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THE LOOP Church Phone – 519 – 485 – 0385 E-Mail - stjamesoffice@execulink.com

St. James’ Anglican Church Newsletter March / April 2017

As we approach Lent and Easter, many of us are still feeling the effects of being cooped up during the winter months. This year we did indeed have a few brief spells of warmer temperatures but there was still a lot of cloud cover. As Spring approaches now is the time to lift your shades in your homes and let the sunlight into your rooms. Stay in the spiritual light as well–Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid, He is our anchor and hope.”

Message From Your Rector

A message as we enter Lent; The world we currently live in is driven by an impulse to out-do and step-on/over anyone to get ahead. It’s a consumer driven mindset that places no value on compassion or generosity. It’s simply about fear! God calls us to live generous, compassionate, humble and grateful lives that are the marks of God’s own justice. Isaiah tells us what God’s justice looks like in practice: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke; to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them. (Isaiah 58:1-12) This is by no means an easy task and it is risky business that requires us to move into it with faith and humility. We are called to recognize how God’s grace has worked in our lives and then extending that grace to others. Living God’s justice is risky because we can’t control what others will do with the help we give them. Practicing generosity is worth the risk and is part of our faithful living. As those who have experienced the open hand of God giving us all we need, we can do no less than open our hands and hearts to those around us. The traditional Lenten practices of simplicity, service, and devotion to the needs of others are guides for living out our freedom in response to God’s grace. Instead of choosing a lifestyle that is demanding more and more for ourselves, the Lenten discipline of simplicity reminds us that we are freed and empowered by the Spirit to lead a life of service to others in love. Instead of giving something up for ourselves this Lent, consider taking something on for others, and together we can strengthen our community and our world. God Bless Meghan+

Inside This Issue

Pg. 1 Spring is Coming / Rector’s Message

Pg. 2 Lenten Prayer Services

Pg. 3 The Bishop’s Message

Pg. 4 Upcoming Services / Spring Tribute Show

Pg. 5 Anglican / Roman Catholic Dialogue

Pg. 6 Outreach / BAC / ACW News

Pg. 7 “Lent Is Not About Grit”

Pg. 8 St. Patrick’s Day

Pg. 9 Plan Your Garden / Altar Guild News/

Potlucks

Pg. 10, 11 March and April Calendars

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Join us for a time of worship

and prayer at 2:00 PM

followed by coffee and

conversation.

March 2 - Al Brouwer

March 9 - Bill Mayoros

March 16 - Gilbert Simard

March 23- Mary Dillon

March 30- Norman Visser

April 6 - Meghan Nicholls

April 13- Rob Esson

At Ingersoll First Baptist

Church

Music by:

Jim Gonder & Kenny

Archer, Kiley Joe Masson

NEW Service time: 2:00pm

Thursday's during Lent

Beginning March 2nd 2017

Lenten Prayer Services

Ingersoll Ministerial

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Lent: examining our lives, layer by layer By Bishop Linda Nicholls When I was a child Lent was the season of the church year when we gave up eating candy and filled a Lenten money card with quarters to give away. I am not sure that these practices actually helped me understand the meaning of repentance but I did understand that Lent was sombre serious time! Lent is the season our church year that invites us to see our life in Christ through the aspects of repentance, forgiveness and grace. As I grew in my faith I discovered the significance of this season, beginning with the solemnity of Ash Wednesday – ‘You are dust and to dust you shall return’ – and the call to examine my life in light of my baptismal promises. Where and how had I failed to live into what I had promised? I searched for the habits and activities that were clouding my ability to let the light of Christ shine through me. There is always lots of scope for this examination and personal house-cleaning during the forty days of the season! Sometime later, I appreciated a focus of not just ‘giving up something for Lent’ but of seeking what positive life and faith affirming changes I needed to make to be a healthier Christian in body, mind and spirit. Whether it was healthier eating habits (or fasting!), exercise, prayer or time with friends, this too proved helpful spiritually in recognizing God’s desire for us to be joyfully whole. One year it included slowing down – especially while driving – and discovering the gifts of a gentler pace of life. More recently, I find myself exploring my participation in corporate sin, the sin we share in by our participation in a world of systemic pain and brokenness. For Anglicans this has been brought home as we have faced the part our Church has played in residential schools. We try to avoid it by saying ‘it wasn’t me’ – but I am learning to see how easily it could have been! It lies too in the ways in which our culture and social communities share in

economic or environmental conditions that are damaging to people and the land. Whether we want to or not we share in the effects of climate change. We see it in the subtle ways we participate in discrimination or prejudice, most often unconsciously, but still evident. It is at the heart of Christian antisemitism that blames the death of Jesus on Jews and ignores our own participation. This corporate sin is much more difficult to see because it is part of the air we breathe and the conditions we live in and can easily be blamed on someone else – anyone else. Yet mourning our share in these attitudes, prejudices, lifestyle and choices is the starting place for participating in change for us and for the future. Lent invites us layer by layer to examine our lives – for the individual neglect of our baptism promises, for our need to affirm goodness and life in new ways and for our need to look at how we share in the pain and wounds of the world. At different times in our lives we need to explore each of these layers. Which one is calling your heart this year? How will you enter into the self-examination and repentance? Begin with the sign of ashes: attend worship on Ash Wednesday in your parish. Pray for the grace to see where our lives need to be changed – renewed – forgiven and where our world needs to be transformed.

Almighty and everlasting God,you despise nothing

you have madeand forgive the sins of all who are

penitent.Create and make in us new and contrite

hearts,that we, worthily lamenting our sinsand

acknowledging our brokenness,may obtain of you,

the God of all mercy,perfect remission and

forgiveness;through Jesus Christ our Lord,who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,one God, for ever and ever.

AMEN. +Linda

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Special Upcoming Services

Ash Wednesday – April 1st – 7:00 pm

Palm Sunday – April 9th – 10:30 am

* service will begin in the Parish Hall at 10:15 am and the procession of palms will parade outside to the main doors of the church

Maundy Thursday – April 13th –

Community Dinner at 6:00 pm in Parish Hall followed by church service at 7:00 pm

Good Friday – April 14th – at 10:30 am

Holy Saturday – Easter Vigil – April 15th - at 8:00 pm

Easter Sunday – April 16th – at 10:30 am Service of Holy Eucharist and Baptism

Reminder

St. James’ is a Fragrance Free Zone

Thanks for doing your part in helping others breathe easier!

Upcoming Tribute Show

The British Invasion Comes to Ingersoll

Mark your calendars … Saturday April 22nd – our next Tribute Show and Dinner at St.James' will feature one of our favourite performing groups from Cambridge. This time the musicians will be portraying the British rock and roll legends of the Swinging Sixties. Be prepared to be drawn back into the Mersey Beat and the British hits of the past. You will be entertained by: the fabulous songstress Dusty Springfield; the “To Sir With Love” sensation, Lulu; the amazing “Downtown” girl, Petula Clarke; the incomparable Liverpool 4 - The Beatles; Mick Jagger the founder and frontman of The Rolling Stones; and other surprise guests! The evening will begin at 6 PM with cocktails, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM and then the show. Spread the word to your families, friends, neighbours and co-workers. Tickets for dinner (catered by "Eat Your Heart Out") and the show will be $37.50 each and may be purchased starting March 13th. Call the church office at 519-485-0385 to reserve your tickets. Another fantastic evening of entertainment awaits you this spring at St. James' !

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LOOK

Did You Ever Wonder? Small Answers to Big

Questions: A common

witness project of the

Anglican-Roman Catholic

dialogue of Canada

Join the conversation at

Coffee Culture Downtown Ingersoll

Wednesdays @ 7pm March 8 to April 12

Come explore the questions we all wonder about

Why belong? What is my mission in my life?

How can I be courageous? Why pray?

Are Science and Faith in opposition? Why Believe?

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Nursing Home & Retirement Home Services – Our next Outreach service will

be on Sunday, April 23rd. We begin at 1:30pm at Woodingford Lodge, 2:15pm at Oxford Manor and 3:00pm at Secord Trails. Each service is 1/2 hr. in length. Volunteers are needed to help distribute song books to the residents.

Messy Church - Thursday March 9th and Thursday April 6th are Messy Church nights. Messy Church is family oriented and provides a way to learn the stories of the bible in a non-traditional way. We begin our evening at 5:00 pm with snacks, followed by theme related crafts and games, a short time of reflection and then close the evening with a shared meal. There is no registration, no fee required. All are welcome. Rev’d Meghan would like to thank our dedicated volunteers for making Messy Church happen!

Exciting Choir News – St. James’ Anglican Church Ingersoll announces the re-formation of the Parish Choir, on the First Sunday of each month. Under the direction of Angus Sinclair, we will explore new music for the Liturgy, and classics of The Tradition. You read the first sentence correctly, once a month! Previous experience in singing in choirs, and ability to sight-read, is very helpful but not necessary. Rehearsal on the First Sunday of the month at 9:15 a.m. to rehearse for the 10:30 am service. That’s it! Extra services (eventually) may occur from time to time. Contact the Parish Office (519-485-0385) for more information. See you March 5th!

BAC NEWS

Upcoming Communion Services and

BAC Breakfasts Schedule

Morning Communion & Breakfast Meetings-

Sunday March 5th & Sunday April 9th

8 AM Morning Communion Service

8:35 AM – BAC Breakfast Meeting

The BAC would like to thank all the volunteers who assisted with their annual Shrove Tuesday Supper. It was a great success and as a fundraiser for the Men’s group a very important event. Also a thank you goes out to all the parish and community members who came out to dine and support this activity.

Anglican Church Women News

ACW Meeting Schedule

March– Tuesday the 3rd in the Parish Hall at 10:30 am

April – Tuesday the 7th in the Parish Hall at 10:30 am

All women of the parish are encouraged and invited to attend any of the ACW events and meetings.

The ACW also extends its thanks to all the volunteers and members of the parish who contributed to the success of its recent Valentine’s Luncheon fundraiser event. With the assistance of many they reached their goal to raise needed funds for charity work.

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Lent is not about grit (an article from The Diocese of Huron web site)

By Laurel Pattenden

Anglicans are fortunate that we get to follow a liturgical calendar that brings seasons of worship into our lives. Having these different liturgical seasons allows us to change focus and see God’s story from angles we may not always choose for ourselves. Take Lent for example. I am not so sure I would put Lent on my personal calendar. But there it is and every year, weeks before it begins, I begin my search for that perfect spiritual practice that will take me closer to God. Now my following past behaviours may be distressing for some but not as distressing as they were for me. What follows was my typical Lenten experience. As we all know Lent is that time to give up (fast) something or to take on something that helps us empty ourselves and enable us to draw closer to God. Many people will do partial fasts like giving up on chocolate or sweets etc. but I said to myself why stop at that, when there are so many Lenten practices out there! And so I would start my quest for seeking the perfect practice. The quest would begin about four weeks before Ash Wednesday when the online courses start to be posted on my favourite Christian sites. There are many courses offered and I would study the outlines of each. Many take on monastic practices such as the daily offices, silence and fasting or special diets. These were truly appealing and I would feel absolutely gung ho to subscribing. How easy! One receives an e-mail each and every day. Besides the online courses I absolutely would not miss out on all the fresh, new Lenten devotional books just fresh off the press smelling of ink. Sigh. Maybe just one book of Lenten readings would be accommodating to my practice as it could be carried to my favourite reading spots. But then again, one could always purchase more than one, because, well, surely I could discipline myself to read twice a day. Wouldn’t that really make my practice doubly good? But wait. If I am going to be sitting in my favourite spot, I could also add the Lenten prayers for the Anglican rosary or perhaps my finger labyrinth since I’m there. Perhaps a prayer candle? By this time I believed I had all my bases covered and was poised to begin my Lenten practice. It was perfectly designed for the ultimate Lenten experience leaving no avenue uncovered. I was on my way to join the desert fathers and mothers emptying myself and growing closer to God. Day one usually sailed by quite well and maybe day two. By day three, I was using all the grit I could come up with to comply with my plan. Day four would arrive empty of grit. I knew I would have to streamline my practices. Now this involved decision making. How are you with decision making when it is all good? What would you omit? If you want to enter a never-ending tangle just start evaluating the merits of individual spiritual practices trying to get the most bang for your effort. I lamented over these decisions because my mind would scream “what do I leave out?!” So as quickly as my mind changed (usually at warp speed) my choices flew in and out of favour. My Lenten practice would became in essence and in fact an undisciplined mess. My eyes would stare at the pile of paraphernalia needed for the practices stacked on the table. My bible, prayer candle, rosary, labyrinth and books aplenty would sit staring at me. And I stared back. It rather resembled the tower of Babel. Usually by about week two to three I had abandoned all the practices. Adrift. I had floundered. Humbled that my perfectly planned out effort crashed. I began to wonder if all this personal striving would have caused the desert fathers and mothers a headache. It certainly had given me one. What should I do about Lent? Certainly, I had given it my best shot. I felt quite tired and empty from all my trying. Jamming in all I could. There must be a better way. So I gave up my striving and decided to just sit every day. Sort of quietly wait it out. As time passed I began to notice this small quiet voice. Wait, there it is again. Can you hear it? No? Go sit and wait. Can you hear it now? A small quiet voice speaking to me. To you. What was I hearing? What are you hearing? “Be still and know that I am God.” Oh, awesome. Oh, needed Lent. Lead us to our Awesome God. Laurel Pattenden fills the pew at All Saints’, Corunna. (Featured photo: Mayur Gala, Unsplash)

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Thanks to Inez for submitting this timely selection!

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Plant Your Garden Today

- submitted by Inez Fishwick

During this Lenten Spring remember to Plant Your Garden Today! Anyone who works in the garden knows the importance of putting good seed into the ground because as the saying goes, we shall reap what we sow. It is the same with the human heart – what goes into the soil of the human heart will ultimately grow and sprout forth, manifesting itself in our words and actions. The following is a recipe for a Christian heart which by the grace of God will bear much fruit! 1. First, plant three rows of PEAS: PATIENCE – PROMPTNESS – PRAYER 2. Next, plant three rows of SQUASH: SQUASH gossip - SQUASH indifference - SQUASH criticism 3. Then, plant four rows of LETTUCE: LET US obey the Lord - LET US be loyal - LET US be true to our obligations - LET US be unselfish 4. Finish with four rows of TURNIP: TURN UP when needed - TURN UP with a smile - TURN UP with a vision - TURN UP with determination Plant your garden today, remembering the words of the holy apostle Paul: “He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” (2 Cor. 9:6)

Altar Guild Reminder

If you would like to donate funds towards the purchase of flowers at Easter time for the beautification of the Sanctuary or in memory of loved ones, please contact Andrea Cryderman, Donna Hunter or leave a message at the Church Office. Thank you to all Altar Guild members for their continued service to the Church and the Parish.

Pot Luck Organization Request

This is a reminder to parishioners about the Potluck Sundays and when they are coming up. The next two Potluck Sundays are

March 19th and May 21st (There is no pot luck in April as Easter is on the

third Sunday of the month) Elisabeth Bond has been kindly coordinating these luncheons for quite awhile and she does endeavour to be in the kitchen every Potluck Sunday but hey! ……. sometimes life gets in the way and Elisabeth is not available. She is hoping that some of you will read this request and that a few more volunteers will step up to the "dinner" plate and assist with these monthly get-togethers after church. There are signup sheets on the Church bulletin board for "set up" and/or "clean up" and "how to" instructions hanging off the kitchen cupboard by the doors. So if you are able to give a hand with this parish event perhaps you will be able to sign up or speak to Elisabeth about assisting.

Thanks for your kind attention to this request!

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2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 10:00 am -

Eucharist

7:00 pm ASH

WEDNESDAY

Service

2 2:00 pm -

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First Baptist

3

4

5 Lent 1

8:00 am – Holy

Eucharist

followed By BAC Breakfast

10:30 am –

Holy Eucharist and Sunday

School

6

7 10:30 am

Women of

the Anglican

Church

Meeting 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft

Group

8 10:00 am –

Eucharist

11:00 am –

Lunch Bunch 11:00 am -

Service at

Woodingford Lodge

1:30 pm –

Oxford Manor Bible Study &

Eucharist

3:00 pm – Service at

Secord Trails

9 2:00 pm -

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First

Baptist

5:00 pm – Messy

Church

10

11

12 Lent 2

10:30 am -

Holy Eucharist

and Sunday School

13 1:30 pm –

Healing

Study & Prayer

Group at

Oxford Manor

14 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft

Group

15

10:00 am –

Eucharist

8:00 pm –

Soulmates

Practice

16 2:00 pm –

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First Baptist

17 St. Patrick’s

Day

18

19 Lent 3

10:30 am –

Morning Prayer

and Sunday School with The

Soulmates

Pot Luck Lunch

20

21 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft

Group

22 10:00 am –

Eucharist

11:00 am –

Lunch Bunch

23

2:00 pm –

Lenten Afternoon Series at First

Baptist

24

25

26 Lent 4

10:30 am -

Holy Eucharist

and Sunday School

27 7:30 pm –

Parish

Council Meeting

28 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft

Group

29 10:00 am –

Eucharist

11:00 am –

Lunch Bunch

30 2:00 pm –

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First Baptist

31

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2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

2 Lent 5

10:30 am -

Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

3

4 10:30 am -

Women of the

Anglican

Church

Meeting 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft

Group

5 10:00 am -

Eucharist 11:00 am –

Lunch Bunch

6

2:00 pm –

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First

Baptist

5:00 pm – Messy Church

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8

9 Palm Sunday

8:00 am – Holy

Eucharist followed By BAC Breakfast

10:30 am –

Holy Eucharist and Sunday School

10 1:30 pm –

Healing

Study & Prayer

Group at

Oxford Manor

11

1:30 pm –

Needlecraft Group

12 10:00 am -

Eucharist

11:00 am – Lunch Bunch

11:00 am -

Service at Woodingford

Lodge

1:30 pm –

Oxford Manor Bible

Study &

Eucharist 3:00 pm –

Service at

Secord Trails

13 Maundy

Thursday

2:00 pm -

Lenten Afternoon

Series at First

Baptist

6:00 pm –

Lasagne

Dinner

7:00 pm –

Church Service

14 Good Friday

10:00 am –

Service

15 Holy

Saturday 8:00 pm –

Service

16 Easter Sunday

10:30 am -

Holy Eucharist & Baptism

and Sunday School

with The

Soulmates

17

18 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft Group

Loop Deadline

for May

and June

Loop

19 10:00 am –

Eucharist 11:00 am –

Lunch Bunch

20

21

22 6:00 pm

-Tribute

Show The British

Invasion

23 Easter 2

10:30 am Holy

Eucharist and Sunday School

1:30 pm - Nursing

Home Services -

Woodingford, Oxford Manor and

Secord Trails

24 7:30 pm –

Parish Council

Meeting

25 1:30 pm –

Needlecraft Group

26 27

28

29

30 Easter 3 10:30 am - Holy

Eucharist and Sunday School