The devotion was centred around winter and snow. The hymn, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” was sung, and it reminded us how wonderful it is to visualize how God can take imperfections in our hearts and turn them into something pure, clean, and lovely.

The evening included snow games, action games, winter pokey, and singing.  Even Frosty the Snowman made a visit!

Refreshments included charcuterie treats. With over 140 ladies present, it was a beautiful evening with lots of fun and laughter.

The post Winter Wonderland in Grand Bank appeared first on Anglican Life.

This idea was well received by the group and the congregation. Even the response from the community was excellent with many wanting to volunteer as musicians, singers, and actors. It was a great event that brought nearly 180 people together for an evening full of laughter and fun, and it was followed by a cup of tea, which is also a great tradition. This initiative would not have been possible without the dedication of those involved in the planning and preparation of this wonderful evening. A sincere thank you to all of you!

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On Sunday, June 2nd, 2024, a parish service of the Holy Eucharist took place at St. Hilda’s, Bay L’Argent. Following the service, a time of thanksgiving and celebration was held, at which a traditional “cup of tea” took place for long time Lay Reader, Mr. Roy Hillier. After 36 years of active leadership, Roy has decided to step back from regular duties. The Rev’d Charlie Cox, Regional Dean of the Burin Deanery, led worship and presented Roy with a certificate of appreciation on behalf of Bishop Watton. In attendance were people from all around the Burin Peninsula which added to the spirit of joy and celebration. We give God thanks for Roy’s ministry among us and wish him well. Thanks be to God.

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In the photos, which are at the top, (left to right): Elaine Rose and her mother, Olive Price; Elaine’s mother placing the LLM scarf on her (standing by are her presenters); the newly Licensed Lay Minister, Elaine Rose, and the rector, The Rev’d Charlie Cox;

The post New Lay Minister and Eucharistic Assistant in Grand Bank appeared first on Anglican Life.

At the end of the service, our Sunday School leader, Ms. Chelsea Bryan, presented the rector, the Rev’d Charlie Cox, with $1000 to be forwarded to PWRDF. These funds were collected over the past year through their weekly outreach baskets accepting nickels and dimes from members of the congregation.

This donation will be used to purchase:

• 2 storage tanks for clean water ($200)

• 2 water maintenance systems ($150)

• 1 solar pump for clean water ($100)

• Train an indigenous midwife ($50)

• Provide 2 families with an indigenous midwife visit before the birth of their baby ($100)

• Provide a family with a water carrying donkey ($140)

• Provide 3 goats to healthcare workers ($120)

• 3 solar powered incubators so community members can buy chicken eggs and sell newborn chicks ($75)

• Humanitarian Relief Support ($50)

St. Alban’s congregation are so thankful for the work of the Sunday school, and we wish to say a heartfelt thank you to their leader, Ms. Chelsea Bryan, and all who continue to support the youth of our church.

Thanks be to God!

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On October 21st, 2023, the Rev’d Robert Peddle celebrated the 42nd anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. In honour of this milestone, he presided at Holy Eucharist on Sunday, October 22nd at St. Alban’s Church in Grand Bank. God bless you Rev’d Bob and Judi, and thank you for all you have done and continue to do in the name of Christ.

The post 42nd Anniversary of Ordination for Rev’d Peddle appeared first on Anglican Life.

The occasion was the celebration of the 70th anniversary of their church. The cornerstone for the first St. Alban’s was laid by Archbishop Barfoot on June 17th, 1953. 

It was a weekend packed with emotion, nostalgia, memories,  reflections, laughter, tears, and prayer. The Rev’d Charlie Cox, rector of the parish, was overwhelmed, and explained that it was “A true celebration is the greatest statement I could make as I summarize the events of the 70th anniversary celebrations. From the initial planning stages to the conclusion of the celebrations, I believe we were blessed beyond measure.”

The weekend started with a gospel concert setting a deep spiritual tone for the celebrations. A family day on Saturday, engaged the youth and their parents in a variety of fun activities.

This was followed by the banquet where people shared a beautiful meal and memories of days gone by. The congregation was joined by past rectors and members of other churches and denominations, as well as politicians from provincial and municipal levels.

Rev’d Charlie thanked the Rev’d Canon Reuben Hatcher for agreeing to be the guest speaker at the banquet, referring to his presentation as “the highlight of the evening.”

Canon Hatcher explained, “I was, indeed, pleased to be asked to be the guest speaker for the anniversary celebrations. I was a bit reluctant at first, since it’s been a long time since I served the parish in 1968. But I am glad I came.”

He added, “It gave me an opportunity to reflect on the beginning of the church and its growth over the years and to share that with those assembled at the banquet.”

And share he did, beginning when “the church” existed with no building, and worshipers assembled in places like the Temperance Hall, the Orange Lodge and Harry Grandy’s Theatre for services.

The big break came when resettlement of some communities took place from Brunette and other places along the coast. 

Canon Hatcher noted, “It was this influx of these people, their strong will and deep faith that led to the construction of the church in 1953.” The first service was held in the basement on Thanksgiving Day, 1953.

That church served the needs of the congregation until 1975, when the vestry decided it was time to build a new church.

Canon Hatcher also shared some of the experiences he had during his tenure in the parish. Many of them were happy, but others very sad, especially the loss of life to the fury of the sea with the sinking of the Blue Mist and Blue Wave.

He spoke of one lady who lost her husband, her son, and her son-in-law in the one disaster. “Her response to me was, ‘Well, I guess God wanted them more than I did’. What faith! What faith!” explained a tearful Canon Hatcher.

Interspersed with the sad experiences, Canon Hatcher related numerous light-hearted experiences that kept his audience in stitches.

He told of one incident when he and his friend Tom Pope got stuck in the middle of the road between Hungry Pond and Lorries while returning from a Lenten service in Lamaline.

“We got so far but the storm got worse, and we got stuck. With no plow on the road we had no choice but stay in the car all night. Then after a while we saw lights of a truck coming towards us.

“Hardly seeing through the snow, I saw this man driving the truck; he had his stocking cap down over his head. I soon recognized him; it was my rector coming to look for us. Needless to say, I never got aboard the truck with him; I got in with the snowplough operator.”

The rector that he referred to was, of course, the Rev’d Wilson Tibbo. He spoke of the same incident at the 50th anniversary of St. Alban’s. “I needed confession and absolution after that night because I do believe when we found him, I used some not so nice language on him which he has never forgotten,” he joked.

The Rt. Rev’d John Watton, the rector of the parish from 1990 to 1996, brought greetings on behalf of the Diocese of Central Newfoundland and spoke of his experiences in the parish. 

The anniversary celebrations ended with a Thanksgiving Service with Bishop Watton as the presider. Archdeacon Terry Caines, a native of Grand Bank, was the preacher.

The post St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Grand Bank Celebrates 70th Anniversary appeared first on Anglican Life.

Shirley Walters, who had served her church as treasurer for seventeen consecutive years, was recognized for her long term commitment and dedication to the Church.

In addition to “doing the books” for all these years, Shirley participated in all aspects of the life of the Church, including being a vestry member, and ACW member/president for many years. 

The congregation showed their appreciation for Shirley’s commitment to the Church, and welcomed Hannah Thornhill who will assume the role of parish treasurer.

The post St. Alban’s Parish in Grand Bank Recognizes Parishioner’s Long-Standing Service appeared first on Anglican Life.

The Worship, Education and Mission Committee, under the direction of their chair Velma Stewart, planned and coordinated the supper.

A free will offering with matching funds from the ACW was donated to the Primate’s World Relief Development Fund in aid of the Turkey and Syria earthquake disaster. ACW President Shirley Rose explained it was a successful initiative.

“The ACW would like to thank everyone who supported the rice supper. It was a great evening of church, food and fellowship. We raised $354 and that was matched by the ACW. A great outreach project! Well done, everyone!” 

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