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St. Cuthbert Anglican Church | "Growing, Knowing & Sharing God's Love" | |
St. Cuthbert's, here is your weekly focus on things that are
happening in the parish. Read and stay connected.
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Can Anything Be Learned From A Donkey?
Numbers 22:21-35
Two seasons ago, we had a Clergy Conference where we were taught to be sensitive to the manner in which God uses God’s creation to speak to us, and in particular, animals. I had forgotten about this conference’s teaching until last week, when my Daily Office Bible reading hit the story of Balaam’s donkey in Numbers 22. Do you think that we have anything to learn from a beast of burden?
This friend of ours, we have called several derogatory names, such as:
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Ass / Jackass: The most widely used terms. “Ass” derives from the Latin asinus and is a formal name for the animal. “Jackass” specifically refers to an intact adult male donkey, though both are used as insults for foolish or obstinate humans
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Burro: The Spanish and Portuguese word for a donkey.
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Moke: Historical 19th-century British slang for a donkey, which may derive from Romany or Welsh origins. “Moke” is used in the mildly derogatory term “you lil ...” frequently used in the US Southwest to describe smaller, feral pack donkeys.
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Neddy: A traditional British and Australian nickname for a donkey.
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Cuddy: An old Scottish and Northern English dialect term for a donkey.
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Dicky: A dialect name used historically in Southeastern England for a donkey.
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Donk: A shortened, informal slang term for the animal.
Many of the names above have transitioned into insults directed at humans, implying stubbornness, foolishness, or a lack of intelligence. Some of us are already having PTSD from the occasions when we were called one of the above names, and it did not sit well or end well with us.
With that, the story of Balaam’s donkey in Numbers 22:21-35 begins (please read it for yourself first so you can get the full context). This story of Balaam and his donkey teaches us that God can use unexpected means to redirect us, expose our spiritual blindness, and save us from harm. It warns against letting greed and pride cloud our judgment, and reminds us to pause and listen when unexpected obstacles arise.
The narrative offers us 5 powerful lessons:
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Pride and greed cause spiritual blindness: Balaam was a prophet, but allowed the promise of wealth and prestige to blind him to God’s will. While his donkey saw the Angel of the Lord blocking the path, the “spiritual” prophet was so focused on his own agenda that he saw nothing.
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God uses the unexpected: God used a beast of burden—a creature known for stubbornness—to speak God’s truth. It serves as a humbling reminder that God does not need our titles or abilities to accomplish His purposes.
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Obstacles can be divine protection: When the donkey repeatedly veered off the path or refused to move, it was actually saving Balaam’s life from the angel’s drawn sword. Sometimes, frustrating roadblocks in life are God's way of keeping us from harm.
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Look before you lash out: Instead of considering why the donkey was acting out of character, Balaam responded with blind anger and beat the animal. The story urges us to practice patience and assess why a situation or person is causing friction before we react with anger.
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God’s will cannot be manipulated: Balaam tried to use his prophetic gifts for personal gain, but God forced him to bless Israel rather than curse it. It demonstrates God’s absolute sovereignty over human desires and words.
Think hard upon these five and recall in your life when things were like that for you.
Rev. Monte
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Time to Eat!
Our annual get-together barbeque has been confirmed to be at the Nkojo residence this Sunday after the 10am service. Teen's class participants and alumni are welcome!
A Preview of Upcoming Events...
- A family-youth outing to the beach. Location and date TBD.
- August 23rd: Youth Sunday
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August 27-31st: The DYM Artaban Retreat. Follow this link to sign up! Bursaries are available.
For more information reach out: Youthleader@stcuthbert.ca
— Rainoa Lonogan
| Billeting Request From Hakuna Matata Children's Choir | |
A request for billeting came from Hakuna Matata Children's Choir from Kenya as follows:
When we say “host the choir,” it means:
Full Hosting (Week Visit) If we are scheduled to stay in your area for a week, hosting would typically include:
- Accommodation (Monday to Monday) for approximately 15 children and 5 adult leaders. Usually through church members hosting small groups of children (2–3 per home), sometimes together with an adult
- Meals, with breakfast and dinner provided by host families, and simple lunch arrangements during the day
This model allows for deeper connection, cultural exchange, and additional ministry opportunities during the week.
We do not charge a performance fee
We usually request a love offering during the service/event to support our work with vulnerable children in Kenya
We are very flexible and happy to work within what is most comfortable and manageable for your church.
UPDATE: We now have the itinerary of Hakuna Matata Children's Choir. They will be with us from the 7th to the 14th of September. They will drive to us from Toronto and arrive in a bus towing their instruments. Hosts families will get their children and an adult from the church provide overnight accommodation and then bring them over to St. Cuthbert's in the morning, then pick them up at the end of the day.
To date we have six households that have offered to "host" billet the children and their adult chaperone. For this to work, we need more families from St. Cuthbert to offer their homes and hosting a.k.a. billeting. Thanks to those who continue coming up to offer their homes as hosts.
I am grateful to all those who have offered to host these children, and we now have everyone covered. Thank you St. Cuthbert you rallied again as usual. God bless you for your generosity.
| Children's Ministries Focus |
Summer Children's Ministry
This year, we are excited to introduce a Summer Children's Ministry Program - Children Chapel during the Sunday service.
We recognize that the summer months can present unique challenges for families, particularly when Church School is not in session. Our goal is to continue supporting children and parents throughout the summer by providing an engaging, age-appropriate ministry experience for children.
Children from ages 4–12 will have opportunities to participate in activities and discussions tailored to their age groups while remaining connected to the life of the Church. Through Bible stories, discussion, prayer, worship, and age-appropriate teaching, children will explore the same themes and messages being shared during the service, allowing families to continue meaningful faith conversations together at home.
At the same time, parents and caregivers will be able to participate more fully in worship, knowing their children are being cared for and nurtured in a safe and welcoming environment.
Our Nursery Ministry will continue to operate throughout the summer for our youngest parishioners.
Further details regarding summer programming will be shared in the coming week.
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A Call for Volunteers
As we look ahead to the 2026/2027 Church School year, we are prayerfully seeking additional volunteers to join our Children's Ministry team.
One of the greatest gifts we can offer our children is the gift of faith. Whether you have experience teaching, assisting with crafts, helping with administration, supporting special events, or simply building relationships with children, there is a place for you in this Ministry.
You do not need to be a theologian or an experienced teacher to make a difference. Sometimes the most impactful ministry comes through a caring presence, a listening ear, and a willingness to walk alongside our children as they grow in their faith.
If you have ever considered becoming involved in Children's Ministry, we encourage you to prayerfully explore this opportunity. By volunteering, you will help create a welcoming environment where children can encounter God's love, ask questions, develop friendships, and grow into the leaders God is calling them to be.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in serving during the 2026/2027 ministry year, please contact, Director of Children's Formation. This is not a rush decision, but we will appreciate if we can get responses to enable us plan and be well positioned for the next year.
Together, let us continue building a strong foundation of faith for the next generation.
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VOLUNTEER TRAINING
We are excited to announce that our Summer Camp Volunteer Training will take place on Friday, July 10, at 12:00 p.m till 3:00 p.m.
This training is for all Summer Camp volunteers. We strongly encourage all volunteers to make every effort to attend, as this will be an important opportunity for us to come together, complete our mandatory training and prepare as one team for a successful Summer Camp.
We also encourage parents of our youth volunteers to attend with their children where possible.
If, for any reason, you are unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible.
Lunch will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Confirmation
St. Cuthbert Anglican Church is pleased to announce that we are preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation scheduled for December 2026.
Confirmation is an important step in the Christian journey, where individuals publicly affirm their faith, deepen their relationship with God, and strengthen their commitment to life within the Church community.
We are currently seeking children and youth who may be interested in preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. Preparation classes will provide opportunities for participants to:
- grow in their understanding of the Christian faith,
- learn more deeply about the Anglican tradition and sacraments,
- ask questions and explore their faith,
- and develop spiritually within a supportive church community.
Parents and guardians who are interested in having their child participate are encouraged to express interest or reach out for additional information regarding eligibility, class schedules, and preparation timelines.
We look forward to walking alongside our children and youth as they continue growing in faith, leadership, and discipleship.
For additional information or to register interest, please contact the Children’s Ministry Team or speak with church leadership.
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St. Cuthbert's Children Summer Day Camp
Our 2026 St. Cuthbert’s Summer Bible Camp, themed Powered Together by God, is quickly approaching, and we are incredibly excited for what promises to be a meaningful, faith-filled, and engaging experience for our children and youth.
This camp is more than just a week of activities — it is an opportunity to pour into the next generation, help children grow in their faith, build friendships, discover leadership, and experience the love of Christ in a joyful and welcoming environment.
As preparations continue, we are still seeking volunteers to support various areas of camp ministry, including:
- Small group leaders
- Camp counsellors
- Games & activities
- Crafts
- Worship/music support
- Kitchen & snack preparation
- Registration & greeting
- Setup & cleanup
- General camper support & supervision
We especially encourage parents to consider allowing and encouraging their youth children (Grades 7+) to volunteer. Camp volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for youth to:
- build leadership skills,
- serve the church community,
- develop confidence and responsibility,
- form meaningful friendships,
- and grow spiritually through service and mentorship.
At the same time, we are also in need of adult volunteers to help provide guidance, supervision, support, and stability throughout the week. Whether you are available for the full week, a single day, or a few hours, every contribution makes a difference and is deeply appreciated.
We also kindly ask that members of the parish continue sharing camp information with friends, neighbours, and family members who may be interested in registering their children. Our hope is to continue building a welcoming and vibrant children’s ministry community where every child feels seen, encouraged, and connected.
Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and willingness to invest in the spiritual growth of our children and youth. Together, we are helping build the next generation in faith, courage, leadership, and community.
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Sunday School and Nursery
At St. Cuthbert Anglican Church, we are passionate about nurturing children and youth in faith and creating a welcoming environment for families to grow spiritually together.
We are blessed to have ongoing children and youth formation opportunities within the parish, including:
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The Sunday School is closed for the summer, however, we have the Children Chapel open for Children between 4-12 years (Kindly refer to Summer Children's Ministry for more information).
- A functioning nursery available during services, providing parents with a safe, caring, and supportive space for younger children while families participate in worship with peace of mind.
Our desire is to continue building a strong, vibrant, and Christ-centered children’s ministry where every child feels welcomed, supported, encouraged, and connected within the life of the Church.
We warmly welcome families to participate and grow alongside us in faith and community.
Obie,
Director Children Formation
For more information, contact: obiea@stcuthbert.ca
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Thursday, July 9, 2026 @ 10:00am
Readings: Hosea 11:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7; Matthew 10:7-15
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Saturday, July 18, 2026
Memorial Service for Wendy Chamberlain
2:00pm
Zoom Link
Service with Communion & Ashes Internment
| | Committees & Ministries Spotlight Months Focus | |
INFRASTRUCTURE, INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
Spotlight Month
| | Committees & Ministries Focus | |
North Crest Care Facility and Laurel Place Care Home Sunday Service Teams.
The Worship, Outreach and Welfare Committee are looking for volunteers to reimplement the Sunday Service teams that St. Cuthbert’s had in place before Covid. We are looking for people to set up an half hour service that consists of several songs from the song book provided by the care homes as well as a bible reading, gospel reading, a less than 5 minute homily. the Lord’s Prayer and a closing prayer. The homilist would be supported by a musician and volunteers from the various ministries throughout the parish. As well, we are looking for the different ministries to volunteer their support to this service. The time commitment is ½ an hour for 1 Sunday a month and with enough support you would only be asked to be present 3 or 4 times a year. We are also looking for musicians to support this outreach program. If you play the piano, a guitar, a violin or any other instrument that lends itself to church music, your help is needed.
Training and support will be provided for all of this outreach work. We ask that your prayerfully consider this outreach opportunity.
If you have any questions, please contact Cory McCaig at 604-594-9736 or mccaigco@gmail.com.
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...........Bereavement & Resilience Group meets twice a month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays. This ministry is still downloading. We have not yet set the start date. We will let you know as soon as we have set the date. | | Thanks to Fraser Health, Barb Steele asked for more material from the immensely popular session on My Greensleeve and we got these extra material. If you need some for yourself please get in touch with Rev. Monte (revmonte@stcuthbert.ca). | | |
Digital Sign Update
We await the City's response to our digital sign permit application.
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Our AuraCast System Is Here!
Let's get ready to use it!
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Getting Ready Survey
As we get ready to use this system we would like to know the needs of those who will be using it. Please let us know by downloading and then filling in this: Listening Needs Survey
Please place the filled-out survey in the pocket sleeve by Rev. Monte's office.
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Our Mission Statement
“To seek and encourage growth as a Christ–Centred community, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to know God and to make God known
in word and deed.”
| | Community ~ Connection ~ Communication ~ Continuity ~ Compassion | | | | |
