August 12, 2022 Newsletter

Living Christmas Tree 2022

We hope that you have been asking yourself, “Is there going to be a Living Christmas Tree this year?”

The answer to that question is really up to you, the congregation of St. Andrew’s.

COVID prevented us from having a Living Christmas Tree in 2020 and 2021, and although there is still some uncertainty related to COVID, we think that the Living Christmas Tree is possible in 2022, if we have the support of the congregation.

The Living Christmas Tree at St. Andrew’s is our hallmark outreach project. Other than being “that big church downtown”, the Living Christmas Tree is what we are known for. The Living Christmas Tree is a Christmas tradition for our community and our congregation.

The Living Christmas Tree is also a huge commitment of time and resources. Thousands of hours of planning, organizing, practising, preparing and performing are needed to make it all happen, but when those lights come on the tree and you hear the audience respond to the music and the message, those hours invested are worth it.

A small group of us have met as a “Tree Committee”, and we feel that it is possible. We know that we want the Tree to continue to grow. We want the roots that have been established in our community and congregation to continue to spread. We want the amazing message of the Living Christmas Tree to continue to be told.

In recent years of the Living Christmas Tree, we have had 6 services over 2 weekends. We know that this is a huge time commitment for everyone involved. We are suggesting that, if the support of the congregation is there, that we have 4 services, (Thurs., Fri., Sat., Sun.), from November 24 to 27, 2022. That means Tree choir practices would start on Sept. 15, 2022. The decision to proceed with the Living Christmas Tree in 2022 lies with you, the congregation of St. Andrew’s.

We would like you to respond to 2 questions:

1. Are you willing and capable of volunteering your time and talents to make the Living Christmas Tree a reality in 2022?

2. If the answer is yes, what role(s) are you willing to take on to make it happen?

Please send your response to admin@standrewslindsay.com with “Living Christmas Tree” in the subject line.

Please respond by August 19th.

We will need the following roles to be filled:

  • Tree structure inspection and repair

  • Tree structure assemblers

  • Tree choir members

  • Lighting coordinators

  • Light installers

  • Sound equipment installers

  • Lighting panel operators

  • Ushers

  • Safety people

  • Sound technicians

  • Nursery attendants

  • Ticket order staff

  • Tree structure disassemblers

  • Other miscellaneous roles

If we want the Living Christmas Tree to come to life in 2022, we need your support and commitment.

Sincerely and with thanks,

Living Christmas Tree Committee

Sally Rogers srogers.livingchristmastree@gmail.com

Keatha Bartlett kjandjb@live.ca 705-878-4821

John Carr johnclarecarr@gmail.com 705-341-0040

Ton van Nieuwkerk tonvannieuwkerk@gmail.com 705-879-4266

Mary Lou Ross Memorial Golf Tournament

After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the Mary Lou Ross Memorial Golf Tournament was up and running again at Deer Run Golf Course on Sunday, July 17th. Twenty-six golfers making up seven teams participated. Six more joined for dinner, including Mary Lou's two great grandchildren. Four members of the Mary Martha's, a group dear to Mary Lou's heart, attended to pay tribute to their long-time friend.

The team that took home the first place prize was, fittingly, from the Ross clan, John, Les, Jamie and Arielle Ross. Despite the heat, everyone had a wonderful time. We are ready to book for next year so, put July 16th on your calendar now. Hope to see you there!

Bill Dickinson recently used one of his drones as an inspection tool at the church! The drone makes it possible to take photos of areas both exterior and interior to help our volunteer maintenance crew to inspect various areas of the church that they wouldn’t otherwise be able to easily see. These are a couple of examples of the many very useful photos. Thanks Bill!!

A Place Called Home is seeking candidates to serve on its Board of Directors. If you are motivated to commit time and energy to ensure dignity, safety, and support without stigma to those in need of stable housing, we invite you to apply by August 31, 2022. For more information, visit our website at apch.ca

For an application, contact Glenda Morris, Nomination Committee Chair, at morrisglenda0@gmail.com.

Mary Jeffrey