Letter from Peter
Dear Members and Adherents of St. Andrew’s
Last week, I submitted a letter of resignation to the church (and to the Presbytery). Since the General Assembly enacted Remits B and C into church law, while allowing liberty of conscience, our Session has tried to work through our differences. We made some good decisions and compromises resulting in a recent letter to the congregation. However, over the past few weeks, I realize that I can no longer serve effectively as Lead Minister. It’s been a difficult and trying time for all of us. I thank the Session for their patience, encouragement and support.
In my letter to Session, my hope was to work with Session in choosing an appropriate ending date and to provide as smooth a transition as possible. Session and I have agreed that my last day will be April 30, 2022. This is perhaps longer than usual, but we consider it a friendly transition, allowing us to celebrate Easter together and allowing time to pass on duties and responsibilities.
I want to thank the congregation for accepting my family and I, over these past years. Thank you for your friendship, kindness, compassion and faith. I have learned and grown through being with you. I hope to continue to serve the Lord in the future. I know the congregation will do the same.
Throughout this time, let’s remember that God is Sovereign over our lives and our church. God is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We can place our lives and our futures into God’s good, kind and capable hands.
In terms of planning, Session has appointed a Transition Team to work on next steps. We have asked Presbytery to appoint an Interim Moderator in the near future.
If anyone would like to talk or discuss matters, my door is open. I continue to pray for our church.
God bless.
Peter
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Join us for worship this Sunday…
Online by our Youtube Channel (available starting at 9 am).
Or In-person with our In-Person Service at 10:30 am in the sanctuary.
(Requiring double vaccination, masks and social distancing)
This Sunday, Peter is speaking on “I Believe in the Church – The Big Picture” based on Colossians 1:1-14. This is a wonderful passage that gives us a larger perspective of the church of Jesus Christ. We hope you can join us!
You may access our service by telephone. See near the bottom of this email for information.
___________________________________ Upcoming Sermons
Oct 10 – Thanksgiving (Luke 11:5-13)
Oct 17 – I Believe in the Church – The Big Picture (Colossians 1:1-14)
Oct 24 – I Believe in the Church – A Different Kingdom (Colossians 1:15-23)
Oct 31 – All Saints Day – All For One – Radical Hospitality (Genesis 43:31-34, Luke 19:1-10)
Nov 7 – Remembrance Day (John 15:12-17)
Nov 14 – I Believe in the Church – What Ministry is All About (Colossians 1:24-2:5)
Nov 21 – Speaker: Rev. Dr. Catherine Clark
Nov 28 – St. Andrew’s Day – Advent – I Believe in the Church: Signs of Grace (Colossians 4:2-18)
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Youth & Family News
October Church School Update
During their September meeting, The Bible Builders Church School Council discussed plans for online, hybrid, and in-person church school sessions. Guided by the feedback of our parents, we decided to keep Storytime and Bible Builders Church School online for the month of October. To find out more about our themes and discussions, please consult the church website under Bible Builders Church School or by clicking this link.
In the meantime, we are working on the logistics of a hybrid church school model. This includes a request to the Board of Managers to increase the church internet capacity and consulting with Leading with Care to ensure we follow the health and safety protocols, along with leader/shepherd requirements. We thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated as new information becomes available.
Christmas Presentation
It may seem too early to talk about Christmas and yet we wanted you to have the inside scoop. Our 2021 Christmas Presentation is scheduled for Sunday, December 12th and it will be a pre-recorded event shown onscreen in the service and posted to our YouTube channel. If you know now that you are available to take part, please send us a message to this email address standrewscs@gmail.com. Also, if you wish to pass on the opportunity, let us know that too!
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Giving Hope to Others
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Ride for Refuge
Thanks to everyone who participated and donated to Team Lightning Bolt! Over $4700 was raised to support Presbyterian World Service and Development and their food security programs. Thanks to Thomas and Victoria for leading the way!
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Evangel Hall Dinner – Can you help?
St Andrew’s is scheduled to serve dinner at Evangel Hall on Sunday, October 17, 2021. There are still limitations in place to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers and attendees. There will be four people working in the kitchen to prepare a meal for 200 people (yes, numbers have gone up). All meals will be packed in takeout containers for distribution to those waiting outside. Approximately 22 people will be allowed to dine-in however, and they will also get a takeout container.
We are looking for 1-2 people who will help transfer the packed dinners from the kitchen to the take out area and/or the dining room and to aid in any ad hoc tasks. Arrival time for this would be 4-4:30pm at Evangel Hall.
If you are interested, please contact Lynda Skeoch at lskeoch2@gmail.com or call 905-294-6582.
Thanks for your support of this ministry.
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Evangel Hall – Sandwiches
Thank you to John Hazlewood for making the delivery of sandwiches and clothing in September.
Evangel Hall is now accepting adult clothing… they are most in need of: new underwear, long johns, rain/spring jackets, t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, pants, shorts, running shoes, tents, sleeping bags, large sturdy backpacks.
Our next Sandwich delivery will be on the fourth Wednesday of the month: Oct 27. Bring them on that day from 8:30 am to 9:30 am to the back (east) door of the church. Thank you to the many who contribute to this ministry!
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Markham Food Bank
Most needed food items:
cookies, hot cereal, jam, canned salmon, instant oatmeal, evaporated milk, vegetarian soup
canned kidney beans, sidekick pasta or rice pouches, can mixed vegetables
Feel free to drop off your non-perishable donation at grocery stores or fire halls. Or consider an online donation through Canada Helps – Markham Food Bank
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