The Herald - November December 2013

HERALD

CHRIST CHURCH DEER PARK, TORONTO, CANADA

VOLUME 39, NUMBER 4

CHRIST CHURCH DEER PARK

NOV/DEC 2013

Kevin’s
Corner

HERALD
HERALD is published six times a year
(Sept, Oct/Nov, Dec/Jan, Feb/Mar,
Apr/May, June/July) by
Christ Church Deer Park
1570 Yonge Street
Toronto ON M4T 1Z8
Tel: 416.920.5211
Fax: 416.920.8400
www.thereslifehere.org
We welcome your submissions.
E-mail:
p.marritt@thereslifehere.org
or the editor (e-mail below).
PARISH CLERGY

Rector
The Rev. Kevin Robertson
Associate Priest
The Rev. Canon Douglas Graydon
Assistant Curate
The Rev. Julie Meakin
Honorary Assistants
The Rev. Dr. Peter Slater
The Rev. Dr. Karen Hamilton,

Ecumenical Partner, United Church of Canada

Organist & Director of Music
Eric Robertson
Director of Children’s Education
Natalie Kemp
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Rector’s Warden
Genevieve Chornenki
People’s Warden
Carolyn Kearns
Finance Warden/Treasurer
Robert Morrow
Deputy Warden
Henry Zaluski
EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Editor
Joyce Hamilton (joyceian@sympatico.ca)
Members
Henry Zaluski,
Photos: Deirdre Malone, Henry Zaluski,
Peter Curzon, Kate Rieger
Webmaster
Brian Dench
PARISH STAFF

Dirctor of Parish Operations
Paul Marritt
Bookkeeper
Elisabeth Lunder
Sexton
Denis Delisle

Dear friends,
ADVENT IS ONE OF MY FAVOURITE SEASONS. I love the anticipation as Christmas
draws near. The Scripture readings, hymns and prayers of this season remind us to
get ready to hear once again the good news of Christ’s coming - both in the
manger of Bethlehem, and also in the manger of our hearts. Our Advent refrain
comes from St. John the Baptist: “Prepare the way of the Lord!” (Mark 1:3)
The Church, in its wisdom, employs various symbols to help build this sense of
expectation. Some of these symbols will be used in our own parish this Advent:
The Advent Wreath will be placed in the chancel on the First Sunday of Advent.
We begin by lighting the first candle on Advent 1, and we light a new candle each
week. Typically, the candles in the circle are blue or purple, the traditional colours
of Advent. The white candle in the centre of the wreath is only lit when we gather
for Christmas - the night we celebrate the light of the One who has come into the
world. A few other observations about the Advent Wreath - the circle reminds us
of the eternity of God; the branches are green, for the hope and new life in the
Incarnation; in some traditions, the four blue candles represent the virtues of hope,
peace, joy and love; and in some churches the third candle is pink for “Gaudete”
(Rejoice) Sunday, anticipating the joy that is about to come into the world.
The Jesse Tree is a small tree that will be placed in the chancel for Advent. This
symbol emerges from the words of the prophet Isaiah: “a shoot shall come out from
the stump of Jesse.” (Isaiah 11:1) In the Bible, Jesse was the father of King David,
from whose family the promised Messiah would come. Each week, the children will
place various Biblical symbols on the Jesse Tree, telling the story of salvation from
the Book of Genesis all the way through to the birth of Jesus.
The Advent Calendar is one of the most recognized symbols of the season. Most
Advent calendars begin on December 1st, though Advent can start anywhere from
November 27 - December 3. This year, the First Day of Advent happens to be
December 1. On each day, a new window is opened on the calendar, revealing an
image, a message, or a small piece of chocolate. There are many secular Advent
calendars out there, but have a look for some of the Biblically-based ones - they’re
really great for kids!
All of these symbols speak to the fact that, in Advent, we are a people waiting in
joyful hope, and we set aside this holy time to prepare ourselves for God’s coming.
Please join us on the journey of Advent this year. As the light grows, and the
prophecies of old are heard once again, let us prepare to welcome into our hearts
the One who is Emmanuel, “God with us”.
Yours faithfully,

2 / HERALD

The Reverend Kevin Robertson, Rector


NOV/DEC 2013

Advent Readings
Growing Justice is a Kairos Advent resource
which links Advent with Creation. The
resource encourages individuals or families
to create a weekly Advent celebration in their
homes linking the Advent themes of hope,
joy, peace and love with current social
concerns regarding HIV/AIDS, human rights, ecological
justice and gender based violence.
Resource available on the Kairos website:
www.kairoscanada.org/shop/

Please join us
this
Christmas Season

Sacred Space for Advent and the Christmas
Season is published by the Irish Jesuits and
provides daily meditations for the season of
Advent. This is a great pocket sized book and
an ideal resource for a quiet daily Advent
moment during the hectic holiday season.
Available through the Crux Bookstore
5 Hoskin Ave, Toronto
416-599-2749 or www.cruxbooks.com
Theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, writes from
his prison cell during the Nazi 1940ís. His
heart wrenching prayers form the core of
Advent meditations highlighting the radical
messages of hope, joy, love and peace.
Also available through the Crux Bookstore
This study guide, created in 2009, builds upon
the timeless Advent themes of Hope, Love, Joy
and Peace. This guide contains suggestions for
a weekly Advent Wreath candle lighting liturgy
which can be conducted at home plus daily
prayers, bible study and opportunities for
reflection.
This guide can be downloaded in pdf form at;
www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/pages/advent-2009
How we wait upon God shapes our understanding and experience of God. Advent
Reflections; While we Wait, builds upon our
Christian season of awaiting the birth of the
Christ child so that we may encounter Jesus
this Christmas once again “for the first time”.
Available through the Crux Bookstore

3 / HERALD

CHRISTMAS EVE

Tuesday, December 24
Christmas Pageant and Family Eucharist
7:00pm
Carol Sing, 10:30pm
Traditional Midnight Mass, 11:00pm

CHRISTMAS DAY

Wednesday, December 25
Holy Eucharist, 8:00am
Sung Holy Eucharist, 10:00am

CHRISTMAS 1

Sunday, December 29
Holy Eucharist, 8:00am
Christmas Readings, Carols
and Holy Eucharist, 10:00am


NOV/DEC 2013
of the darkness we acknowledge in our world, we live in the
hope that God’s promises of peace, justice, and reconciliation
will be realized in our time, in our world. To that end we
heed the words of John the Baptist, to “repent” - to look
honestly at ourselves and our complicity in the injustice
and suffering in the world.

Meakin’s
Musings
“KEEP AWAKE, THEREFORE, for you do not know on what
day your Lord is coming.” So reads our Gospel for the first
Sunday in Advent, a season in which the Church celebrates
the various comings of Christ. We begin with the end,
with the dramatic, triumphant coming of Christ on that
day that “no one knows” except the Father. Because his
coming will be unexpected, we are to “keep awake” and
“be ready.” On the second Sunday. we move to that point
in time and place 2,000 years ago and hear the voice of
John the Baptist, telling us to “repent, for the Kingdom of
Heaven has come near.” That Kingdom of Heaven, or
Reign of God, is seen in the ministry of Jesus, who tells
John’s disciples: “Go and tell John what you see: ìthe
blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are
cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor
have good news brought to them.” On the fourth Sunday
we move back in time, when the angel tells Joseph, “the
virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name
him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” And now,
we seek to live out what the coming of Jesus means to us
today, in our particular time and place. Past, present, and
future are all bound up in this relatively short but intensive
liturgical season.
We note the reality of our present time in the world - all
the beauty and wonder of life, but also the darkness - the
natural disasters like the one that just hit the Philippines,
the constant threats of terrorism, war, and violence. The
gap between the rich and the poor, the injustice and
suffering of so many when we feel it could and should
be otherwise. We feel our helplessness when dealing with
illness and various difficulties in our personal lives. We cry
out to God, as did the Israelites, for deliverance.

In Advent we prepare our hearts to receive the gift that
brings new life to ourselves and to the world. As former
Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams states, “We’re
still waiting to see what might happen if Jesus was allowed
into our lives a bit more fully, a bit more radically.”
We can prepare our hearts in a number of ways - by daily
readings or reflections; by lighting the candles of the
Advent Wreath symbolizing the light taking over the darkness;
by pausing amidst the busyness and taking part in the holy
work of waiting and watching through prayer and silence.
We can prepare our hearts to be be aware of the coming of
Christ in the Eucharist, where we meet Christ in Scripture,
bread, wine, and one other.
So, may your prayer and mine this season of Advent be,
“Come, Lord, come! Give us wisdom, give us light, deliver
us, liberate us, teach us how to live. Save us.”
Wishing you a holy and blessed Advent and Christmas,
The Reverend Julie Meakin, Assistant Curate

Intergenerational
Spirituality Panel

OVER THE WINTER MONTHS we will be holding a panel
discussion on intergenerational spirituality in the parish.
We are seeking participants for the Panel:
- One young person (between confirmation
and about undergraduate age)
- One parent or PromiseLand volunteer
- One grandparent or elder

And yet we know that this deliverance, this “wondrous
gift” comes to us in a very unexpected way - a tiny infant
lying in a manger. An infant who will grow up to live the
reality of God’s saving love in his words and deeds and
presence, who will eventually come to a cross, be raised on
the third day, and who comes to us now in our hearts
through his Holy Spirit.

We will be asking these participants to reflect on their
own spiritual development, their experience to date with
children’s education at CCDP and their hopes for the
future of youth involvement at CCDP.

God’s promised future has already begun in the life, death,
and resurrection of Jesus, and it continues with us. In spite

Emily Chatten
416-792-8108 elwchatt@gmail.com

If you would like to be involved, or contribute to the
conversation, please see the Parish Forum Update on the
website for further details or feel free to contact me directly.

4 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

Doug’s
Discourse

gatherings and a predisposition towards acts of kindness
and generosity.

Advent is most likely the richest season within our Christian
calendar outside of Easter. Easter is for sure a season full
of drama, passion, political intrigue and spectacle. Easter is
all about watching the life of Christ unfold and transform
itself before our eyes. We are the watchers of Easter; we are
mere on-lookers who are challenged to make sense of
events as they unfold before us.
At Easter - we are challenged to ask ourselves - who is this
Christ? And why should I follow him? Believe in him?
Advent is almost as equally important, but for a different
reason. Advent is mystery, it is awe, it is discernment, it is
our searching for, reaching out not for Christ - but God
who is amongst us.
Advent is a time of structured reflection; a time of intentional
pondering; if I can use such a phrase.
Advent is the making ready for; the coming into our lives;
of God. It is the time when we deliberately look up and
away from our usual routines and patterns of daily life to
see, to hear, to know that God is nigh. That God is present
and drawing near, that God is about to once again come
into our world.
Advent is, if nothing else; a paradox. It is a season of
contradictions and upset assumptions. Advent is all about
sensing God’s presence, not where we think or desire or
wish God to be, but sensing God where God has always
been; near us, with us, everywhere.
Advent is, as Janet Lawson, professor of English, suggests,
all about our wrestling with God.
Such a description of Advent seems odd at first, nonsensical
in fact. For Advent seems to many of us, at first, to be that
season when pretty little stories of the coming birth of the
Christ child are told.
Advent is that time of year when parents “ooh” and “aaw”
and smile and swell with pride at Christmas pageants as
their children prance across stages dressed as angels, or
shepherds or inn keepers or even donkeys and sheep.
Advent is that time of year when thoughts turn to gift
giving and special baking. It is a time of fellowship, festive

Advent is that season, or time of year, when it seems our
global family, or at least a significant portion of it, are more
inclined to dream dreams of justice, hope and peace. To
strive for, or wish for, a world more generous to the poor
and the sick, the homeless and the distressed.
Advent seems to be a time of year where we are more, or
seem to be, more of what we can be then what we are
during the rest of the year. It is as if the Charles Dickens’
Scrooge we love to watch on television each year is banished
from our midst, destined only to return once the New
Year’s festivities are complete.
Advent it seems is all of this. And yet of course, Advent
is truly meant to be so much more, and so much more
difficult to live through then simply putting up with the
exhaustion of a busy social calendar.
Advent is all about getting to know God all over once
more. It is the liturgical season where, within the hectic
holiday season we are called to be still, to be quiet and to
know God. The question is how?
Traditionally, the answer is found within the study of
scripture, the reading of reflective text, the joining together
in worship and acts of good will. Throughout Advent we
as a congregation will be invited to participate in bible
study groups on Sunday, encouraged to explore reflective
books which travel daily through the themes of Advent joy,
hope, peace and love. We will be gathering for our regular
patterns of worship and we will be challenged to learn more
about issues of social justice and ecology.
Therefore, I invite you to look around, to seek out the
Advent resources which will be available to you, to make a
priority regular Sunday worship and to explore the justice
issues of our day as framed within our Advent journey unto
Bethlehem.
To do so will bring Advent alive for us all. To do so will
remind and affirm for us once again that God is present
and amongst us.
Happy Advent to all.

Reverend Canon Douglas Graydon. Associate Priest

5 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

Parish Forum

prepare it on CCDP letterhead for your and Kevin’s signatures
and forward it on your behalf, together with a $1,000
donation from CCDP.
Letters will be published annually to raise awareness among
our congregation of the charitable activities of our individual
parishioners beyond their involvement with CCDP, and
serve as an important reminder of the positive influence of
the Church.
George Lewis
georgelewis@rogers.com (H) 416-485-0958

Deer Park Vocational Skills Institute
It was a full house as the congregation gathered on Sunday,
November 3rd to hear, over a light lunch, the progress of
our “Our Faith, Our Hope, Re-imagining Church” initiatives.
The Committee leaders told their stories aided by
professional visual accompaniment (thank you, Henry
Zaluski). Some exciting projects are “In the Works”:

Let our Lights Shine
The following initiative has been approved by the CCDP
Allocations and Management Committee: an annual budget
(to be provisionally re-confirmed on an annual basis) as a
key component of the Outreach portion of the CCDP
“Our Faith, Our Hope” program.
This will annually fund ten donations of $1,000 each, as
directed by individual parishioners, to registered charitable
organizations in which they have a particular interest and
to which they donate their time. The donations will be
accompanied by a letter on CCDP letterhead, drafted by
the parishioner, and signed both by the parishioner and the
Rector. These will be sent to the Chair/President of the
receiving organization with copies to each member of its
Board of Directors. The gift will be given for the organization
to use in any way they see fit in the furtherance of its
mission, without specific direction.
Digital and physical copies will also be kept, providing a
historical record of CCDP parishioners’ impact and
involvement in the wider community and a demonstrable
record of putting our faith in action.
To designate a charity, you must draft a letter, addressed to
the Chair/President of your charity, containing information
about your involvement with the charity and with CCDP.
At the bottom of the draft list each member of the Board
with their email/mail addresses. Send the draft to George
Lewis. Once all are happy with the letter, Paul Marritt will

This is an overseas outreach initiative, in the town of Jinja,
Uganda.
Years ago, I served as an intern with the Canadian
International Development Agency in Jinja, where I visited
an orphanage called the Mama Jane’s Children’s Care
Centre. The Care Centre looked after 70 children from the
ages of newborn to 17 years, most of whom had lost their
parents to AIDS.
Agnes Nabawanga, the matron and chief administrator of
the Care Centre, is constantly raising funds for the orphanage
as it has no permanent patron or government funding.
Other than lacking a permanent source of funding to care
for resident children, her main challenge is the settling of
the young adults when they leave the Centre after high
school. Some are able to go to university, but many others
return to the orphanage after a short time because they are
unable to get a job and live independently, and have
nowhere else to go.
To support the less academically inclined young adults,
Agnes has proposed to build a vocational skills institute for
teaching welding, carpentry and joinery, tailoring and
weaving, and information technology - skills that are in
demand in the Ugandan economy. The Skills Institute
would teach the young adults of the orphanage, but it
would also generate revenue by admitting fees-paying students
from outside the orphanage. The Skills Institute would help
these young adults find their way to living a productive,
dignified, independent life.
The start-up cost to build, furnish, and launch the school
has been fully costed as $25,000 (CAD). The Allocation
Fund has agreed to cover this cost in full.
What does supporting this project mean for the life of
Christ Church Deer Park? First, our involvement in the
improvement of the country of Uganda and in the support
of this Care Centre, and the students that it will affect, will
be a sign of life for the parish. Progress reports on the

6 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

establishment of this institute will be posted on the
Church’s website. The initiative would contribute to the
growth of the parish, as people looking for a living, vital
parish would read the reports and see that ‘something is
really happening here’ and would want to get involved in
the life of our parish.
Secondly, by building the Vocational Institute, the parish is
creating a relationship with the Care Centre, with Agnes,
with the students who will be educated at the institute, and
with Uganda.
Members of our congregation will have the opportunity to
go visit the Institute or to attend the official opening in
Uganda, as representatives of the parish. Agnes continually
hosts volunteers who help at the orphanage or in any of
their other initiatives (nursery, guesthouse, farm, sewing
centre). Young people from the parish could go and stay
with Agnes during their summer break. We could form a
group of students that may like to go.
Seeing at first hand the enormous effect the Skills Institute
will have on the orphanage, on Agnes the matron, and on
the students will be an overwhelming and humbling
experience for the Christ Church Deer Park visitors. They
will return to Toronto encouraged by having spent time
among people whose Christian faith is just about all they
have.
On the surface, this initiative looks like a gift to the Mama
Jane’s Children’s Care Centre; however, it is really a gift to
us. The more we get involved with this, the more enriched
our lives, our parish, and our faith will be.
Jill Aitken
jill_aitken@yahoo.ca

Intergenerational Spirituality Panel
Intention:
- To explore what attracts and keeps children and youth
engaged in Christianity today;
- To understand the concerns of elders about why their
children and grandchildren ‘don’t go to church’;
- To bring new insights and perspectives to the topic;
- To practise open and respectful listening; and
- To begin new and mutually supportive cross-generational
relationships in the church.
Long-term goals:
- Sustainable youth participation in congregation and
parish life;
- Improved family relationships;
- Intergenerational listening, understanding & learning
We are looking for answers, both our own and those of

experts, to questions such as ì”Why are young people not
interested in church?” and “Why are young people leaving
church?”
I will be seeking the involvement of CCDP members of
all ages in the coming months, including seeking volunteers
for participation in the panel. In preparation, please
think about what has most inspired the development of
your spiritual life.
I have undertaken research and will be providing articles
and reviews in preparation for productive discussion.
This is something we can re-imagine together.
If you would like to discuss youth spiritual development
further please feel free to contact me.
Emily Chatten
elwchatt@gmail.com 416-792-8101

Discerning Gifts for Lay Ministry
This committee was tasked with the responsibility of
considering areas of ministry in which lay people could
be more involved. Of the many ministries identified by
our group, we decided to concentrate on two: Bible
Study and Pastoral care. Last year we initiated 2 Bible
Study sessions leading up to Christmas and Easter, held
from 9 to 10AM on Sundays. Attendance ranged from 2
to 15. We believe that there is an interest in continuing
with this Bible Study program. The problem is finding
people to lead the discussions. I led 2 groups and suggest
that, by reading the lessons and the relevant material
provided by clergy, it is not difficult to start a meaningful
discussion. Please consider becoming involved by
contacting either Douglas Graydon at the church or myself.
The top priority of the Committee is Pastoral Care which we’ve named Congregational Care - involves
“friendly visits” and Pastoral visits. The latter are more
directed to those needing spiritual comfort, prayer and
communion.
Letís consider the reasons for prioritizing Congregational
Care and why you might consider being involved.
1. We have a very caring clergy but they are limited by
their numbers and their other clerical responsibilities in
making Pastoral and “friendly” visits. If the clergy do
most of these calls then CCDP has a caring clergy. If the
congregation becomes involved then we have a caring
Church! We believe that as word circulates in the
community about how we care for our people, the
Church will grow. Successful consumer oriented businesses
have emphasized caring for their customers and helping

7 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

them when their products break down or do not perform
as expected..We as a congregation should be aware of those
of our people who are in need and be in a position to
help.You are the ones who can most effectively grow our
Church.
2.The benefits of caring for others are shared by those that
receive and those that give. When you become involved in
caregiving, as most of you know, there is a sense of thankfulness that you have been able to help someone else.
3. The whole case for caring is grounded in Jesus’ teaching.
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”;
“Bear one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill
the law of Christ”; “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to
one of the least of these who are members of my family,
you did it to me”.
The status of the Congregational Care initiative is as follows:
1.We currently have 22 of our congregation who have
attended the meetings and are prepared to be a caring visitor.
2. 12 of these people have now taken the Pastoral Training
program. Those who are committed to being a pastoral
visitor will be interviewed by clergy and will be formally
recognized by the Bishop as Lay Pastoral visitors at a
church service.
3. Teams of “friendly” visitors have been assigned to those
requiring care and a process has been established to review
and update information regarding those receiving care.
All who volunteer to become part of the Congregational
Care Team will be asked to adhere to a Visitors’ Code of
Conduct. This will include attending regularly scheduled
meetings, adhering to principles of confidentiality, attending
on-going workshops to learn new skills, and of course,
meeting for fellowship and prayer.
If you are not now involved and would like to participate
please call The Reverend Canon Douglas Graydon at the
church or myself.
David Moore
dt.moore@sympatico.ca 416-975-5506

Opening our Sacred Spaces and
Grounds
The objectives of the Committee are to review and make
recommendations to ensure
- exterior and interior attractiveness
- a welcoming facility to serve our mission
The Committee undertook a review of the premises and
grounds, drawing on the experiences and familiarity of the
Committee members with our premises and grounds as

well as informal input from interested parishioners. The
Committee also researched the experiences of other
congregations in Canada.
Two broad conclusions were drawn from our review:
- While our premises, grounds and overall location are
important assets to CCDP, we are not maximizing their
value;
- a review of the works and developments of comparable
parishes indicates that necessary new views and concepts of
sacred space and grounds are evolving. There are a number
of examples in Toronto and elsewhere demonstrating inviting
and imaginative architecture that is not only attractive to
the community but increases the use and value of the
assets.
An application for funding from the Re-Imagining Church
Initiative has been accepted by the Allocation Committee
and the Management Committee. The main initiative
approved was the commissioning of a professional, high
level study to assess the ideas identified by the Committee
and to suggest solutions. A request for proposal has been
prepared to be issued to selected architects or consultants
in November. Selection of the consultant will be made in
December and completion, including a final
feasibility/conceptual design report, is anticipated in April
2014.
The committee is eager to receive ideas and discuss any
aspects of our Sacred Space and Grounds review with
interested persons.
Bob Hutchison
rhutchison@blg.com

Developing Spiritual Practices
Contemplative Knitting Circle
This is a voluntary gathering for knitting or other forms of
needlework. The Circle strives for a non-judgmental
atmosphere where all skill levels welcome and with no
required output. Moreover, there is no overt religious
content; rather it is an exercise in gracious hospitality,
building a community, about half of which is made up of
members of CCDP and the other half are friends or visitors.
The first Contemplative Knitting Circle was held in the
chapel at CCDP on May 8th, 2013, and has continued
thereafter on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month
from 6- 7pm.
A selection of items made by members of the circle is on
display right now in the Arthur Smith Room. These are
available for purchase by silent auction, with all proceeds
going to CCDP.
Labyrinth

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NOV/DEC 2013

A labyrinth is a twisting and turning maze that nevertheless has only one path with no forks and no possibility of
getting lost. Walking one is an ancient contemplative practice that has aided the prayers of many generations of
Christians.
-We are planning on holding a labyrinth workshop here at
CCDP on December 14th, as an advent retreat. If you
would like to help out in the organizing of this event or
setting things up on the day of, please speak either to me
or to Emily Chatten.
Initiatives that are still developing
Depending on the interest of the congregation, we are
also hoping to eventually train our own labyrinth facilitator,
so that the contemplative life of CCDP may be enriched
with regular labyrinth workshops. This has been approved,
and we are looking for a candidate for the next time there
is a training opportunity in the area.
Second, in order to enrich our appreciation for the music
done here at CCDP, we are discussing a an event examining
Eric as composer and improviser, exposing the necessary
link between what he is doing and the spirituality of the
wider congregation.
Third, we are discussing having a regular Bible study,
centred on a particular theme such as ‘the holiness of
place and the land in the Bible.’ This would lead to a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land in order to prayerfully visit
the very sites we had been studying. Both events would be
open and welcoming, with attendance at the Bible study
being neither a requirement or commitment to come on
the pilgrimage itself. We would also seek to involve other
churches and friends in both the study and the pilgrimage.
Currently, we are looking for someone to take the lead on
this. Please speak to me if you are interested.
Gavin Keachie
gkeachie@gmail.com 647-972-0707

Did you Know...
More than a few choirs and musical groups regularly gather
here at CCDP for rehearsals, recording and concerts?...
among them, The Toronto Children’s Choirs and the
Toronto Classical Singers.
In fact, the Toronto Classical Singers have held all their
concerts here since 1992! Their next concert, highlights
from Handel’s Messiah, with soloists and the Talisker
Players Orchestra, will be held on Sunday, December 1st,
at 4:00pm. Details at tickets@torontoclassicalsingers.ca

A Word from
the Church Wardens
Management Team once again thanks all presenters and
participants for a well-attended and energetic Parish Forum
on November 3, 2013, details of which can be found on
the parish website and in this newsletter.
We are committed to ongoing engagement and communication among all parishioners and to this end are pleased
to announce that the next Parish Forum will take place on
Sunday, February 9, 2014. This event will be devoted to
the financial affairs of the parish over and above a review
of the 2013 audited financial statements that typically
occurred in past “financial forums.” At this particular
Parish Forum we will also review the who, what and how
of CCDP’s finances, including the various funds and what
ís involved in stewardship. This meeting is intended to
convey information and provide an opportunity for
questions and discussion, as opposed to making decisions.
All parishioners are encouraged to attend - those who relish
financial details and those who merely want to check the
bottom line. Financial “literacy” is not a prerequisite.
Additional Parish Forums are planned for May, September
and November, 2014, with topics and formats to be
determined.
Management Team also reminds parishioners that our
annual Vestry meeting will take place on Sunday, February
23, 2014. A written Vestry report, including the 2014
budget will be available online or in hard copy on Sunday,
February 16th. To facilitate timely production of this
report, we ask all groups, committees or other ministries to
provide reports in electronic form to Paul Marritt, Director
of Parish Operations. not later than Friday, January 31, 2014.
Thank you for your ongoing support and for the privilege
of serving you.
The Christ Church Deer Park Management Team
Genevieve Chornenki, Rector’s Warden
On behalf of the Management Team
Genevieve Chornenki Carolyn Kearns
Rector’s Warden
People’s Warden
Robert Morrow
Finance Warden/Treasurer

9 / HERALD

Henry Zaluski
Deputy Warden


NOV/DEC 2013

Introductory
Labyrinth Workshop
Saturday, December 14, 2013

A labyrinth is a geometric form with a single, non-branching
path that can be walked or traced from an entry point on
the perimeter to the centre. It can be used for meditation,
prayer and relaxation, or simply as a form of adornment.
Labyrinths are found in many different forms all over the
world, from Iceland to India, from Algeria to the Americas.
One of the most famous labyrinths is in the Chartres
Cathedral in France.

Are you interested in handwork? Do you appreciate
silence? Please consider joining us in the chapel on the 2nd
and 4th Wednesday of each month at 6:00pm as we enjoy
a contemplative time and space together. After a reading,
we work in silence for the first half hour and converse
about the work of our hands in the second half hour.
Knitting has got me through good times and bad. It has
helped me learn the lessons of “doing it right,” “correcting
your mistakes,” and patience.

As reported at Parish Forum on November 3, 2013, the
Developing Spiritual Practices Working Group received
a Re-Imagining Church grant to develop an introductory
labyrinth workshop at Christ Church Deer Park during
Advent. The prospect of such an event elicited an enthusiastic response from members of the parish who are already
familiar with the labyrinthís mystery and charm.
It is now confirmed that this workshop will take place in
the Arthur Smith Room on Saturday, December 14, 2013
from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with participants convening at
8:30 a.m. So, if the labyrinth intrigues or interests you,
please take time from your Christmas shopping, decorating
and baking to learn more about this ancient form. The
workshop will provide an opportunity to walk a canvas
replica of the Chartres labyrinth and to reflect on the
meaning and message of Advent.
Please reserve the date in your calendar. Then watch our
website and Sunday announcements for registration details.

10 / HERALD

The Gallery
In the Arthur Smith Room

Exhibit and Silent Auction
of small knitted items
from the Knitting Circle
Until November 30


NOV/DEC 2013
during Advent. I will help each group with their planning
to ensure that the activities have a learning goal, and focus
on a particular age group. Many of the youth enjoy
volunteering each Sunday and this new initiative allows
them to add their creativity into the PromiseLand
programming each week.

I am proud to announce that PromiseLand and Y.A.L.
were able to donate 56 items to the Churches-on-the-Hill
(COTH) Food Bank! The children took great pride making
posters to advertise the COTH food drive. I want to thank
everyone for their GENEROUS contributions to the food
drive.

I cannot wait to share with CCDP the pictures and stories
from our pageant preparation journey. I am looking forward
to sharing more news soon!
Sincerely,
Natalie Kemp, Director of Children and Youth Ministry

In addition to supporting the food drive efforts,
PromiseLand has been very busy creating shaving cream
paintings, learning about All Saints Day, and exploring
different ways of saying grace before meals. We even
learned a few songs to sing at the Thanksgiving dinner
table. For Remembrance Day, after several poems were read
we used our bodies to create several tableaux pictures to
show our thanks and prayers for all those who have risked
their lives to make the world a more peaceful place. We
made a cross and several poppies using our bodies to show
that PromiseLand remembers.
I can hardly believe there are only 6 weeks until Christmas!
Beginning on November 17th, PromiseLand will begin to
prepare for the Christmas pageant. Every week, in addition
to the Gospel story of the day, time will be allotted to
learning the pageant songs. I want the pageant to be a
positive experience for all the children. By becoming familiar
with the material it is my goal to make PromiseLand proud
and excited to be part of the pageant.
Y.A.L.’s first social was spent jumping around at Skyzone
indoor trampoline park. It was truly a 3-D experience
with wall-to-wall trampolines. There were three different
trampoline courts: the sponge pit, basketball dunk, and
angled trampolines from the floor to the walls. It was a
great workout and a fun way to spend a Friday Night.

A Greeting...

Y.A.L. it going to help with the organization and production
of the Christmas Pageant. Many Y.A.L. members have
years of experience being in previous pageants and cannot
wait to help give advice to children in PromiseLand.
During our “Lunch and Learns”, Y.A.L. has shown an
interest in taking a greater leadership role in PromiseLand.
I am excited to announce that Y.A.L. will be working in
groups to plan an activity for PromiseLand each week
11 / HERALD

OUR HONOURARY
ASSISTANT, and
Ecumenical Partner,
The Rev. Dr. Karen
Hamilton, has sent us a
greeting from the World
Council of Churches
meeting in Busan, Korea.
She is shown here
with Justin Welby,
Archbishop of
Canterbury


NOV/DEC 2013

Jean’s Farewell
It was a bittersweet occasion... a celebration of Jean’s 24
years with us and all she meant to us, happiness for her
and her adventures to come, and sadness at saying goodbye.

Churches on-the-Hill
Annual Food Drive

Everyone was there... past and present parishioners, clergy,
staff. We’ll miss her.

Volunteers getting their ‘marching orders’.
The Churches-on-the-Hill Food Bank is the second largest
food bank in the city. It has 500 active household files,
more than half of whom are using its service 2 to 3 times
a month.
On Saturday, November 2 and November 9, volunteers
from the Churches on-the-Hill participated in our annual
neighbourhood food drive.
A number of volunteers from CCDP - totalling 24,
including some relatives/friends - distributed flyers on
the first Saturday and then picked up donations on the
Saturday following. These were then sorted at the Food
Bank headquarters in Timothy Eaton Memorial Church.
Total contributions of food filled 166 boxes. $11,000 in
cash donations was also collected.

Tom Green returned,,, as did ‘Ted’

In addition, the COTH Food Bank received a total of over
350 items of canned food generously donated by CCDP
parishioners to the Food Drive run by the children of
PromiseLand-YAL under the guidance and leadership of
Nathalie Kemp.
All of the food donations received go to the Churches onthe-Hill Food Bank while a portion of the cash donations
are sent to Evangel Hall, a downtown shelter for the
hungry and homeless. These donations of food and money
enable us to provide healthy and nourishing products to
these people in need.
Hearty thanks are due to those who participated in these
great efforts and to all those who responded in such fine
fashion.

Photos:
Deirdre Malone
12 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

Social Matters

melt - a threat to polar bear survival - reminds us that unless
global warming is brought under control, the extinction of
50 to 70% of known species likely looms. Massive release
of methane gas from those warming, long icy Arctic waters,
would be a tipping point. I worry about the hot, threatening,
barren world our grandchildren will likely inherit.

OUR BAPTISMAL COVENANT AND CLIMATE
ACTION
I’VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS of the new
baptismal promise we, the congregation, made at the
baptism in September, “to strive to safeguard the integrity
of God’s creation, and respect, sustain and renew the life
of the Earth.” Some of my United Church and Quaker
friends recently demonstrated their commitment by spending
12 days in the Climate Action Fast on Parliament Hill in
Ottawa. The new Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change’s Fifth Assessment Report is “another wake-up
call...It’s the science itself, demanding action from all of
us,” U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says.
Recently I saw an absorbing movie about this critical issue,
Do the Math, a film made by American environmentalist
author Bill McKibben and his NGO, 350.org. They burst
on the scene in October 2009 with rallies around the world
demanding that carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere
be held to 350 parts per million (ppm) to avoid dangerous
climate change. Do the Math highlights three figures: 2,
565, and 2,795. Global warming of 2ºC is the threshold
where climate change will become dangerous, an assessment
governments and NGOs accepted at the 2009 Copenhagen
conference. Total CO2 emissions must therefore be limited
to 565 billion tons (gigatonnes). But there are 2,795 gigatonnes of CO2 in corporations’ global fossil fuel reserves.
Use of the reserves would drive us past a 2ºC rise into
dangerous climate change. For the sake of life on Earth,
the reserves must stay in the ground. McKibben started
the movement with 800 students at Middlebury College,
Vermont, who spread the word. Today all over the U.S.
and at the University of Toronto, students are calling for
university divestment from the fossil fuel industry (see
http://toronto350org.divest/).
We are in a struggle with high stakes. Floods and torrential
rains, weather damages costing insurance companies and
governments billions; ocean acidification and warming;
rising sea levels, and disappearing coastlines and Pacific
islands; water shortages, drought, and desertification;
conflict; climate refugees, are upon us. Rapid Arctic ice

The intergenerational injustice is manifest. The Harper
administration is pushing for rapid extraction of Albertan
tar sands to profit from the market before it’s too late.
Renewables are the smart investment today - McKibben
says we are already at 400 ppm of CO2.
Can we make our carbon footprint lighter? Limit automobile
and airplane use? Practise conservation? Develop and use
renewable sources of energy, preserving boreal forests and
clean rivers and lakes? Recently I wrote to the Prime
Minister, the leaders of all the parties, and their environment
critics urging three policy changes: end fossil fuel subsidies;
put a price on carbon that will lead to emissions reduction;
and support development of a renewable energy plan for
Canada. A Yukon native folk singer once gave a group of
us this native advice: “take what you need, use what you
take.” You see, it’s all about the urgency of radically
reducing consumption.
If we heed the prophet Micah’s admonition about what
the Lord requires of us -“to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6: 8) - we will
find ways to fulfil our new baptismal commitment.
Phyllis Creighton

Saturday, December 7
2:00 pm
with Special Guests

Cynthia Dale - R.H.Thomson - Gordon Matineau

and the True North Brass
Featuring
The Larkin Singers, VIVA Youth Singers
and Yorminster Park and Christ Church Deer Park choirs

13 / HERALD

Admission Free

(a collection will be taken for the
Churches on-the-Hill Food Bank)


NOV/DEC 2013

The Rummage Room
Rumble, Fall 2013
Roaming through the rummage is a rumble. I am still
amazed at what we receive each day, it never stops. Just
ask Judith, who has been rummaging through the finds
three days per week. We never know what we are going to
get and we never seem to empty the room. This fall, I was
thrilled with our selections and the quality of items we
received, hence a very successful sale... we made over
$10,000. Special thanks to Judith, Laura, Raye, Rhona,
Emily and Susanne.
The Rumamge Sales thrives on volunteers, and is a great
CCDP commmunity experience. Volunteers are from the
church as well as from outside our community. Each
person plays an important role in the success of the sale.
This fall we were short on volunteers. So please sign up
early next year and book the dates in your calenders now,
for all the upcoming sales.

Downsizing, moving to a new home or simply cleaning
out your closet? Remember CCDP will turn your junk
and treasures into cash for the church.
Please share and tell your co-workers and neighbours
about the CCDP Rummage Collection. Just drop off in
the box in the Atrium... anytime!
Did you know that 90 percent of the stuff in our
Christmas Fair comes from the Rummage room?
Maxine Henry, Rummage Sale Co-ordinator
maxinethemaximizer@yahoo.ca
416-590-1008
Mark you calendars now...

Spring Sale – April 2014
Fall Sale – October 2014

Christmas

This fall we introduced the CCDP Rummage Room
Collection Fashion Show with a potluck supper.
Our guests and ‘super’ models had quite an evening of
delicious food and fashion. All the clothes modelled were
from the rummage room. There is a request for another
show with wine and cheese. I will surely keep you posted.
Thanks to the volunteers who participated, it was fun.
What is new?. We are having a Winter Closet Sale at the
Christmas Fair.

Fair

Saturday, November 30
10:30 am - 1:30 pm
Get your start on early
Christmas shopping

Rummage Room Sale possibility?
I am always thinking of ways to grow our Rummage Sale.
I have ideas, but I would love to hear from you too,
Recycling of clothing and housewares is a big business in
our city. Can we increase our sales? Yes we can. Can we
do more? Yes we can. The opportunity for growth is there,
so do you have an idea and are you willing to be part of
the rummage room team? Drop me a line or a phone call.
This year we lost two of our greatest volunteers and
mentors to Rummage sale - Rita Becker and Pat
Anderson. How can we say thank you to them. We must
continue their work. I know they would be very happy
with our success. Peace my friends.

Remember to check our website for
updates on these and other events.

Tea Room will serve a light lunch

Mini Fair

Following the 10:00am Service on December 1

The Raffle is Back

Beautiful hand-made quilt
plus other exciting gifts from local merchants.
There will be jams, jellies and home preserves,
sewn and knitted articles,
craft items, jewellery, treasures and collectables,
tins, baskets and fine linens;
and, of course, the popular
“Bottle Table Game”

See you at the Fair!

(bring your friends and family)

www.thereslifehere.org

14 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

From the
Organ Bench

CHRISTMAS IS JUST AROUND THE
CORNER and you’ll have lots of
opportunities to sing your favorite
carols here at Christ Church Deer
Park between now and Epiphany.
In addition to our weekly services,
Lessons and Carols service, and our
Christmas Eve Carol Sing, we’ll also
have a chance to raise our voices in
song at the annual COTH food
bank fundraiser, the “City Carol Sing”, which will be taking
place at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church on Saturday,
December 7th at 2pm.

JOIN US every second Sunday at 4:30 pm for this popular
service of music, a reflective reading, prayers for our city
and the world and great music...featuring some of Toronto’s
finest jazz musicians!
Dec. 15

Christmas Vespers
Barlow Brass & Drums

Jan. 12

Tribute to Louis Armstrong
Chase Sanborn, trumpet
(Tribute: Brian Barlow)

Jan. 26

Russ Little Quintet
Russ Little, trombone,
Michael Stuart, saxophone,
Brian Barlow, drums,
Tom Szczesniak, piano
Scott Alexander, bass

Joining the Christ Church Deer Park and Yorkminster Park
Baptist Church choirs this year will be the VIVA! Youth
Singers of Toronto, the Larkin Singers, and the True North
Brass. The host of the concert will be the senior anchor of
Citytv’s CityNews, Gord Martineau, and special guests will
include the award-winning actor, R.H. Thomson (Road to
Avonlea; Bonhoeffer) and musical theatre star, Cynthia Dale
(42nd Street; Guys and Dolls).
Our media partner, Citytv, plans to televise the concert
cross the country in the days leading up to Christmas,
using it as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to Food
Banks in the cities where the program airs. Admission is
free, so come along and bring your family and friends youíll have a wonderful time!
Season’s Greetings!

Welcome to the
Book Club
We invite all those who enjoy reading
to come to our gathering on

Wednesday, November 26
at 7:30
in the Arthur Smith Room.

At this informal Christmas gathering,
we will be discussing
“Still Life”, by Louise Penny

Eric Robertson, Music Director
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Christ
Church music program, please contact me through the
Music page of the CCDP website.

Future dates are
January 29 and February 26, 2014
Watch the Sunday Bulletin for details.
Please join us for lively conversation,
refreshments and wine
or your own choice of beverage. .
For information, call Anne Kear: 416-924-3940

15 / HERALD


NOV/DEC 2013

PARISH REGISTER
Baptisms
Brayden Russell William Bell
Jeremy David Jopling
Julia Rebecca Jopling
Lauren Rebecca Jopling

Hark! Consider advertising
in the HERALD.

Confirmations
William Isaac HamiltonBaker
Sydney Christina Callaghan
Claire Larkin Colquhoun
Francesca Jane Devine
Megan Claire Fanjoy
Alexander Cornelius Douglas van Nostrand
Jeremy David Jopling
Nicholas Jackson Chornenki

HERALD is published 5 times per year; Sept/Oct;
Nov/Dec: Jan/Feb: April/May: June/July. Ad rates are
very reasonable...we can even design your ad if required.
And... since the HERALD is posted in full to our website
www.thereslifehere.org your advertisements will also get
exposure on the internet.
For details and rates contact Elisabeth Lunder in the
Parish Office.

Weddings
Megan Bernadette Breese & Bryan William Hargreaves
Imogen Lesley Byers & Jinglan Yao
In Memorium
Joyce “Joy” Caroline Comber
Winnifred Hawks

HERALD

Deadline for the next HERALD is January 15, 2014

DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA for an article? Perhaps a feature
on an unsung hero in the parish? A special memory?
An historical fact? Please speak to one of the clergy or
to the Editor.

Feel like being more involved? Don’t have much time, but
want to help out? Feeling new, but want to join in? Been here
a while, but haven’t been involved? Have ideas to share?

Join us!

THERE’S LIFE HERE in what we do, how we get together
and what gets done.

Articles and announcements may be submitted at any
time up to the deadline. Just leave in the box in the
Atrium or e-mail the editor at joyceian@sympatico.ca

Living Well Family Chiropractic
Optimizing your health and well-being naturally

New members are always welcome to join any group at
CCDP...choose one that interests you.

Dr. Andrea Perricone

Volunteers Welcome!

Chiropractor & Acupuncture provider

TAKE A TURN at the Holy Grounds Café...with a friend, as
a family...it’s fun and your efforts are always appreciated.
Please sign up on the sheet just inside the kitchen or speak
to William Jackson.

1366 Yonge St. Suite 208

(south of St. Clair at Balmoral)

16 / HERALD

(416) 985-1911

perriconedc@gmail.com


NOV/DEC 2013

Transitions
Your trusted partner in change

Jennifer Tiviluk
founder and principal

416.576.0690

transitions@start.ca
yourtransitionpartner.com

Robert O’Reilly
Executive Director

7B Pleasant Blvd., Box 1053
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1K2
Tel: 416 966-3779 ext. 621
Fax: 416 923-0083
1-800-883-7761
robert@smartkidz.org
www.smartkidz.org

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of the practical tasks of everyday life, such as
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17 / HERALD

The Herald - November December 2013

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The Herald - November December 2013