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In this week's newsletter:
Sunday Service
Sanctuary Decorating Volunteers Needed
An Amalgamation Event
Spotlight on Saint Andrew's Community: GLEE Club
The Cold and The Dark Campaign Update
Saint Andrew's Supports Social Justice
Warm Clothes Needed
Scouts Christmas Trees
UCW Soup Challenge Wrap Up
On The Stage: Upcoming Events
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This Sunday begins the Holy Season of Advent
Our guest preacher is Rev. Dr. Rob Fennell, Professor of Theology and Ordained Minister in the United Church of Canada. He is that gifted balance of academic and pastoral presence, he is a great writer and varied contributor, and he is a friend of Saint Andrew’s. It will be wonderful to step into Advent with him. Also wonderful: our music this week, with a special solo by Sarah Rees.
Hope to see you Sunday, the Advent Sunday of Hope.
UPCOMING SERVICES you won't want to miss:
Dec. 5 Advent Peace, with Rev. Shaun Fryday
Dec. 14 Advent Joy, with The Mostly Righteous and the UCW Cookie Sale
Dec. 21 Advent Love, with a baptism and special communion
Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Service, 4:00 pm
Queer Midnight Mass, 11:50 pm
Wednesdays Contemplative Service, 6:00 - 6:25 pm
| | An Amalgamation Event: Becoming the Stories We Tell | | |
Our three congregations voted for amalgamation, and we are now in the good work of transition. In these weeks, we can build community and understanding.
On December 10, we are hosting an evening with Rev. Matt Fillier. Matt is a United Church Minister, currently serving as Practice Lead for Nova Scotia's Palliative Care Network. He brings expertise in loss, grief and transitions, understanding how communities grow stronger when they openly share and support one another through life's difficult changes.
Please join us for this special event. Your presence brings us closer to the community we hope to be. For planning purposes, RSVP by Dec. 6, by clicking here: RSVP
| | Spotlight on Saint Andrew’s Community: GLEE Club | | |
Are you a member of the queer and trans community? An enthusiastic ally? New to Saint Andrew's and hoping to make friends? A longtime member who talks to the same three people every Sunday? Extra lonesome during the holidays? Crafty and eager to make a little gift for a soon-to-be new friend?
GLEE Club (intergenerational queer, trans, and allies' group) invites you to a low-key
gathering of holiday card-making, light socializing, and free sandwiches. Whether you’re feeling creative, hoping to form new bonds, or craving company without the pressure of active participation, there will be room for you in our well-lit, sober, safe space.
Come as you are and enjoy the chance to make something small and meaningful for one another. The gathering will take place on December 14 in the sanctuary from 12:00pm-1:30pm. Basic card-making supplies and free lunch will be provided. Feel free to bring your own craft supplies!
| | The Cold and The Dark Campaign Update | | |
Keeping our church warm and bright during the colder months is a huge financial effort; we estimate the cost of these months at $25,560. And so we are reaching out to our community for help.
The goal of our The Cold and The Dark Campaign is to raise $25,000 to see us through these most challenging months of the year.
$3265 of our goal has been raised, and we thank all who have supported the campaign so far.
If you would like to donate to The Cold and The Dark Campaign, please contact the office or donate securely online by tapping the button below. You can also see Patricia or Gail on Sunday to pay by card (debit or credit).
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Saint Andrew's Supports Social Justice: Rough Weather Ahead | |
The HalifACT team and How We Thrive invite you to the upcoming, Rough Weather Ahead: Staying Connected, Safe and Engaged in Times of Climate Change workshops, taking place in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
This workshop is part of the ongoing Climate Connections series focused on building connections and resilience as we face growing challenges from the climate crisis together. The workshop provides the opportunity to create real connections with people within your neighbourhood and explore ways your community can feel more prepared and support each other in the future. It will be rooted in Joanna Macy’s The Work That Reconnects.
Rough Weather Ahead Workshop
Saturday, November 29
12:30pm-3:30pm
Museum of Natural History, Halifax
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Many guests of our Sunday Suppers are in need of warm winter clothes.
Our Social Justice Committee will provide boxes in the church entrance on Sunday for donations of clean, used winter jackets in good condition with working zippers. You can also donate socks, and water resistant, XL men's winter gloves.
Warmth is a theme this November. You can understand why.
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Scouts are continuing their traditional Christmas Tree fundraiser. Trees must be pre-ordered and they will only have as many as are reserved. The pickup is Saturday, December 6th between 9:00am and 11:30am.
Large Trees (around 8 ft) are $50
Small Trees (5.5 to 7 ft) are $45
#2 Trees are $30
Trees labelled #2 have some imperfections such as a bent top, or an area of fewer branches. They are still very beautiful and not scrawny!
Delivery is available for $15.
Orders are placed via the google form accessed by tapping the button below. Please enter your email so you can be sent a confirmation of your order.
Thank you for your support of Scouting.
| UCW Soup Challenge Donations | |
November is coming to an end and so is the UCW Soup Challenge in support of the School Breakfast Program at Joseph Howe Elementary School. There are several ways to make your donation to this very worthwhile program. You can donate at Sunday services, at the church office, or online.
Bring your cash or cheque donation in an envelope labelled "Soup Challenge".
Cheques should be payable to "St. Andrew's UCW" with “Soup Challenge” on the notation line. You can also tap to donate by debit or credit. Or you can donate online by tapping the button below and choosing “Give to UCW Soup Fund - 2025”.
We hope to have all donations in by December 15, 2025. All donations are eligible for charitable receipts.
Your donation will help give hungry kids a really great start to their day and make a difference right in your own community!
| | On The Stage at Saint Andrew's | | |
Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra: True North
November 29
2:00pm
Under the direction of Mark Hopkins – Professor of Music at Acadia University and in-demand guest conductor – the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra kicks off a brand-new season with True North! Hear music from classical heavyweights like Beethoven and Sibelius, plus symphonic gems from Gabrieli, Björk, and Whitacre. Finally, experience the heart wrenching, JUNO Award-winning musical tribute to 15-year-old Amanda Todd by the late Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock.
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Halifax Harmonizers present Fall Harmonies
November 30
2:30pm
The Halifax Harmonizers are men in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area who sing together in four part harmony. They perform a capella (without musical instruments) and have a wide-ranging repertoire including show tunes, gospel, seasonal favourites and classic and contemporary pop hits.
Synergy is a barbershop chorus based in Halifax. The members are Sue Kember (Bari), Jennifer Cleveland (Lead), Adèle Merritt (Bass), and Corinna Garriock (Tenor). In June of 2025 they were crowned Harmony, Inc. Area 1 Quartet Champions.
Chelsi Madonna is an accomplished coloratura soprano. She has a Master of Music in Performance (Opera) and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. She owns and operates the Chelsi Madonna School of Music in Halifax.
Stagecoach Performing Arts is delighted to present a selection of songs performed by talented students from a variety of local schools--Bedford, Halifax, Dartmouth and Truro. Stagecoach inspires confidence, creativity, and a love of performing arts through weekly classes through singing, dancing, and acting for children age 4–18.
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Songs of the Season: Nova Voce and Friends
December 5
7:00pm
Nova Voce presents Songs of the Season with the Halifax Boys Honour Choir and the Sackville Brass Quintet.
Nova Voce’s sound and repertoire have grown and matured since it began in 2004, and it continues to fulfill its mandate as Nova Scotia’s provincial men’s choir. The Halifax Boys Honour Choir is an auditioned choir of boys with unchanged voices from elementary and junior high schools with the Halifax Regional Centre for Education.
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