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Services this week15 December - Third Sunday in Advent 8am Holy Communion 9am Community prayers downstairs in the youth room 9.30am Family Eucharist, in-person and live streamed via Facebook Live [LINK]
Please join us downstairs in the hall for coffee and fellowship after the 9.30 service. 17 December Tuesday 10.30am Contemplative Prayer (last one for 2024, resumes on 7 January) 19 December Thursday 10am Eucharist |
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Christmas flowersOn Sunday, the 15th & 22nd, the Altar Guild will be collecting contributions to purchase flowers to decorate the church for our Christmas services. And if you would enjoy helping with the final decorating, we can use your help! Join us on Monday, the 23rd, at 9am…it will take about an hour. - Karen Fenimore |
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Envelopes are ready!2025 offering envelopes are ready to pick up in the narthex. Information about the various methods of giving are on the website (click here), or please contact our offerings secretary, Betty Davidson: offerings@stphilipvictoria.ca. |
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Christmas card swap boxPostal strike notwithstanding, it's that time of year again... Are you looking for individual Christmas cards rather than a whole box? Stop by the table outside the office and browse our selection! They're free. Do you have extra new/unused Christmas cards and envelopes? Contributions of nice unused cards with envelopes are welcome. Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash |
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Parish calendar14 Dec Sat 4-6pm St. Philip Family Christmas Party |
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Tomorrow: Parish Nativity PartyMark your calendar and plan to join in for St Philip’s first ever Nativity Party, Saturday, Dec 14 at 4pm. This is the perfect event to invite family, friends and neighbours to enjoy some Christmas crafts, hot chocolate, cookies, singing, and storytelling about the true meaning of Christmas. All are welcome to dress up as your favourite part of the Christmas Story, or borrow one of the (kids') costumes that will be provided. Rumour has it that there may also be a visit from St Nicholas... - Shannon Carmichael Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash |
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Congregational meeting to finalize 2025 Budgetfollowing the 9.30 service. |
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Cancelled: Taizé Prayer New Year's EveWith apologies, the New Year's Eve Prayer in the Style of Taizé at St Philip has been cancelled. Please join us at St Philip Oak Bay in 2025 for a candlelit service of song, silence, prayer and contemplation, in the style of the Taizé Community, on the last Thursdays of the month at 7pm: 30 January 2025 - new date! - Judith Slimmon and Yvette Bird |
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St Philip Parish VestrySt Philip Oak Bay will hold its AGM (also known as the Annual Vestry Meeting) at the church on Tuesday 11 February 2025 7-9pm. We will receive 2024 reports, vote on a budget for 2025, and elect our Parish Council. We look forward to 2025 as we serve God by meeting the needs in the world. The 2025 agenda, 2024 annual reports, and 2025 budget will be circulated via email ahead of the meeting. Print copies will be available in the narthex. Those writing annual reports will receive a reminder in the new year, but it's not too early to start! The deadline will be 20 January, for compilation and timely circulation ahead of the meeting. Image by claude_star from Pixabay
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The Foundation for the Children of Haiti Year End 2024My Dear Friends, It is a pleasure to write and thank you for your prayers and generosity over the past year. We are so grateful for your faithful partnership with us. In the face of unimaginable obstacles and danger, God continues to protect everyone at the Foundation and has allowed us to continue all our ministries. We continue to do everything we can to keep life as normal as possible for the children under our care. After the Kenyan police force arrived in late June there were a few months where the level of gang violence seemed to be in check. However, in early November things deteriorated significantly as the gangs made a push to control all of Port au Prince. There was a very tense day in mid-November when gangs attempted to expand into Petion Ville, a quiet neighbourhood that lies between the hospital and my home. Fortunately, the Kenyan and Haitian police forces were able to turn back the invaders. About a week after that, I was advised to leave Haiti due to the level of insecurity. With all commercial flights having been cancelled due to the violence, I left on a US military flight on November 23. I am now in Florida staying with one of my siblings until the situation calms down. Fortunately, I am in contact with the staff in Haiti, so can work almost as if I am there. Through God’s grace, the area where the Children’s Village and Hope Hospital are located continues to be relatively calm. As well, in there is much less insecurity in Mussotte – a rural area in southern Haiti where we have an elementary school and C-Tech. Despite what we have faced the past year, with God leading and protecting, and knowing that you stand with us, we look back on 2024 with gratitude, and forward to 2025 with hope for better days. I wish you all the best for a happy Christmas and every blessing in the coming year. Love, - Gladys Thomas via Jackie Prowse for the MIssions Committee |
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Shine a Light on YouthOur Church, through our missions donations, supports the work of Street Hope. This holiday season, shine a light on ending youth homelessness in Greater Victoria when you order Shine a Light on Youth tea boxes or beeswax candles. A deeply local option, the tea boxes contain 12 different teabags from Silk Road tea, while the candles are made in Cobble Hill by Crowfoot Collective. All proceeds support youth in Threshold Housing’s homes and support programs. - Karen Van Rheenen, Missions Committee |
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UPDATE: Christmas Volunteering at the Mustard SeedSAVE THE DATE: Thursday December 19 12pm – 4:30 pm Join other St. Philip Parishioners for an afternoon volunteering at the Mustard Seed Thanks to the great response, our shifts on Thursday Dec 19 have been split, from 12 – 4:30 to 12-2:15 and 2:10 – 4:30. There is still room! You must be at least 16 years old to join. Please invite your family and friends to come along, even if they don’t attend church. This volunteer opportunity is open to individuals aged 16 and older, whether accompanied by a parent or not. If you’re able to join, please email Jackie: jkprowse1450@gmail.com The Mustard Seed has other volunteer times available as well. Please see https://mustardseed.ca/volunteer/ to sign up. - Jackie Prowse
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Useful links
The Welcome pew leaflet, weekly parish news, current Anglican Journal, & Faith Tides, recent Parish Council minutes and more are all available in print in the narthex. Please let Anna know if more print copies are needed, on Sundays or for sharing with those who don't use email. News items for the bulletin are always welcome - deadline Thursday noon. More parish, diocesan and community notices on the News and Events sections of the parish website.
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Rector: Rev. Allen Doerksen
email incumbent@stphilipvictoria.ca, cell 236-508-2928 Rector's day off: Friday
Wardens: Larry Anthony lanthony@stphilipvictoria.ca and Ceal McLean cmclean@stphilipvictoria.ca
Office Hours: Mon 1-4.30, Wed & Thurs 9-4.30
250-592-6823
admin@stphilipvictoria.ca Subscribe to St. Philip emails Parish website Live stream link Facebook page |
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Image creditsHeader: detail from the new Advent hanging in the narthex, made by Joan Sedgwick. |
