The Church of the Advent Christmas Craft Fair and Tea is almost here!

Bring your friends and family this Saturday, November 19th. Enjoy a full lunch for only $10! Lunch & afternoon tea starts at 11 am.

Then get your Christmas shopping in early, and be sure to pick up delicious baking, jams, jellies, and chutney from our bake table.

You won't want to miss this special annual event!

Bring your friends and come and join us for lunch! The Ladies Guild will have prepared for you a delicious soup, sandwiches, dessert, coffee and tea. You won't want to miss it!

Doors open at noon and it’s $10 per person. See you there!

Agnes Richardson, Mike Armstrong, Azeita Harding, & Cat Mason all attended, on behalf of the Church of the Advent parish, the Remembrance Day Ceremony at Royal Roads. Mike was there to accompany Agnes while she laid the wreath.

As many of you know, Agnes served in the Navy as a Petty Officer Women’s’ Royal Canadian Naval Service  (commonly known as Wrens.)  We are so very blessed to have Agnes still attending the ceremony. Our Agnes will be 100 years young in a few months!  

For some, Christmas is not a time of joy and celebration, but a time of loss and grief - whether it be the death of a loved one, broken relationships, loss, or estrangement. 

This year, we will be offering a Blue Christmas service, a time when we can, with others, acknowledge the "blue" feelings we have at Christmas time. We can lift to God the reasons for our sadness.  

Join us in the Chapel on Saturday December 10 at 5 PM for a short service of scripture and prayer in a safe, loving and healing space.  

Please consider inviting others who are in need of loving care during the Christmas season. 

Are you beginning to dread all the rush and expenditure of Christmas? This Advent, join us for a 4-part sermon series based on "Advent Conspiracy", a book by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay and Greg Holder, that challenges the way that we Christians have come to celebrate Christmas.  

Advent Conspiracy shows you how to substitute consumption with compassion by practicing four simple but powerful, countercultural concepts. It also gives practical help in planning the kind of Christmas that truly can change the world. This year, take a stand! Join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be - a joyous celebration of Jesus’ birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us. 

Follow this link to learn more (video): https://youtu.be/2yfnlhvmr-k 

We will have an online Christmas Morning Service for anyone who wishes to join us. Christmas day is a Sunday. The service would be from 8:30 to 9:15 am via Zoom. 

Here is the link to join:

https://bc-anglican-ca.zoom.us/j/5333593540?pwd=NHJhbzRYamU3OFpPVFQrM1pzTmRkdz09 

 Meeting ID: 533 359 3540 

 Passcode: 4743031

As part of our Christmas Outreach initiatives for 2022, we are supporting two wonderful programs for those in need, particularly people who are without houses: the Rock Bay Project and Street Hope Shoebox Ministry. 

We are currently accepting donations of blankets, towels, adult backpacks, and gently used clothing/shoes for Rock Bay. All items will be blessed on December 11th before getting delivered to their respective locations.

For the Shoebox Ministry, we will be accepting donations of empty shoeboxes for people to take and fill. We are also accepting already filled boxes with small items such as scarves, gloves, socks, toiletries, gift cards, non-perishable snacks (with plastic utensils if needed), etc. We ask that you please not seal the boxes in case the contents need to be checked. If you have any questions about what items can be included, please speak to either Joan Hoffman or Elizabeth Bennett.

Does our economy need to “grow” endlessly?  Will that help us fulfill the mandate of Matthew 25:35-40 to meet the needs of the hungry, thirsty, immigrants, the homeless, the sick, the prisoners? Of the least of these?  

Please plan to attend Colin Stuart's workshop. To prepare for the session, please watch "How to Save the Planet" on Youtube (90 min.) If you cannot, please watch the Kate Raworth TED talk (15 min.) You will see its spiritual dimension.

For your time of quiet reflection and preparation, here are the readings for this Sunday:

JEREMIAH 23:1-6

CANTICLE 19 (LUKE 1:68-79)

COLOSSIANS 1:11-20

LUKE 23:33-43

Nov 18 – Christmas Craft Fair Evening Set-up

Nov 19 – CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR, 10 am – 3 pm

Nov 22 – What-Sew-Ever, 10 am, Main Hall

Nov 23 – Midweek Prayer Service, 10 am, Chapel

Nov 24 – Online Bible Study, 10 am, Zoom

Nov 27 - First Sunday of Advent 

Dec 4 - Second Sunday of Advent & HANGING OF THE GREENS

Dec 8 – Parish Council Meeting, Hybrid @ 7 pm 

Dec 10 - Blue Christmas Service, 5 pm, Chapel

Dec 11 - Third Sunday of Advent

Dec 18 - Fourth Sunday of Advent & PAGEANT SUNDAY

Dec 24 – Christmas Carols from 6:30 - 7 pm                

      7 pm Christmas Eve Service & 10 pm Christmas Eve Service 

Dec 25 - Christmas Morning Zoom Service - 8:30 - 9:15 am

On December 9^th, Our Place Society presents A Christmas Carol dramatic reading at the First Metropolitan United Church. The evening features the vocal talents of CBC Radio personalities and special guests Jack Knox of the Times Colonist and Joe Perkins of CHEK News. This special event promises to be a heart-warming evening for the whole family. For those who cannot attend in person, there will be an opportunity to watch online as well. Tickets to both can be found at https://www.ourplacesociety.com/christmascarol/  

Coldest Night of the Year: The popular walkathon campaign returns to Downtown Victoria Saturday, February 25. Our Place Society is also partnering with Pacific Centre Family Services Association in the WestShore, to bring back the WestShore walk.  Together, we are proud to offer families, faith, work, and community groups the opportunity to walk in solidarity and raise awareness and funds to help serve the hungry, homeless, and hurting people in our community. People can sign up at 

https://cnoy.org/location/victoriapandora or 

https://cnoy.org/location/victoriawestshore  

Like other years, we will have warmups, family friendly activities, and a warm bowl of chilli. Those who wish to walk remotely can sign up for either location.

Faith Tides is the official publication of the Anglican diocese of Islands and Inlets. It is a space where people of faith and doubt can share their stories, challenge their perceptions, and grow together.

In this issue: Empty pews and self-emptying by Bishop Anna; Remembering nature as the place of God; Under the orange roof: of raccoons and reconciliation; Finding hope in liminal times at the fall diocesan women's retreat; Addressing parishioner loneliness through gratitude; and more!

Read it here!

The Chapel Gallery welcomes you to the opening of local artist Dale Roberts' outstanding exhibit: Dames, Divas & Icons. Dale’s exhibition is comprised of portraits and busts that highlight his extraordinary interpretation of famous and much adored public personalities that he has manifested through painting and sculpting with felt.

When: Thursday November 17th from 6:30 to 9pm

Where: The Chapel Gallery at St. Matthias Anglican Church, 600 Richmond (at Richardson)

In Conversation with the Artist will take place at 7pm with Dale Roberts and curator Mary-ellen Threadkell.

Artist Dale Roberts has much to celebrate as he has interpreted and manifested his creation of Dames, Divas & Icons. His craftsmanship and exquisite detail with these interpretations is not to be missed.

You can read more about the show here

Join us for a high-stepping, energized evening with The Midnights, one of Victoria's hottest and most exceptional show bands. Featuring a twelve piece choreographed band with a dynamic rhythm section, a sizzling horn section, and fronted by five distinctive vocal voices, these outstanding musicians will deliver music in the style of all the great Pop, Motown, and Rhythm & Blues artists.

All proceeds raised from ticket sales and throughout the event will be included in the Kitchen's Donate and Double Your Impact Campaign, and will provide vital funding for The Kitchen's programs and services. What a great opportunity to enjoy an evening with The Midnight's while at the same time doubling the impact that your donation will have on our community. Bring your dancing shoes!

Concert Ticket Information:    

• Tickets are $20/person and can be purchased online through Canada Helps, in person at the Shelbourne Community Kitchen, with limited tickets available at the door.
• We also have a "Community Ticket" option where you can buy admission for a member of The Kitchen to attend the concert. Tax receipts available for Community Tickets only.

This show is going to sell out quickly, so buy your tickets today!