The Midweek News from St. Martin's
Hello all.
Thank you to everyone who assisted with the decorating of the church on Saturday. A total of 13, I understand. We even found the sheep for the Nativity scene during the summer clean up. They are currently being refurbished and will be baaaaack in their proper place shortly. Thanks also to Janice Chisholm for the photographs of the day. Rev'd Sarah has posted them to the website. They may be found at https://www.stmartinslondon.ca/news/preparing-for-advent-at-st-martins Please take photos of events and pass them along. They will either go in the Midweek News or on the website.
(From Rev'd Sarah) Kay Halpin Has Passed Away It is with sadness that I share the news that Kay Halpin died on Sunday, November 30th. Kay was a devoted member of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, faithfully serving the church for decades. Many of us have been blessed by her prayers, her presence, and her leadership through service on the Parish Council/Board of Management and her ministry as a Churchwarden.
We give thanks to God for her life and faithful witness among us. Your prayers for Kay's family are appreciated as they grieve her death privately. Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.
The Schedule. Here is an overview. Some events are expanded on in articles below
- Sunday 7 December, 2025 - Advent 2
- Monday 8 December, 2025 - 6:00 to 8:00 pm Advent Potluck Meal & Study
- Thursday 11 December 2025 - 10:00 am Morning Prayer
- Sunday 14 December 2025 - Advent 3
- Monday 15 December 2025 - 7:00 pm Parish Council
- Thursday 18 December 2025 - 10:00 am Morning Prayer
- Sunday 21 December 2025 - 10:00 am. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols (followed by Coffee Hour)
- Monday 22 December 2025 - 6:00 to 7:30 pm The Cloak of Kindness Squad
- - 7:30 pm Carols in the Courtyard
- Wednesday 24 December 2025 - 8:00 pm. Christmas Eve Choral Eucharist (BAS)
- Thursday 25 December 2025 - 10:00 am Christmas Day Choral Eucharist (BCP)
- Sunday 28 December 2025 - Christmas 1 - 10:00 am Choral Eucharist
- Sunday 4 January 2026 - 10:00 am Epiphany
Upcoming events can also be found on the church website at www.stmartinslondon.ca/events.
The Advent Wreath. This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent. I learned it's "of Advent" and "in Lent" because the Sundays count in Advent. It is a time of preparation, prayer and penance as we anticipate the birth of Christ. The Advent Wreath is a useful reminder and point of meditation on the role of Advent in our lives. The wreath itself is a circle which is said to symbolize the eternity of God and the immortality of the soul. There are five candles: three purple (or blue), one rose, and a white candle in the centre. A candle is lit each Sunday in Advent, the white candle is lit Christmas Eve. Each candle has a meaning.
Sunday Advent 1. A purple or blue candle. These are liturgical colours that signify a time of prayer, penance and sacrifice. It is the "Hope" or "Prophet's Candle" in remembrance of the prophets, especially Isaiah who foretold the birth of Christ. It represents the expectation felt in anticipation of the coming Messiah.
Sunday Advent 2. A purple or blue candle. It is the "Faith" or "Bethlehem Candle" as a reminder of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.
Sunday Advent 3. The third candle is pink and symbolizes "joy". It is called the "Shepherd's Candle" and is pink because rose is a liturgical colour for joy. It is meant to remind us of the joy the world experienced at the birth of Jesus. It is a pause in the penitential spirit of Advent.
Sunday Advent 4. A purple or blue candle. It is called the "Peace" or "Angels Candle". It is the final week of prayer and penance and reminds us of the Angels: "Peace on earth, good will towards Men".
Christmas Eve. The white candle in the centre is lit Christmas Eve. It is the "Christ Candle" and represents the life and light of Christ.
Morning Prayer & Quiet Reflection during Advent will be offered on Thursday mornings: Dec 4, Dec 11 & Dec 18 at 10:00 am. Morning Prayer in the tradition of the Book of Common Prayer will begin at 10:00 am. The church will remain open for prayer and reflection until 11:30 am. All are welcome to participate in this time of quiet contemplation and reflection.
Awaiting Christ Together: Advent Meal & Study
Monday, December 8th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm in Rowland Hall
This coming Monday!! You're invited to an evening of fellowship, prayer and study as we prepare our hearts for Christmas together. Join in a simple potluck meal, followed by a reflection on God's Word and a time of contemplation. Please let us know if you can come and what you plan to bring--a sign-up sheet is available on the table in the Narthex, or email stmartinslondon@diohuron.org.
St. Michael & All Angels Advent Study - "The Light of the World" by Amy-Jill Levine. This study will take place on Wednesdays after St. Michael & All Angels 10 am Eucharist from November 26 to December 17. Anyone from St. Martin's who wishes to participate is welcome. Please contact Rev'd Mike or Kim if you would like to purchase a book for $25.00: stmichael397@gmail.com
St. Martin's Brunchers - Christmas Lunch Thursday December 18th at 11:30 am. A bit of a change for December. The Hillside Restaurant,located on the south side of Glendon Drive just past Kilworth on the way to Komoka. Cross the river, climb the hill and look left. Please contact Larry or Janice (519) 852-6899 to confirm your participation. Also contact them if you need assistance with transportation.
Advent Lessons & Carols on Sunday, December 21st at 10:00 am. Save the date! As in past years, our annual service of Advent Lessons & Carols will be offered on the fourth Sunday of Advent. Coffee Hour will follow.
Carols In The Courtyard Monday 22 December from 7:30 to 8:00 pm. Get out your top hats and mufflers and come and participate in a sing-along of Christmas Carols and Songs outside by the Nativity Scene. We hope to attract some of our neighbours as well. Hot chocolate and cider will be available in the Narthex. Song sheets to be provided.
Donations For Christmas Flowers. Envelopes are available starting November 30th in the Narthex to allow you to donate towards the purchase of the Advent/Christmas tree and flowers. The more we are able to collect the more splendid the Church will look.
Flower Calendar The flower calendar for 2026 is attached and will be posted in the cloakroom. Please look at it carefully and let Sandra know if you wish to change any dates. She will attempt to switch them for you.
There are opening on February 8, August 9 and October 25. If you wish to sponsor the flower on any of these dates, please let Sandra know.
St. Martin's, Our History and Our Artifacts. I have put out a selection of photo albums on the tables. In addition to parish events they also contain interesting information such as when was the kitchen renovated, how did the extra pew get into the balcony and when was the sign placed at Pinetree and Riverside? This week I found a photo of what the original stained glass windows looked like. Take some time to look through them, you might be surprised who's there.
Church Givings. As the end of the year approaches are you curious as to your total 2025 givings or thinking of making an additional charitable donation? Please contact Sandra in the office. She will be pleased to provide the information, and the forms for direct withdrawal.
Online donations are also gratefully accepted through Canada Helps:
https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/st-martin-in-the-fields-anglican-church/
Keys To The Church. Do you have a set of keys to the church which you no longer require? It would be appreciated if you could return them to Sandra. It will save us the cost of producing additional keys.
St. Paul's Social Services -Thank you for your generous donations . This news item never goes away because hunger never goes away St. Paul's Social Services is an outreach program, a part of which is the St. Paul's Food Bank. Your generous donations help support it. Look for the bin in the cloakroom marked "St. Paul's Food Bank". Food of all descriptions should be the first priority. Please give what you can. In addition to food, toiletries, especially in small sizes are always useful. Monetary donations are also well received as it lets them buy items which are needed but not always donated or they buy in bulk. Like everyone else they are being hit by the rising price of food. Please make cheques payable to St. Paul's Social Services. Tax receipts will be issued directly by St. Paul's Social Services. For the moment please do not donate containers as they are in discussions with the local Health Inspectors on their use.
Church Calendars are now available on the table in the Narthex. The cost is $7.00. Exact Change is appreciated. Please call the office if you wish to have one put aside for you.
We Are Collecting Egg Cartons. Annele Robertson has a friend who can use egg cartons for......eggs! Drop them off in the cloakroom and Annele will pick them up.
Milk Bag Collection is Back. The ladies are back to making mats. Please bring in your milk bags and put them in the marked box in the Cloakroom
Email Address Please check that you have our correct email address in your contacts. It is stmartinslondon@diohuron.org . The old email address is no longer supported, and we will be losing access to it soon. Also, if you change your email address, please let us know so we can update our records.
Readings for The Second Sunday of Advent.
Isaiah 11:1-10, Psalm 72:1-7,18-19, Romans 15:4-13, Matthew 3:1-12
Parish Family Circle of Prayer – As we gather this week we pray for the following members of our congregation and their families.
Dack Thomas John Thomas Roy Tonkin
A reminder from our friends in the Episcopal Church......
See you Sunday.
Ian
Ian Haley
Church Warden.