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Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made know to us. Luke 2:15b

At least once a year, it’s good for us all to go back to the start of our story and see the thing that has taken place at a manger in Bethlehem. It is here that the Christ child reminds us of his gentle, humble beginnings here on earth. Somehow, babies bring out the best in us – remind us of our humanity – and evoke a sense of unconditional love, deep joy, a desire for peace and hope for tomorrow.

This Christmas, let us return to Bethlehem and ground ourselves once more in the One who is the Word made Flesh, the Prince of Peace and Light of the World. Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Blessings Pat+ (and Jack)

O Little Love (a Peace Carol)

~ Shirley Erena Murray

O little love, who comes again,

the Word reborn to make God plain,

O Child who shines, the Jesus light--

disarm the world, this Christmas night!

62 Clyde Street, Almonte ON, K0A 1A0 Email address: office@stpaulsalmonte.ca Website: stpaulsalmonte.ca

CHRISTMAS AT ST. PAULS Sunday, December 18: 8:00 am spoken service 10:30 am ~ Christmas Pageant (with lunch to follow)

Friday, December 24; 7:00 pm ~ Family Eucharist with skit (Charlie the Church Mouse and the Kneeling Santa)

9:00 pm ~ Choral Candlelight Eucharist

Sunday, December 25: 10:00 am ~ Parish Service (Community Dinner to follow)

Sunday, January 1; 8:00 am ~ spoken service 10:00 am ~ Celtic Eucharist and Service of Intentions

EVERY BODY WELCOME ~ALWAYS~

Advent/Christmas

2016 Almonte, ON K0A 1A0

613-256-1771

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The fall, Parish Council has focused on 3 main issues: preparations for our refugee family, the continuing search for a new organist/choir director; and, St Paul’s response to the Diocesan Strategic Plan, Embracing God’s Future.

Refugee Family The Jarous family is anxiously awaiting resettlement. Their particular concern at present is the arrival of the Russian Naval blockade on the Syrian coast and the bombardments of Aleppo and Hom where many of their extended family members still live. Our prayers for their continued safety are requested.

Progress on the house where they will live has been steady and preparations are nearing completion. Council is grateful for the enormous amount of work volunteers continue to put into this initiative. Special thanks to Greg Andrigo and Jonathan Playfair for their stellar work!

Organist/Accompanist Recruitment Understanding that the pool of musicians with the required skills is small and shrinking, and that the funds available to pay for a qualified organist are limited, the search committee (Rev. Pat, Wendy Shaw, Bob Mosher, Mary Nightingale, Vicki Bassett and Richard Hall) is taking another look at the job description and our requirements before re-advertising.

Council extends heartfelt thanks to John Black who has so willingly stepped in to fill the organist gap and to Wendy Shaw for her help in leading choir practice during this time.

Embracing God’s Future. The Centre for Creative Living pilot project led b y Sue Evans and a Steering Committee continues to increase St Paul’s visibility in the community and enable people who would not necessarily consider themselves to be religious to access and develop their spirituality.

Additionally, six members of the parish participated in the diocesan-led Deanery Consultations. Out of this has come the initiative to improve information sharing and skills-pooling among geographical clusters of parishes (for example, Almonte, Clayton – Pakenham - Franktown/Innisville - Carleton Place). We will be hosting a cluster conversation in the New Year.

General. Parish Council approved new Hall Rental Guidelines, trying to ensure fair use of our resources by our members and by the wider community. A new sign pointing to the parking lot entrance has been installed. The St Paul’s web site re-design was implemented and a new FaceBook page launched. And Council recently acquired a lawn tractor and agreed to install a metal shed on the property to house it securely and increase general storage capacity.

Submitted by Deane Zeeman

"Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors, there is safety."

Prov. 11:13

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Each month the practice circles receive a prompt to reflect on in a contemplative way as one would a piece of scripture. In October the prompt was a mixed media painting by a Canadian artist called “The Tale of an Old Tree. This led to a variety of responses in photography, mixed media and writing. The poem (in the right hand column) is written by one of the members of the Creative

Writing Circle: →

Tree as symbol

By Vincent Marquis

Tree as symbol tree of life

tree of knowledge, right and wrong tree as doorway

tree as staircase, ladder to heaven channel to the inner soul

Shelter tree hangman’s tree

Dead Man’s tree at Beaumont Hamel gallows tree all of these

Where does the tree before me take me? up or down?

roots or crown? inside or outside?

above myself or below the ground?

Life as a tree, a perspective – heartwood at the core

bark and skin the outer shield like a shield wall around me to protect the true

me or is it rather to hide behind?

The One Tree – what kind was it – that one that provided the wood of the sacrifice?

Billions of trees – billions of ‘me’s’ all unique but still knowable as trees

and me’s

The Tree of Life hidden away then came the tree of sacrifice

to deal with death and by death restore the tree of life

I take my tree – how beautifully made –

but flawed, gnarled, broken and place it within the heartwood

of the One Tree to be restored grafted in

to the Tree of the Lord.

Submitted by Sue Evans

SchoolBOX Founder Tom Affleck Receives Meritorious Service Cross

On Friday November 25, Tom Affleck the 38-year-old founder of SchoolBOX, received the Meritorious Service Cross (M.S.C.) Civil Division from the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, at a ceremony in Rideau Hall. The national honour recognizes a deed or an activity that has been performed in an outstandingly professional manner, or with uncommonly high standards; the activity is often innovative, sets an example for others to follow, improves the quality of life of a community and brings considerable benefit or honour to Canada.

More information at: schoolbox.ca

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Highlights of Visioning Discussions for St. Paul’s

17 parishioners gathered for the morning of Saturday November 26th to seek out and discuss where God is leading us at St. Paul’s. We had a wonderful time together sharing and celebrating how God is at work, both among us, and within our community, spreading His love. We discussed some realities with the challenges ahead, and then broke into discussion groups that were consistent with the three priorities set at our previous visioning session in January of 2015:

Shine our Light Be More Passionate about Prayer

Creative Use of our Resources

There was also a 4th group was for those who wanted to raise new ideas. There was much energy and lively discussion as each group presented their specific ideas on how they answered the questions:

- God’s future- where does your imagination go?

- What ought to be going on? What is God’s

dream?

- Where is the Spirit at work? Where is Jesus

leading us?

An overarching theme was that we need to be intentional and focused in our ministries. A clear mission is critical. Sensitive, responsive, use of our resources, both human and otherwise, needs to be a prime consideration in all we do. With these thoughts in mind - there was consensus that we continue to focus on, and develop the themes identified previously, as well as some specific ideas like “Greening of St. Paul’s” and a recommendation to Parish Council that there be a thorough review of all of our programs. Stay tuned as you will hear more from the leaders who stepped up to follow-up on the inspirations of our people.

I have had the privilege of facilitating these discussions, now on 3 occasions, and want to thank all those who have participated throughout the years – it is such a blessing to work together. For those who weren’t able to attend, please hold our leaders in your prayers as they strive to serve God among us in these challenging times of transition.

Finally from “Embracing God’s Future Prayer”- the Diocese of Ottawa:

Gracious and loving God, we give you thanks for our faith and the many gifts you have entrusted to us. In your compassion, revealed to us fully in Jesus, hear our prayer so that by your Holy Spirit we may joyfully strive to be your dream for the Church, Amen.

submitted by Vicki Bassett

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THE NATIVITY

Among the oxen (like an ox I’m slow) I see a glory in the stable grow Which, with the ox’s dullness might at length Give me an ox’s strength.

Among the asses (stubborn I as they) I see my Saviour where I looked for hay; So may my beastlike folly learn at least The patience of a beast.

Among the sheep (I like a sheep have strayed) I watch the manger where my Lord is laid; Oh that my baa-ing nature would win thence Some woolly innocence!

by C. S. Lewis

The Road to Bethlehem

Above the road to Bethlehem When I was very young,

A twilight sky of tender blue With golden stars was hung;

And kneeling at the stable-door, I happily confessed

My humble worship of the Child Who slept at Mary's breast.

But now the road to Bethlehem Seems cold and steep and far;

It wanders through a wilderness Unlit by any star.

The earth I tread is frozen hard; The winter chills my breath;

On either hand rise evil shapes From valleys dark with death.

The air is tense with moans of pain, Mingled with cries of hate,

Where bloodstained hills and shattered stones

Lie black and desolate.

How can the sacred heart of God Heal all this guilt and grief?

Lord, I believe. And yet, this night, Help Thou my unbelief!

Purge Thou mine eyes, that they may see They Star across the gloom!

Touch Thou my heart, that I may lose These agonies of doom!

Now in the darkness guide my feet, Give holy strength to them

To walk with childlike faith once more The road to Bethlehem!

By Watson Kirkconnell (1895-1977)

JOY Take Joy home, And make a place in thy great heart for her, And giver her time to grow, and cherish her! Then will She come and often sing to thee When thou art working in the furrows: ay Or weeding in the sacred hour of dawn. It is a comely fashion to be glad -- Joy is the grace we say to God.

Jean Ingelow (1820 - 1897)

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A BUSY AUTUMN AT ST. PAUL'S

Tourtieres

Almonte in Praise

Adopt-a-Highway Road Clean-up

Fashion Show

Community Harvest Supper

Christmas Bazaar

...and more tourtieres

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A Christmas Carol Mystery

While putting the Newsletter together, I

had the words to a Christmas Carol in my

head that I remember hearing when I was

young. All I could remember was (what I

thought was the refrain): "Sleep well thou

child of God". So I resorted to "Dr. Google".

Here is where the mystery comes in: I

searched using a few lines from the carol

and received two different answers. The

Carol was either "What Songs are These?"

by Richard Lloyd, or "The Band of Children"

by Martin Shaw.

Now, it could be that the two attributions

are to two different tunes the words are set

to (I think we all are familiar with the two

tunes for Away In a Manger), but the two

titles threw me. The words themselves

seem to be based on an old French carol

called: "Laissez Paitre Vos Betes." The

words are:

The stars shall light your journey, your mother holds you close and warm; The donkey's pace shall rock you, Sleep baby, dream no harm.

What songs are these, faint heard and far? The wind maybe in palm trees tall, or Running stream or nightbird's call; The dark lies deep on the desert where

Joseph walked and Mary rode, The dark lies deep on the desert, Sleep well, thou child of God.

What songs are these, faint heard and far? 'Tis neither wind in palm trees tall, nor waterbrook, nor nightbird's call, It is the voice of children Where Joseph walked and Mary rode, The fierce wild beasts are friendly, Sleep well, thou child of God.

What forms are these, clear in the dark, That shine and yet are flesh and blood, That laugh and sing along the road? It is a crowd of children where Joseph walked and Mary rode, A singing band of children, Sleep well, thou child of God.

Never was seen so strange a guard: About the footsore travelers They in lovely circles moved, till day, Until the baby awakened, While Joseph trudged and Mary rode. Such lullaby befits thee, Sleep well, thou child of God.

I am hard pressed to find a recording of either version. YouTube has a duet and a choral performance of the Lloyd version that are...okay...but not the tune I remember. So far it seems that the carol is rather "obscure". If you happen to know of a recording of it, please let me know.

~ Michael Mavis

On-line Extras St. Paul's Post

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Murray Sinclair is an independent Senator, former

Judge and First Nations lawyer and was Head

Commissioner of the Indian Residential Schools

Truth and Reconciliation Commission established in

2009 by Prime Minister Harper. Irene Emig and I had

the privilege of hearing him speak at a dinner held at

the Cathedral about the status of the report and the

following is to the best of my ability what I

remember him saying.

In sum, Senator Sinclair conveyed warmth and good

humour but also a deep and challenging seriousness.

He told us that now the truth has now been told, it is

time to work on reconciliation –something much

harder to do for reconciliation is not simply a matter

of aboriginal people getting over it and getting on

with it. This is a shared problem –one that will take a

long time. And so next year, he said, while we may

be celebrating the 150th anniversary of

Confederation, aboriginal peoples will certainly not

be partying with us and he outlined in simple terms

the somewhat complex history of the treaties behind

his comment.

After the end of the war between the French and

English in 1759, he said the Royal Proclamation of

1763 set guidelines for the European Settlement of

Aboriginal Territories in North America. The

Proclamation was initially issued by King George III in

1763 to officially claim British territory in North

America after Britain won the Seven Years War. It

established a “nation to nation” relationship

between ourselves and the aboriginal peoples.

This proclamation said that regardless of which side

aboriginal people fought for (British, French), we

would not wage war on them if they didn’t wage war

on us. This and the treaties that followed included

recognizing the right of aboriginal peoples to self

government with no interference from the British

government. A number of aboriginal peoples

agreed that if they wished to sell their territory, this

would be only to our government. This was to

prevent American incursion onto Canadian soil and

allow us to expand westward. We also could use

some areas of their territory but not own the land

below it. The treaties stipulated in exchange among

other things that we would build schools for them on

all of their territories.

However, one hundred years later, there developed

a striking change in attitude and language.

Parliamentary records show that Sir John A.

MacDonald, our first Prime Minister, was in today’s

parlance, a “white supremacist” with regard to both

immigration policies and the “Indians.” They were

now regarded as “savages” and “industrial schools”

were built to make them become “white” in all but

skin colour, speaking either English or French. As a

result of this policy of cultural genocide they were no

longer at home in either white society or in their

own families and tribes. We should not be surprised

then, he said, even apart from the abuse their

children endured, that after seven generations of

this policy, that the aboriginal families and

communities are so broken. (continued next page...)

Presentation by Senator Murray Sinclair

Christ Church Cathedral Submitted by Sue Evans

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How then, now the truth has been told, can

reconciliation begin to occur? While it is not clear

what “nation to nation” means, reconciliation must

be grounded in the conditions of the original Royal

Proclamation. First steps must include our school

systems teaching Canadian history truthfully with all

derogatory language removed. Also, private

business must work with the highly entrepreneurial

aboriginal businesses. The good news is that both of

these efforts have begun. Senator Sinclair

expressed appreciation for the fact that the

protestant churches have stepped forward to

participate in this reconciliation process and

expressed the hope that Canada would be hearing

from Pope Francis before long with an apology for

the damage inflicted on Indigenous children at

Catholic-run residential schools. At the same time

he anticipates that as the economic realities of what

is required become clearer that there will be a white

backlash of the sort we have been seeing in the

States.

Finally, Senator Sinclair challenged us to read the

ninety page summary of the TRC Commission’s

report and the ninety -four Calls to Action –

recommendations that Prime Minister Trudeau

during his campaign agreed to see implemented in

their entirety --and for each of us to pick one Call to

Action to work on. When I look at the list of

recommendations it is difficult to see how I or our

parish might do this. Certainly supporting financially

the Diocesan water project in Pikangikum

championed by Deane Zeeman is an important first

step. But I also wonder whether there is a concrete

way for us to acknowledge that St. Paul’s is located

on unceded Algonquin Territory, to reflect on what

attitudes about aboriginal peoples have been

embedded in our own hearts and to learn

something of the history of our area –perhaps in

conversation with the” invisible” aboriginal peoples

who live nearby.

Website:

http://www.trc.ca/websites/trcinstitution/File/2015

/Honouring_the_Truth_Reconciling_for_the_Future_

July_23_2015.pdf

Tower of Babel Rises Again

Everyone attending one of the three services at St. Paul's on Sunday October 30th was able to witness a modest feat of engineering! Thanks to the vision, skill and hard work of Christy Bindhardt, Emily Clapperton, Matthew Bassett and Derek Mavis, the Tower of Babel rose again.

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Guest builder Jessica joins Derek, Christy, and Matthew for a picture with the Tower

Links & Things (Cool Advent-related things on the internet)

Advent calendars:

Fun yet thought provoking: http://advent.bustedhalo.com/

Liverpool Museum's interactive calendar:

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/christmas/advent/

History of the Advent Calendar and an online museum of past Advent Calendars:

http://sellmer-verlag.de/history.htm General resources:

Anglican Church of Canada 2016 Advent page:

http://www.anglican.ca/about/advent2016/

Advent Reflections for 2016 written by the Oblates and Sisters of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine (Toronto):

http://ssjdadventreflections.blogspot.ca/ The Advent conspiracy: spend less, give more:

http://www.adventconspiracy.org/