THE GRAPEVINE

ADVENT/CHRISTMAS EDITION 2021

COME CELEBRATE WITH US

The Rev. Benjamin H. Gillard, B.A. (Hons.), M.Div. Priest-in-Charge

101 Winchester Rd. E., P.O. Box 274, Brooklin, ON., Canada L1M 1B5
Church Office & Hall Bookings Phone: 905-655-3883 Email: office@stthomasbrooklin.com
Website: www.stthomasbrooklin.com
We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the
Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation.

OUR MISSION
St. Thomas’ is a loving, caring community, called to
encourage and nurture people to grow in faith; to
share the Gospel message through the diversity of
our worship experience; to live out our faith with joy
and to invite others to share our spiritual journey.

SUNDAY SERVICES
8:30 am BCP
10:30 am with Choir and on-line
Sunday School at 10:30 am.
Reserve seating at both services.
All Covid-19 regulations are observed.
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In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came
into being through him, and without him not one thing came into be-
ing. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the
light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness
did not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
As we near the winter solstice and each day the hours of daylight
become fewer, this Gospel passage comes to mind. It’s also the Gos-
pel reading that is appointed for Christmas day – which is no coin-
cidence. At the time of year when the darkness is most pervasive,
the light of Christ comes into the world and shines in our midst.
My article for the Advent/Christmas issue of The Grapevine was
about beginnings: the beginning of the new school year; the begin-
ning of my ministry in this community; and the beginning (God-
willing) of a return to a more normal rhythm of worship and com-
munity life as we re-open. This issue, we are once again on the The Rev. Benjamin Gallard
threshold of a new beginning as we launch into the season of Ad-
vent and embark on the journey towards Bethlehem. Advent marks the start of a new year in the
Christian liturgical calendar. Indeed, the word ‘Advent’ comes from the Latin Adventus which means
arrival. Advent is a season of anticipation and preparation as we await the arrival – the Adventus -–
of Jesus Christ.
This year, as we journey towards Bethlehem and the arrival of the Christ child, I have three words
on my heart which I invite you to likewise ponder, pray, and act upon: anticipation, presence, and
encouragement.
Anticipation: to anticipate is to do more than just wait passively. Anticipation implies activeness and
intentionality. When we anticipate the coming of Christ, we kindle within our souls a spiritual hun-
ger that yearns to be filled with the Good News that is the Word of God; living and active in Christ
and in us.
Presence: Christmas is the celebration that Christ has come into the world to be present with us. I
have a book titled God With Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas. It is a spiritual resource
that includes daily meditations for Advent through to Christmastide. A key theme throughout is the
notion that Christ is coming to be present with us. Amidst our challenges and sorrows, and amidst
our frustrations and even anger, Christ is – and always will be – present with us.
Encouragement: there are many reasons right now to feel discouraged. But the arrival of Jesus
Christ is a reason for encouragement for us as we anticipate the joy, light, and hope that accompa-
nies his arrival. I invite us, as a parish family, to intentionally prepare for the coming of Christ by
embracing a spirit of encouragement – for ourselves and those whom we love, and also for one anoth-
er in our community. We continue to navigate many challenges as we re-open, and it’s easy at times
to become critical or frustrated, including with one another. As we continue to make headway in our
re-opening process, it remains vital that we support and encourage one another.

My friends, I give thanks to God every day that I have been gifted with the opportunity to serve in
ministry alongside you. As we go into this season of Advent and a new liturgical year, I hope and
pray that you feel spiritually energised to anticipate the arrival of Christ; that you feel his presence
in your lives; and that you will be filled with a spirit of encouragement. May the light of God, the Fa-
ther, Son, and Holy Spirit, shine upon you and those whom you love, now and always.
Yours in Christ,
Benjamin+ Priest-in-Charge,
St Thomas’ Brooklin
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2021 & 2022 Altar Flowers

Hi everyone...just to remind you to decide on a

date for your Altar Flowers for 2021 or chose
a date for 2022.
Please indicate a date along with desired
memorial and enclose payment of $60 in your
envelope; then forward to the Church Office.
Thank you for your consideration.

Naida Cormack, Altar flowers

A Tribute to Jeanne Williams

Jeanne and I shared many interests in our friendship. We worked together at St. Thomas
in Chancel Guild over many years. She was the brave soul who tended the candles on the
altar and the large white linen cloths which covered it. She was also appreciated as a long-
time member of St. Paul’s Cemetery Board. Jeanne took an active interest in the Timothy
Pryce Memorial Library when she was able.
Also shared was our interest in history, local and worldwide. We travelled on a guided
tour of Portugal a few years ago. Whenever we could, we took in House and Garden Tours
locally.
As part of her outreach, Jeanne generously allowed her lands to be farmed so that the
grain produced could be given to feed the poor nations in the Third World.
I regard her death as a journey to the “City of Light”, and also a release from the pain and
suffering of serious illness. She will be missed by many in the church and community. We
bid her a sad “Good bye” and extend our sympathies to Corinne and Stephanie and all
their families.
God Bless, John and Betty Cincurak
May she rest in peace and in Christ rise in glory
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Heather Beveridge, looks after the Church website

( stthomasbrooklin.com ) and the social media accounts,
Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Our new twitter ac-
count is @StThomas_AC
You can also join our Email list and join or update your
pre-authorized giving or donate with CanadaHelps .org

Let us know if there are other ways that we can help you
stay connected.

Your Love
The sun kisses the mountain tops
The rain caresses the plain,
Your love embraces my very being,
For the rest of my life will sustain.
Though cloudy days may lie before us,
We’ll travel this road with assurance.
Sunshine rays and rainbow moments
Will strengthen our path with endurance.
Words to live by …….
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Forgiveness
Pain punctures the soul.
Ridicule injures the heart.
Past memories resurface,
To tear us apart.
Where is the cure to
Mend what we’ve endured?
The years pass, and the stories
Fade and are obscured.
God’s caring will heal us so
Let the memories unfold.
Face the pain, march bravely onward,
There is truth to be told.
We must forgive ourselves and not
Be burdened with that heavy load.
God’s guidance and forgiveness will
Be forever bestowed.
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Books for the Journey

The Library Corner by Grace Alden

Timothy Pryce
Memorial Library

You have probably noticed that I like to encourage everyone to read. I put fun stuff in the
library because I believe recreation is a good reason to read. But, I promised to add some
books with deeper content this time for our resident scholars and theologians. Look for
these three newer books if you want to stretch.
RELIGION and the RISE of CAPITALISM by Benjamin Friedman This is
a brand new take on a classic theme. I found the book easy to read.
Published this year, it’s an overview of the intersection of belief and econom-
ics since the Eighteenth Century. Fascinating stuff!
THE WAY OUT by Peter T. Coleman
The book’s subtitle is ‘How to overcome toxic polarization’ which is a big
problem these days.
Coleman gives some really specific ideas that may help you talk to people
who you passionately disagree with. These techniques are useful for
personal or political situations.
SIMPLY TRINITY by Matthew Barret
The author is a conservative Baptist professor. I think his scholarship is respectable to
say the least. This is my own book and I am not finished reading it yet, so it
may be a little while before I bring it in. Barrett knows the work of Roman
Catholic scholars (and others) which I read in seminary. Those of you who
have done some extra reading in theology might really enjoy wrestling with
his ideas. Many pastors cringe at the idea of having to preach on the Trinity,
but Barrett takes it on full tilt. Ouch!
* * * * * * *
ATTENTION BEGINNING READERS AND PARENTS!
I have discovered some good books for kids. They are wonderfully illustrated life lessons
featuring a boy named Drew and his friend, a dragon named Diggory Doo (Drew’s alter
ego?) Maybe you’ve already met them. Together they face many of the fears and prob-
lems that children have to deal with. I will put these books on the shelf under the win-
dows in the library.
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…. from the Music Director …….

It’s the end of November already, Christmas decora-

tions are going up, and Advent/Christmas music plans and rehearsals are under
way.

A personal welcome to Rev. Benjamin! I’m enjoying working with him and appre-
ciate his passion for liturgy in worship.

It is so nice to have the choir singing and leading again in our worship services.
We are being careful to adhere to the Diocesan guidelines regarding singing.
Although it is not completely normal, we are happy to be back together again. We
are rehearsing every Thursday at 7:30 and would love to have some extra voices
for the Advent/Christmas season.

Thank you to our other instrumentalists/soloists who offer their talents during our
worship services.

I’m still keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to have some
congregational singing for Christmas.
I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!
Merry Christmas!

Linda

Our Choir is back!

Makayla Luc
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Since the last

Grapevine

Thank you Mike, June and Nancy

for covering the registration desk.

A special Vestry Meeting was held by

The Choir is back, praise the Lord!
Zoom, Sun. Oct. 3. The Audited
Financial Statements were approved
and Jeffery Whyte & Leigh-Ann
Hancox were elected Lay Delegates
for Synod.

Blessing the backpacks Sunday

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The Rev. Beverley Williams

officiated at the service on Oct. 17
Jen Bren-

The Rev. Don Shields officiated

at the service on Oct. 24

Faith Works Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021

Peter Misiaszek
Director of Stewardship Development for
the Anglican Diocese of Toronto.
He spoke about Faith Works and the work it
The mask is off, things are improving. does for those in need.
He thanked the parishioners of St.Thomas
for giving $225,000 over the past 24 years.
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St. Francis of Assisi

Born in the late 1100’s and died in 1226
Blessing the Animals at St. Thomas’
on Sunday, October 2, 2021

Each and every creature is a unique word of God, with its own message, its own
metaphor, its own energetic style, its own way of showing forth goodness, beau-
ty, and participation in the Great Mystery. Each creature has its own glow and its own unique glory. To be
a contemplative is to be able to see each epiphany, to enjoy it, protect it, and draw upon it for the common
good. Living close to nature as he did, Francis could see Christ in every animal he encountered. He is quot-
ed as talking to or about rabbits, bees, larks, falcons, lambs, pigs, fish, cicadas, waterfowl, doves, and the
famous wolf of Gubbio, to name just a few. Those of you who love dogs know that each one is uniquely gift-
ed by God and blesses our lives in special ways. Their unconditional love, forgiveness, and loyalty show us
what God is like. My successive dogs, Peanut Butter, Gubbio, Venus, and now Opie, have enriched my life
in many ways. I really think human beings need someone to love, someone to awaken us to the flow of love
and to keep that flow going. I can understand why so many people have adopted pets to ease their isolation
during the pandemic! I often wonder if there doesn’t have to be an object (which then becomes a subject)
whose goodness, truth, and beauty draw us out of ourselves. That someone doesn’t even have to be human;
it can be an animal to whom we give ourselves and through whom we feel ourselves given back. Remem-
ber, our English word ‘animal’ comes from the Latin word for “soul” or anima. Animals are ensouled
ones! I will never forget Venus’ amazing ability to make eye contact with me. She’d come to my bed
around 5:30 in the morning, put her head on the side of the bed, and just look at me. And I’d roll over and
try to get my eyes open and look back at her. Humans can’t seem to sustain eye contact for long. But dogs
just keep gazing at us with their very “soulful” eyes. And I’d wonder: What did she see? What was she
thinking? What was it that she genuinely seemed to like in me? They say the eyes are the windows to the
soul. I’m convinced these beings that we thought lived at a rudimentary level of consciousness can see the
one thing necessary: love! They don’t get lost in labeling and categorizing. Maybe that’s why they can
maintain the flow of love—often unconditionally. From Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation
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There will be a registration set up

for this event so that we can buy the
right number of gingerbread
kits. All families will receive a
packaged gingerbread kit with an
extra tube of icing (those kits never
have enough) and will sit at a table
with their family to construct it.

DEADLINE FOR
LENT/EASTER GRAPEVINE
Sunday, February 13, 2022
Send your submissions to the Editor -
Bruce Beveridge
at
bdbeveridge2@gmail.com
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A Report from the Hatib family

Two years ago, this past October my wife, Fryal, our 2 children and I arrived in Canada,
from Turkey. We had spent 7 years in a Refugee camp, after leaving Syria. We left
behind my parents, brother and sisters to join Fryal’s parents, who had come to Canada
in 2017, also from the same Refugee camp. Your Church made this all possible.
Fryal and I have worked hard to make Canada our home. We both attended ESL
classes in person until COVID made it necessary to learn online. For the first 4.5
months here we were able to meet people, attend appointments in person, get out in the
community and have the children attend daycare, which they loved. Once COVID-19 hit
our world grew much smaller. I attended English and Math upgrading classes online,
with Durham College, and Fryal continued ESL classes. My plan was to receive the
necessary programs to resume my career as a Pharmacy Technician, about 4+ years of
continued studies. In July 2021, Miral, our 3rd daughter arrived. My plan changed. I
have a responsibility to support my family. In August I got my driver’s license and
purchased a family van. Throughout the summer I networked with tradespeople, I met
in the community, with a view to starting my own business. My business is now
officially launched, Hatib’s Home Improvements. I have completed renovations for
several clients in my neighbourhood and the larger community. So far, word of mouth
has kept me very busy. I will continue my English classes with Durham College this
winter. Miriam, our oldest, started JK in September. Ahlam attends school next
September. Fryal is taking a break from ESL classes, while she looks after Miral and
Ahlam. Fryal will return to in-person classes when Ahlam goes to school.
My family has been blessed to have the gift of your generosity, your prayers and your
friendship. We will continue to grow here in Canada and to pay our good fortune
forward. We hope you will continue to make it possible for other Refugees to come to
this country. I know they will embrace the opportunity to make this their home as we
have. Alhamdulilla ("Praise be to God") Abdullah Hatib

Abdullah is doing all home renovations. He has estab-

lished a network of trades people to work with-
electrician, plumber etc. He is doing bathrooms,
kitchens, basements, floor tiling, decks, replacing win-
dow caulking, insulation, painting and drywall. Basi-
cally anything on the interior of a house.
Rick Bugg inspected some of his work today and said
he is doing a very good job.
He has decks booked for the spring, but is looking for
work over the winter.
Nancy Bugg
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CHRISTMAS BELLS
Stress, anxiety, depression and assorted negative vibes are all around us this Christmas,
but from our faith, we will still sing out ‘Joy to the World’. For sure, we are not alone in
facing troubled times. In the nineteenth century, civil war was threatening in the U.S. (the
bloody war happened!). Philosophers were upending many cherished beliefs (Friedrich
Nietzche published his ‘God is Dead’ work). But, the country’s favourite poet, Henry
Wadsworth Longfellow, wrote a poem called Christmas Bells that was set to music. We
often sing the first couple of verses, but I think it is good to read the rest of the poem.
I offer it here for you to contemplate.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

I thought how the day had come the belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, the world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black. accursed mouth the cannon thundered from the South
And with the sound the carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent the hearth-stones of a continent

And made forlorn the households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head; “There is no peace on earth,” I said;

For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead nor does He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men!

A blessed Christmas to you all, Grace Alden

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On the lighter side…….

Inner Peace:
If you can start the day without caffeine,

If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches

and pains,

If you can resist complaining and boring people

with your troubles,

If you can eat the same food every day and be

grateful for it,

If you can understand when your loved ones are

too busy to give you any time,

If you can take criticism and blame without

resentment,

If you can conquer tension without medical help,

If you can relax without alcohol,

If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

Then You Are Probably

The Family Dog

Lexophiles

-I changed my iPod’s name to Titanic. It’s syncing now.

-I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me.

-I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can’t put it down.

-England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.

-Acupuncture is a jab well done. That’s the point of it.

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FOR THE
KIDS &
THOSE
YOUNG AT
HEART

CHRIST before PILATE

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Christmas Hamper Offerings - St. Thomas’ Anglican Church members work with Brook-
lin United Church members for the Christmas Hamper Drive. This year, we’re asking
parishioners to contribute by cash or cheque using dedicated envelopes. The final Sunday
for receiving contributions will be Sunday, November 28. Tax receipts will be issued for all
donations.
Friday, November 26, 7:30pm. “Youth Group Games Night” with Ping Pong, board games
and more! Youth in grades 6 through 12 are welcome. Please be in touch with Michelle
Clouter or Tammy Bussey with any questions.
Sunday, November 28 (Advent 1) - Back to church Sunday! We invite everyone to make a
special effort to be present in worship (either in person or online). Advent 1 marks the
beginning of a new liturgical year; a year in which we hope to be able to come back
together as a parish family and recover from the effects of the pandemic. Live streaming
and health protocols will continue to be in effect.
Wednesday, December 8, 7:00pm. Blue Christmas Service - For many, Christmas can be a
difficult time of the year. The Service is a quieter, more contemplative service and includes
prayers for healing.
Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 to 4:00 pm Family Gingerbread Event, pre registration is
required.
Sunday, December 19 at 7:00pm. Christmas Pageant- Our children’s ministry team is put-
ting together a recorded Christmas Pageant. Households are being invited to come to the
church at specific times to film scenes, which will then be edited together. The film will
Premier on Zoom on Dec. 19th. Inquiries and expressions of interest can be directed to
Lisa Del Bono, Jen Campeau, or Linda Kellington
Friday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Services
4:00pm – Family Worship (Preceded by an outdoor 'Surprise!' from 2:00-4:00 – stay
tuned for more details!)
10:00pm – Candlelit Choral Eucharist (Preceded by Christmas carols outdoors from 9:15-
9:45pm).
Pre-registration is required for both services and will open the week before.
Friday, December 25 - Christmas Morning
We will be offering a service of Holy Eucharist with
musical accompaniment at 10:00am on Christmas morn-
ing. Pre-registration will open the week before.
Sunday, February 27, 2022 – Vestry Sunday
There will be one joint service at 9:30am in the main
worship space, which will be immediately followed by
vestry. Further details will be shared in January.