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Sunday, September 1
Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
8:30 a.m. | Holy Communion in the Chapel
10 a.m. | Morning Prayer in the Chapel
10:30 a.m. | Holy Communion
Followed by Lemonade on the Lawns
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THE COLLECT FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY
O GOD, who declarest thy almighty power most chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Mercifully grant unto us such a measure of thy grace, that we, running the way of thy commandments, may obtain thy gracious promises, and be made partakers of thy heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READINGS: 1 Corinthians 15.1 and St. Luke 18.9
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Monthly
Stewardship
update
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The following message is part of a monthly series of testimonials written by a member of St. Olave’s, to offer a deeper understanding of the impact the church has had in his or her life. Read past messages here.
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What St. Olave’s Means to Me
By Gabbie Douglas
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I’m serving soup from the back of a minivan parked in downtown Toronto. I ladle the vegetables swimming in broth into the cups and hand them to people lined up in the bitter cold. I remember the warmth of the soup leaking through my mittens and the warmth it brought others. As I pass out the soup, and the rolls, people thank me and smile.
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In that moment I understood the impact of passing warmth. I understood the warmth I feel from helping others.
That was one of the times I volunteered to serve soup with the Hunger Patrol, which is still being run out of St. Olave’s. Each Saturday a handful of individuals make the soup to be served to the homeless. In the closet behind the Ethel Brown Room that connects to the Parish Hall, shelves are spilling with sweaters, pants, mittens, gloves, socks and jackets donated from the community. Each Saturday a bundle of clothing is tossed into the vehicle alongside the big container of soup, some rolls, some sandwiches and anything else that can be prepared and shared. The people were grateful to receive the soup and supplies, and I was grateful to be serving them.
This feeling is one of many things that St. Olave’s means to me. It is a place where I spent my youth. A place where I made friendships and a space of community. It was a place for personal growth.
St Olave’s means flipping pancakes alongside parishioners dedicated to ensuring Shrove Sunday celebrations are a success. St. Olave’s is a place where I became a confident performer and competent presenter (my sister and I can recite the entire Nativity Play by heart).
It presents an opportunity to become friends with people of all ages and different backgrounds. I remember being partnered with Sheila New in the mystery friends event with the ACW and exchanging letters with her when I was in Grade 9. It means building relationships that survive despite being at school halfway across the country. I’m always happy to participate in Youth Group events organized by Carol Ambler when I return.
St. Olave’s taught me selflessness. It taught me to be grateful for the things I have. It has taught me, or rather exposed me, to the invigorating feeling of doing good for someone else, which is something I’ll keeping trying to do.
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| What does St. Olave’s mean to you? If you would like to provide your own tribute message, it would be most welcome! Please email your message to Jim Shapland. |
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STEWARDSHIP UPDATE
At the beginning of the summer, we asked all parishioners to be mindful of the two main pillars of the Stewardship initiative: increased givings and increased attendance.
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As you can see from the chart at right, we have seen a real increase in the givings for the entire year. And this while having to raise funds to effect the replacement of the entire heating system of the church. The total givings are $117,610, higher than last year at this time ($94.904), and higher than projected ($113,789). This is most encouraging!
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 The chart at right provides details on the average Sunday and average weekly attendance figures over the first 34 weeks of the year, and compares that to data from the four years prior. As you can see, the trend is very positive!
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This chart shows how much the summer Sunday and weekly attendance has also grown over the same period. This is most encouraging and great news!
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Your Stewardship team continues to seek innovative ways to provide opportunities for all of us to continue and even expand our support for St. Olave’s. We have our next meeting in several weeks and I will be providing further updates following that session.
On behalf of the entire team, my thanks for your continued support.
Regards
Don Weston,
Chair, Stewardship Committee
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Welcome to our new Child & Youth Minister!
We are pleased to introduce Martha Riddell as our new Child & Youth Minister. Martha will be starting September 8.
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Martha was born in Lahr, Germany and was baptized at the Anglican chaplaincy in Strasbourg shortly before moving to Toronto. She grew up as a server at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene and also regularly attends St. Bartholomew’s, Regent Park where she is a reader, server and a volunteer leader of their children’s catechesis programme.
Martha has a BA in Classical Studies from Bishop’s University in Quebec and is working towards a Masters of Divinity at Trinity College. She loves to travel, ride her bike around the city, and is a proud owner of Homer, an African lovebird. Please join us in welcoming Martha at Gathering Sunday on September 8 and throughout the fall.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
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SEPTEMBER 8
Gathering Sunday and Blessing of the Backpacks
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Gathering Sunday is our special, home-grown version of a “Back to Church” Sunday. Our Junior Church children return after their summer recess to have their backpacks blessed and enjoy a range of Rally Sunday activities. The choir will be back in their usual places, too. After the service, we will treat ourselves to a rotisserie barbecued chicken lunch on the lawns. Free-will contributions are welcome to help us defray the costs. Invite your friends. Your neighbours. Your relatives. We really want to see you back! If you’re able to help with any of the set up or take down, please contact Jim Shapland.
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FRIDAYS, SEPT. 13, 20, 27 and Oct. 4, 6 p.m.
Prayer Through the Ages |
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Rev’d Alexandra will lead an evening educational series on the history of private prayer. Each session will look at the practice of private prayer in a different era: The Early Church, The Middle Ages, The Reformation and Today. All are welcome!
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Evening Prayer will be at 6 p.m., followed by a light supper at 6:30
and a talk at 7 p.m.
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Tuesday, Sept 3
NO SERVICES
Wednesday, September 4
8:30 Morning Prayer
BIBLE STUDY and 11:15 Holy Communion resumes Sept 11
4:30 Evening Prayer
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Thursday, September 5
8:30 NO Morning Prayer
4:30 Evening Prayer
Friday, September 6
8:30 Morning Prayer
Noon ORA quiet prayer in the Chapel
4:30 Evening Prayer
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