Christmas 2011
Occupons Sutton/ Occupy Sutton
Drive by Grace Church or visit us online and you’ll see something
that is both strange and familiar. We have the usual crèche
scene with Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus and some straw on the
ground. But upon closer inspection, you’ll see that they are dressed
in modern clothing and they are in a tent, not a stable. And
beside their tent is a sign that reads, “Occupons Sutton” or “Occupy
Sutton” reminding us of the various occupy movements that we’ve seen
recently throughout the world. Another sign reads like a
protest that is both ancient and modern,
“He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the
lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, but the rich
he has sent away empty.”
Though the words are spoken by Mary in the gospel of Luke, these are
the very same sentiments expressed by many of today’s occupiers.
Jesus comes to occupy Sutton and Montreal and New York and all the
cities of the world.
Think of Incarnation as Occupation. An occupation that calls
us to question the values of a world which puts profit before
people, consumption before conservation, and warfare before the
welfare of all people. Today’s protesters are asking all the
right questions and though the answers are not easy, we need to join
them in working together for a more fair and just society.
Our Christmas celebrations need to be more than just mere
sentimentality. What we celebrate is not a quaint event from
two thousand years ago. What we celebrate is that God is with
us.
God chooses to occupy our city squares and the centre of our hearts
and lives. And we need to know that though us, the hungry will be
fed, the poor will be given the means to support themselves, the
stranger will be welcomed, the lost will be found, and the
broken-hearted will be bound up.
Let us celebrate this Christmas season by allowing God to pitch a
tent in the very depths of our lives and discover what life and
light may shine forth from that place.
Since our last Newsletter:
On Sunday, November 6th, we baptized into the Church, Logan Burnham,
son of Shauna Burnham.
On Saturday, November 19th, we had a funeral service of thanksgiving
for the life of David Lamb. We continue in our prayers for his
wife Johanne and their children Samantha, Stephanie and Christopher.
On November 12th our ACW hosted a very successful Christmas Bazaar
with many people enjoying the purchase of baked goods, used books,
Hollis’ apples and potatoes, and a wonderful tea luncheon
afterwards. Events like this have made it possible for the ACW to
make generous donations to Grace Church each year.
On November 19th, we hosted the ecumenical OutMass with the Very
Rev. Paul Kennington, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral as our guest
preacher. Our annual service reminds us of the contribution of
gay and lesbian people in our communities and sends a message to all
that we are called to accept the wonderful diversity of all God’s
children.
On November 26th, our Lay Reader Doreen Page and Yvonne Wakeland
(coming from Ottawa) attended the Lay Readers’ Study Day and
Commissioning at St. John the Baptist in Pointe Claire. Adele
Finney, chair of the national PWRDF (Primate’s World Relief and
Development Fund) talked to us about ‘Edge Habitat’ suggesting that
the Church, which is now on the edge of society, might be able to
find new and creative ways of growing.
Our thanks to all those who continue to make generous financial
contributions to the mission and ministry of Grace Church even
during these difficult economic times. Your support is much
appreciated.
We look forward to seeing many of you during this Christmas season.
Sunday, December 18th at 3 pm. Chantons Noel.
Ecumenical carols in the Parish Hall
Thursday, December 22nd, 1:30 pm
Foyer Sutton Christmas Service
Saturday, December 24th at 7:30 pm. Christmas Eve Service
at Grace Church
Sunday, December 25th at 10:30 am Christmas
Day Service at Grace Church
Sunday, December 31st, at 5 pm
New Year’s Eve Service, with the Rev. Linda Spear
Sunday, January 1st, at 10:30 am
New Year’s Day Service
A Merry Christmas to all,
The Rev. Tim Smart