the church needs
to be addressed once in awhile because our offerings to the church are a
significant component of the ministry here at St. Philips.
They make it possible. In short, the congregation depends on them for its survival.
Without generous giving by the members, we wouldn’t exist for very
long. So I want you to know that
every financial gift you contribute is appreciated and does make a difference.
Last month we said our final goodbyes to
Victor Ursaki. Victor was known in the congregation for his efforts in
steering the Building Committee years ago.
But Vic was also an exemplary steward within the church. He felt it was incumbent upon everyone who had been blessed
by God’s grace to be generous in supporting the church and in assisting those
less fortunate. Vic was a long time
member of the (now defunct) Lutheran Laity Movement for Stewardship, an
organization that promoted and encouraged people in giving a portion of their
resources to the work of God’s kingdom. And
over the years, Vic passed along their newsletters to me on a regular basis so
that I too might be assisted in encouraging others in this field.
In fact, my one cupboard is still full of these newsletters that Vic gave
to me. He was not ashamed to talk
about money within the context of the church’s life and felt no one ought to
be!
So it is in that spirit that I encourage you
to examine your offerings to our congregation.
When was the last time you reviewed them and increased them?
Just as the Finance Committee each year needs to look at how it spends
the money St. Philips receives, so too, every individual should do the same
thing and make adjustments accordingly. The
church will soon begin to wither and struggle if offerings remain stagnant, as
we are seeing happening at the synodical level.
Granted, these are particularly difficult and unusual times in the
financial realm. But as one acute financial planner recognized, the shortage or
excess of money is generally not related to income.
It is related to priorities, attitudes
and planning. It is a documented fact that people and households without
purpose, priorities and a carefully constructed budget ‘lose’ approximately
20% of their income through the proverbial crack.
That’s why it’s so important to not let your offering to the church
be based on a whim or be left to chance. Giving
needs to be carefully thought out, prayed about and budgeted for. Remember, the reason we offer part of our money to God is
because we recognize that everything, yes even life itself, is a gracious gift from
God. We act in response to the goodness we have received from the
Lord. And the best response we can
give is a deliberate one.
In fact, Christian giving ought always to represent a planned response to
God…not an ad hoc one.
So, this November, think about all the blessings you are enjoying from
God. Have a look at your pattern of
giving to the church and see if it’s time to give it a boost. We have a lot of
exciting things happening in our congregation as we strive to be ‘In Mission
for Others.” These can
carry on only with your support. Thank
you for what you have provided in the past…. and thanks for your continued
generosity. Blessings, Pastor
Doug An
intriguing thought for these current, turbulent times: “What
I spent it gone; what I kept
is lost; but what I gave away will
be mine forever.”
Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus
FROM
THE INTERN
Greetings
to everyone at St. Philip’s! It’s hard to believe I’ve already been here 2
months, but as I look back, I’ve been quite busy and have been learning a lot.
A
high point for me was the Confirmation Retreat, held this year on Oct. 24-26 at
Crieff Hills, a retreat center south of Guelph run by the Presbyterian Church.
Pastor Kramer and I led the 6 girls and one boy from our Confirmation class in
worship, lessons and fun activities. While our official theme of the weekend was
“Prayer”, we also had an unofficial youth theme: Sir Mix-a-Lot’s song
“Jump on it”, including choreography! We experienced many kinds of worship,
ranging from a meditative walk in the Labyrinth, to candlelit Midnight Prayer,
to a water ceremony in an outdoor chapel. I was blessed to see the group grow
together in community and faith in a brief 44 hours! Another
highlight was the ordination service of my girlfriend, Carey Meadows, and St.
Philip’s 2006-2007 Intern Gloria Ryder at St. James, Elmira on Oct. 24th.
The service started off quietly (I played some solo Bach) and had a great
variety of songs, including global song led by Debbie Lou Ludolph and the
Seminary’s Inshallah choir. Altogether, it was an understated service, but
nonetheless very moving. As
Lutherans, we believe in the “priesthood of all believers”, that there is no
intrinsic difference between clergy and laity and that we all have gifts for
ministry and are called in different ways to bring about the reign of God.
However, why do we then have elaborate services to celebrate only those who are
entering into the ministry of Word and Sacrament? Perhaps we should have
ordination services for everyone, or else forego the ordination service
entirely! Nonetheless,
there are reasons for an ordination rite. The ordination service is like a
marriage that attests publicly to a couple’s vows of commitment and fidelity
in the sight of God and of the assembly. Additionally, the couple can discover,
in the presence of friends and loved ones, the resource people to whom they can
turn in times of need and joy. Therefore,
I believe the ordination service serves a few purposes. Firstly, the service
proclaims that the church (and in this case the Synod) certifies that the
candidates are suitable for ordained ministry and have passed the requirements
that are expected of pastors in the ELCIC. The church is saying that “we hope
that the congregations that are calling these individuals will rest assured that
they are qualified people, that your vulnerable parishioners will be safe with
them and that they will be good shepherds for your communities.” Secondly,
the candidates are offered support by the assembly. At the service on the 24th,
Bishop Pryse asked the candidates to turn around and take note of all those
gathered. He continued, “Isn’t it amazing these people have nothing better
to do on a Friday night than go to church? Either they’re here because they
believe in your call or else they don’t have a life!” Finally,
at the climax of the service the candidates vow to serve God’s people
faithfully with the response “I will, with God’s help”; the most important
part of the vow being the second part, “with God’s help”! Then, the Bishop
lays his hands on their heads and prays for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit
upon the candidate, and that God may make the candidate a faithful pastor, a
patient teacher and a wise counselor. Although
one might argue that these ordination services are extravagant and contrary to
our belief in the “priesthood of all believers”, the service does provide an
occasion to celebrate the close of at least 4 years of Seminary and the
beginning of a life as a pastor. For those who embark on this new ministry with
trepidation, the service serves to strengthen and empower them, through God’s
power, with the support of the church. If
you’ve never been to an ordination service, I strongly encourage you to go to
one, and see how the church commissions and calls our future pastors. Perhaps
I’ll see a few of you at my anticipated ordination in summer 2010! As
a closing note, I really am enjoying the hymn singing here. Not only does St.
Philip’s know how to sing, but also I’ve been bowled over by our Music
Director, Mark Kieswetter. There are hymns that I have sung dozens of times that
finally have made sense to me, thanks to his amazing accompaniment. Mark’s
superb musicianship and sense of style have made hymns like “How Great Thou
Art” come alive for me for the first time. What a wonderful gift God has given
us in him! In Christ, Sebastian Helmer ST.
PHILIP’S REMEMBERS Our congregation has been richly blessed
with a vibrant music program. Talented
organists, choir directors and dedicated choir members have enriched the worship
life of St. Philip’s since it’s beginning. In 1991, a bell choir, under the leadership of Greta Davies,
was started as a wonderful addition to our musical offerings.
Bonnie
and Rod Erlandson have shared some of their memories as members of St.
Philip’s choir:
“Rod and I have
been singing in the St. Philip’s choir for over a combined 60 years.
Our Choir family has celebrated with us the many milestones in our lives.
Rod moved to Toronto in 1978 and was promptly scouted by our then Choir
Director Jeanette Iverson and joined
the choir within a month of arriving in Toronto.
Our Choir family rejoiced at our engagement, participated in our wedding
and delighted in the birth of our children, Andrew and Kathryn, and sang at
their baptisms and confirmations. Our
Choir family watched as our children came to choir rehearsals as infants and
then later joined the junior choir and Andrew the senior choir for a short time.
Just like a regular family we had many outings including singing at
Pioneer Village, filming a CBC TV show, producing a CD, BBQ’s, coffee nights,
birthdays, anniversaries and the death of many faithful members.
The leadership of our directors Ian, Michael, Paul, Rita, Kate, Bill and
Mark (to name but a few) led our family with laughter, hard work and a caring,
loving community. This family
within our Christian family accepts us as we are; our inability to read music,
and hit those high notes, as well as offering the best stress relief around. Our Choir family is awesome and we rejoice in being part of
it.” In the 1970’s the
Choir sang at the Black Creek Pioneer
Village during the Advent seasons. Margaret McCutcheon tells her story of singing at Black Creek: “I have attended
St. Philip’s since I was about six years old. WOW!
As you can imagine I have many strong memories of this church but
probably the most special is the time that I spent singing with my mom (Hedy
Haller) and my sister, Sue, in the choir when I was a teenager.
Jeanette Iversen was our choir
director – we spent every Thursday evening practicing and had many choir
parties at her home. Parties at
Jeanette’s were a real event with every detail planned and lots of fabulous
food and fun games. The most
special time of all though was Christmas, when we went as a group to sing at
Pioneer Village. We were the
choristers who traveled throughout the village during the Christmas season.
For me, Advent did not occur because I saw the first candle lit or my mom
started making fruitcake. No, for our family Advent began when we took the
pioneer costumes out and I knew that we would start rehearsing carols at choir
for Pioneer Village. We always had
to wear several layers underneath the costume and a warm shawl on top so we
didn’t freeze. Sitting in
Jeanette’s car in the back sweating from all of the hot clothes I was wearing
made the ride to Pioneer Village very long!
It was worth it when we arrived because the people who worked there
always gave us a warm welcome. They
would give us hot cider and cookies and we would go for rides on the wagon with
the horses, always singing as we traveled.
One year they even invited us to a special duck dinner with all of the
trimmings to thank us for volunteering our time.
Often my sister and I would bring some money to buy treats at the General
store and my mom would buy the flour that they made at the mill and use it to
make bread for us. I felt like a
real pioneer! Many faces and names
come to mind when I remember those trips to Pioneer Village – Fred and Kathy
Roberts, Olie Neilson, Greta Davies, Alma Kerath, Louise Himmelman, the McAulay
girls, Kathy Gower, Kris Binhammer, Bonnie and Joanne Piller, Lillian and Ruthan
Myers, Erwin Kretchman, Marion McLaren . Pioneer
Village is still a special place to me and now that I’m a teacher I get to
take my class on field trips there once in a while.
They are always interested when I tell them my stories about singing
there as a teenager.” The end of our 50th
anniversary year celebration is approaching, but it’s still not too late to
share your memories with us. Please
continue to share them with Janice Rouse at 416-233-7893, or by e-mail at rousehouse@rogers.com
Thank you. MONTHLY
EUCHRE GAME All those who are interested in attending the monthly Euchre Game in St. Philip’s fellowship hall are invited to come out for an afternoon of fun! The game is held on the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. & refreshments are served. The next game will be held on Thurs. Dec. 4. Bring along a friend.
On Sunday,
November 23, 10:00 am., you are invited to attend a special worship service
celebrating 50 years of ministry by this congregation.
Bishop Michael Pryse will be in attendance.
Afterwards there will be a gathering at the Islington Golf Club for
everyone, offering an opportunity for fellowship over a wonderful meal and a
time of remembering and sharing in the many accomplishments of this faith
community. Order forms for the
luncheon tickets have been placed in your mailboxes and must be returned by Mon.
November 17. Please contact the church office if you require forms. More information is also available from Eunice Hogeveen
(416-239-6760) OUTREACH
COMMITTEE NEWS Providing
the congregation with opportunities to connect with those “outside our
doors”. The
Thanksgiving season is over and we would like to express our appreciation for
the support the congregation has expressed with their donations to our local
food bank. Support for our
neighbours is an ongoing project here at St. Philip’s all year round.
You will find a container located near the parking lot door for dropping
off any food donations. We also
distribute these donations to anyone in need that appear at our doors.
Out of the Cold
- Please take a moment to view the narthex display that outlines how
you can help St. Matthews/Our Lady of Peace “OUT OF THE COLD” program that
will begin its tenth season November 16th.
A list of items they require is posted there.
We have also committed St. Philip’s to providing and serving a meal and
bag lunches at the program operation from All Saints Anglican Church on January
23, 2009. Four Corners Consignment Sale – Partnership in Action - Canadian Lutheran World Relief sponsors the “FOUR CORNERS” initiative, an alternative trade organization providing opportunities for artisans in the developing world to create jobs with decent working conditions and helping them find a market for their products and sell them at a fair price. By purchasing a variety of products at consignment sales, Canadians provide a living wage to workers struggling to pay for the basics of life. Your consumer choices make a difference to these people and their families. St. Philip’s will be hosting a consignment sale Sunday, November 30th and Sun. December 7th during our “Good News Café” coffee fellowship. Please consider shopping with us. Further information on this program and the products they supply will be available during the month of November on the bulletin board. Christmas Outreach
- Our mitten tree
will be set up the beginning of December. We
have a supply of yarn, patterns, etc. available for anyone who would like to be
a part of supplying hats, mitts, scarves, etc. not only for our “Christmas
Families”, but also for distribution at cold weather shelters, where there is
always a need for men’s toques.
The comments we
receive after a particular outreach project helps us to decide which projects
have your support. Our Christmas
outreach, i.e. looking after identified families in our community who would
benefit from a hand-up, has been well supported.
Accordingly, it is our intention to have information available for the
congregation regarding families and their specific needs by the end of November.
Volunteers will also be required for family visits, shopping, wrapping
and delivery. As in past years,
monetary donations are also welcome so that we can purchase extra items and food
vouchers. Please designate these
gifts to the “Hamper Fund”. Further
information will be posted as received. The
members of St. Philip’s family have always responded generously to meet the
needs of those less fortunate and this we give thanks.
NEEDED
- We have two artificial Christmas trees that need new boxes in which
to store them. You may be familiar with how huge these boxes are. If you
have a large sports bag, or hockey bag, that would suffice also. If you
have either a box or a bag please call Arlene Somerville - 416-621-4447 50 PLUS GROUP All
“50 Plus” are invited to attend our Thurs. Nov. 20th meeting at
NOON. We have an exciting program lined up for you. First of all, we will
enjoy a chili lunch, including apple crisp for dessert at a modest price of
$2.00. Now that's a bargain! Afterwards, we will be able to sit back and
view a wonderful slide presentation of Australia and New Zealand presented by
our own talented and well traveled John and Marge Knebel. This is an opportunity
you won't want to miss. Come and bring a friend. Please note there is a sign-up
sheet in the foyer for this event. IN MISSION FOR
OTHERS We are in Mission for Others! St. Philip’s is In Mission for Others through its benevolence to the ELCIC Eastern Synod!
Although our
Outreach Committee may have a limited budget, St. Philip’s benevolence
generosity is well known across the 200-odd parishes in the Eastern Synod. In
fact, in terms of total regular benevolence, we were the 7th most
generous parish, and we were the church who donated the 2nd most per
baptized member. In terms of percentage of regular benevolence compared to total
congregational receipts, St. Philip's was at 12.3% in 2007 and ranked 17th. However, the
Synod’s overall financial picture is not as rosy. Overall benevolence to Synod
has remained flat over the past 20 years, and due to inflation, this results in
less than half the purchasing power of 1988. Recent cutbacks have included all
full-time campus chaplain positions and several full-time Synodical staff. The
Synod is challenging those parishes (including St. Philip’s) that already give
10% of their Total Receipts, to increase their benevolence by 10% over the next
three years. If you have any questions, please contact a Council Member or
Pastor Kramer. And finally, a
message from Keith Myra, the Eastern Synod Treasurer: “Let me [thank] the
members of St. Philips for your contributions to benevolence over the years. We
are deeply appreciative of your generosity in support of the many fruitful
ministries of the synod.” The Eastern
Synod’s Renewed Vision for Ministry video can be seen at http://www.easternsynod.org/index.php For more
information, look at: http://www.easternsynod.org/synod-convention-july-12-2008.php Sebastian
Helmer sebastianhelmer@gmail.com LADIES’
WELLNESS RETREAT With winter coming
soon, can spring be far behind? This
is an advance notice of the annual Ladies’ Wellness Retreat Weekend, scheduled
for Fri. March 27-Sunday March 29, 2009 at the White Oaks Conference Resort and
Spa at Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s
always a fun, relaxing and rejuvenating time! Registration forms will be
available in early December. Contact
Cheryl Kramer (905-459-3189) if you’d like more information. TOUR
OF ITALY AND SWITZERLAND, INCLUDING THE PASSION PLAY IN 2010 Exciting News!
Pastor Doug will be escorting a tour of Italy and Switzerland, concluding
with a performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, June 15-30, 2010.
This Passion Play is only held once every 10 years!
An introductory presentation outlining the details of the trip is being
offered at St. Philip’s on Fri. Nov. 21, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.
Everyone is welcome! If
you’re interested in taking the tour, it will be advantageous to register for
the tour by Nov 30 and thereby receive a $300/per person discount.
The arrangements are being made through Rostad tours and include flight,
accommodations, all ground transportation, 2 meals per day, taxes, gratuities
and sight seeing fees…. truly a worry free vacation!
NEW DIRECTOR OF
CHILDRENS’ & YOUTH MINISTRY HIRED We are pleased to announce that Sandra Bailey will be joining the staff at St. Philip’s as the Director of Children’s’ & Youth Ministry. Sandra has a diploma in Early Childhood Education from George Brown College and for the past few years has worked with the Learning Jungle Preschool, most recently serving as supervisor of the Richview Campus. She has done considerable work in her home congregation of Bethlehem United serving as a Youth Department Administrator, Children’s Ministry Coordinator and Sunday School Teacher. We welcome her into our midst and look forward to her many gifts in ministry. DOROTHY
LEY “TREE OF REMEMBRANCE” As last year, the
Outreach Committee is inviting St. Philip’s to participate in this annual
Dorothy Ley fundraiser at Cloverdale Mall. The Dorothy Ley Hospice here in
Etobicoke “provides compassionate end-of-life care to clients and their
families, enabling them to live in comfort, with dignity, meaning and hope”.
St. Philip’s has been assigned duty from 9.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday,
Dec. 2nd. Please consider volunteering some time for this worthy
cause and sign up for time slots on the Narthex board. Likewise, anybody
participating in this event is invited to come to the fundraiser opening
ceremony at Cloverdale Mall on Tuesday, Nov. 25th at 6 p.m. If you
have any questions, please contact Sebastian Helmer (647-238-4401) or Kathy
Dragert (416-695-3110) CHILDREN
LEADING WORSHIP On Sun. Nov. 16th,
the children of St. Philip’s will be assuming many of the leadership roles in
our liturgy and helping us with the worship.
Join us as they live out and share their faith with us this way….a
wonderful example of how we are all members of the “one body in Christ” by
virtue of our baptism. LADIES’
NIGHT OUT Be
sure to come out on Monday, November 17th at 7:00 p.m. where there
will be a Christmas Centerpiece Workshop.
This festive centerpiece will be made of fresh evergreens and assorted
natural objects inserted into the (wet) floral foam. Extra information about this workshop and a supply list is
posted on the bulletin board and on the table in the narthex.
All are welcome. For more information contact Sylvia Szot (416) 626-2424. ADVENT
AT ST. PHILIPS “The
Music of Advent and Christmas” - Presented by the Choirs of St.
Philips on Sunday, Dec. 7th, at 10:00 a.m.
Followed by finger foods and hot apple cider in the fellowship hall.
Invite a friend to this festive morning of seasonal music! Sunday
School Christmas Pageant – Sunday, Dec. 14th at 10:00
a.m. Everyone is invited to share in the joy as our children tell the message of
Christmas. (Afterwards there will
be a luncheon in the fellowship hall) VICTORY
GARDEN DEDICATED On Sun. November 2,
(All Saints Sunday), the congregation marched out of the church during the final
hymn and gathered in the new Victory Garden in “order to offer a prayer of
dedication. And what an appropriate
day, as the garden is in loving memory of all those members of St. Philip’s
who have died and now rest from their labours…..part of the great company of
God’s saints! The establishment
of the garden was made possible
through the bequest of Victor Mozarowski. May
it always be a place of sanctity and solace where we can gather to treasure the memory of those loved ones whom we hold dear.
Many thanks to the Property Committee for their efforts in creating this
special place on the grounds of St. Philip’s.
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Last modified: November 06, 2008 |
