12 Jan

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Shop to care and share

by Brenda Stanley in Community, St. Andrew's

Doesn’t it seem that $20 doesn’t go very far in the grocery store these days? All too often, a trip to the grocery store is $35 or $50. Whether it’s supply chain issues, poor harvests, the cost of transport – the cause of the rising cost really isn’t the issue. The issue is food is expensive.

The Barrie Food Bank helps more than 900 households each month. Many served are children. Many are housed.

Yet there are people who may not have stable housing and getting groceries from the food bank isn’t where they’re at. Recognizing these people, the food bank introduced the Little Food Pantries. St. Andrew’s is working with our neighbour, Trinity Anglican, to provide food for those in Barrie’s city core.

To join in supporting this project, drop items in that container for food items inside the side door of our church on weekdays, during office hours.

Items that are appropriate for winter outdoor storage and which are needed include:
– single-serve oatmeal packages
– individually wrapped granola bars
– single-serve crackers
– canned meats (in oil, not water)
– beef jerky
– dry noodle soups
– macaroni and cheese mixes
– pasta side dishes (like Knorr or Sidekicks)
– cookies – single serve or small sleeves
– individual hot drink packages

If you wish to make a financial donation, grocery cards can be purchased through the church office and designated for the Little Food Pantries.

Find out more by visiting the food bank website at https://www.barriefoodbank.org/2021/07/26/little-food-pantry-pilot-launching-in-barrie/

09 Jan

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When the darkness and the waters seem overwhelming

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

This time of year, the days are too short and too cold. The sun, it seems, is rarely in the sky. All too often the days are grey and bone-chilling.

Add to that the post-holiday crash. The reality of the scale. The reality of the bills. The reality that lockdowns, once again, keep us apart.

But nothing – not the raging waters nor fire nor lockdowns in the coldest, bleakest days of winter – can keep us from the sustaining love of God.

This week in our virtual service, Rev. Joanne discusses Isaiah 43, as well as Psalm 29 and Luke 3, in which the baptism of Jesus is recorded. She shares a story of a Syrian refugee family, who took their lives in their hands, courageously faced dangers and got out of the only country they had ever known and loved. No doubt they look back to what they knew yet they ventured forth into what they didn’t know.

That feels like our times, here in Barrie, doesn’t it? We just can’t seem to get back to what we enjoyed, at least for very long.

For some of us, that journey – which is difficult enough in itself – is made colder, darker and lonelier as we have lost people we love. Not only are we going to a place we don’t know, but we are going without all the resources and support we previously had.

It is not easy. But not only is God with us, but God is ready to sustain us. Isaiah 43 has some incredible promises. Claim them for your own.

Join us online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbCQpHJty6o.

02 Jan

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God’s light and love are ours

by Brenda Stanley in St. Andrew's

The simple nativity scenes, the carols, the decorations and lights — it’s tempting to put them away now that Christmas has passed and we’re taking (or have taken) down the tree.

But the miracle still remains: God loves humankind so much, He became one of us.

That may not be a simple thought to wrap your head around, but its implications are incredible.

God understands. He understands our hopes, our dreams, our griefs and our frustrations.

For some of us, the long dark days are challenging. The damp cold cuts to our bones. In a few weeks, the bills – the reality of all that spending – will remind us how limited our resources are.

This time of year – when the days are shortest in our northern hemisphere – can be very dark indeed.

But God offers to walk with us. He comes to our rescue.

He brings light – which is stronger than the darkness.

He brings life that is stronger than death and grief.

He brings love that is stronger than hate and ambivalence.

This incredible gift is wrapped up in a promise for you. Accept it. Use it. Change your day and make Barrie and our world warmer and brighter.

See more on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/mLswWWykkCg

All the best for this new year.

30 Dec

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The work of Christmas begins

by Brenda Stanley in Community

God with us. That’s the miracle of Christmas – but now that the gifts have been opened, what do we do?

We walk and work alongside God.

That we are not alone is incredibly encouraging. We begin our work by acknowledging we are working with God and relying on God’s grace and sustaining power.

As we begin with that thought, we have faith that the little things we do will have big impact.

We take little steps as we seek to build a more just Barrie and a more caring community – Barrie, Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada and world.

Consider how you can help heal a broken planet, help build bridges of trust and seek justice and peace for others.

A few ideas to get you started:
welcome the refugee
feed the hungry
share our gifts – and not just financial ones

Let’s carry the Light into our neighbourhoods and Barrie.

All the best for 2022 for you, yours and ours.

25 Dec

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Christmas brings us the light and warmth of God’s love

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

Marking the birth of our Saviour, Jesus, Christmas brings us the light and warmth of God’s love. Just imagine the depth of love that inspired God to have his Son take on human form and join us on a human journey.

The human journey isn’t easy, not for any of us. Nor was it easy for our Lord, who experienced every grief that wrings our hearts. He also experienced the joys we experience. What an amazing gift not only for Jesus, but for God.

The stories we read again are simple and too often we rush through them to really consider the simplicity and the miracles.

In our Christmas Eve service, we considered a lamp, a simple, everyday item that beats the darkness, welcomes us in, lights our path.

We considered a manger – a simple, everyday item that enables beings to be fed. It protects the hay from mice and keeps the hay clean and edible. It welcomes the hungry.

We considered a staff, a simple tool that shepherds use to keep their footing when the path gets rough and to rescue a lost lamb.

We considered a gift, a piece of love. Its giving gives both the giver and the recipient joy.

In the simple events of this day in these pandemic times, may you experience the joy, the love, the peace and the hope that our Lord brings us.

Tune into our Christmas Eve service to share the light with us.

23 Dec

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Joining in feeding others

by Brenda Stanley in Community

A little thing – a granola bar, a little box of cereal, a box of macaroni and cheese – those small everyday items can make a big difference.

St. Andrew’s is helping stock a Little Pantry – a place where people can access food close to home, when they need it.

With the help of the Barrie Food Bank, a number of churches have put the food boxes on their properties. The ideal locations are private and sheltered (usually under a tree). There are five in Barrie, in several neighbourhoods.

In downtown Barrie, St. Andrew’s is helping stock the Little Pantry located at Trinity Anglican.

We are accepting donations during office hours at our church located across from the downtown branch of the Barrie Public Library. Our Women’s Missionary Society volunteers, including Penny Barker and Peggy Miller, will ensure the food gets to where the hungry can access it.

Food items change seasonally. The Barrie Food Bank recommends these for colder times:

individual serving cereals
pasta or rice side dishes, such as Sidekicks
granola bars
crackers
canned tuna or sardines
dry soup noodles
hot chocolate packages
macaroni and cheese packages
peanut butter
cookies
candy bars
potato chips
single-serving coffee or tea

Miscellaneous items including hand warmers, masks, hand sanitizers, gloves and hats are also appreciated.

Let’s each give what we can to ease the emptiness and hunger around us.

19 Dec

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Lighting up our world with Love

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

This week, we lit the fourth Advent candle: Love.

Even in these dark, uncertain times of the pandemic – the smallest gesture can have the biggest impact: The arrival of unexpected baked treats. The card in the mail (that took more than a bit of thought to write and mail.) The driveway cleared of snow.

Love brightens everything. It conquers the darkness.

Even as the Grinch variant threatens to undo plans for family gatherings, we know we are not alone. We are grateful that God, in love for us, gives each one of us Jesus.

With Him, we can brighten the dark corners and transform our little corner of the world.

God chose a least likely location for Christ to be born: a humble remote village. He chose a time when people feared Assyrian invasion.

God chooses us too. Just be open to receive Him.

Join us online to share in our children’s pageant and in Communion. We’ll also be online Christmas Eve at 8 p.m.

16 Dec

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Art for the Heart inspires

by Brenda Stanley in Community

What can you do with paper and glue?

That’s what our art guild, Art for the Heart, explored this fall.

The group of creative explorers met via Zoom. Their brainstorming and their exploration of what they could create, say and give each other created a virtuous circle that inspired participants to not just try the technique of the week, but go beyond it and blend it with another one learned earlier in the series.

We’re posting a few of the creations – and we’re exploring how we can share more.

Creativity – what a gift!

12 Dec

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Staying healthy, staying safe

by Brenda Stanley in Worship

At St. Andrew’s, we take your health and safety seriously.

Starting in January, we will require all who join us for in-person worship provide proof of double vaccination for anyone age 12 or over. Bring your paper receipts or show us your Ministry of Health receipt on your phone.

We continue to require that all who join us read the health unit’s screening questionnaire, wear a mask, sanitize their hands and practise socially distancing.

We’re all in this together. Let’s each do what we can to stay safe and keep our neighbours safe.

12 Dec

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Sharing the warmth, experiencing the joy

by Brenda Stanley in Community

This third Sunday in Advent was special for us at St. Andrew’s: It was our annual Mitten Tree Sunday.

It’s a time to think of others and have fun sharing – and throwing the mittens, scarves and hats at our tree as O Christmas Tree (among other pieces) is played on the piano reminds us of the simple joys of sharing.

Joy is often an overused word and conjures up images of simple delight and freedom from cares.

But true joy runs much deeper. It springs from knowing that God loves us and takes delight in loving us, that the King of all cares about you and me. And for us as Christians, we know that relying on God channels our hope, peace and joy.

Join us online or in person to find out more about God’s love for you and the peace and joy it brings.

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