St. Aidan's Audio Newsletter: Apr 2013

7/29/2019 St. Aidan's Audio Newsletter: Apr 2013

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APRIL 2013-EASTER ISSUE ~ ST.AIDANS ANGLICAN CHURCH LONDON EASTER 2013

1246 Oxford St. W. London, Ont N6H 1V7

P: (519) 471-1430 E:[email protected]: www.staidans.net

Audio NewsletterEaster ~ April 2013 Edition

Message from Our Rector

These days at St. Aidans are exciting ones indeed. I begin this Easter

letter by thanking all of you who have been bravely entering into change

with a new Rector, a new Associate Curate, a new combined church of St.

Aidans with the combining of the former community with the former

community of the Church of the Hosannas. Change is not easy. Through all

of the changes we are embracing, our parishioners and volunteers have

remained committed and faithful and for that I am so very grateful and the

Parish Leadership Team is grateful.

As I write this we are in the midst of Holy Week and we are making ready for

our Easter celebrations. This is an exciting time in the churchs year as it

marks the very climax of our Christian story. Easter is the promise of hope! It

is the declaration that death has no dominion over us and that light will

always triumph over darkness. It is difficult at times for us to accept that truth when we witness so much

darkness around us.

It occurred to me the other day that there is a whole industry which feasts on bad news. Whether we look at

the newspapers, the TV, or internet news sites, they all seem to be more active, more productive and moresevere the worse things are in the community around us. Bad news is good business for the media. What is

more, it seems that the media drive the news. The more doom and gloom we hear, the gloomier we feel and

the less productive we are. I think we as church have to respond in the midst of these crises. Whether we are

responding to problems in the global economy, issues of poverty in our city, violence in the world, care for our

seniors, food for the rising numbers of hungry, war as breaks out, persecution of people of many faiths, (the

list could go on), we must always keep the hope of Jesus before us.

How do we respond? We stare into the face of this bad news and answer the call to tell the good news! We

need to let people know what Jesus of Nazareth long ago proclaimed. Jesus long ago implored the people of

God to turn their attention to light, to hope, to repentance, to forgiveness and to what is of God. Thiscommunity has what is needed to respond.

As I have come to know the people of our newly formed St. Aidans I have come to recognize that we have a

people who are firm in faith in the God who will care for us in the midst of our best and worst of times. What

we do have here is a parish full of caring, loving, laughing, crying, supportive people who are actively seeking

to serve Christ in all persons. We have a place where it is safe to pray, to weep, to laugh, to dance and to

mourn. We have a place that can be a sanctuary from all that seems to be happening on Bay Street, or Main

Street, in London or in Syria. We have a place that is delivering GOOD NEWS on, not just a weekly, but a daily

basis.

Revd Canon Dr. Kevin George
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We need to proclaim that promise to the people of Northwest London. Now more than ever people need

community. There is always hope! We are a people who are compelled to proclaim that hope and thatfreedom to the world. We can be that community for those who are seeking.

Easter provides for us a feast which declares triumph over bad news, over darkness, over death. In Easter we

celebrate the very notion that God would care to be present to those who are weak, alone, afraid, rejected,

alienated, laid off, insecure, fired, forgotten, bankrupt, beaten up, depressed, abused or pushed aside. In

Easter we are reminded that God empowers those who are the weakest to stand in the face of that which is

oppressive and declare-that God has dominion over us. Darkness will not dominate our lives

I cannot find the words to describe Easter appropriately. It is so profound and so wonderful that words escape

me. So I turn now to a man who I have quoted many times to speak a word of hope and healing, DesmondTutu.

Nothing could have been deader than Jesus on the cross on that first Good Friday. And the hope of his

disciples had appeared to die with the crucifixion. Nothing could have been deeper than the despair of

his followers when they saw their Master hanging on the cross like a common criminal. The darkness

that covered the earth for three hours during that Friday symbolized the blackness of their despair.

And then Easter happened. Jesus rose from the dead. The incredible, the unexpected, happened. Life

triumphed over death, light over darkness, love over hatred, good over evil. This is what Easter means

hope prevails over despair. Jesus Reigns as Lord of Lords and King of Kings. Oppression and injustice and

suffering cant be the end of the human story. Freedom and justice, peace and reconciliation are His

will for all of us, black and white in this land and throughout the world. Easter says to us that despite

everything to the contrary. His will for us will prevail., love will prevail over hate, justice over injustice

andoppression, peace over exploitation and bitterness. The Lord is risen. Alleluia!!

The great Archbishop of the church sums it up well. Imagine being in Calvary on that Good Friday.

There could not have been more death or more despair. There could not have been a greater sense of

helplessness and hopelessness. There could not have been a deeper darkness... But the unexpected

happened and Hope does prevail over despair and Love prevails over hatred.


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Youth Ministry

Whatever it is that we are feeling coming into this Easter celebration, I would like to invite us to all

come to church and our celebrations trusting in God to be with us as we sojourn together. Let us

focus on God. I invite us to turn of MSNBC and CNN and CBC etc and open our ears to hear God speak

stillness and peace to us. I invite us to turn on to the idea that God will care for us, caress us and

support us in our joy and in our sorrow in our weakness and in our strength.

Catherinanne and I wish you the best that Easter has to offer. We are praying that you will know

Gods presence in your lives and share the light of Christ that is in you with all whom you encounter.

See you in Church!

Jennifer Aston, CYFM Volunteer Teacher

The Children & Youth Ministry Continues to Thrive at St. Aidans

What are the children doing down there?

On a typical Sunday, we gather as a whole group first for a welcome and a chat. We discuss special

events, church seasons and anything else that might come up (for example young Kylie exclaiming that SHE

helped make the bread for communion). We light the candle, remembering that Jesus is the light of the

world. Next, we collect a few coins and select children who will help bring in the bread, wine and collection

after Sunday School. Our talented and dedicated teachers then divide the children into three different groups

We have a Bubbles group which consists of three to five year olds. However, we are very flexible and children

younger than two (or older than 5) often attend. Parents are welcome in the Atrium. In this group, we often

sing songs (sometimes with the assistance of a guitar), establish friendships, play games and do crafts related

to the Bible stories. It is also nice because parents of the children get a chance to chat and get to know each

other too. A few weeks ago, our confident Bubblers proudly sang about how Jesus healed 10 people who

were sad and made them glad in front of children in the other groups!

Next, we have the Splash group which consists of six to eight year olds and the Extreme group who are nine

and older. Again, these age groupings are flexible. Sometimes siblings prefer to be together, while others like

to be apart! This is an active group where we play games, dramatize, draw, discuss and write in response to

the stories in the bible.


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News from Around St. Aidans

In any given week all three groups work on the same Bible story. In January, there was a focus on prayer,

following Jesus example as we talk and listen to God. In February, the focus was on Abraham, Sarah and their

children and the main message was that God always keeps his promises. Most recently, we have beenlearning about how Jesus healed people.

In the next few months, the children will be learning about Isaac and his family, the disciples filled with the

Holy Spirit and John the Baptist. We are also looking forward to the return of our leader Trish! We have

missed her very much.

Hymn Books

The ladies have a project to repair some of the hymn books. We will be gluing some and putting tape on

the spines on Monday, April 22nd and Thursday, April 25th. If you are able, please join us at 10 a.m. on those

days for a little bit of work and a lot of fun at the church. If you are only available on one day, please do come

Please bring along a sandwich and stay for lunch, if you can.

Thank you to Katherine for organizing this event

ACW

If you are able to attend the ACW Annual, it is at St Paul's Cathedral Saturday April 27. Registration is at 8:30

am. Heather Clark is the guest speaker and her topic is "Knit for Peace" The Right Reverend Terry Dance will be

the celebrant for the Holy Eucharist at 2:00pm. More information is on the ACW bulletin board.

Send in the Clowns

The clown ladies have their precious handmade clowns for sale. They are $20 each and can be obtained bycalling Shirley: (519) 432-5972

Construction

Please note that during the Oxford lane expansion there will be ongoing construction and reduced lanes on

Oxford Street outside of St. Aidans between April to Nov.


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Do you have something you wish to share with the parish?Maybe an opinion you want to write up and share or perhaps an inspirational story ~ maybe some

ramblings that are print worthy. If so, youre in luck, you can have a spot in the upcoming newsletter.

Just email your piece to Stephen [email protected] & you too could be an Audio

contributor.

Our Choir

Thank You!

Janice Wettlaufer, Choir President

Why You Should Join!

Music has been united in worship from the time of Jesus' ministry (Matt 26:30). Music is a

means for the religious and spiritual expression of the congregation, and is an critical part in bringing

about the unity of the community. Singing in church is a particular way of praying to and praising God.

Throughout the Bible, God calls on his children to sing, for example, Psalm 47:6 "Sing praises to God"and 1 Cor. 14:15 "I will sing praises with the spirit".

The most divine music happens when all of the congregation sings the hymn along with the Choir who

is singing the sweet harmony.

If you would like to be part of the sweetest music this side of London, Choir practice is Thursday

nights at 7:15pm, except the summer months.

The Choir looks forward to seeing you!

Thank you to everyone who helped with Bob Dann's Funeral reception. It was most

appreciated. Thank you Valerie for sending out cards on behalf of St. Aidan's. Finally, thank you to

those who attended World Day of Prayerat Riverside United Church Mar 1st. Cheryl and Marie kindly

attended the meetings and Cheryl participated in a reading.
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Jazz by the Bog

Jim and Sue Smythe, Concert Co-ordinators

Its hard to believe, but our final concert of the 11th

Season ofJAZZ BY THE BOG is just

around the cornerand hopefully, so is Spring! Welcome the beginning of this fresh new season by

joining us for an evening wonderful music presented by two of Londons favourite jazz artists.

Jennifer and John have been heard in London and surrounding area for several years, both having

been regular entertainers at Maggies Supper Club downtown. John has performed at JBTB previously

with his own trio and is a London legend on the jazz music scene. You wont want to miss the

opportunity to hear this duo!

Thank you to all of our supporters of this concert series. Our performers always have high praise for

the appreciative audiences in attendance! A special note of gratitude goes to our volunteers who

help with the production of these evenings - Eileen Allen, Heather Mills, Charlene Kerr, Cheryl

Horne, Mary Anne Emmerton, Dick Beamish, Lynne Smythe.

We look forward to seeing you at the April concert and to your continued support as we scout outnext years artists!

JAZZ BY THE BOG THE LADIES OF JAZZ III

Jennifer Thorpe with John NoubarianFri Apr 26th @ 8 pm

Tickets are $20 ea and available at these great locations:

Long & McQuade (Fanshawe Park Road) D & S Pianos (Hyde Park Road) Chapters North *NEW* - Tuckey Hardware Wortley Village Church Office (519) 471-1430 At the Door


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A Book Worth Reading

Simply Christianby Bishop Tom (N. T.) Wright

Two recent books by Bishop Tom Wright complement very well the emphasis at St. Aidans of

doing Gods work, not just privately believing. They are Simply Christian: why Christianity makes

sense (HarperSanFransisco, 2006, pp 240) & Simply Jesus: a new vision of who he was, what he did,

and why he matters (HarperOne, 2011, pp 240) Ill deal only with the first book now.

Bishop Tom is a first century historian, has taught at McGill, Oxford, held various posts in theChurch of England, culminating in being Bishop of Durham for six years, & upon retiring a year or

two ago, he took a professorship at St. Andrews, Scotland. I understand he has written around 40

books, some of which Ive also read & enjoyed. Even his most academic are written in clear language,

usually with a hook at the beginning of a chapter.

In Simply Christian he states his aim, To describe what Christianity is all about, both to commend

it to those outside the faith and to explain it to those inside.

First he explores the longing for justice, the quest for spirituality, the hunger for relationships, &

the delight in beauty, entitling it Echoes of a Voice.

Part two Staring at the Sun lays out the central Christian beliefs, & to me, showed them to be far

wider than Id thought. Christians believe that there is one true and living God, and that this

God, revealed in action in Jesus is the God who called the Jewish people to be his agents in setting

forward his plan to rescue & reshape his creation. This takes six chapters, & benefits from his

professional work as a first century historian, & he professional work as a pastor.

The last part entitled Reflecting the Image has the six chapters: Worship, Prayer, The Book God

Breathed, The Story & the Task, Believing and Belonging, (& finally) New Creation, Starting Now.

This is where Bishop Tom describes what it looks like in practice to follow this Jesus, to be energized

by this Spirit, and above all to advance the plan of this creator God.

The language is simple, but it takes time to assimilate the scope of Gods intent & what He has so

far achieved. One is stretched, seeing aspects of our faith & practice not seen or noticed before.

Simply Christian is well worth the read.


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Spring Rummage Sale!

Please contact Sandi Burns for more information or to say YESto helping out: (519) 672-9182

[email protected]

Sat May 25th: 9 am12 noonDONATION DROP-OFF

DEADLINEThurs May 23rd @ 6:30 pm

Volunteers Required for: Moving tables and racks requires physical strength Moving donations from the attic requires good legs

6-10 eager people required to help. Please note: cribs and car seats will not

be accepted

SET-UP Fri May 24th

: 9am - 6pm; Potluck Dinner for all

helpers to follow at 6 pmVolunteers Required for: Unpacking donations & arranging, if youve moved you can do this

Many hands make light work. 10-20 people are required

SALE Sat May 25th

: 9am -12 noon

Volunteers Required for: Sales people, crowd control, porters, snack organizer15-20 people are required.

POST-SALE CLEAN UP Sat May 25th

: 12:30 pm 3pm

Volunteers Required for: Putting tables and racks away Packing remaining donations shared with homes requiring clothing,

other church sales, and thrift stores in our area

10 people, preferably who havent been setting up or selling.

While this event provides a needed service of very affordable goods to the community of London, it also gives

our St. Aidans family a chance to work together and get to know each other in a different setting. All forms of

help would be appreciated. Please consider getting involved. The proceeds of this sale go into general funds

for St. Aidans; along the way we also support Mens Mission, Womens Shelter, and other non-profit

organizations hosting clothing or book sales and the local thrift stores. This event gives back in so many ways.

Wouldnt you like to be a part of that?!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]


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A Celebration!

125 Years at The Church Of The Hosannas

On Sun Mar 24th at 4 pm, the new

formed St Aidan's congregation cam

together for a special service a

reception at its Church of t

Hosannas location to celebrate 1

years of worship and ministry the

We were joined by Bishop Bob

and many former Hosannas'

parishioners and, although it

was a bittersweet occasion,everyone agreed that it had

been a wonderful time of

worship and fellowship.


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APRIL 2013 - EASTER ISSUE ~ ST AIDANS ANGLICAN CHURCH LONDON EASTER 2013




St. Aidan's AnglicaChurch

1246 Oxford St. W.

London, Ont N6H 1V7

P: (519) 471-1430E: [email protected]

W: www.staidans.net

Weekly Services: Wed at 10:30 am; Sun at 8 am & 10:30 am

RevdCanon Dr. Kevin George: R

canonkevingeorge@staidan

(519) 471-4

Anne Jaikaran:Assistant C

ajaikaran@hotmail

(519) 439-

Doug Wilson-Hodge: Rector's Wa

dougwilson-hodge@staidan

(519-433-5

Sandi Cole-Ur: Deputy Rector's Wa

sandicoleur@staidan

(519) 657-

Wendy Kilgour: People's Wawendykilgour@staidan

(519) 471-

Kara-Lee Carson-Simpson: Deputy People's Wa

kara-leesimpson@staidan

(519)641-7
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]://www.staidans.net/mailto:[email protected]

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St. Aidan's Audio Newsletter: Apr 2013

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