Dear Saint Catherine's Community,

As we gather to celebrate the Baptism of our Lord, we remember our own baptisms and the vows we made and values we hold to as people of faith. I am grateful for these touch points that keep me grounded in uncertain times. A reminder to be open to God's love, to have compassion for others, to be kind, to be gentle with ourselves, to act justly, to walk humbly, to communicate with respect, and to live in harmony with the earth and all creatures. We will re-enact our vows and values on Sunday.

As we look at our financials for 2024, I am deeply grateful for your generosity - our offertory total for December was $10,360.95. This still leaves a defecit for the year but one that is easily made up from monies designated for the Ministry Plan from the Seize the Day campaign. Many thanks for your generosity!

On Monday January 13th I am flying to South Africa to spend 2 weeks with my family in the wake of my Mom's death. Thanks to each of you who have offered your care, support and love to me in this time of grief. I so appreciate your prayers as I journey there and back. While I am away Rev.'s Peter Smyth (Jan 19th) and Margaret Marquardt (Jan 26th) will be preaching and presiding on the two Sundays I am away. 

In the month of January, we are also celebrating the ministry of 2024 by writing reports and collecting photos for the St. Catherine's 2024 Yearbook. If you have participated in church ministry this year, you may have received an email from Natasha about writing a report. Please respond to the email you have received and send reports and photos to Natasha in the office by January 17th, 2025. Marymil in her final weeks with our community will be compiling the 2024 Yearbook. 

Wishing each of you love and grace and peace,

Rev. Sharon 

________

This Sunday, January 12, 2025  - we will have a Traditional Service celebrating the Baptism of our Lord with Rev Sharon Smith with Holy Communion at 10 a.m.

Our Musician will be Ruth Enns.

A downloadable bulletin can be found here: Sunday January 12, 2025

Amica will have several copies 

The service will be livestreamed.

The Service livestream can be found here:

St. Catherine's Website Services Page

Previous livestreamed services, and sermon notes can be found here:

St. Catherine's Website Past Services Page or

St. Catherine's YouTube Channel 

Presider and Preacher: Rev Sharon Smith

Musician: Ruth Enns

Intercessor:  Lynn Spence

Greeters: Lori Burns and Bob Paxton

Readers: Sharon Fedorak and Elizabeth Barratt

Altar Guild: Bonnie Grundy

Coffee Group: Penny Zuk, Alison Watt and Lynn Spence

Eucharistic Administrator:Alison Watt, Elizabeth Barratt, and Ethan Spence

Sunday School: Ethan Spence

Livstream: Ashkon Vahedi

Just a reminder the 2024 ROTA is effective until Vestry 2025

If you want to join the 2025 ROTA please let the office know at scadmin@shaw.ca 

In our prayers this week, 1st Sunday of Epiphany, The Church of the Province of West Africa

We pray for our Companion Diocese: The Episcopal Diocese of Northern Philippines, The Right Rev Benny Lang-akan, Bishop. We pray for our companion cluster parish of St. Catherine of Siena in Cervantes and The Rev. Gladys Pag, Bunga, Tadian.

In Canada we pray for Archbishop Linda, Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Sheilagh McGlynn, Dr.  Andrea Mann, Director, and the staff of Global Relations; Ryan Weston, Lead  Animator, Public Witness for Social and Ecological Justice; Executive Director, Will   Postma, and staff of the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund,  Executive Director, Karin Achtelstetter, and staff of Canadian Lutheran World Relief.  The Assistants to the Bishop and the staff of the Eastern Synod

In our Province we pray for our Metropolitan, Archbishop Lynne McNaughton.

In our Diocese we pray for Bishop John, Diocesan Council: Officers and Members, The Deanery of Kingsway – Regional Dean The Cathedral Chapter – The Very Revd Chris Pappas, Chair

We pray for Spencer, Richard T., Terry R. and Nicole.

We remember Rev. Sharon as she travels to South Africa to be with her Dad for two weeks.

The Wildfires in California and all the people affected.

Send non-confidential requests to Natasha: scadmin@shaw.ca

**Please note that for confidential, urgent prayer requests, Natasha will send these to our prayer circle ministry. We ask that you make this clear either by phone or email.

In addition to those acknowledged in December, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the following individuals for their generous monetary contributions toward the Christmas Flower donations for this past Christmas event.

- Pauline Barrett in memory of Bern

- Marthe Duncombe in thanksgiving for many blessings.

We are thrilled to announce that the Induction of the Rev. Laurel Dykstra will occur on January 21st at 7:30pm at St. George, Fort Langley. All are warmly invited to attend. If any would like to car pool - Alison Watt is looking to organize. Contact her at: alisonjeanwatt@outlook.com

Dear friends,

Our Light has come! In the dark and cold of winter may we be mindful of God’s manifest presence within & among us!

I wonder what would be a blessing to your spiritual life as we navigate these tender and tumultuous times. This Winter Program has a variety of online and in-person offerings to light your path with meaningful experiences and engaged community as we grow in grace. Contemplative living grounds and fills us for the work needed in the world; it is not for the faint of heart! Thankfully, the Centre for Spiritual Renewal offers life-growing events and gatherings to strengthen and encourage us as we are ‘loved into being’. Hope to see you as we walk in the light!

View the Winter Program HERE. 

Peace & Presence,

Lorie

Rev. Lorie Martin

The Centre for Spiritual Renewal.org