From Marcus Granger-Jones, Bishop's Warden

In Bill Kelly's recent sermon, he reminded us that our lives are driven by different calendars. This statement was clearly true for the Bishop's Committee (BC) in our November meeting as we prepared for a new church year: advent, Christmas, new fiscal year, new budget, & change of 3 Bishop's Committee members in January.
Over the Christmas period St. Philip's will be enjoying an extensive festive program: special Wednesday noon advent services, Fr Martin leading a Tuesday evening bible study exploring the nativity stories, the children's Christmas pageant, a production of Amahl and the Midnight Visitors, traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Eucharist services  and other events which escape my memory at this time!  The BC hopes that we all can find time in our busy lives to enjoy the events and reflect on the wonder of the Christmas story.
Finance issues become very prominent in our meetings at this time of year. The budgetary process has got off to a good start. About half  of the expected pledges for 2002 were presented at the Thanksgiving and Harvest Festival. This is a great help to the BC in our planning for 2002 .  If you are intending to pledge and have not returned a signed card then please either return it to Fr Martin or place it in the Sunday offertory plate.
The refinancing of our main mortgage has got held up in the details.  There is an issue with the title which  should be resolved soon.  The refinancing is important since the mortgage represents just over half of St. Philips overall debt.  The remainder of our debt  is in the form of various loans from or through  the dioceses.
If you have recently noticed a chill in the air around the parish hall you would have been right!  The furnace heating in the room broke down after many years of service.  Unfortunately, the $6600  replacement costs is putting a big dent in our emergency fund that the church tries to maintain at $10000 to cover this sort of unexpected capital expenditure.  The furnace should have been replaced at the time of press, so all will be nice and warm and toasty for the Christmas season!
Best wishes for a
Happy Advent,
Happy Christmas
and even a Happy Holidays!

Since its first performance on Christmas Eve, 1951, Amahl and the Night Visitors has taken its place with A Christmas Carol as a holiday classic. Performed on every continent and in many languages, it has been seen by more people than any other opera in history. The story tells of the night the Three Kings, following the star to Bethlehem, stop for shelter at the home of Amahl, a poor, crippled shepherd boy who lives with his widowed mother. Their lives are changed forever when they find out about the Kings' intention to pay homage to the Holy Child. Casey Connor is Amahl, with Theresa Turner singing the role of his mother. The three kings are portrayed by Todd Corgill as Melchior, Tod Connor as Kaspar, and Peter O'Dryna as Balthazar. Benjamin Connor is the kings' page. The principals will be joined on stage by a cast of shepherds and shepherdesses. There will be a free will offering taken at the door. For more information please contact St Philip's at 438-4360.