Food banks and other organizations that serve the poor and disadvantaged are suffering now. The donations that we normally give each week to Simcoe Hall are not happening during the Covid-19 pandemic. The following are ways that the parish can donate at this time:

Monetary donations to Simcoe Hall Food Bank, The Refuge, Gate 3:16 and The Back Door Mission can all be made through Canada Helps. This is probably the best way to help and to avoid any unnecessary contact.

These are the dates, times and restricted hours due to Covid-19 to drop off food donations to each charity:
• The Back Door Mission’s (Simcoe Street United Church, 66 Simcoe Street S.,) hours have changed and are now as follows: 9am-7pm for bathroom use, meals are everyday as well between 10am-1pm operating 7 days a week. The pantry and clothing items are available between 10am-1pm from Monday-Friday.
• The Refuge, 300 Court Street, Daily 9 am-6 pm
• Simcoe Hall Food Bank, The building behind the old house at 387 Simcoe Street S., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am-11:30 am and 1 pm-3 pm
• Gate 3:16 , 64 Albany Street in Oshawa just slightly east of Simcoe Street south; north of the 401. Breakfast is Monday – Thursday 8-10am, Lunch is Tues and Wed 11:30-1 pm, Dinner is Monday and Thursday 3:30-5 pm, Friday the Gate is closed. All meals are take out. “Gate 3:16 Outreach Centre would like to offer their support to anyone who is struggling under the stresses of Covid Pandemic. We will offer either our take out meals, or, a few food items to help get you through. Just present yourself at our side door, up the ramp and knock hard three times and we will open the door to serve you. We truly wish to give back to our supporting churches and helping our brothers and sisters in need. May the good Lord , in His precious love and care continue to provide to everyone in His gracious love and compassion.”

• To everyone who came out to the first two evenings of Faith Conversations and the presenters, Dr. Paul Laroche and Patty Bowman Kingsley. And a BIG thanks to the presenters that have prepared their talks without being able to share them: Rev. Roy Graves, Peter Misiaszek and Pastor Kit. We hope to have the opportunity to invite you back soon

• Thank you to Verna Kemp who continues to share the handouts via email with the Friday morning group studying the Spiritual Journey together. Thank you for your faithfulness.

• To the team of volunteers who made the MaxSold on-line auction pick up go smoothly: Claire Ducommun, Darlene & Troy Pulchinski, Dave Rabjohn, Diane & Otto Peter, Doug & Fran Thompson, Gord & Jo-Ann Thow, Nancy Cudmore and Pastor Kit. A note of special thanks to Michelle Nichols for all of her work preparing for the auction and for her generosity to the people in our community that she helps through this effort. Well done!

• To our newly formed team of “Shut-in Callers”. Once or twice a week our shut-ins receive a friendly check in call from one or more of our callers. Thank you to our team: Alison Stairs, Carol Brown, Diane Peter, Dianne Greaves, Dorothy Kitch-Churchill, Frances Thompson, Izabela Ballentine, Pastor Kit, Valerie Marshall, Verna Kemp, Warren Beal and Yvonne Jensen. We also thank Margaret Blackman who has offered to deliver groceries when needed. Thank you for caring about our most vulnerable parishioners and neighbours.

• We thank the Women’s Retreat Team: Rebecca Symes, Jennifer Quirt, Dianne Greaves, Sally Ross, and Karyne Whalen. Although we’ve had to cancel the retreat we want to thank these women for all of the time and energy they have put in to preparing for the retreat. We hope we can gather for a day of celebration in the near future. Stay tuned and stay connected.

• Postponed but not cancelled! BIG thank you to the Talent Auction Team for planning and preparing to run the auction: Otto & Diane Peter, Gord & Jo-Ann Thow, Fran & Doug Thompson and Michelle Nichols. We are looking forward to the auction and the potluck. Thanks again for your willingness to make it happen.

• Thank you to Justin Greaves, Tina Kouroupis and Dianne and the cats for assisting with audio Morning worship. Their voices and technical assistance is much appreciated. Also Eugene Brazier, Erin Fagan and Gloria Park for participating in the audio or visual presentations, keeping a regular presence of Christ Church accessible to our parish and friends.

Five Wednesdays in Lent: Faith Conversations. March 4, 11, 18, 25 & April 1 @ 7:30 pm. Join us for 5 stimulation conversations during Lent: Faith & Science, Faith & Creating Good, Faith & Outreach, Faith & Giving, Faith & Suffering. Come for one evening or all five. No charge. A non-perishable food item would be welcome

After worship at 10:30 am, we move straight into our Potluck Lunch followed by our annual meeting. Vestry is a time to celebrate where we’ve come from, and  look to where we are headed as we begin 2020 Charting our future with Christ.

Join us on January 19th, 2020 @ 3:09 pm. It’s a mingle Tea Party and is very informal, so dress as you wish and wear something silly. We will have sandwiches, salads, fruit trays, veggie trays, squares, cookies and more, all for $10 per person ( $5 for children 12 years or younger, including things to keep them busy). Call the church office to order your tickets, 905-728-8251.

On Sunday, January 5th at the 9:15 am & 11:15 am services, we’ll be offering special prayers of blessing for each family present. So invite someone from your family to join you for church. Start 2020 with a focus on God, and what He wants to do in, and through, your family. Also, please bring along your 2020 calendar, date book, diary to ask God’s blessing on the year to come.

Join us on Sunday, December 22nd at 9:15 am for a service of Lessons & Carols or come at 11:15 to see the Footsteps Sunday School perform “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.

Join us at 7 pm on Wednesday, December 18th for Compline: classic service of scripture, candles, live Taize music, quiet prayer.

Join us for the First Miracle presented by Beech Street Theatre Company: December 6th at 7:30 pm and December 7th at 2 pm. Tickets $10 per person or $25 per family, can be purchased at the door!

Saturday, November 30th at 1pm. Don’t miss this free family event, presented with live animals. This is an indoor/outdoor event. Bring your camera for the Photo op at the end! No registration required.