St Mary Anne's Church

Rooted in the past, reaching for the future

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 9

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Adventures Through Advent

 

The sight of an Advent wreath fills me with memories of my children making their wreaths on the first Sunday of Advent. They were so proud as their creations were placed on the table and lit each Sunday evening.

As we moved through the weeks of Advent, we prepared for the coming of the Christ child in many ways, lighting the candles, Advent calendars with their daily surprises and of course, buying gifts for friends and family.

As we approached Christmas Eve, there was always that feeling of awe and anticipation. The children’s Christmas Eve service was always filled with youngsters clutching their figures to be placed at the Crèche as the Christmas Story was told. Thank you, Mrs. Doris Anderson for the many sheep.

This season and especially Christmas Eve, holds many emotions for me. I am grateful to my St. Mary Anne’s family for their support and love to me and my family. Christmas Blessings to all.

Kathy Mullen

 

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 8

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I am ashamed to say that it took me many years to fully acknowledge and appreciate the season of Advent. But now, with a less hectic life style and more time to actually ‘live in the moment’, I have come to realize over the last few years that Advent is my favorite season in the liturgical year. I have realized that it is not just the four weeks we have to get ready for Christmas, but a time to relax and reflect on the year that has almost passed and to begin to anticipate what the new year ahead might bring. With Autumn waning and Winter approaching it is the perfect time for this.
In light of Advent promoting in us, anticipation for Christmas, for the last few years I have even used the weeks in Advent to determine the decorating of my house for Christmas. For example, four candles go into the bow window on the first Sunday, filling all the other windows with candles by the second Sunday, and so on until the tree goes up on the final Sunday.
So all this, as well as four Sundays filled with beautiful liturgy, Bible readings and special Advent music, which are, of course, the most important things that make Advent so special. It is, after all a time of hope, anticipation, joy and love! How can it not be my favorite!
                                                                                                                                                  Lee Mackie

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 7

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Advent is described is the arrival of a notable person, thing or event. Most of us would argue that this year of our Lord 2020, the advent of a notable event happened in March, not as we typically know it as the start of a new church year anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ.
However, we should take this Advent season as an opportunity to reset, recenter ourselves and refocus our spiritual lives. Although hard, we need to remember there is more than COVID-19 in our lives and the lives of our family and friends. We need to find ways to help all those in need or trouble and not be afraid. God will take care of us if we let him. It is about being able to receive as well as give, in this season of giving.
God so loved the world that he sent his son to teach us to love one another and open our hearts to his love.
Dru Torregrossa

2020 Parishioner Advent Reflection Day 6

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When I read the request for an Advent/Christmas Reflection I thought it would be an easy task so I started to write; and I wrote; and I wrote; and I wrote. One version; two versions; three versions and none seemed to capture a true sense of reflection for me. Then it hit me. I was focusing on the season as Carol, the member at St. Mary Anne’s. Most of my reflective memories come from much earlier.
I grew up in a family of 7 girls. As daughter number 5, I remember Advent and Christmas as an exciting but painful time of Waiting. When Thanksgiving was over and all the extra stuffing and gravy were gone, the house took on a new sense of expectation. The music played on the piano by my mother changed. Those marvelous hymns like Hark the Thrilling Voice is Sounding and Sleeper’s Wake echoed most days until my Dad brought the tree home.
Being number 5, most of my tree duty was to stay out of the way. Mom would play all the standard Christmas Carols while the tree was getting dressed for the season. Peg and Anne would put on the lights; Mary was in charge of tinsel (one strand at a time) and Betty decorated the mirror with colored glass wax and a sponge. Once the tree was finished, Mom wrapped a white percale sheet around the bottom as a tree skirt.
Laying under that tree and looking up while the Christmas records were playing on the HiFi was magical. The memory of the smells, the laughter, and the singing, all those years ago have helped to shape a desire for that same memory and sense of expectation for the Birth to be in my own family.
Carol Weisel

2020 Parishioner Advent Refection Day 5

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Lord, behold our family here assembled. We thank thee for this place in which we dwell: for the love that unites us; for the peace accorded us this day, for the hope with which we expect the morrow, for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies that make our lives delightful …Robert Louis Stevenson
CHRISTMAS IS FAMILY:
It’s the family huddled in the stable in Bethlehem, sharing their lodging with animals and sleeping on coarse hay yet basking in the glory of angelic music and heavenly light;
it’s the family formed through friendships when there is such a connection of similar thoughts and needs that people of varied background are drawn together into a unit of mutual caring and sharing;
it’s the family of father, mother, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins with their shared heritage and lasting traditions;
it’s the single parent family striving to stretch money and time in order to provide a nurturing home life as well as basic food, clothing and shelter for children and parent alike;
it’s the family of the parishioners of St. Mary Anne’s who “gather to worship God, welcome all in fellowship, strengthen our faith” and “go out to share and live God’s love be faithful stewards of God’s creation, help those in need”;
it’s God’s family joining together to celebrate the birth of His Son. As we strive to work in His path and be more like Jesus, shouldn’t we all focus on THIS family as the center of our lives during this blessed season and throughout the year?
                                                           Kathy Heidel
Reprinted from our 2000 Advent Reflections booklet. Kathy was a much loved parishioner who died in 2015.

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Sunday 8:00AM: Rite I Service with Holy Eucharist

Sunday 10:00AM: Rite II Service with Holy Eucharist

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