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 Message from Fr. Brad

THANKSGIVING 2021

Its hard to believe we are in the fall season already, and approaching Thanksgiving, Halloween, Remembrance day, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.  This past year seems to have flown by so quickly in many ways, and in some others it seems to have dragged on drudgingly.  I don’t know about you, but the Covid era seems to have confused my sense of time.  I will remark, “the other day….”, only to then realize, or be reminded it was months, not days. 

            Perhaps with the widespread interest in gardening and preserving and home-cooking that seems to have been brought on by the pandemic, more people will have a different sense of Thanksgiving this year, as it does have its roots in long-standing harvest festivals.  But thanksgiving is about so much more than just a good harvest from the land.  It is a book-end, of sorts, to ‘Rogation’ which is in the Spring season, and which focuses our energies and attention to our stewardship of the earth, the water, the air, the seeds, living things, and all of Creation.   At Thanksgiving, we hopefully reap the rewards of the quality of our stewardship, and are reconnected with the land and our food supply in a more direct way.

            Canadian Thanksgiving, though, has a mixed history of not just a celebration of harvest, but other significant historical events too, as I mentioned in a previous thanksgiving letter in former years.  There was a time in the 80’s and 90’s when there was a trend to bring in not just fruits and vegetables for decorating the church for Thanksgiving, but technological devices too, and tools, and other symbolic representations of things for which we are thankful.  I keep thinking this year about how many of us would have pictures of family and friends and neighbours and so many others for whom we are thankful, who have helped us get through lockdowns and isolation.  Even in the most difficult times, there are always things for which we can be thankful.  When I reflect back on our journey with this virus so far, exhausted as I am - as I suspect many of you are too -  I am so thankful for so many people and so many little kindnesses that have carried me through all this craziness. 

            So this year for Thanksgiving, maybe take some time to think about the people in our lives, instead of ‘things’ in our lives.  People.  Think about what blessings have been showered upon us by other people in our lives.  It seems to me that when we have a full understanding of this, then we are better able to be a blessing to others. 

            Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

            Fr. Brad

 

Thanksgiving Services at St. Thomas’ Church 

         Sunday, October 10         8 am and 10:30 am *

                                           *(registration is required due to COVID restrictions)

 

Chats with Brad

Tuesday’s discussion group will be starting in September, every Monday in-person in the parish hall at 10:00 AM and Tuesdays on Zoom at 7:00PM. 

This is an opportunity to keep in touch with others, and dig a bit into the weekly readings, in a very relaxed and comfortable forum. 

  Everyone and anyone is welcome.  It is a relaxed and conversational environment, centered on the readings for the upcoming Sunday each week.  People are welcome to ‘pop in’ or ‘pop out’ at their convenience. 

Please email Sandra at office@stthomasbelleville.ca to sign up for either In-person or virtual.

Dates: Starting Monday 13, 2021 from 10:00AM - 11:30AM. In-person 

                       Tuesday 14, 2021 from 7:00-8:00PM on Zoom

 

Note: In-person registration is limited. Covid protocols apply. 

 

BEHIND THE SCENE

 

Sandra provides the link to parishioners to facilitate access to upcoming events through email communications with the parish.

For the most part these are the people who have taken the initiative to solve a number of difficult challenges along the way to get us where we are at today. We extend our thanks to all of them.

As we move forward post pandemic, the intention is to continue to provide an on-line presence, accessible by the wider community, those who are shut-in or find attendance difficult.

This opens the door to those who would like to participate in a brand new form of outreach by becoming part of the team who will put these videos together on a regular basis. If you would like more information please let Shwetha or Brad know by calling 613 962-3636 or email them through the "Leadership" page on the St. Thomas’ website.

 

 

The weekly "Offering" began in April 2020 as a means of " Keeping in Touch" during the covid-19 pandemic. 

Each week readers will hopefully find support, comfort, and joy revealed in topics of their personal journey of faith,

life, family, and food. 

Rev. Kate Ann Follwell, Deacon   

click here to download "Offering" by week

 

Important Notice

Please check this website on a regular basis for updates

 

March 30, 2021- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE:

Once again St. Thomas church returns to a full lock down of all in person activities due to the rapid increase in cases locally. Further details to follow. 

 

September 2, 2021 

 

 A note to address the question of when we are hoping to be able to return to church in-person.  There has been much discussion on this matter and what parish council and the wardens have decided is that we are currently hoping for Thanksgiving weekend, October 10.  The reason we are waiting is that there is growing concern among many local medical authorities about the Delta variant spreading so widely, the increasing local numbers, and the return to school.  With school returning, and the current government protocols suggesting a 10 day isolation if someone becomes infected with  Covid, then waiting until Thanksgiving weekend gives some time for the impact of the return to school to show itself.  Our current plan is for weekly services, subject to anyone having attended who might develop symptoms and then get a positive test result, in which case we would likely cancel the following week’s in person gathering.  In the meantime, Brad, (the parish priest) is more than happy to visit outside.  We can not express our gratitude enough for your ongoing support, and the many volunteers continuing so many community ministries.  For example, our food outreach has fully quadruped in both frequency and output.  Just a little bit more, and we’ll get through this.  We can do it - just a little bit more.  Can’t wait to see everyone.
                                                                                                                                                                                                               
The wardens, rector and parish council for St. Thomas’

 

 

 

COVID-19 UPDATE  

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Further Information is also  available on the diocesan website by way of the COVID-19 Resource Hub. 

 

St. Thomas' Food Ministry

Led by Sheila Stanley, St. Thomas’ Food ministry is one of the ways that St Thomas’ Anglican Church helps to address food insecurity in our community.

New Director of Music

We are delighted to announce that Robert Martin is our new Director of Music. He is a pianist, organist and singer with over eighteen years' experience playing in churches, almost twenty years as a voice teacher and over twenty five years singing professionally.  We are confident that under his leadership, our Music Ministry will continue to enhance our worship. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Caring Community

St. Thomas' Church delivers support for Wounded Warriors Canada. read more

 

 Meatless Monday at St. Thomas'

Meatless Monday is a global movement that everyone can join – and enjoy! It’s easy, inexpensive and a chance to make a really make difference. Read more and find recipes.

 

 

Kitchen user education

 Please stay current with proper kitchen safety and practices.

The Kitchen Manual can be found as a download in the Resource section of this website. This should be read periodically by all users to keep updated. Any questions should be directed to the church kitchen management team. This is important for insurance purposes.

Education sessions for those requiring supervisor training or those wishing an update will be held as needed. Please give your name to the office and the Kitchen Team will get back to you with the time of the next session. The education only takes about half an hour, but it’s a vital part of our compliance with local health and safety regulations, now that we have been approved to cook and serve food to the general public.

Register for training through the office by phoning 613 962-3636 or emailing office@stthomasbelleville.ca. 

 

ST THOMAS' AND ST PAUL'S MINISTRY FUND-

Following considerable discussion, the purpose, funding sources, project proposals and application process have been redefined.  click here to get all the details

HOYER MEMORIAL FUND  for more information

 

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MUSIC AT ST THOMAS'

​​full details

 

LIFE EVENTS

Baptism - For information on being baptised, please go here

Weddings - If you are interested in celebrating your wedding at St. Thomas', please go here