Announcements

We’re teaming up with Purdys Chocolatier to fundraise for Transfiguration this Easter. Stock up on your favourite Purdys Easter treats (did someone say Hedgehogs?) and support a great cause at the same time—it’s the best of both worlds. All fundraising profit raised will directly support our church, so every order makes a great difference to us.

Ordering is as easy as eating chocolate. Just click this link: https://fundraising.purdys.com/1718990-105474 , fill out your info you’ll need an email address, click “Join Campaign”, and order to your heart’s content! If you prefer, order forms are available at the church office, and you can submit them to Katherine Kerley with payment.

The order deadline is March 15, 2023 in order to get your orders in time for Easter, so get shopping!

This Sunday we will Commission our Parish Council at the 10:30 service.

They are:

Wardens

• Ray Elder
• Barbara Sainty
• Kelly Twerdy

Lay Delegates and Alternate Lay Delegate to Synod

• Byron Nicholson
• Beth Kerley
• Barbara Forder

Parish Council Members

• Karen Perry
• Joanne Lynagh
• Don Alsop
• Carrie Adewumi
• Debra Shiers
• Jane Sissmore

“Life is so beautiful. Life is so hard.”

This is one of Kate Bowler’s observations as she ponders the terrible things that she is dealing with. I discovered Kate during the dark days of the pandemic through one of my Instagram fitness friends who recommended that I read No Cure for Being Human (and other truths I need to hear). I fell in love with Kate’s writing – her optimism, her humour, and how she reconciles her beliefs and her blessings during her own dark days.

She was at the height of her career, teaching Divinity at Duke University with a new baby at home, when she was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer. She has written many books about what it means to be #blessed, how we try to make our lives look more perfect, and what to do when our faith is challenged. I’m looking forward to this Lenten study to dive into her latest work! ~Justine Cotton

Our Lenten Study is written by Kate Bowler and is called “Bless the Lent we Actually Have” we will have two sessions; one on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm beginning on March 1st (this will either be in person or on Zoom, please state your preference when you sign up) and on Thursday Mornings at 11:00am here at the church beginning on March 2nd. There will be a sign up sheet in the front hall.

This study is meant to be done while reading Kate’s book “The Lives we Actually Have: One Hundred Blessings for Imperfect Days” which is available for purchase on-line but it is not necessary to have to be part of the group discussion.

Dear Parish Family,

This week in the mail we received a nice surprise: three thank-you notes from our FACS Christmas sponsees! Please see the CYFM bulletin board if you would like to read them, along with a lovely note from the FACS staff. I’d like to thank all of you again as well, for your continued support and generosity!

-Steff

Services for Ash Wednesday with the imposition of ashes and communion will be at 10:30am and 7:00pm.

At the meeting we will be electing a People’s Warden, Deputy People’s Warden, 2 Lay Delegates to Synod, 1 Alternate Delegate to synod and 2 Members of Parish Council. If you would like more information about any of these positions or wish to put your name forward please contact Rev. Sheila.

The flowers at the lectern today are given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Murray Alexander Crawford Browning, the gift of his family.

Thank you Luke

For the last seven years Luke Herman has been the caretaker for our church, he was instrumental in keeping the building sanitized and safe for all during Covid. Luke completed his employment with us at the end of January and has started studies in Accounting. We wish Luke all the best in his studies other endeavours in life.

Welcome Shirley

A warm welcome to our new custodian Shirley Delaney. Shirley has over seven years of experience in custodial work and we look forward to many years of working together. Welcome Shirley.

Folks, time is running out to sign you, your neighbours or even friends and family up for our upcoming outing to the Niagara Ice Dogs! It’s Feb. 19th (Sunday) after church, 2:00 p.m. at the Meridian Centre vs. The Sudbury Wolves. The more we get signed and attending, the more we save on ticket prices. Should be a fun outing. Hope to see you there. Just sign up in the Narthex on the bulletin board.

Just in case you want to mark your calendar:

• Feb 22 – Ash Wednesday
• Feb 26 – Lent 1
• April 2 – Palm Sunday
• April 6 – Maundy Thursday
• April 7 – Good Friday
• April 9 – Easter Sunday

Anyone wishing to place memorial flowers in the sanctuary (church), please sign up on the request sheet on the bulletin board. We need to have your name and the date you request the flowers, as well as an indication of who they are for. Example: In memory of loved ones, or the person’s name and/or relationship and/or a special occasion. You can place memorial flowers anytime of the year. If you have any questions, please speak to Elsie.

Cartoon by the Rev. Jay Sidebotham and the Church Pension Group

Talk to Lindsey if you are interested in joining the choir or band for our Easter Season.
Rehearsals Resume Thursday, Jan 26 @ 6-8 pm

2023 Envelopes will be ready for pick up this Sunday. 2022 Tax Receipts will be sent out by the beginning of February, thank you to everyone for their givings this year that have allowed us to continue to do the ministry God has called us to.

Group Description:
Emotionally Healthy Woman is an 8 week program that will guide you on how to draw into your God-given capacity and prepare you to lead a balanced and emotionally healthy life. When God created you, he built in you all the qualities you need to have a good life! This program will lead you on a process to find these qualities and harness them.

Group Start Date:
Friday, January 20th, 2023 12 – 2pm
This group will be meeting in person at the NLC community space at:
65 Lakeshore Road, St. Catharines
Cost: $80 ($10/session)
To register please call our office at: 905-934-0021

Here’s your chance to meet and discuss a book with the Author! Beginning on January 16th at 1:00 Eleanor Johnston will be leading a discussion for 5 weeks on her book Churchland. The books are $10.00 and can be purchased here at the church. Join Eleanor for a lively discussion on life in the church.

Meetings are every Monday afternoon at 1:00 for 1 hour, starting Jan 16th until Feb 13th.

From our Music Director Lindsey
Thank you to the Transfiguration Music Ministry (Choir & Band) for sharing your gift of time & talents in leading the Music Christmas Eve.
We are so blessed.

If you would like to make a donation toward the Christmas Flowers in memory of a loved one please use the special donation envelopes at the back of the church.

Note: Please submit by this sunday December 18th