Post Sandy Hook Sermon that Vowed to Mobilize Faith Communities to Fight the Gun Lobby and Push for Gun Laws

This sermon by Rev. Gary Hall is prescient as we grapple with the painful aftermath of a gunman who recently killed 17 people with an assault rifle at a high school in Parkland, Florida. In this sermon delivered in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012, Rev. Hall vowed to mobilize the nation's faith communities to fight the influence of the pro-gun lobby and advocate for stronger gun control laws. Sadly, the only safeguards that were implemented to help protect kids from gun violence were removed by U.S. president Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers. Since 2012 we have seen dozens of shootings. The February 2018 Parkland tragedy was the worst mass school shooting since Sandy Hook. Once again there is a call for gun legislation. Will this time be different? Will we see more than thoughts and prayers?

Black History Month: Meet the Community

This is a republication of “Meet The Community” from 2014 in celebration of Black History Month. Like many Anglican and Episcopal churches, Black people are an important part of St. Philip's parish family. This series is offered in respectful appreciation of their esteemed place in our Parish as well as an acknowledgment of the important role of Black people in churches across North America.

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in February each year and it is an opportunity for all people to celebrate those who have championed civil rights, to remember some very disturbing facts about the past and to acknowledge the social justice work that still needs to be done.

St. Philips Church Calendar 2018

Merry Christmas!

Advent Resources 2017 - Anglican Church of Canada

Its that time of year again. To help you to celebrate the season of Advent through to Christmas the Anglican Church of Canada has assembled a list of resources. Here are three of those resources with accompanying links.  

PWRDF 2017 Advent Reflections This Advent The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) invites you to take a few moments each day to reflect on the season and enter into prayerful consideration of its meaning. Join us in these Advent Reflections, which encourage thought on issues of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and food security. Click here to sign up.  

#AdventWord 2017 — A global Advent calendar During Advent, we anticipate the coming of Christ, an event that awakens our deepest desires and longings. Respond to a daily meditation with images and prayers that speak to your heart and be part of a global Advent Calendar that brings us together in communion. Participants are invited to respond with an image of their own on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The result is a crowd-sourced global advent calendar that creates a sense of worldwide communion and wonder. We hope that you will consider participating and inviting your diocese to join. It is fun to see so many young people praying together. Click here to sign up.  

Sisterhood of St. John the Divine Readying Ourselves to Receive. Daily Advent Reflections for 2017 Written by the Oblates and Sisters of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine. Click here to go to the daily reflections.

Primate endorses Bill C-262 in letter to Prime Minister Trudeau

Archbishop and Primate Fred Hiltz has written to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in support of a bill that would require all Canadian laws to be in harmony with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
In the letter, Archbishop Hiltz expressed his support for Bill C-262 on behalf of the Anglican Church of Canada.

St Philip's to host summer day camp

New this year -- St Philip's to host summer day camp for children 5-12

St Philip's will be hosting a day camp for children ages 5 through 12 this summer.

The camp will operate for the week of August 21 to 25. Many other day camps close as of August 18, as the staff prepares to go back to university and college. This often leaves parents in a bind, as there are very few child-care options for that week.

The camp will be animated by the Rev. Deacon Jessica Bickford, who has more then a dozen years experience working with children and youth, in the Anglican Church and with community organizations such as the Boys' and Girls' Clubs. Jessica was most recently director of the Family Life Project at Trinity Memorial Church in NDG, and will be joined by some of the volunteers from Trinity, as well as new volunteers from St Philip's.

The program is not religiously based and is open to all children. The camp will use "Play it Fair", an innovative program used at day camps and after-school programs across Canada, which increases children's understanding of human rights, respect for diversity and peaceful conflict resolution. The games and activities provide a starting point for children to work together to find ways to promote inclusion, respect, fairness, acceptance and cooperation, all while having fun.

Other activities will include art projects, swimming, indoor and outdoor games, and an end-of-camp show.

The camp will run daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Extended care is available from 7:30 am and until 6:00 pm for an additional fee.

For more information, and to register, go to https://locksop.wixsite.com/stphilipsdaycamp, or contact the church office at (514) 481-4871 or office@stphilipschurchmontreal.ca

Three dioceses have married eight same-sex couples since General Synod 2016

Eight same-sex couples have been married in three Anglican Church of Canada dioceses, ahead of General Synod 2019, when a resolution to allow same-sex marriages will be presented for final approval. Since General Synod 2016 approved – on first reading – a proposed change in the marriage canon (church law) to allow same-sex marriages, four weddings of same-sex couples have taken place in the diocese of Niagara, three in the diocese of Toronto and one in the diocese of Ottawa, according to the offices of the respective diocesan bishops. Several other same-sex couples in the dioceses of Toronto and Ottawa are also preparing to walk down the aisle.

Earth Day message from Anglican and Lutheran leaders

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.—John 12:24

In recognition of Earth Day on April 22, 2017, we invite you to join us in praying for the humility and discipline to use Earth’s resources wisely and responsibly.

St. Philip's Spring Fair 2017

In 2016 St. Philip's married our Book Bake and Craft Fair with our Yard Sale to make an even bigger event called St. Philip's Spring Fair. 

In 2017 the event will take place on Saturday, May 13th (9 am to 3 pm). All are invited to come meet local artisans displaying their handmade jewelry, painting, woodworking, pottery and other collectibles. Pick up some delicious homemade baking just in time for Mother's Day or perhaps a used book for your summer reading. In addition to hand-crafted works of art, delicious desserts and books you can find great bargains including a wide array of toys, clothing, household items & more! Fr. Jim will fire up his BBQ to make his holy hot dogs. For information about table rentals ($25) click here. The Spring Fair is a fund-raiser for St. Philip's church and the NDG Food Depot.

Looking for Artisans / Artisans Recherchés

St. Philip's Church welcomes artisans to take part in its upcoming Spring Fair to be held on Saturday, May 13th, 2017. Artisans who create handmade jewelry, painting, greeting cards, wood-working, and pottery are welcome to display their wares. We are located on the border between Montreal West and NDG. This well-attended event is a unique opportunity to promote and sell your crafts.

Contact Mark R. at markreimer@bell.net for more details on how you can secure a table.

Deadline for receipt of applications is April 22, 2017.

Please forward this to anyone that may be interested. ___________________________________________

L'Église St. Philip invite les artisans à participer dans la Foire du Printemps, notre nouvelle vente annuelle de livres, pâtisseries et objets faits à la main qui aura lieu samedi, le 13 mai, 2017. Les artisans et artisanes qui fabriquent les bijoux, peintures, cartes de voeux, boiseries, poteries, etc sont invités à offrir leurs créations. Nous sommes situés entre les frontières de Montréal Ouest et NDG. Cet événement attire plusieurs acheteurs et présente une opportunité unique pour promouvoir et vendre vos créations.

Pour plus de détails ou pour vous procurer une table, communiquez avec Mark R., markreimer@bell.net.

La date limite pour nous remettre les formulaires est le 22 avril, 2017.

Faites parvenir cette invitation à tout ceux qui peuvent être intéressés.

Black History Month: Meet the Community

This is a republication of “Meet The Community” from 2014 in celebration of Black History Month. Like many Anglican and Episcopal churches, Black people are an important part of St. Philip's parish family. This series is offered in respectful appreciation of their esteemed place in our Parish as well as an acknowledgment of the important role of Black people in churches across North America.

Black History Month (BHM) takes place in February each year and it is an opportunity for all people to celebrate those who have championed civil rights, to remember some very disturbing facts about the past and to acknowledge the social justice work that still needs to be done.

Christmas Letter

We pray daily, “Thy kingdom come”. Part of our identity as Christians, together with faith and love, is hope. We can see beyond our present, imperfect, fallen state, to imagine the beauty and joy of God's kingdom, of which the prophets have spoken poetically. We yearn for it, we hunger for it, and even more so when our life is filled with disappointments and setbacks.

St. Philip's Church Welcomes You This Christmas

These are uncertain and difficult times, and yet in Christmas, we are assured that a light still shines in this present darkness. A light that cannot be overcome. Jesus entered the world in weakness so that we might know God more fully and love one another more completely. The one who the universe could not contain was found lying in a simple feedbox in a stable on the outskirts of the city. Light shone in the darkness. Though the world keeps changing, God is unchanging, Gods love is unending and Gods love is for you. Wherever you come from, whoever you love, no matter what you think you have done to separate yourself from God. God still shines light into the dark places of our lives, bringing joy, forgiveness, and healing. Celebrate Gods love with us this Christmas.

St. Philip's Christmas Bazaar 2016

Thanks and Best Wishes to Steven B. as he Embarks on a New Chapter of His Life

Last Sunday parishioners at St. Philip's said goodbye to Steven B. who is moving out west. While we wish him well we cannot help but feel some sadness. However, our spirits are buoyed by the knowledge that our loss is another church's gain.

Steven is the kind of person that represents the best of who we are as a Christian family. His quiet leadership and faithful dedication will be sorely missed.

As a warden he helped to steward our parish through some difficult times.  As one of the people who patiently yet persistently pursued me to be warden I owe him a personal debt of gratitude.

Congregational development: ‘An opportunity for a reformation’

The following is part of an ongoing monthly series on congregational development, which features reflections from Anglicans on how they are responding to the challenges facing churches today.
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What is the end goal of congregational development? Some view it as preserving the institution or the business of the church, which often involves bringing in more people to achieve a certain numerical target. Others focus on mission, asking questions about the church’s identity and what it is becoming.

Warden's Summer Letter

Father Jim's Summer Letter 2016

Congregational development: On the rediscovery of Anglican identity

The following is part of an ongoing monthly series on congregational development, which features reflections from Anglicans on how they are responding to the challenges facing churches today.

Decades of building congregations in the Anglican Church of Canada and The Episcopal Church (in the United States) have left Bishop Melissa Skelton with some expansive views on the subject of congregational development, including the creation of related training programs on both sides of the border.