The Anglican Parish of Alberton-O'Leary

The people of the Parish of Alberton-O'Leary help one another and the people in our community. Call on us if you need help. We are all neighbours in God's eyes. As a Christian community we strive to live out our baptismal covenant of proclaiming by word and example the good news of God in Christ, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, loving neighbour as self, and working for justice, peace and dignity amoung all people. This we do, with God’s help.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Christmas Message from Rev. Andrew & Janet

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." Luke 2: 9-10

Above: Google Images

Christmas is supposed to be a joyful and happy time of year. But to some it can be a difficult and sad time. To the shepherds, before that first Christmas Eve, the night was just like any other. They had to tend the sheep and keep watch for wild animals and thieves. This is what they did the previous night and it is what they expected would take place once more. But their routine was shattered.

Most of us prefer routine. We might have a number of routines to cover different situations - work/school day and rest day; but that is how we live our lives. Then something happens and our routine is shattered. John Lennon said, "Life is what happens while you're making your plans."
For the shepherds, it was the arrival of the Messiah. Imagine the roller coaster ride of emotions as fear gave way to excitement to hear that the Messiah had come. But after the excitement dies down, life happens.
We prepare ourselves for Christmas and get together with family and friends. Gifts and Blessings are exchanged. Through it all, life happens. Sometimes it brings us joy, and sometimes it brings us tears. We are meant to share it all; with each other, and most importantly, with Jesus Christ our Messiah, who understands us and loves us. On this day that we celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us set aside a moment of our day for Him.
Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you to defend you, within you to keep you, before you to lead you, beside you to guard you, and above you to bless you.

Merry Christmas to all

Janet and Andrew

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Welcome to all!

Sunday services will alternate between St. Peter's and St. Luke's - please check our schedule to confirm location each Sunday.
*St. Peter's Alberton - 10:30am, alternating Sundays. Following the service join us for coffee fellowship in Church - all welcome! ( located at corner of Church & Main Streets )
*St. Luke's O'Leary - 10:30am, alternating Sundays.
( located at O'Leary Corner - Rte. 2 and Rte. 142 )
*Christ Church Kildare Capes - Summer Services during July and August. (confirm weekly with Blog for any change in schedule). Located at 17668 Rte. 12 in Kildare Capes.
*Holy Trinity Alma - Summer Special Service. Located in Alma at 40986 Rte. 2 Hwy (Western Rd.)

Parish Contact Information

Mailing Address: Box 152, Alberton, PE C0B 1B0

902-831-2873 - Rev. Ann Bush, Priest-in-charge

email: blogs62@hotmail.com

902-497-0102 - Debbie Travers, C0-Parish Warden

902-853-3744 - Dennis Rix, Co-Parish Warden

902-853-3971 - Tracey Wood,Parish Secretary

email: jim.traceywood@gmail.com

902-853-3782 - Cyndi Rix, St. Lukes Hall

902-853-2692 - David Crocker, Lay Reader
902-436-0366 - Jan Cox, Lay Reader
902-853-2642 - Susan Murphy, Bulletins
email: susandawnmurphy@icloud.com

902-853-3535 - Kathryn Curtis, Bulletins

email: kathryn_drury@hotmail.com
902-628-3180 - Carter Jeffery, Parish Blog
email: cwj@bellaliant.net

902-853-2701 - Verna Callbeck, Social Secretary

Remember the Important Things in Life

Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else--the small stuff. "If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

cf. http://www.pagetutor.com/jokebreak/263.html

( Thanks to LayReader David Crocker for relating this story in his sermon on Nov. 4, 2012 )

What is life suppose to be like?

Colossians 3:12-17

This scripture reading gives a beautiful description.

King James Version (KJV)

¹²Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

¹³Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

¹⁴And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

¹⁵And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

¹⁷And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Our Parish Rectors -

1859-1886 The Rev. R.W. Dyer

1886-1889 The Rev. C.E. McKenzie

1889-1899 The Rev. J.W. Forbes

1900-1903 The Rev. D. Davies

1905-1909 The Rev. R.M. Fenton

1910-1911 The Rev. C.H. Tolmay

1911-1913 The Rev. J.A. Winfield

1914-1916 The Rev. F.G. Gosden

1917-1921 The Rev. E.P. Wood

1921-1923 The Rev. G.T. Spriggs

1923-1925 The Rev. G.F. Seymour

1926-1927 The Rev. R.H. Holmes

1928-1939 The Rev. W.J. Phillips

1939-1943 The Rev. S.J. Davies

1943-1949 The Rev. J.W. Nowe

1949-1956 The Rev. J.R. McMahon

1957-1958 The Rev. C.J. Riley

1959-1965 The Rev. M.R. Ness

1965-1967 The Rev. E.L. Linton

1968-1969 The Rev. W.J. Phillips

1969-1972 The Rev. J. Yetman, D.S.L.

1972-1973 The Rev. W.J. Phillips

1973-1981 The Rev. T.G. Mitchell

1982-1992 The Rev. J.M. Ferguson

1993-1996 The Rev. M. Oulton

1997-2002 The Rev. Fran Boutilier

2003-2005 The Rev. Simon Davis

2007-2008 The Rev. Cathy Pharo

2009-2016 The Rev. Andrew Mortimer

2016-2018 Priest-in-charge Rev. D. Fagan

2018-Present Priest-in-charge Rev. Ann Bush

**Note – some of these ministers came from, or went on to serve, in other Island Parishes.

The Anglican Parish of Alberton-O'Leary

Burying Time Capsule

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Christmas Message from Rev. Andrew & Janet

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