Parish Christmas Newsletter–Archdeacon Bill Gray-Home-Made Christmas Gifts

This Christmas, I am put in mind of the classic Christmas story authored by O. Henry, “The Gift of the Magi”.  In this fable newlyweds of limited means have no extra money at Christmas to provide gifts.   The husband sells his antique pocket watch.   The wife sells locks of her hair. From these proceeds, the husband purchases for his wife quality hair combs. The wife purchases for him a beautiful golden watch chain.  Upon exchanging these Christmas gifts, they realize to their horror their folly.  Hair combs gifted to a woman who had cut off her hair and a watch chain for a man who no longer possessed a watch.  Tears and regret soon gave way to the appreciation of the mutual love expressed by their shared sacrifice.  

When I was a young boy one Christmas, I wanted to contribute by giving my own Christmas gifts to my family.  As I was quite young, I had no money of my own. Having my family give me money to buy Christmas gifts for them seemed to defeat the purpose.  Dad suggested I make my own Christmas gifts with his assistance in his workshop.   For one brother, we made a rack for storing playing records comprised of a wooden frame and converted coat hanger wire.  For my other brother we made a wooden toy boat.   For Mom we made a wooden kitchen cutting board complete with handles, legs and a cutting surface made from leftover floor tiles. There was satisfaction in Dad and I working together to make these gifts which remained in use a long time.

We have been greatly blessed by home-made gifts from our parish family. We are grateful to Goldie Bryan for her gift of many years of faithful service as our church organist who has now retired. Goldie has not only been organist, but she is family.  We continue to pray for Goldie’s health. We appreciate the gift of Karen Roberts who serves as our current church organist.  In worship we have been gifted by lay readers, lectors, servers, greeters, chalice bearers, choir, musicians, individual singers, congregational singing and prayers, solos and Caygeon Spice. The ACW of St. John’s Dunsford have shared their gifts of fundraising through several yard sales from parish donations.  Jeff and Nicole Thurston with Barry and Leanne Baxter hosted a fundraising dinner at St. John’s where they and their friends supplied the food, beverages and entertainment.  Christ Church ACW shared their gifts of making crafts, knitting, Christmas decorations, frozen food and baking for a Christmas Market while continuing to provide food for and hosting parish hall receptions. The combined result is approximately over $13,000 in fund raising. Betty Anne & Ron Shaw & Lorraine Thayer & others continue to gift the community with clothing give away events from donations of gently re-gifted clothes.  Parish members continue to be faithful by sharing their finances, gifts for pastoral ministry and participation in Sunday worship. Parish wardens continue to gift the parish by managing church administration, property care and improvements. We are also gifted and blessed by Maia’s capable office administration.

Jesus was God’s home-made gift to save and bless us.  We often learn that not all roads nor do all our choices lead to God. But through the God’s gift of the Christ Child which we now celebrate, God demonstrated that Jesus travels any road to find us. God desires that all should be saved through His gift, and none should perish. God bless you all with this Christmas gift of God’s love.              

The Bobcaygeon Community Christmas Dinner has been discontinued for this year (2024) as there are insufficient volunteers.  Planning has already begun for next year. 

Thank you everyone for your tremendous financial support of your church during the past year.  As noted, this has been assisted by the fund-raising efforts of the ACW and other groups of each congregation.  Your faithful, continued generosity has ensured that we have been able to continue our church’s important ministry.   As we face the usual current financial operating deficit, with your help this Christmas, we can end the year in a positive financial position.

Christmas Offering:  Please use the enclosed Christmas envelope to make your Christmas donation. Christmas Envelopes can be placed on the offering plate at upcoming worship services. If you are unable to attend church services, and if the postal strike continues, donation envelopes can be delivered to the church during office hours and if necessary, arrangements will be made for someone to come to your home and deliver it for you.  Please contact the church office by phone or email to make these arrangements.  Church phone- 705-738-2415; email  christchurch@i-zoom.net  Office hours are Tues. Wed. Thurs. 9 am to 1 pm. When postal service resumes, envelopes can be mailed if necessary to one of the following church addresses.  Another alternative is to donate by using e-transfer or Canada Helps.  Instructions for these methods of donating can be found on the parish website.  www.christchurchbobcaygeon.com

Christ Anglican Church          St. John’s Anglican Church    St. Luke’s Anglican Church

PO Box 133                               1948 Sturgeon Rd                      178 Burnt River Rd.

Bobcaygeon, Ontario                 Dunsford, Ontario                      Burnt River, Ontario

K0M 1A0                                  K0M 1L0                                   K0M 1C0   

Special Advent/Christmas Public Services for 2024

• Sundays in December- Advent- The Church’s New Year-Lighting the Advent Wreath
• Sunday Dec. 15    Lessons & Carols Services-9:15 am-St. John’s; 11 am-Christ Church
• Sunday Dec. 22    Family Christmas Service, Children’s Story, Carols & Communion-          4 pm–St. John’s, Dunsford.  (No service at St. John’s in the morning, Dec 22; -service as usual at 11 am at Christ Church on Dec. 22)
• Tuesday, Dec. 24- Christmas Eve- Christ’s Nativity- Candlelight Holy Communion & Carols-7 pm –Christ Church, Bobcaygeon. 
•  No parish services Christmas Day, Dec. 25.

Harvest Thanksgiving Newsletter, Autumn, 2024

A Thanksgiving Message from Archdeacon Bill,  Priest Among Us

In the coming electoral cycle that is widely anticipated, we are all aware in the current climate both north and south of the border the ways in which political rhetoric has degenerated to the lowest form of discourse.  Dynamic policy debates and social positioning has been replaced by name calling and insults.  Politics is no longer about distinguishing one’s economic and social position but rather posturing.  Social media and public debate have been weaponized to defame and demean one’s opponents.  The bar has become so low that current political speech could not meet the basic criterion expected of elementary school level legion sponsored public speaking contests.

There are times that church discourse and that found in other not for profit organizations can be equally toxic.  As recognized in a recent diocesan memo, clergy and lay people are sometimes dealing with difficult behaviours within their congregations. We are usually caught off guard and not well equipped about how to manage tough interpersonal dynamics and inappropriate interactions.  There are lots of reasons why these behaviours are more common now.  The pandemic has left us in a very transitional time. With fewer active members to provide balance, the difficult voices have become louder. Post COVID, many of our traditional indicators of success (attendance, identifiable givers, number of volunteers) are no longer working in the same ways for us, so it’s hard to know, or agree on, what success looks like now. Struggling and disagreeing is to be expected. Congregations need to do this in respectful and healthy ways, or we risk losing the sense of joy and positive purpose in our gatherings. 

In the Epistle of James Chapter 3 is written; “…the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire…. but no one can tame the tongue a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”   In the season of thanksgiving, we should use the gift of speech to offer thanksgiving, blessings and affirmation for all our blessings.  Our speech should be an instrument that lifts people up rather than puts others down.  

Bobcaygeon and Dunsford Community Food Banks Request Donations:  Thanksgiving Sunday, October 13 and the following two Sundays, will be designated in our parish for receiving donations for local foodbanks.  In each of our congregations during the gathering for Sunday services of worship, there will be designated boxes decorated and identified for receiving such donations.  Those items donated at St. John’s will be dedicated and forwarded to the Dunsford Community Food Bank and those items donated at Christ Church will be dedicated and forwarded to the Bobcaygeon Community Food Bank.  Requested donations include: Canned Veggies:  Green Beans, Peas, Corn Niblets, Juice Boxes for Children. Canned Fruit, Apple Juice – liter, Cereal. Peanut Butter, Sugar, Instant Coffee, Granola Bars – no nuts, Macaroni, diapers all sizes, Pull ups, Baby formula, Baby cereal, Baby food, Baby wipes, Canned soups, canned stew/chili, Pasta sauce, Pasta noodles, Rice, Pancake Mix, Peanut Butter and Jam, Maple Syrup, Laundry Soap, Dish Soap. 

Advance Notice: CHRISTMAS MARKET   Christ Church, Bobcaygeon, and St. John’s Dunsford will once again we will be participating in Bobcaygeon’s Mingle and Jingle (exact dates to be confirmed but usually it is held the middle of November). There is a way for everyone to become involved and help out. Please save your previously enjoyed books, puzzles, games and Christmas treasures. Christmas type crafts are always welcome. We will be having a bake table. Monetary donations towards the preparation of our frozen soups and dinners would be greatly appreciated.  We are in the planning stage, so any suggestions are welcome. This was one of our Church’s largest fundraisers last year and with your support we hope to have a successful 2024 Christmas Market. 

Next Clothing Giveaway – Christ Church, Bobcaygeon; Friday October.18.2024 9:30am- 12:30pm;

Saturday October.19.2024 9:30am- 12:30pm. Contact: Betty Ann Shaw (705) 738-3670 if you would like to volunteer or have any questions.

Joint Parish Harvest Thanksgiving Service: Sunday October.6.2024 at 11:00am St. John’s Church, Dunsford. Lunch to follow in the St. John’s parish hall. There will be no services on this Sunday for Christ Church, Bobcaygeon or St. Luke’s Church, Burnt River.  Please join us for this revival of this long-standing parish tradition, our first opportunity since the pandemic. This is an important opportunity for our 3 congregations to worship together.

Please use the enclosed Harvest Thanksgiving envelope to express your gratitude for our many blessings. Parish finances currently indicate that we are in deficit, and we ask for your assistance to offer relief. If possible, please return your thank offering either in person at public service or by mail, using the following mailing addresses with our thanks.

Christ Anglican Church;              St. John’s Anglican Church       St. Luke’s Anglican Church

PO Box 133                                 1948 Sturgeon Rd                      178 Burnt River Rd.

Bobcaygeon, Ontario                   Dunsford, Ontario                      Burnt River, Ontario

K0M 1A0                                    K0M 1L0                                   K0M 1C0     

Financial Appeal/Vision for our Future Ministry-2024

Vision:  Our vision for our future growth and maintenance of parish ministry is based on a combination of developing and repurposing parish properties, parish finances and creating more opportunities for volunteers.

Parish Property:  To realign our use of church property from that of a perceived liability (ongoing costs of utilities & maintenance) to using parish property as a benefit and revenue source to support parish ministry.  This entails pursuing and retaining increased rental opportunities that increase parish revenue and serve the community including utilizing the parish hall, meeting rooms and rectory.

Parish Finances:  To provide opportunities for creative giving strategies and fund raising.

Opportunities to Volunteer:    At a time when we are welcoming and desire to welcome new members, we want to provide opportunities for meaningful involvement to volunteer in parish life that is fulfilling and rewarding.

Pandemic Realities:  We have not yet recovered the same use by the community of church facilities as before Covid. There is future potential that has not yet been realized.  Nor have we been able to re-engage all our traditional fund-raising activities.  We have also experienced the loss of some of our beloved members who passed away during this time and have been major contributors. 

Our future hope is to continue to pursue new rental opportunities of church facilities and creative fund-raising solutions that provide maximum benefit while avoiding member burnout.  We want to provide opportunities to volunteer that provide meaningful and rewarding involvement.  We also need parish members to review their parish contributions and to consider opportunities to increase their donations.

Our Request:  Give each according to their ability. 

Confidentiality:  The amount you donate or intend to give in the future is confidential.  Not everyone will be able to increase their giving or donate the same as someone else.  All donations are appreciated trusting you have given according to your ability.  If you are able, we are asking you to prayerfully consider increasing your regular donation using the following table as one possible guide.

Please mail your donation to one of the following addresses: 

Christ Anglican Church   St. John’s Anglican Church       St. Luke’s Anglican Ch.

PO Box 133                     1948 Sturgeon Rd                      178 Burnt River Rd.

Bobcaygeon, Ontario       Dunsford, Ontario                      Burnt River, Ontario

K0M 1A0                        K0M 1L0                                   K0M 1C0   

Easter Newsletter -March- 2024 -Archdeacon Bill Gray

Anglican Parish of Bobcaygeon, Dunsford & Burnt River

Faith is not Blind

Faith is not blind, particularly our faith in God.  Blind faith in something or someone for no good reason is even dangerous.   Blind faith can result in an allegiance to someone or something that is unwarranted and can even cause harm.  The followers of the infamous cult leader Jim Jones while living in Guyana were so blindly devoted to him, that upon his instructions they drank poison on Nov. 18, 1978, knowing it would harm them, which became known as the Jonestown Massacre. Their misguided self destruction was the result of extreme paranoia fostered by their cult leader Jim Jones and his promotion of unfounded conspiracy theories. Sound familiar with today? 

Nor is faith the same as certainty.  The companion of faith is doubt accompanied by a natural necessity to question and test our beliefs.   Faith is sound when based on good reason, perceived consequences that are comprehended and understood and the preponderance of the evidence. 

Our faith in one another is not based on certainty but rather a developed trust resulting from a preponderance of the evidence.   Our faith in our significant relationships and our significant others is not without basis.   But on some level, it requires a faith that can transform us beyond what we can absolutely know.  We cannot test love as if it was a laboratory experiment.  Our trust in such emotions as love are based on outward signs, gestures, and symbols that are indicators of what we perceive to be the other’s interior life, emotions and motives which are invisible.

The evidence upon which we rely for faith in God is our collective experience as well as our confidence in the reliability of the bible.  The entirety of scripture has a great variety of different books and literature including at various times poetry, hymns, allegories, symbols, metaphors, parables as well as history.   While not all biblical accounts are necessarily literally and factually true there is nevertheless truth about life and reliable insight and understanding regarding the truth about God in all of scripture.  I have also come to believe that the biblical record of the person and work of Jesus the Christ as well as other significant biblical figures are sufficiently supported by archeological evidence and other historical sources to have sufficient historical credibility as to be reliable and authentic.  The preponderance of the evidence and the testimony of reliable witnesses is that Jesus did indeed live, die and was resurrected from the dead.   Upon that we can rely.

I have also come to an understanding that science and faith are compatible, rather than antithetical as many would have us believe.  Faith in natural law as expressed by original scientists such as Sir Issac Newton was the result of his belief in the divine law giver and belief in God.  Religion gave birth to science and provided the platform for faith in scientific inquiry.  

Natural science provides some interesting pointers to God, resulting in the evidence that atheism is the least rational option.   Francis Collins, famous scientist, and geneticist from Cal Tech University, offers the following examples of scientific pointers to God.

1.The fact that there is something instead of nothing (no reason that should inevitably be)

2. Wigner, Nobel Laureate in physics, argues that the unreasonable effectiveness of mathematics (also physics and chemistry) in describing nature points to a finely tuned universe indicating a grand designer or creator that exists beyond space and time.  (John 1, in the beginning was the Logos, and there was nothing made that was made without the Logos)

3. John Lennox-the Big Bang (a singularity or force) verifies the universe was created.

4. There is no reason to believe that random selection can produce the precise tuning of the physical constants in the universe (gravity) -why didn’t big bang result rather in a big crunch, rather than in the improbability of our existence.  Evolution may account for the agency of reproduction but does not account for the origins, agent or meaning of the universe.

5. Moral Law – there is something called right, and something called wrong. Natural selection resulting in what’s best for the survival of the tribe or community does not explain radical altruism which are truly sacrificial acts of human nobility.  True sacrifice cannot be explained in terms of what’s good for the community who share your DNA thus ruining the re-productive fitness opportunity theory.   (Oscar Schindler, Mother Teresa, Jesus Christ, etc.)   Therefore, the risen Christ and biblical morality provides the only rational basis for moral law.    

Holy Week and Easter In Person Public Worship Services:

Palm/Passion Sunday-March 24/24- St. John’s Dunsford 9:15 am, Christ Church Bob-11 am.

Good Friday Parish Service– March 29/24-Christ Church, Bobcaygeon, 11 am.

Easter Sunday-March 31/24- St. John’s Dunsford 9:15 am, Christ Church Bob-11 am.

Please use the enclosed Easter envelope to support our church’s ministry to our community. Donations can be made using this envelope and brought in person during public services of worship or mailed to the following addresses for each parish congregation.  Donations can also be made online by using e-transfer or Canada Helps. Please follow the directions that can be found on our parish website.  www.christchurchbobcaygeon.com

Weekly archived video services, hymns and sermons. Please click on the internet link below to visit my YouTube channel to view the video of your choice. Archdeacon Bill Gray.

Bill Gray’s YouTube Channel