God who Created the world did not come and dwell among us as one better than us. God came humbly, creating space through which all people could encounter God: shepherds and magi, the poor and the sick, the sinners and tax collectors, the rulers and kings. No one is excluded from meeting God with us as a baby in a manger. As we journey through Advent we await the wonder and grace of this story. We wait, except that what we are waiting for is actually already here. God comes to us not only on Christmas but every time we gather to worship, every time we pray, every time we open our hearts to meet God in the least and lowly. God is already here, offering us love and forgiveness and challenging us to live as Jesus lived EVERY DAY of the year. “We wait for what we

already have”! This is the

theme of our Advent

journey. Let us pray that

our hearts remain open to

the invitation of the one

who is and was and is to

come so that we are

continually transformed by

God with us today and

every day. Amen.

Back on Nov. 8, Global News did a segment in which they interviewed two of the individuals who had been selected to participate in the Basic Income Pilot Project which was initiated by the Liberals Provincially and then cancelled by the Conservatives at the beginning of this year: One woman shared that she had used the money to buy healthier food, over-the-counter medications and to visit her grandchildren. Returning to receiving only ODSP, she is no longer able to afford these and struggles to spend time with her grandchildren as she can’t provide for them. The other woman, trusting that the funds were guaranteed for three years, took out a business loan in order to expand her business. Losing this income so early in the project has left her struggling to pay back the loan and do the work she had hoped to do. How often do we take the time to listen to the stories of individuals impacted by the choices and actions of individuals, businesses and governments? How many people have we met who are excluded, marginalised and impoverished by policies and practices that

are promoted by privileged majorities? In what ways are we ignorant to the implications of things we support? What would happen if we continually tried to look beyond our own ideals and priorities to the bigger picture? In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Lk 2:1-7) Jesus was born in a manger – away from home, the victim of policies, practices and ideologies. But that was the point. The

We wait for what we already have...

S T . P A U L ’ S A N D T R I N I T Y

A N G L I C A N C H U R C H E S

Advent & Christmas 2019 N O V E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 1 9

Watch for:

Paint Night

Ornament

Making

“Preparing in

Christ’s

Presence” our

Advent

Ministerial

Series

“We wait for

what we already

have” the

theme for our

Advent Journey

Youth led,

Request a

Hymn Morning

Prayer and

Potluck with

Christmas

Kahoot at St.

Paul’s Dec. 15

Blue

Christmas,

Dec. 17th

Ways to make

a difference

Vestry Dates

Opportunities

for food and

fellowship

A look back at

the Kingsville

Christmas

Tour

Insight in the

Transgender

Day of

Remembrance

and our service

P A G E 2

In the midst of

the busyness of

this season, to

what extent do

we stop to

reflect on the

reasons we are

doing everything

we are doing?

Rev. Chris

Brouillard-Coyle

Why do we do what we do at Christmas? Dear friends in Christ; Christmas is coming. Have you started shopping yet? What about decorating? Baking? What have you done so far to prepare for the season? What is on your list to do? Why? Now there is an interesting question: Why? In the midst of the busyness of this season, to what extent do we stop to reflect on the reasons we are doing everything we are doing? Are we acting to fulfil some expectations? Is our focus trying to make other people happy? Are we simply doing what we have ‘always’ done? Why do we do all that we do in the Christmas season? As Christians, hopefully somewhere in our response to these questions is the reason for the season – the coming of God as a baby in a manger. Ideally, in fact, everything we do should somehow point towards our faith that Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us. What does this look like? In what ways does our shopping, decorating, baking, partying and exchanging gifts at this time of year

demonstrate our faith? How would anyone, seeing our actions during this season recognise in them our desire to give glory to God in the highest and peace and good will to all? While it is easy to get distracted by secular celebrations of Christmas, opportunities are provided by our churches to help focus our efforts and energies this season. The theme for our Advent Ministerial Series is “Preparing in Christ’s Presence” and will feature reflections on: do less; experience wonder and hold on to hope. Listen for ways in which the theme “we wait for what we already have” is incorporated in our sermons and worship over the course of Advent. Watch for our young people to provide leadership in worship at St. Paul’s Dec. 15 as we enjoy readings, reflection and carols. For those who are finding it difficult to navigate the season, we continue to offer our “Blue Christmas” service, a quiet celebration with music, readings, reflection, candles and silence

that enables us to slow down and listen for God. Christmas Eve we will centre ourselves on the wonder and mystery of God with us through worship at 7pm at Trinity and 9pm at St. Paul’s. Christmas morning at 10am we will wake to the opportunity to come as you are and celebrate the babe in the manger in a relaxed way. All of these opportunities are provided as a way to draw our hearts and minds into the wonder of the season. As we do so, hopefully we can continually keep before us the reason for the season so that our desire to celebrate God with us permeates all that we do during this time. Thank you for all that you do to help make Christmas meaningful and to support the work of these churches. I pray you all have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year,

With love,

Chris.

A D V E N T & C H R I S T M A S 2 0 1 9

Christmas Giving—Toys for local children

P A G E 3

The toy box is filling up but

there is always room for more!

Help bring joy to children in the

area with donations of new

unwrapped toys! Every

donation can bring a smile

Christmas morning!

We will be taking donations

until Dec. 8th after which

Goodfellows will be contacted

to facilitate distribution.

Thank you for your generosity!

The Giving Tree is back at Trinity waiting to

be filled with hats, scarves and mittens that will

be shared through the clothing cupboard and

with migrant

workers to help

keep folks warm

this winter!

Knickers and Toes is back at St. Paul’s!

Add your contributions to the clothesline at

the entry of the church! All items will go

towards the clothing cupboard. There is no

deadline, just a call to be generous! It is

always nice to have new socks and

underwear!

Christmas Giving—Keeping people warm & cozy

Stories from the closet...

Thank you for

your

generosity

year after

year! It makes

a difference!

Thank you for

your

generosity!

On behalf of all that volunteer at the clothing cupboard and all those who find

themselves in need and visit the clothing cupboard, THANK YOU to all who donate

and/or gather clothing. There are people and communities across Windsor-Essex who

continually and generously support this ministry. It is a wonderful gift to experience

the joy and gratitude of clients when they are able to find what they need! We couldn’t

do it without donations. Thank you for supporting this work!

Are you or is someone you know

struggling this season for any reason?

Take time to breathe and be at our

Blue Christmas Service

This is a gentle service that invites us to slow down and listen for God’s

presence through silence, readings, reflections, music and prayer.

Dec. 17, 7pm at St. Paul’s All are welcome! Bring a friend! It

may be a wonderful Christmas gift!

P A G E 4

From Oct.1,

2018 to Sept. 30,

2019 there were

370 reported

deaths of trans-

identified people

around the world

Transgender Pride

Flag at St. Paul’s

Transgender Day of Remembrance November 20th is the

International Day for

Transgender

Remembrance. This

day provides an

opportunity to raise

awareness about the

violence transgender

people experience.

Over the course of the

past year, there were

370 reported deaths of

trans-identified people

worldwide. It is

expected that this

number is far greater.

The average life

expectancy of a trans

woman of colour in the

U.S. is 35. The acts of

violence towards

transgender individuals

include many haunting

stories:

Medely Razard died

at the age of 15 on

September 20th,

2019. They were

beaten, raped, and

strangled with wire.

(Brazil)

Rajathi was a priest

who died at the age

of 38 on February

15th, 2019. Her

mutilated body was

found inside the

sanctum of the

temple she ran,

known for being a

welcoming place for

LGBTQ. Her severed

head was left outside

the temple premises.

(India)

Paris Cameron was

20 years old when

she was shot and

killed in Detroit,

Michigan, on May

25th, 2019. Two gay

men were killed

alongside her.

(United States)

Becky Gonzalez

Reyna owned a bar

popular for LGBT+

folk that became a

gunman’s target on

Good Friday. She

was celebrating the

first birthday of her

nephew, and made

to watch while

thirteen members of

her family were killed

(including her

nephew) before she

herself was killed.

(Mexico)

These stories and

others were shared as

we paused and

remembered during an

ecumenical

Transgender Service of

Remembrance on Nov.

19 at St. Paul’s. This

service also provided an

opportunity to reflect on

scripture and story as a

way to better

understand our

relationship with

transgender individuals.

We are left with a

challenge to act:

1. To learn more about

the Transgender Day

of Remembrance go

to https://

tdor.translivesmatter.i

nfo/

2. Use inclusive

language—siblings

instead of brothers

and sisters, folks or

everyone as a

greeting. Make sure

washrooms and

spaces are available

for those who don’t

strictly identify as

male or female.

3. When people share

their name and

pronoun with you—

use these. Even if

you knew them with a

different name, try

your best to listen

and respond as they

have chosen. It is

respectful and gives

them a sense of

dignity.

Don't let this just be a

day of remembrance.

Let this day be a sign of

our commitment to

make the world a better,

safer place for our trans

brothers, sisters, and

siblings, so that future

generations won't need

to have a Transgender

Day of Remembrance.

Submitted by: Sydney

Brouillard-Coyle

A D V E N T & C H R I S T M A S 2 0 1 9

Pick a Song is back! P A G E 5

Did you enjoy hearing “What a

wonderful world” and “Lord the

Light of Your Love” ten times

throughout 2019? Ready to pick a

new hymn for 2020? Here’s the

rules:

1. MAKING SUGGESTIONS: Throughout December a

suggestion box will be at the back

of each church for people to

submit their favourite hymns.

These can be from our hymnbook

or any other song that we can sing

in Church. You can submit as

many and as often as you like.

2. TOP THREE: On the first

Sunday in January the three most

commonly requested hymns from

each church’s collection will be

announced. Jars will be set up at

the back of each church for each of

these songs.

3. VOTING: You can vote for a

particular hymn with your change.

Only coins are accepted. Nickels

are 5 points, dimes 10, quarters 25,

loonies 100, and toonies are

negative 200 points. That’s right,

you can sabotage a hymn’s votes

with your toonies! You will have

the entire month of January to vote.

4. THE RESULTS: After the last

Sunday in January, the coins will be

tallied up and the hymn with the most

points will be announced on the first

Sunday in February. That hymn will

be sung at least 10 times over the rest

of the year.

NOTE: What happens at one church

does not necessarily influence what

happens at the other. Money raised at

St. Paul’s will go towards the music

program. Stayed tuned to find out

what will happen with the money at

Trinity.

Several people said it was out of their way but, had heard great things and were happy that they visited. Members came forward and baked and baked and then when we ran out of baked goods on Saturday, baked some more. A lot of work went into the event to create a beautifully decorated church and gazebo. Our thanks to everyone who helped to make this a truly wonderful weekend. Submitted by: Pat Jackson

Over the past few years, we have inquired about being included in the annual Kingsville Christmas tour. This year, with a little more than 3 weeks notice we were told that we were on the list. We were the only place in Cottam and had been advised that we probably wouldn't have many visitors. We were pleasantly surprised and delighted to have approx. 400 people through the doors of our beautiful little church.

Dec. 11: Experience Wonder

Led By: Major Jim Hann

Hosted at: St. Paul’s

Anglican Church

Dec. 18: Hold on to Hope

Led By: The Rev’d Carl

Emke

Hosted at: Holy Name

Catholic Church

Dec. 4: Do Less

Led By: The Rev’d Chris

Brouillard-Coyle

Hosted at: Woodslee United

Church

Preparing in Christ’s presence: 2019 Advent Ministerial Series...

Kingsville Christmas Tour

All programs

begin at noon and

are followed by a

light lunch from

the host

community. Free

will offerings

gratefully

received.

St. Paul’s and Trinity Anglican Churches

92 St. Paul’s St. Essex, ON, N8M 1C5

Office Hours: Wednesdays & Fridays 9am—1pm

Clothing Cupboard Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9am—1pm

Office Email: office@stpaulstrinity.org

Parish Website: stpaulstrinity.org

Facebook Page: St. Paul’s Anglican Church Essex & Trinity Anglican Church Cottam

Facebook Group: Trinity-St.Paul Anglican Parish Family

Dates to Remember

Nov. 30—Paint Night, Trinity Anglican Church, 6:30pm

Dec. 2—Ornament making, Essex Glass, 7pm

Dec. 4— “Preparing in Christ’s Presence”, noon, Woodslee United Church

Dec. 6—Holiday Themed Pasta Dinner with music & wine draw, 5-6:30pm, St. Paul’s

Dec. 7—Pie Pick up, 10-11am, Trinity

Dec. 11— “Preparing in Christ’s Presence”, noon, St. Paul’s Anglican Church

Dec. 14—St. Paul’s Christmas Market, 10am-2pm

Dec. 15—Youth led, Hymn Request Morning Prayer with potluck and Christmas

Kahoot at St. Paul’s at 11am

Dec. 17—Blue Christmas service (a gentle opportunity to come before God carrying

whatever struggles we may have this season—make a difference in someone’s life and

bring a friend), 7pm, St. Paul’s

Dec, 18—“Preparing in Christ’s Presence”, noon, Holy Name Catholic Church

Dec. 24—Christmas Eve worship with candles, 7pm Trinity, 9pm St. Paul’s

Dec. 25—Christmas Morning come as you are service, 10am St. Paul’s

Dec. 29—Last Day to submit hymn suggestions

Jan. 5—Deanery youth bowling, 2pm. See Donna Flood to sign up.

Jan. 10—Stew Supper at St. Paul’s, 5-6:30pm

Jan. 19—Trinity Vestry meeting following 9:15am service (reports due Jan. 8)

Jan. 26—St. Paul’s Vestry meeting following 9:30am worship and breakfast (reports

due Jan. 15)

Jan. 26—Last Day to Vote for your favourite hymn

Feb. 2—Winning hymns will be announced

Note: the clothing cupboard will be closed from Dec. 6 to Jan. 6 as the Essex Food

Bank moves to a new location. Look for opportunities to volunteer to help maintain the

cupboard during this time.