A friendly reminder to you to read this newsletter to the end, especially the "Mark your Calendars" section.

The office and Sr. Ingrid have been getting queries about events that are noted in this section.

Thank you! :-D

Photo by Jennifer Latuperisa-Andresen on Unsplash

We invite you to join us at 5 PM this Saturday for an All Souls service of Evening Prayer with the music of Taize.

This Saturday, we gather to remember those we have lost, in a sacred time of evening prayer, sacred darkness, and the singing of chants in candlelight.

You are invited to bring a photograph, or a meaningful momento with you to the service.

You are in for a very special treat! This Sunday, November 3^rd at 2 PM in the church, the Choir of Church of the Advent performs “Joy in the House.” This is a special concert performance featuring memorable music from various genres, both sacred and secular, led by our choir director Nell Howard. You won’t want to miss this very rare opportunity.

All are welcome. Suggested donation at the door is $15.00.

Donations to the Goldstream Food Bank are accepted.

All who are new to the parish are warmly invited to the Welcome Coffee Social after the 10:00 service in the St. John’s Room, where we can meet one another and learn more about our community!

Photo by Paulo Felipe Assis on Unsplash

The next Parish Council Retreat is on Thursday, November 7^th at 6:30 pm in the Chapel.

The Parish Council Christmas Dinner is coming soon on November 23^rd at 5 pm at Mary and Al’s home.

Your Christmas Craft Fair Committee has been busy planning and working hard behind the scenes to organize yet another wondrous annual Craft Fair and Tea event! Plan to come to Church of the Advent on Saturday, November 16th between 10 am and 3 pm. Start your Christmas shopping early by browsing among unique, one-of-a-kind crafts from over two dozen vendors. Visit our tea room for lunch, opening at 11 am. And don't forget to purchase our homemade jams, jellies, and baked goods. The Church of the Advent Christmas Craft Fair is always a delightful way to kick off the holiday season.

--------------------------------

Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex for those who wish to volunteer their support on the Friday prior to the Craft Fair, and on the day itself.

The Christmas Craft Fair committee is running a little short on Classico jars and Christmas mugs. If you have any to spare, we please put them in the bin found in the Narthex. Thank you!

The Church of the Advent Jazz Vespers is thrilled to welcome The Brandy Moore Jazz Trio.

Join us on Sunday November 24^th at 7pm for this incredible show. Suggested donation at the door is $20/person.

A fun COFFEE HOUSE EVENING presenting the Bluegrass/ Folksy band  “Pocket Full Of Dust.”

Friday Nov. 29 th at 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 ish in the hall at the Church of  the Advent.

Tickets $15.00 at the door or purchase in advance from Dayle  Robertson or Bev Somers.

Door prize to be won! Coffee, tea and snacks will be available (cash only please). This event is open to the public.

POCKET FULL OF DUST 

Pocket Full of Dust is a four-piece acoustic band that plays bluegrass as well as traditional roots and folk, with strong vocal harmonies.  The band has been active locally for the past few years playing market venues, some restaurant gigs, as well as busking at the central library. Band members are: Tim Storm – banjo & vocals, Noreen Skoreyko – fiddle, mandolin & vocals, Carol Thibault – upright bass & vocals, and Bruce Medd – guitar & vocals. C’mon out and hear some good old time acoustic music!

We have had a request from the parents of young children to move the first Christmas Eve service earlier. The second service remains at 10 PM. We would appreciate feedback from parents and from those who attend the early Christmas Eve service - would you prefer the service to be at 4 PM or 5 PM, or do you not have a preference?

Please take two minutes to fill in the form at the link below.

Last year’s Christmas Day Lunch for anyone who is alone was a great success with a large turnout and lots of happy faces. Church of the Advent will host the lunch again this year and needs your support. Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex for duties such as setting up and taking down, serving, and food preparation that can be delivered either on Christmas Eve service or Christmas Day.

The Forward Day by Day Devotionals for November, December, and January are ready. Don't forget to pick yours up in the Narthex. You will find there the small pocket size version along with the large print.

Run With the Horses: The Quest for Life at Its Best

Eugene H. Peterson

So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can run against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood? (Jer. 12:5)

From the translator of the Bible into contemporary English (The Message) comes this remarkable book about pursuing the best life of which we are capable. Peterson follows the “towering life” of the prophet Jeremiah as described in the biblical book that bears his name, looking to see what creates a God-centred life of excellence. Such a life may not be a success by society’s standards—and Jeremiah’s wasn’t—but involves the full and passionate response of the individual to God’s call. Each such life is unique, as each of us is unique. Peterson explores the different ways in which Jeremiah grew into and carried out the task that God gave him.

Run With the Horses was first published in 1983, revised by the author in 2009, and reprinted five years ago to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of its publication; this is a copy of the 2019 issue. It is featured this week on the Top Shelf, and its regular location will be in the Christian Life section of the library, shelf code CHLF PET.

To borrow this or any other book, please fill out a green loan slip from the small bookcase in the narthex, and put it in the pink box. The loan period is 6 weeks. If you have one due for return, please fill out a yellow return slip instead, and leave your book beside the box.

BOOKS ARE MOVING

Church of the Advent has received a generous gift of books from Bishop Logan, many of which are now being added to the collection. To make room for expansion in other sections, the library’s Anglican and Biography sections have joined the Bible and Bible Resources sections in the St John Room. This reunites the first part of the library (alphabetically, themes A-Bz) in one location.

Nov 2 – Taize/All Souls Service, 5 PM

Nov 7 - Parish Council Retreat, 6:30 PM

Nov 3 - Welcome Coffee Social after 10:00 Service

                Choir Concert, 2 PM

Nov 16 – Christmas Craft Fair, 10 AM – 3 PM

Nov 23 - Parish Council Dinner, 5 PM

Nov 24 – Jazz Vespers - Brandy Moore Jazz Trio, 7 PM

Nov 27 – Community Lunch, Noon

Nov 29 – Coffee House Evening featuring Pocket Full of Dust, 7:30 PM

Nov 30 – Spanish Service, 6 PM

Dec 7 – Taize Service, 5 PM

Dec 8 – Lessons & Carols Service, 2 PM

Dec 21 – Blue Christmas Service, Chapel, 5 PM

Dec 24 – Christmas Eve Services

Dec 25 – Christmas Day Dinner, Noon

Dec 28 - Spanish Service, 6 PM

Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee has shared a short video providing an overview of the two days of Synod events and encourages all synod delegates to attend their regional meetings prior to synod. 

Synod 2024 - next weekend:

Opening service
Friday, November 1st from 7pm
Christ Church Cathedral

Synod 2024
Saturday, November 2nd 
The Baumann Centre (St. John the Divine, Victoria) 

Readings for this Sunday's services:

Isaiah 25: 6-9

Psalm 24

Revelation 21: 1-6a

John 11: 32-44

Read Sunday's readings online:
1. Go to https://lectionary.anglican.ca/  
2. Select next Sunday's date in the space at the bottom.
3. Click "Link to full text for this day".

All are welcome to join us on Thursdays for our relaxed and interesting Zoom online Bible Study, to look at the readings for the following Sunday. No experience or prior knowledge is needed.

Time: 10 AM - 11 AM.

Zoom Link:  

https://bc-anglican-ca.zoom.us/j/88378461340?pwd=cU9wSUNEZG02M3h3bGVrUmpyMjRNZz09

Meeting ID: 883 7846 1340
Passcode: 4743031 

Sunday
 8:30 AM - Traditional Eucharist, Book of Common Prayer
(no choir) Chapel

10:00 AM - Contemporary Eucharist, Book of Alternative Services,
with choir Main Church

First Saturday of the Month
5:00 PM - Taize service with singing  Chapel (except August and January)

Last Saturday of the Month
6 PM - Spanish Language Anglican Eucharist Service  

Office hours are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

from 9 am until noon.