Food Bank donations are received on the last Sunday of each month.
Copies of the “UPPER ROOM” for Nov.-Dec. are available.
Looking for a “symbol” for Christmas Eve worship: Do you have a world “globe” that Nan could borrow? Also in search of floor shuffleboard cues and disks that we might use during the winter months in St. Mark’s hall. Please speak to Nan if you can help.
Seasons of the Spirit encourages setting up a Contemplative Corner for prayer during Advent and Christmas. There is a space at the back of the balcony at St. Mark’s to gather for quiet prayer on Tuesday December 20th at 9:30 a.m. Everyone welcome. Nan is at St. David’s Wednesday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00. Drop by for a coffee.
41st General Council Youth Forum
General Council 2012 Youth Forum will be held in Ottawa, ON August 11-18, 2012, with the theme Seeking Justice, Loving Kindness, and Walking Humbly. The Youth Forum program will gather over 90 youth from each Presbytery/District in the United Church of Canada. Inverness-Guysborough Presbytery is now seeking interested youth who will be 15 to 20 years of age as of August 11, 2012 . The deadline for application is February 1, 2012. One Youth Forum delegate and one alternate will be selected from applicants. Please let young people know of this opportunity. Application forms are available in the pastoral charge office—speak to Nan for information and forms.
Introducing Gifts with Vision: A United Church Christmas Giving Catalogue
Now available online http://www.giftswithvision.ca/ Here's your chance to browse, consider, and choose gifts that are helping to create a better world. The gifts that you will find in the catalogue are visionary: they don't just sit on a shelf-they improve people's lives! Give one of these gifts and you provide food and shelter, improve health, promote peace and justice, and empower communities. The Gifts with Vision catalogue supports the work of Mission and Service partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and right here in Canada. Contributions create healthy places to live, promote justice, provide social services, and enliven worship. Through the Gifts with Vision catalogue, you can do something extra for Mission and Service national and global partners and support their work by making a gift in honour of friends or family to specific partner activities.
Interested in being baptized or affirming your faith as you join the congregation of St. Mark’s or St. David’s. Speak to Nan. Next opportunity for Baptism, transfer of membership and adult affirmation of faith will be Baptism of Jesus Sunday, January 8th.
Advent & Christmas Worship Services:
Dec. 21st – Longest Night Candlelight Service 6:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s
Dec. 24th Christmas Eve Service
6:30 p.m. – Service at St. Mark’s with Communion
8:00 p.m. – Service at St. David’s with Communion
Dec. 25th – Christmas Day Service; 9:30 am.. Combined Worship at St. Mark’s with Potluck Breakfast
Jan. 1st – New Year’s Day 11:00 a.m. Combined Worship Service at St. David’s
ST. MARK’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
Youth Group – December 18th at 7:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s
ST. MARK’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Dec. 20th – Congregational Board Meeting.- 6:30 p.m. * Executive only
Members of St. Mark’s Congregation have formed a committee to compile a cookbook and we want your “tried and true” favorite recipes. If you want to share your recipes, please type them up and forward to Ruth MacRae at angus.macrae@sympatico.ca or write them up and put on the collection plate and I will type them up. We’re looking for recipes in all categories. This cookbook will be an excellent fundraiser for our church, so pass on your recipes. Any anecdotes re the origin of your recipe(s) or any other comments are most welcome.”
St. Mark's Worship and Pastoral Care Committee is establishing aPastoral Care Visitation Team, an informal group of laypeople who will extend pastoral care and a compassionate presence to members of our congregation. Interested in helping us provide this ministry, supported by our minister, Nan? Please call the Church Office or speak to any member of the Worship and Pastoral Care Committee.
ST. DAVID’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
St. David’s Hall Cleaners for December are Jean Hatcher and Marjorie Langford.
REMINDER: The Treasurer will close her books on December 31, 2011. Any donations received after date will be credited to 2012.
