It is a shifting gears week as we cycle from the end of Christian calendar this week through to the beginning – from Reign of Christ Sunday last Sunday to Advent 1 this Sunday.

The Christmas tree is up and ready to be decorated – you’re all invited to join in after worship on Sunday.

You may have noticed some white supremacy or “alt-right” literature showing up in Hamilton in the last week. Our NGen youth centre friends tell us that some of this literature was pasted on top of posters on the McMaster University campus  advertising  the McMaster Womanist’s Anti-Racism Action Initiative taking place tomorrow evening, Friday Nov 25, from 7-9 at Central Public Library, fourth floor. The event is intended to be a “venue for community members and students who wish to discuss their experiences of racism, and xenophobia.” If you are able to attend the event, your attendance will certainly be witness to our aspiration as New Vision for beloved community in Hamilton.

The Syrian Refugee Project continues apace. Our American partners at Rockville United in Rockville Maryland have raised just under CAN$8,000 to date; we ourselves have raised $7,000 to date, and we’ve been given a $5,000 grant from Wesley Urban Ministries towards the total we need to raise. We are aiming for $30,000 Canadian.

Mark Friday, December 16 in your calendar and plan to attend New Vision’s Christmas Party. The party takes the shape of a dinner and after-dinner entertainment, with both the choir and the band working up contributions, and the Fellowship Team taking the lead in preparing the meal. Tickets are on sale now at $20, or, pay as you may. They will be available on Sundays the next few weeks, or you can order by replying to this email. Doors open at 6 pm.

I am taking part in a training event next week to support our intercultural ministry and beloved community initiative. The event takes place at the Sandy Saulteaux Spiritual Center about an hour outside Winnipeg. The Centre is a centre for First Nations spirituality in the United Church. I’ll be here at New Vision this Sunday, and next Sunday, but away through the week coming up.

Blessings ~

Rev. Ian