Dear family in Christ,

Advent is upon us, and we will soon be ushering in the season of Christmas. The year draws to a close and we take a moment to reflect on the year past and to give thanks for the blessings and challenges of 2022.

I pray this year…with gritted teeth, that for the first time in 3 years we will be able to celebrate the joy of the birth of Jesus, together, in place, at Christ Church.

As we begin the great task of re forming in day to day operations and ministry, our much needed catch ups, visiting and being together need to become our focus as we look forward to this next year.

It is going to take sometime to recover from over two years of closure, reduced revenue from lost opportunities of property usage and day to day contact in community and ministry.

It is good to see daily increases in people using our facilities, worship opportunities and people simply dropping in to Christ Church, with our various groups and particularly focus groups such as our catering team, ACW, Altar Guild and supported community groups gathering, and offering opportunities for social and ministry to those who join with them.

Thank you to those who visit and pastorally care for members of the faith community. In this next 12 months, we are going to formalize this some more and build a pastoral care team who can be more responsive to our needs.

The call for interest in being a member of a new choir under Alex Pierson’s direction will be a further main commitment of 2023, which is very exciting. It is wonderful once again to be immersed in the fine musicianship and special ministry of Alex as a real and joyful addition to our praising God on Sundays.

I have recovered well from both a bout of Covid and a nasty head cold. Now it’s time to get on with it, and I look forward to catching up with you over these next months.

Services for this Advent Season and Christmas are:

Sundays: 8 a.m. Eucharist BCP
                  10 a.m. Sung Eucharist. BAS
Tuesday: Midday Prayers
Wednesday: 10 a.m. Eucharist BCP

This Sunday: 10 a.m. Morning Prayer Belleville
                         10 a.m. Eucharist Roslin
Advent and Christmas Carol Service: 4 p.m. at Christ Church. Sung by the St. George’s Cathedral Choir.

Christmas Eve,  Saturday 24th December
4 p.m. Family Christmas Eucharist and lighting of the Christmas Tree. Christ Church
6:30 p.m. Family Christmas Eucharist. St. Paul’s
9 p.m. Vigil Christmas Mass Christ Church

Christmas Day, Sunday December 25th.
9 a.m. Eucharist Christ Church

New Years Day, Sunday January 1st
10 a.m. Joint sung Eucharist at Christ Church,
Followed by a pot luck lunch.

We wish you every blessing at this wonderful time and look forward to seeing you.
With our love and blessings

Fr. Jeff and team.