St. Giles Anglican 
Church, Estevan

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Words from Wilma+ 
September 9, 2022 

Hi everyone! Holidays are done again for another summer – I hope your summer was wonderful! First of all, I will ask you for prayers for James Smith Cree Nation, for those who are injured, for those who mourn. So many dead, so many injured, so much pain and fear over the past days and for many this pain and mourning will continue for a long time to come. 

 Yesterday Queen Elizabeth II died – May she rest in peace and rise in glory! We pray for her family and all who mourn. Whether we are pro-monarchy or not, we recognize the model of discipleship she was – how her faith shaped and directed her rule. King Charles III is also deeply faithful and now the head of the church. Bishop Helen has directed that effective immediately, all prayers for the sovereign are for King Charles. It will feel strange upon the tongue for some of us who have never known another sovereign. 

 As I return and I update my calendar I realize that there’s a lot going on at St Giles and in the Diocese in the next couple of months; a wedding, a funeral, a baptism, Feast of St Francis with Animal Blessing, Bishop Helen’s visit, the Rev. Canon Claud Shroeder will be doing a presentation on his time in ministry in Egypt last year, Synod. We will also be joining with Trinity Lutheran and St Paul’s United Church to start Messy Church once a month, rotating between the 3 churches. We go to Creighton Lodge, Estevan Regional Nursing Home and Long-term Care to do services once a month and will be adding Trinity Tower and Hillview Manor Nursing Home soon. 

You can see that there are several things happening along side regular Sunday services of Holy Eucharist, and Morning Prayer. 

 8: am services will begin again this Sunday the 11th. There will be times, such as the Bishop’s visit when they will be suspended so that we can all come together. 

Speaking of ALL coming together – 

It is my hope that if you have been away from worshiping in the St Giles church building for the past 2 years because of the pandemic, that you will consider coming to worship in the building, once again. Perhaps some of you have lost the habit of Sunday morning worship in the building, some have found new things to fill that time – there may be discomfort with groups of people (masks are welcome) – I’m only guessing at reasons.

And I know that God is everywhere and not just in the building, even so I encourage you to join with the St Giles worship community for fellowship, praise, and prayer and to partake in the Holy Eucharist. Hebrews 10. 23-25 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

 BAS pg. 159 – Baptismal promises – Celebrant’s question: Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers? Answer……….. 

And while I am encouraging – 

I will also ask you to prayerfully consider renewing a ministry that you once did or taking on a new one. Ministry such as kitchen help – hosting a Sunday morning coffee time, reading scripture, doing Prayers of the People, serving at altar, taking tickets at a Bruins game, and other ministries. Many hands make lighter work – not sure who to attribute that saying to but its true! Some folks are getting tired and when that happens, they resign or step away from that service and that’s sad but understandable. I will make sure that you will have teaching or mentorship for any of the above. 

 When I go to the Creighton Lodge, nursing homes or long-term care I would love to have people from St Giles accompany me to assist with page turning, singing, and visiting with folks – they are so appreciative when we come! Could you spend a couple hours once a month doing this ministry? 

 One ministry that I loved doing as a lay person was Altar Guild. For the last while we have been heavily dependent on a very few people. It’s a ministry that rotates so you’re not on for every service. If you would like to experience this ministry, I will see that you are trained myself : ) All ministries are for both men and women and youth are encouraged to check it out as well. 

 I’ve missed you – 

hope to see you Sunday – 

Thankful for God’s grace and thankful for you – 

Wilma +