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St. Timothy’s News Pentecost, 2013 Place address label here 41908523 PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND, FEBRUARY 2013
St. Timothy’s News Pentecost, 2013
Place address label here
41908523
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HOLY LAND, FEBRUARY 2013
PAGE 2 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Parish Organization Directory Updated: April 2013
ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS
Incumbent Rev. Dr. John Stephenson 416-293-5711 [email protected] Deacon Rev. Dr. Kathy Buligan 416-293-5711 [email protected] Asst. Curate 416-293-5711 Music Director Norman Reintamm [email protected] People’s Warden Jean Marshman 416-293-3326 [email protected] Rector’s Warden Sheila Martin [email protected] Deputy People’s Xavier Dias 416-587-3181 [email protected] Deputy Rector’s Janet Trim 416-291-0838 [email protected] Office Admin. 416-293-5711 [email protected] Treasurer Maureen Barton [email protected] Envelope Sec Penny Laity 416-385-9793 [email protected] Book keeper Doris Micks [email protected] Sexton Matt Tandy 416-293-5711 [email protected] Altar Guild Roz Trotter 905-686-8769 Archivist Bob Saunders 416-291-6510 [email protected] Baptism Cmte. Pearl Chandler 416-298-9662 [email protected] Bible Study: Mon Bob Saunders 416-291-6510 [email protected] Mon Bob Micks 416-291-1824 [email protected] Wed Rev. John Stephenson 416-293-5711 [email protected] Church School Peg Kay 416-332-1319 Nursery Renee Yap 416-885-4524 [email protected] Newsletter Peggy Perkins 416-291-8325 [email protected] Website Wellington Phoa 416-292-6102 [email protected] Bulletin 416-293-5711 [email protected] Comm. Chair Rev. John Stephenson 416-293-5711 [email protected] Social Convenor Roz Trotter 905-686-8769 Library Donna Clifton 905-294-2161 [email protected] Outreach Rev. Dr. Kathy Buligan 416-293-5711 [email protected] Hot Lunch Barbara Broadbent 416-474-2709 [email protected] Wednesday Breakfast Sheila Martin [email protected] Property Chair Steve Lincoln 416-299-3441 [email protected] Phone Tree Joyce Chung 416-733-4066 [email protected] Servers Guild Tim Phoa 416-292-6102 [email protected] St. Margaret’s Rev. John Stephenson 416-293-5711 [email protected] Sidespersons Wellington Phoa 416-292-6102 [email protected] Counters Roz Trotter 905-686-8769 Kitchen Coordinator 416-293-5711 [email protected] SNHS Cleveland Hamilton 416-522-9285 [email protected] Men’s Club Dave Blizzard 416-491-1038 [email protected] Belles Rosie Lindo 416-292-6758 [email protected] Welcome Cmte. Sheila Lovell Workshop Bill Gibson 416-497-6180 [email protected] Craft Club Tuesday Mornings
Sept to June 416-293-2792
Health & Safety Carolyn Stephenson 905-927-2466 [email protected] Synod Delegates Tim Phoa, Pearl Chandler, Donna Clifton
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 3
VESTRY HIGHLIGHTS Highlights of the Annual Vestry Meeting
The Annual Vestry Meeting was held on February 17,2013 with 111 voting members signed in. Outgoing Wardens Barbara Broadbent and Cleveland Hamilton were appropriately thanked and honoured for their commitment and hard work. The two new Wardens were introduced.
There were five ( 5) motions made and discussion which ensued.
Clergy housing- authorization for the investigation of options for second clergy housing.
Second clergy stipend, benefits, and housing
allowances. authorization to increase the budget for the above by a maximum of $12,000 for 2013.
Expenditure of Our Faith-Our Hope funds-authorized- Signage: maximum of $35,000 with conditions.
Audio visual system-$35,000 + HST for proposed system.
Senior’s Ministry-$5,000 to initiate a transportation programme.
Refugee Law- notification of disagreement with Federal Bill C-31 which puts vulnerable persons at risk.
Further information about these motions can be obtained from the Wardens or from Father John.
Baptisms
He will baptize you with the water of the Holy Spirit. Matt:4:11
The following two children were received into Christ’s grace at the
Easter Vigil on March 30, 2013.
Xavier Charles Henry-McIntosh
Ziyah Eileen Atkins-Forde
Welcome to St. Timothy’s congregation!
The next baptisms will take place on Sunday, May 19. Please call the church office at 416-293-5711 to make arrangements with the clergy.
MILESTONES Entered into God’s Holy
Presence
Our sympathy goes out to the families and friends of those who have gone before us.
Yvonne Peterson - Mother of Shauna Van Hoof
Sylvia Bonis - Sister of Ruth Spink
Previous longtime loved members of St. Timothy’s: Gordon Barnes and Bessie Kingsmill
Go in Peace Mark 5:34
In this issue … some highlights
Parish Organization 02 Vestry Highlights 03
Milestones 03 Meet The Deputy Wardens 04
A Word From John 05 Worship Schedule 06
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 4
MEET THE NEW DEPUTY WARDENS Janet Trim- Deputy Rector’s Warden
Janet and her husband Bill, of 49 years, have been residents of Scarborough for the past 22 years, and therefore know the area well. They have been attending the 9:15 service for the past 4 years. Janet has been active with the Our Faith - Our Hope Campaign, the Hot Lunch Program as well as being instrumental in the organization of the Blessing of the Animals service. She is a dog lover. She is also a member of the Welcoming Committee. Gardening gives Janet pleasure.
Janet brings with her a wealth of experience from her business background of representing general contractors in her role as a Construction Relations Officer. She also sat as a part time management member of the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
She sees a challenge in working with the Property Committee to deal with their many issues as well as helping to grow the congregation of St. Timothy’s to develop its role in the community.
Xavier Dias—Deputy People’s Warden
Xavier has been an active member of St. Timothy’s for approximately eight years and is well known to many people in the church. During this time she has taken on many different roles. Now she is ready to take on a more challenging role. She brings to this position her background in banking as well as that of an involved person with many interests.
Singing is her passion as she is a member of the Saturday Night Healing Service choir as well as being active in the planning activities for the choir. She is also a member of the 11 a.m. choir.
Xavier has been involved with the Thursday Hot Lunch in the role of Kitchen Co-ordinator and cook. When special meals are prepared, Xavier is the go-to gal.
Xavier can be found at Altar Guild, the Belles, and Craft Club. She loves to travel and to dance. She is definitely a people person.
As she looks forward to the future, Xavier has faith in the support and willingness of the people of St. Timothy's and their ability to meet challenges as they present themselves.
Through the Looking Window (Tomb At Petra)
On Monday, April 15 in the mid-afternoon, I arrived at my hotel to begin a week away and I casually flicked on the television. I was greeted by the first images of the Boston bombings. A week later the story broke of the plot to bomb a VIA train. The day before that, a TD Bank was robbed in Toronto and two were shot.
We live in a world of such conflict and it seems to me that conflict is not just restricted to “big ticket” items like bombings and bank robberies. All one needs to do is drive along any Toronto street and observe the driving habits of fellow drivers. There is an increase in books and journals describing the loss of civility in our society. Perhaps Lynne Truss’ incisive book: Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, (or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door) is the best popular statement of the problem. So what do Christians have to say about conflict and tension in this world? Several weeks ago a member of St. Timothy’s told me how they had been treated rudely by a fellow member of the parish. The comment was made to me, “What do we have to offer our world if we can’t even love each other within these four walls?” Challenging words indeed; they cut to the core of the matter. At the Last Supper Jesus told his closest friends, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” The earliest Christians commended themselves to all those observing them from the outside by the deep love that they showed to each other. That love was characterized by sacrificial giving, by grace, and by compassion.
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
A WORD FROM JOHN
PAGE 5 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS
And then that love spilled out to the wider com-munity in acts of mercy and kindness. The Christians showed their world a different way, a way so unlike the brutality and incivility of that age, an age which looks increasingly similar to ours. Please indulge me in a moment of confession: there are times when I don’t feel particularly loving or even kind or even that I want to be civil to some people. But here’s where the message of the Pentecost season is so vital. None of us can be loving, gracious, kind, or even civil consistently on our own. We are all sinners and we all fail. The message of Pentecost is not just that God is with us but that by His Spirit he can actually dwell in us and give us strength and power to live as we ought.
To steal a page from our computer-dominated society, as Christians our “default settings” in all circumstances must be love, grace, and mercy. I know that I am not capable of that on my own but I am thankful that the Holy Spirit has been given to help and sustain me in my efforts to live rightly. And oh yes, I still fail. It is in those times that I am thankful for the forgiveness that is always present when I come humbly with a penitent heart to our Lord. And then I get up and with the Spirit’s help, I try again. Love, grace, and mercy: may they be our desire and our goal always both in our life as a community and in our witness to the world.
John +
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Friendship is a miracle…, a precious gift from Christ, our living Saviour.
Staying close to Godly friends, helps us stay close to God.
Embracing God's LOVE for us is the KEY to loving others.
Remember, LOVE is the centerpiece of thriving relationships.
John, Chapter 1, Verses 7 and 8.
Joyce Chung
PAGE 6 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
Spring-Summer, 2013
8:00 a.m.
1st and 3rd Sundays of the month: Eucharist (BAS – p. 230)
2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month Eucharist (BAS – modern rite)
Until June 16 9:15 a.m.
All Sundays Modern rite with “blended worship”: contemporary songs and traditional hymns
11:00 a.m.
1st Sunday of the month: Eucharist (BCP rite)
3rd Sunday of the month Choral Matins (BCP) & Eucharist (12:15 pm)
2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays Eucharist (BAS – modern rite)
From June 23 – September 1 10:00 a.m.
1st & 3rd Sundays of the month: Eucharist (BAS – p. 230)
2nd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of the month Eucharist (BAS – modern rite)
(Matins is not celebrated in the summer months)
Worship at St. Timothy’s
On Our Way to St. James Cathedral for the Ordinations of Mark and Kevin
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 7
FAST FRIARS
Here we are at the start of spring and we have already concluded one event. February saw our second annual Fast Friars Men’s Breakfast on February 23 with guest speaker Bob Saunders who presented the history of different buildings in the city.
Our next event will be our President’s BBQ on Monday, June 3. Look for further information coming in the near future.
As always, the Friars are looking for new ideas, so if you have something you would like to see or do, please pass along your idea to one of the executive members.
All men of St. Timothy’s are welcome and, as members of the parish, are members of the Friars.
If you have any questions, or would like to volunteer with the Men’s Club feel free to ask any of our executive.
David Blizzard, 416-491-1038
President
BELLES
The Belles have closed off their season with the Annual Dinner. Thank you to all of the women of the church who have supported the events sponsored by the Belles.
We regret to say we will not be able to sponsor any future excursions or bus trips. The insurance carrier for the Diocese will not cover such trips. We have enjoyed these ventures and wish to thank Betty Steele and her team for their diligent planning and the fun we all shared.
The Planning Committee wishes you a happy, healthy summer and we look forward to seeing you at our first autumn event.
PAGE 8 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
WARDENS There are all manner of new happenings at St Timothy’s this spring. Just as “all the King’s horses and all the King’s men tried to put Humpty Dumpty together again,” at St. Timothy’s we are trying to put things back together to make them new again.
We have two new Wardens: Deputy Rector’s Warden Janet Trim, and Deputy People’s Warden Xavier Dias. We have a new Treasurer, Maureen Barton, who grew up at St. Timothy’s. In the fall, we will welcome a new curate into our fold. And as the search begins for an Office Manager, please keep us in your prayers.
We already have new windows downstairs. New shelves are being installed in the Bonis Room for more Library books. Ohhh, but we are working on new signage outside and then inside, new lighting in the sanctuary, new roof on the garden shed, a new cupboard for garbage and storage outside the kitchen, and a restoration of the brick work and walls outside and inside the church. Eventually there will be a new paint job inside the church. New plans for the front garden area are being formed now that the underpass is completed. Whoops - and a renewal of the parking lot. Love the pot holes!
All this new work is really replacing what is tired, broken, and worn out. Something new is to be put in its place because everything needs replacing or to be renewed. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun”. Oh dear, how tired that sounds. Many of us can identify with that statement made so many years ago. Such a lot of planning, replacing, and renew-ing cannot happen unless everyone in the St. Timothy family lends a hand. Many hands make light work. Many of us are feeling tired and worn out too, but sometimes tackling a new job or lending a hand at something familiar can put a new spring in our step.
The Wardens are very thankful for all who contribute to the life of St. Timothy’s Church, and we encourage everyone to continue sharing their God-given gifts.
Your Wardens,
Sheila Martin, Joan Marshman, Janet Trim,
Xavier Dias
CALL TREE After many years of absence, our Call Tree at St. Timothy’s has been revived. The Call Tree is used to inform parishioners on our calling list about events that may happen suddenly, or be of importance to the parish as a whole. The critical nature of these events is determined by our Incumbent who will call our leader Joyce, or her backup if she is not available. Joyce will call many of her call trees or branches who, in turn, will call their branches.
The scope is to reach as many parishioners on short notice and as quickly as possible.
Joyce is always looking for additional volunteers who are willing to be callers, and so, if you are interested and wish to help, please let her know. Joyce can be reached at 416-733-4066 or by email at [email protected]
Wellington Phoa
ST. TIMOTHY’S BURSARY
The bursary is open to St. Timothy's parishioners who are completing secondary school and going on to post secondary learning. The application brochures will be on the Outreach bulletin board.
PAGE 9 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
PROPERTY
The Property Committee is in need of new members. As you all are aware, St. Timothy’s is 100+ years old and therefore is always in need of repair and maintenance. So, the Property Committee is an important and vital part of the church.
The duty of a Property Committee member is not to perform the work oneself, but to review the work needing to be done and decide whether it can be done by the Sexton, the Workshop group, or an outside contractor. Although it is an important job it is not too onerous.
We meet on the 2nd Wednesday of every month from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. (at the latest).
Think about it – maybe this is just the place for you in the St. Timothy’s family of volunteers!
Steve Lincoln, 416-299-3441
Chair
ST. TIMOTHY’S GARDEN
Ah, spring! The time of new growth, new energy and expectations.
Five years ago, I looked at the surroundings of our church and set myself a goal to rebuild our gardens and help to beautify our church. I have put in a lot of hours, energy, and money into this project. I am thankful for the assistance of several members and non-members of the parish who have moved plants, donated plants, weeded, watered, dug out roots, and moved soil. This job could not have been done without their assistance. I am especially thankful for the help of Bill Trim for the hours of
caring for the garden around the entrance. Devi Abrahams has built, planted, and cared for the garden to the left of the entrance. Thank you Devi— it continues to bring pleasure to all.
The garden now has an assortment of perennial plants that will flower throughout the season in various colours, with a little room to expand. There is also space for adding annuals for colour.
I now feel my goal has been achieved and it’s time to turn the care and feeding over to others who wish to carry on.
Please contact Joan Marshman, 416-293-3326
God does love gardens.
Peggy Perkins
ACTS Chapter Verses 2 to 4
2 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
SATURDAY NIGHT HEALING SERVICE
ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 10 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
I was going to say that I hope to see you all next month for the next service! But there will not be a service next month due to the wedding of Mr. Tim Phoa. The SNHS Group wishes to thank the Men’s Woodshop for building a new dolly and bench extension, which made it easier to move the Clavinova. Having it on the wooden dolly has augmented the reverberation, giving it more of a concert hall sound. Well, that’s what we think! You men are fabulous. Thank you for giving of your talents.
We’ll be back in June before our break for the summer and I hope you will join us on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at 7.00 p. m.
Love and Blessings,
Xavier.
Hi folks! After the last Saturday service, it struck me that there were so many testimonies of healing that demonstrated God’s touch on so many people at St. Timothy’s. I know, for one, my niece who had a little cyst growing in her ear that lodged itself on the base of her brain causing a tumour and deafness in one ear. I am happy to say that after radiation they have given her the good news that although she will be permanently deaf in that ear, she is going to be well. An MRI will be done one year from now to really confirm that everything is O.K. I give God thanks and praise for He did say, “Where two or three are gathered together He will hear and answer our prayers”. So Alleluia! Please continue to pray for her. Thanks. Jonathan Massimi, from the Diocese of Huron, was our priest for the April Saturday Night Healing Service. His sermon was from John 21:1-19. He started out by telling us of his young days in Sunday School and how the children learned about the Bible by singing Bible-related songs. The sanctuary was so quiet. Everyone was listening . . . until someone dropped a bottle of water! Do you know what? No one turned back to see the cause. All eyes and ears were on Jonathan. There were moments of laughter and we all wanted to hear what was coming next.
Rock of Moses Eucharist Preparation
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 11
HEALTH & SAFETY
Incident Reporting
We would like to answer the What, Where, When, Why, Who and How questions you have about incident reporting.
An incident may be a fall, a cut, or a time when someone is hurt or injured at St. Timothy’s. Our goal is to make St. Timothy’s a safe place to work and worship for everyone.
What is it?
The Incident Reporting Form is one page that needs to be filled out if someone gets hurt or there is an incident or accident at St. Timothy’s.
Where do we find the form?
Blank forms are stored in the First Aid Kits. They can also be found in the Health & Safety folder at the top of the stairs at the main entrance. Once completed, they may be handed to any member of the Health and Safety Committee (see below) or left in the office.
When do I fill it out?
At the time of, or as soon as possible after an incident occurs.
A form should also be completed if you identify an unsafe situation at St. Timothy’s.
Why must I do this?
This gives the Committee the information they need to make any necessary changes that may prevent similar incidents in the future.
Who fills it out?
Reporting is the responsibility of everyone at St. Timothy’s. If you are hurt, see someone else get hurt, or provide first aid assistance at St. Timothy’s, then you need to complete the form and submit it.
How do I fill it out?
Complete the form in ink as directed on the page. If you need help, please ask a sidesperson or a member of the Health & Safety Committee. We are here to help!
Committee Members:
Rev. Ken Keen; Joan Marshman(Warden); George Patten; Wellington Phoa (Secretary); Rev. John Stephenson (Rector); Carolyn Stephenson (Chair); Cheryl Tai; Lavan Thirukeetheesawaranathan
Lunch for one! Pictured is a sample of the delicious roast beef dinner served to 72 Thursday Hot Lunch guests on April 25th. Special thanks to our chefs: Xavier Dias, Devi Abrahams, Penny Laity, Peggy Perkins, and to a parish member whose financial contribution made this special treat possible!
Congratulations to you Danny for your volunteer service over the past five years at the Hot Lunch Program.
PAGE 12 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2
ALTAR GUILD
Holy Week and Easter have passed. The Altar Guild extends thanks and appreciation to all who made donations towards Easter flowers. We also owe a huge thank you to those who delivered plants and flowers to the shut-ins on Easter Day, and who helped with Easter preparations. Holy Week held many meaningful services. Thank you to all Altar Guild members for your dedication during this very busy time. Pentecost is the next Festival on our calendar. At that time, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. Decorations, banners, and the Altar frontal will reflect the colours red and white.
We then move to "ordinary time" and the colour will be green - the colour of nature and a time to grow in our faith. If you are a team player and would like to join us, please speak to any member of the Altar Guild, or drop by the Sacristy any Saturday morning.
Roz Trotter, Directress;
Eileen Turner, Co-Directress
On March 19, twenty-one ladies from the congregation and Craft Club gathered to fold four hundred and forty (440!) Palm Crosses. It is always an interesting and satisfying adventure for first timers. It’s surprising how so much conversation and laughter occur while accomplishing something that will be shared at the Palm Sunday services and with shut-ins. We finished in record time this year with so many volunteers and enjoyed tea, coffee and treats. Thank you ladies. See you next year!
Christmas projects are already keeping us busy with new and original items for the 2013 season. We are sure everyone is glad to see the end of winter. However, if you can “think winter” for just a moment and picture, if you will, your pet dog in a new coat to keep off the snow and to give shelter from the wind. We have a variety of patterns and fabrics that will keep them cozy and warm. The Craft Club meets on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. You are welcome to stop by anytime for a visit. Tea and coffee are always available. Ann, Marge, Nora, Eileen
CRAFT CLUB
“In the nineteenth century, many Anglican theologians, both evangelical and catholic, embrace positively the proposal of evolution” - Arthur Peacocke
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS Page 13
LIBRARY
Spring at last! As always, just when we think it will never arrive, God is faithful and the buds start popping out of the ground and appearing on the trees. Before we all get busy outdoors – gardening, golfing, walking ... whatever your pleasure, there are some new items in the Library you might want to check out.
Recently in a sermon, our Deacon Kathy mentioned in a sermon a book titled “Radical Gratitude”. It was written by Mary Jo Leddy, a religious scholar and former nun, known for her work with refugees in Toronto. We now have that book on the shelf at 241.4, as well as another book by her, “The Other Face of God”, at 261.8, which concerns her work at Romero House, a downtown refugee centre.
Both books are in the Non-Fiction section. An interesting short read is “À Stitch and a Prayer” by Phyllis Tickle, a short memoir of faith and youth during WWII. Or perhaps you would enjoy “The Maytrees”, a novel by Annie Dillard about love, marriage, and aging, set in Cape Cod.
There are several new books for children in the Library downstairs including children’s versions of the stories of Moses, the Good Shepherd, the Good Samaritan, and Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus.
Before the golfers hit the golf course, they might want to investigate “Golf and the Spirit” by M. Scott Peck at 796.3 in the Non-Fiction area. And for the gardeners, on the shelf at 242 is a charming book of information and meditations inspired by wildflowers, written by Deborah Hedstrom-Page and titled, “Meet Me in the Meadow”.
If they’re not on the shelf, the books cited above will be on display.
Happy spring to all.
Donna Clifton
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VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 14
Pilgrimage To The Holy Land, February 2013
It was a privilege to visit the Holy Land and the biblical sites of the Old Testament. My father was an Anglican bishop for the Diocese of Algoma from 1983 – 1994 and he never had the opportunity to go. “Have Fun” were the last words my mother said to me before I left. We were both on a journey. Mom was in University Hospital in London dying of cancer after a life well-lived. I was off to the Holy Land.
The barrenness of the land in the Negev Desert in Israel and in most of Jordan was striking. Everywhere you looked there was sand and rock for miles. Yet in the midst of this were signs of life: red flowers, rows of date and banana palm trees with blue bags over the bananas, tree plantings with tubes to collect dew to nourish the plants, and flowering almond trees.
Water is a precious commodity in this region and it affects the boundaries, politics, agriculture, architecture, and way of life. This was very evident in the Golan Heights where the source of fresh water for the Sea of Galilee is carefully guarded and frequently fought over.
The juxtaposition of the ancient and modern is particularly striking. The multi-storied apartment buildings and hotels contrast sharply with the flat-roofed simple structures of previous times.
Like others who have visited the Holy Land, being baptised in the Jordan River, taking Holy Communion at the hill where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, to a final Eucharist service in Jerusalem were all very moving experiences. We also enjoyed visiting the birthplace of Jesus, Nazareth, Cana, the Garden of Gethsemane, the Via Dolorosa, and the Holy Sepulchre.
Highlights of the trip were the visit to Petra, the ancient town carved into the cliffs of sandstone in the Jordanian desert, and Mount Nebo where Moses died. We also visited Scythopolis, the only Roman city of the Decapolis west of the Jordan River, Masada, one of Herod’s fortress castles, and the Dead Sea.
As a group we agreed that the fellowship was amazing. We started each day with prayer and ended with compline. Bible readings were held at each significant biblical site. It was a time of spiritual growth for us all.
I received a call from a Jewish friend in Canada on our first night in Jerusalem. She informed me that my mother had passed on as we were on our way up from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. She told me that my mother’s last gift to me was the opportunity to go to Israel. I had called my mother the day before and told her that I was thinking about her and my father when we were on the Sea of Galilee, and on the hill where Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor and blessed are those who mourn.”
I am grateful for the sacrifices my mother made for her family. I am also grateful for the chance to visit a very spiritual place with kind, caring, and patient Christians. We owe a special thank you to “Father John”, as he was called in Israel, for his knowledge of the area, his biblical knowledge, and administrative skills in leading our small band of pilgrims through the Middle East.
Shauna van Hoof
Mines of Solomon Wilderness of Zin Sea of Gallilee
VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS PAGE 15
An Anglican Moment
On Sunday May 19, 50 days after Easter, Anglicans will be celebrating the Day of Pentecost – also known as Whitsunday. (The name Whitsunday may be a contraction of White Sunday, as white garments were worn by those being baptized on that day.) Today we are more accustomed to the Greek name of Pentecost – meaning 50 days.
Far more important than the meaning of a name is what we celebrate – the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem. This awesome gift empowered those disciples to go out and communicate the good news about Jesus.
It signalled the beginning of the Church.
On May 19, we will once again hear that wonderful Pentecost story from Acts 2 and our liturgical colour will be red to symbolize and call to mind the joy and fire of the Holy Spirit.
Even though the Church has been acknowledging God’s provision for its growth by celebrating the Day of Pentecost, it was not the first to celebrate a feast of Pentecost. There was already a Feast of Pentecost – a much more ancient celebration. (“When the Day of Pentecost had come...” Acts 2:1) It was a most special feast day called Shabuoth of the Feast of Weeks held 50 days after Passover. It was a thanksgiving and celebration of God’s bounty in the grain harvest. Tradition also has it that the feast day com-memorated the giving of the Law at Sinai 50 days after the Exodus began.
In other words, our celebration on May 19 is part of a very ancient tradition of rejoicing and giving thanks for all God has done for his people – the gift of a bountiful harvest and the bountiful gift of his Holy Spirit.
Rev. Kathy Buligan
OUTREACH
Walkathon 2013
Saturday June 22nd starting at 9:00 a.m.
Milliken Park (corner of Steeles and McCowan)
Pledges will support a vital St. Timothy’s community ministry
Come and join us on the 22nd. Say a prayer with us. Enjoy great fellowship. Become a sponsored walker. Sponsor a walker.
Wednesday Breakfast for the Homeless
Every Wednesday morning throughout the year, a team of St. Timothy’s volunteers provides a nutritious breakfast in a safe, caring, and supportive environment for the homeless in our Agincourt community.
Your ongoing support for this ministry is so very much appreciated.
Rev. Kathy Buligan
St. Timothy’s Anglican Church, Agincourt
4125 Sheppard Avenue East Scarborough, Ontario M1S 1T1 Phone: 416-293-5711 Rev. Dr. John Stephenson, Rector, ext. 3 Rev. Kathy Buligan, Deacon, ext. 5 Rev. Ken Keen, Honorary assistant Rev. Ron Scott, Honorary assistant
YOUR NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE
Comm. Chair: Rev. John Stephenson Taskmaster: Peggy Perkins Wrangler of Words: Ron Benson Master of Print: Les Birmingham Watchful Eye: Shauna Van Hoof Nitpicker: Wellington Phoa
Newsletter Deadlines You are all welcome to contribute to our newsletter. If you decide to compose an article, it should be current and of interest to parishioners. If you are promoting an event it must occur between the next distribution date and the following distribution date (a three-month interval). Your participation will always make our newsletter interesting!
Articles Receipt Date Distribution Date
Sept 1, 2013 Sept 22, 2013
PAGE 16 VOLUME 7, ISSUE 2 ST. TIMOTHY’S NEWS
Send items by e-mail to Peggy Perkins at [email protected]
If you do not have a computer, you can handwrite your article and place it in the Newsletter folder at the top of the stairs.
First Stop in Petra
