Sunday, September 30. Lots of reasons to join us!

This coming Sunday, September 30, will be very special in many ways. It will be:

• Orange Shirt Sunday: Everyone is encouraged to wear an orange shirt or blouse in an act of solidarity with First Nations People and what they suffered and lost through their experience in Residential Schools. More information about Orange Shirt Day can be found at www.orangeshirtday.org.
• Potato Harvest: Many St. Andrew's folks planted potatoes in the Spring. This is the day when we bring those results of our planting back to the church. All potatoes brought back will be donated to the Thursday Night Supper and Social this fall. You are also encouraged to bring any other gifts to support this community dinner. We will have a “Grand Gardener” contest (for our Sunday School students) to find out who grew the heaviest potato.
• Our Adult Choir has prepared a beautiful anthem called,  "Soil of God, You and I" that will feature Solos by Margaret, Erin and Lynn. 
• Our minister, the Rev. Scott McAndless will lead us to rethink the second of the Ten Commandments and ask what it might mean to not create idols today.
  

Dream Auction

Please mark your calendars!  

As part of our Anniversary Celebrations we are once again hosting a Dream Auction on Saturday, October 20, 2018.  Everyone is welcome to join us, please invite your friends and neighbours, too!  Come out to have some fun, enjoy some great desserts and bid on some fantastic prizes and gifts, all the while supporting the general and mission work of St. Andrew's.

Explorations in Music

I am delighted to share that we're starting a new program for younger children this fall. It's called “Explorations in Music” and will provide the children with an opportunity to begin exploring music and building relationships with each other and the congregation.

We will have different presenters and instruments each week, so you will never get quite the same thing twice, but generally speaking the kids will have opportunities to play around with different instruments, will get to learn about the cool things they can do, and will make music in a group.

We will share our activities with the congregation by inviting them to join as participants and presenters. The focus will be on play, exploring music together, and building relationships. We're hoping to provide opportunities for the children to get to know congregation members better as well as connect with other faith traditions, especially Indigenous ones, in response to the Truth & Reconciliation commission.

The program will run most Sundays after church and it promises to be a fun time, so I hope you will check it out, no matter your age. We are grateful for the support and contributions of Queen Street Music.

Schedule:

Sept 23^rd, 11:30 – 12:00 – Gerard Yun 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Assistant Professor in Community Music at Wilfrid Laurier University. Gerard is trained in a number of singing and instrumental cultural traditions including Zen shakuhachi, Native American flute, overtone singing, didgeridoo, and Ghanaian drumming. In addition, he holds graduate degrees in choral/orchestral conducting. As a community music practitioner and scholar he helps people encounter unfamiliar musics and builds their confidence through creative improvisation.

Sept 30^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Queen Street Music: Ukuleles

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Queen Street Music is a community driven, creative school with a focus on performance and quality education Programs for ages 3 to Adult Private and Group lessons year-round Performance and enrichment. This time they will help us learn the basics of ukulele.

Oct 7^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Theresa McGregor

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Indigenous rooted person, Theresa McGregor is a Drum & Song carrier, Moon Bundle, Earth & Water Protector, Traditional Women's Dancer. Proud member of the Indigenous & Non Indigenous women's hand drum group Mino Ode Kwewak N’gamowak (Good Hearted Women Singers).

Oct 14^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Drums! 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

We're going to set up a couple of drum kits. Come see how everything works, make lots of noise, and discover the cool sounds an electric kit can make.

Oct 21^st, 12:00 – 3:00 – Lucas Tensen, Kazoo Making, and more!

(potluck lunch available in Fellowship Hall at 11:15)

Celebrating community and nature through sound, song and soulful imagery is what continues to motivate Lucas Tensen as a multi-disciplinary artist and facilitator. In 2008, he travelled to St. Louis, Senegal to learn the 21 string Kora, (a West African Harp). A few years later, Lucas began making them. He also collects and plays other instruments like the Japanese shakuhachi flute and a collection of old aluminum pots and lids that were transformed into magical singing bowls. Lucas earned a BA in Cello Performance and MA in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University. We will also be making kazoos and have a variety of music activities.

Oct 28^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Unique Sounds (snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15) Have you heard of a theremin? An otamatone? A harmonium? Come check out these unique instruments and discover the cool sounds they make.

Nov 4^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Theresa McGregor (snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

(please note that Explorations will not be offered Nov 11^th & Nov 18^th)

Nov 25^th, 11:30 – 12:00 – Gerard Yun 

(snack available in Rm 206 at 11:15)

Dec 2^nd, 11:15 – 12:00 – Christmas Carol sing!

Join Explorations for juice, coffee, tea, Christmas goodies and your favourite Christmas carols in the Fellowship hall (note the alternate location!). This edition of Explorations is open to parents, guests, and congregation members, so please join us. 

Election of Deacons and Elders

An election of Deacons and Elders for the church will take place on Sunday, October 7, 2018. A separate package for the election has been prepared for distribution to members of the church. If you have not received your package, please drop by an pick one up or contact you elder, deacon or the church office. While participation in the election is limited to those on the membership roll, anyone is welcome to read the information in the package. In fact, we’d encourage you to do so. As it is a good lesson on how the church functions and governs itself.

Of course, there are some who attend St. Andrew’s and have never taken the step of becoming members. The minister would be very pleased to speak with you if you are interested in becoming a member, either by transfer of membership or by profession of faith. A simple membership course will be organized later this Fall to help those interested in membership.

Race to Erase

The Race to Erase will be held on Saturday, October 13th.

This is a  main fundraiser for Hope Clothing which relies on the generosity of the congregation of St. Andrew's and individuals and groups from the Hespeler Community.

Please consider sponsoring a team or joining at team.

For more information contact Joni at jsmith@standrewshespeler.ca