Announcements

This Sunday there will be soup and chili for sale, $5.00 each. All proceeds will go to PWRDF Indigenous Programs.

Steff, our Youth & Family Ministry Coordinator, wrote this reflection for National Day for Truth & Reconciliation and she wanted to share it with you. The official date for this is Sept. 30th.

The general idea of our gospel reading this week is that everyone comes to the vineyard, or faith, at different points in their lives. We might see it as unfair then, when Jesus says that our reward in Heaven is the same regardless of how long we have followed Him. But, Jesus also points out that the reward for longtime faith is indeed fair, the latecomers are receiving the same reward only by the grace of God. So if I, a lifelong follower of Jesus, have been treated justly, how could I reasonably complain that God is generous to others?

With our National Day For Truth and Reconciliation approaching, it is interesting that we are reading about “just” and “unjust” treatment. It is no secret that the appalling treatment toward our Aboriginal allies was unjust, to say the least. And it can be infuriating to think that most of the offenders were not held accountable or met with justice before their timely deaths. This seems so incredibly unfair. However, fortunately or unfortunately for us, we worship a God who isn’t “fair.” We worship a God who is gracious and merciful. How many of us would be in trouble if God gave us what we really deserved!? The punishment for our sin is death, but instead God gave us Jesus! I do struggle a bit writing this, because I cannot pretend that this makes everything easy to understand or digest. But when things are painful or hard to understand, that’s when our faith and trust in God is really put to the test.

As the ultimate “vineyard owner,” God will always be the Judge, and God will always show sinners grace and mercy. When things seem unfair, it’s quite possible that it’s because our human standards are obstructing our view of the world through God’s eyes. In these moments, my resolution is to show grace to others, pray a little harder, and try to trust God a little deeper.

Many of you were able to be here to say goodbye to Jane Sissmore last Wednesday. She has moved to Peterborough with her husband David. If anyone wanted to have Jane’s new address please contact Lindsey at the office and she will be happy to provide you with that Information. PS: Jane’s Birthday Is Oct. 6

Games night, this Saturday: 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Please register by contacting Steff Doan at transfigcyfm@gmail.com

All ages are welcome and people are encouraged to bring their favourite game. There will also be cards! Euchre was a real favourite last time we did this. We will serve pizza, with a free-will offering.

Flowers on the Altar today are giving: In memory of Loved Ones by Bill Muirhead.

You are cordially invited by Bishop Susan Bell to become a member of the Bishop’s Company, a group dedicated to providing resources that enable the bishop to respond compassionately and strategically to the emergent needs of our diocesan leaders, lay, and ordained. Membership also includes an exclusive invitation to Bishop’s Company events, a charitable tax receipt, and updates from the bishop!

You can register online here. Should you have any questions, please contact Hannah Keller, Bishop’s Company registrar. She can be reached by email or by calling 905-527-1316 ext. 380.

This year, Bishop Susan is delighted to resume in-person events; members will be invited to a special brunch with the bishop on September 14 at Liuna Station in Hamilton!

Lindsey will be away August 27 & September 3 and returning Sept 10 as Music Director and Sept 13th as Admin.

Starting in September our Offices hours are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The time has come where we are collecting school supplies for Community Cares’ “Snacks n’ Sneakers” Program!

Here are some things which they are in most need of:

• Shoes Pre-packaged
• peanut-free snacks
• Backpacks
• School supplies (pencils, glue, etc.)
• Reusable bottles

All items must be brand new

We will be collecting these for the month of August. If you would prefer to give a monetary donation toward supplies, please send it straight to community care, or give it to myself or Kelly by Sunday, August 20th so that I have time to purchase extra items. Please make sure to mark your cheque or envelope with Backpack Program. You can also eTransfer to: treasurer.transfiguration.stcath@gmail.com. Please indicate Backpack Program in the memo field!

Last year was so incredibly successful and I am excited to work together for the sweet children of our community again!

Thank you in advance! Steff

Note: There will only be a 10:30 service on July 23, July 30th, and August 6.

Newsletter on Vacation for July and August

We will have 1 newsletter In July & 1 mid-August and then resume weekly newsletters in September. If there are any messages of importance in between you will receive an email update.

Reflections will be on Vacation for July and August.

(July 21-23, 2023)

Cursillo is a weekend away intended to help Christians learn and live what is fundamental for being a Christian. The weekend includes talks given by lay people and clergy, with small group discussions, meditation and worship, all intended for the participants to learn more about themselves, God and equip them to live out their Baptismal covenant to serve Christ in all things. This is an annual event, so please contact Sheila or Sandra if interested for this year or future weekends.

On Saturday, July 29th from 9:30-3:00pm, Contemplative Prayer Niagara is offering a workshop at The Monastery of Mount Carmel in Niagara Falls. Learn to pray in silence in the tradition of St. John of the Cross and Father Thomas Keating. The workshop costs 55$ per person and includes lunch.

To register for for more information, please email Lorraine Urquhart. with your name and any dietary concerns. E-transfers can be sent to bcoleman@bell.net or cheques mailed and made out to Lorraine Urquhart at 15 Noelle Dr, St Catharines, ON, L2M 1M1

We have a few Aloe Vera Plants that Chris Atack kindly donated to the Church. If you would like to take one – please do so on Sunday.

Every Friday in June from 1:30 pm to 2:00. We will be reading Bad Girls of the Bible: and what we can learn from them. By Liz Curtis Higgs. No book to buy or reading to be done the week before just come out and join us as we learn from women such as Delilah, Rahab and Jezebel!

Sign up sheet on the bulletin board.

Flowers on the Altar today are placed by Peggy & Wayne Kelly In loving memory of Peggy’s Sister Patricia Phee.

Congratulations Perry and Brian for your work at Hospice Niagara, the care and support that you have given to those who are dying as well as their families and loved ones is one of the most loving services anyone can undertake. Thank you.

Ongoing prayer requests can be made by filling out the Lavender sheets in the Narthex. And then place the sheet in the Wood Butterfly Box.

These sheets are used for ongoing prayer requests for our Prayer Circle Group. These are not read out loud on Sundays.

Lindsey is still accepting computer keyboards at the office. If you have any you are not
using, please bring to the Church. Working or not we want them all. Thank you!