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Welcome to the first TASTE & SEE: The Rector's Musing!

Being the New Priest On The Block, I have been catching myself constantly in awe of the number of amazing people I got to meet, engaging ministries I got to participate in, and the wellspring of thoughts and musings I wished to share with my new parish family.  So let's start a blog and an occasional newsletter, eh?!

Slow Down, Pastor!  You already had one speeding ticket on your second Sunday in the parish, a sermon at your Induction Service that testified to your history of speeding (not just on the road).  Shouldn't you take the hint?  How are you doing, really?

In truth, life has been a million-miles-a-minute in the last few months as I wound down my work at Community Living, tried selling a home in a slow market and packing it up, tried setting into my parent's guest room, and piled up lots of kilometres commuting between Richmond, Aldergrove, and Sunshine Coast on my EV.   I felt like the Flying Nun sometimes and was having just as much fun as Sr. Bertrille in the original Flying Nun show.  

And getting back on the ground, I am really pleased to see the turnout at the Extreme Weather Response (EWR) Information Meeting last Sunday.  Some 20+ parishioners stayed for the session and asked a lot of clarifying questions on how it would look like if St. Dunstan's offered our Hall space for this program that runs from October to March each year.  Marina took some great notes at the meeting and you will find her notes in the News section of the webpage.  Please review the notes and send any feedback you may have to members of the Parish Council.  The EWR is on the agenda of the Parish Council Meeting next Tuesday (December 17).

And here is an apology to parishioners who came to the First Sunday of Advent worship and was spooked by the changes in the liturgies.  Running a million-miles-a-minute, I neglected to share my plan to experiment All Are Welcome: a trauma-sensitive liturgy approved by the Diocese during Advent.  Some of you told me that you missed saying the more familiar version of the Lord's Prayer.  While all versions of the Lord's Prayer are translations from one time to the next (I have prayed five versions of the Lord's Prayer in two different languages during my short life), I am happy to bring back the Lord's Prayer in modern language as presented in the Book of Alternative Services.  I am learning that while changes have their purposes, too much changes can be upsetting at times.  I will do a better job of supporting you to anticipate changes in the liturgies in the future.

I am also late in confirming the Christmas services this year.  I am pleased to announce that the Longest Night Service is returning this year on Saturday, December 21 (Winter Solstice) at 7 pm.  This will be a service of words and music tailored for people who may find the holiday season challenging due to recent or past bereavement or other reasons.  

Christmas Eve services will be at 6:30 pm and 10 pm.  I am trying to get a Drop-in Pageant going for the 6:30 pm service.  Please help spread the word and invite your friends and family to come to one of these services.

Looking into the New Year, please mark your calendar for a Centre for Spiritual Renewal social event, Twelfth Night Celebration on January 5, 2025 in your calendar.  I will be facilitating the event with helps from others.  

Until the next round of musings.