Welcome Home!

Picture
Welcome Home to St. Peter's Anglican Church in beautiful Dorchester, Ontario.
Situated in the Southwestern Ontario village of Dorchester, St. Peter's is a joyous, inclusive, vibrant, unique Anglican community; interconnected with Dorchester and the World, giving and receiving God's life-giving love!

Unfortunately, ALL in-person church services have now been suspended until further notice.

Next service streaming live via Zoom:
7:00 pm Sunday, December 24th

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94450354301?pwd=N0FVV3UrQ25oWElxSlZuNDh2K1BzQT09

Meeting ID: 944 5035 4301
Passcode: 132620
-----------------------------------------------------

Rector's Advent Letter -
St. Peter's Dorchester 2020

Picture



Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let
your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be
afraid. John 14: 27





Dear Friends,

    At this time of year, as always I look to the Scriptures for words of comfort. In these difficult times of COVID19 we need to hear the words of Jesus that bring us comfort, more than ever. As I think about Advent, I know that a lot of us find it stressful to meet all the demands on our time, but we also know the rewards that come with sharing in the traditions of the season. This year the stress may come from not being able to gather or be together as we usually are over the holiday. The events that are still able to happen might look different. They might have to be distanced or happen over the internet.

    We have been fortunate to be able to gather for worship over the last few months, even if we have had to make a number of changes to make our worship gatherings safe. I am thankful to all of you who have participated in making the changes that were needed so that we are able to safely gather. I am especially thankful for the Wardens who have guided this process. As I think about all the changes, and the things that will be different this season, I am more acutely aware of what does not change- our faith in Jesus.
However it takes place, we can celebrate the birth of our Lord and we can receive the gifts that Jesus offers: the gifts of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Perhaps the Lifestyle changes that we have had to make because of COVID will actually afford us more time to reflect on the these gifts.

     I have found that during this time I am looking to the Lord to find the Peace that I need to realize and experience the Hope, Joy and Love that comes from living a life of loving God and following Jesus. There are many times in the scriptures that Jesus speaks about Peace. Depending on the translation you are reading there are approximately 350 references in the Bible to Peace. I find it very comforting to read these passages and I have included one from the Gospel of John and one from the Psalms. It is very clear in both the Old and the New Testaments that God and Jesus want us to experience the peace that comes from them. It is my hope and prayer that we would all be able to rely on our Faith for the Peace that Jesus offers and hold it in our hearts both in this Advent season and every season. Thank you to all who have supported my family and I as we grieve the death of my Mom. Your prayers are appreciated.

Please be sure to check your weekly email for upcoming Advent activities.
Christmas Eve Services - St. Peter’s at 4:00pm and 10:00pm
- St. George’s at 7:00 pm
Christmas Day - St. Peter’s, time TBA closer to the day.
All Worship services need to be registered for by contacting Debra Rastin at
debrastin@rogers.com

May the Lord give strength to his people.
May the Lord bless his people with peace. Psalm 29: 11
TUPPERWARE FUNDRAISER
Tupperware can be found at: 
https://www.facebook.com/groups/399598017876314/?ref=share  Please note that we receive 40% of the sales for the fundraiser flyer, and a small return on the catalogue items.
​To ensure orders will be back in time for Christmas orders
​need to be made by November 6.​

​Contact Us

Rector of St. Peter's Dorchester:
Reverend Patty Dobbs Luxton -
Church Office: 519.268.7920
Cell: 519.719.8227
Email: revpatty1@gmail.com

Rector's Warden:  Mrs. Sharon Nicholson- 519.268.7942
People's Warden:  Mrs. Debra Rastin - 1.519.644.0825
Deputy Warden: Mrs. Kerri McComb - 519.282.8057
Treasurer: Mr. Rob Bailey - 519.639.8442
Choir / Music Director: Ms. Barbara Gracey - 519.472.4592
  • Because we are limited to numbers that maintain physical distancing as much as possible, it is necessary to reserve a spot each week. Please email/contact me (Debra Rastin debrastin@rogers.com)
    as early as possible every week. Once we have reached our limit, your name will go on a waiting list, and will go to the top of the next week's  reservation list.
  • It is necessary to self-screen each week prior to coming to Church. Please ask yourself the questions on the attached PDF file. If you answer yes to any of the questions, please do not come to Church, and let me know so that I can invite someone on the waiting list to attend.
  • Masks are mandatory at all times. If you need to take a mask break, please leave the Church before removing it. 
  • Please observe the 6' distancing markers at all times. Markings begin outside the Church.
  • When you enter the Church, please use sanitizer and Check In with me to confirm your contact information. This is a great time for me to ensure that what I have is up-to-date! 
  • Please move upstairs and wait for a greeter to seat you.
  • The collection plate is at the door of the nave. It will not be passed during the service. If you are using envelopes/loose cash, please put your collection on the plate before moving to your seat.
  • The greeter will show you your seat. It is not possible to move once assigned a spot.
  • The explanation of movement during Communion will be done prior to the service.
  • We will stay at our seats during the Peace. You may acknowledge others from there with a wave, the peace sign, and smize (smiling eyes). 
  • At the end of the service, please wait for the greeter to direct you out of the Church. Use sanitizer on the way out, and please do not linger, always maintaining social distancing. As always, refrain from touching those not in your personal bubble. 

Wow! That sounds like a lot, and I agree that seems overwhelming, but it really isn't. I have been to several Roman Catholic services, and it all flows nicely. I think the hardest part is not shaking hands/hugging those in our Church family. But we can do it to keep everyone safe and healthy!

Sincerely yours,
Debra Rastin ​

Warden's Advent Letter -
St. Peter's Dorchester 2020

Picture
Hope, Joy, Peace, Love
 
    As we begin the season of Advent, and move towards the promise of Christmas, we’d like to express our gratitude for your continued support and love throughout the year that has been like no other in our history.
After a successful Vestry, PWRDF soup lunch, and Pancake Supper, everything went into a hold pattern because of the pandemic declared in mid-March.

    While in the Red stage of Loving Our Neighbours, we weren’t able to have Church in the building, but kept close with videos of Church services from Rev’d Patty and Rev’d Rob and from around the world. Finally in July, we were able to meet in person with outside church services (masks and physical distancing required), all the while keeping those videos for those who were not able to join us in person.
 
     In September we moved from the Red to Amber stage of the Loving Our Neighbours plan from the diocese. Church services resumed in the church building, but with many restrictions to keep us safe. It’s amazing how quickly we became attuned to the required social distancing, the sanitizer, the markings on the floor and the tape boxes to consume the hosts after communion. While it is not the same, it is a normal as we make it our regular practice. The biggest difference is the need to register to attend Church each and every week because of the number of restrictions laid on us. To include our entire membership, a Zoom link is provided so that everyone can participate as they feel most comfortable.

     A big obstacle this year was our inability to do fundraising, much needed with the ongoing pandemic. Did we let that stop us? No! We couldn’t cook spaghetti, but we partnered with Fat Olive to help with some donations for pasta sold on November 18. Others chose to cook their own spaghetti dinner, and pass on a donation to the church for that. Our silent auction had to go online, and we had a nice variety of donations to auction off. The congregation pulled together to make each a celebration of the norm.  Thank you!

     As the next weeks fly by, please take a moment each day to know that you are loved as a vital part of this community. Blessings to you and yours, today, tomorrow, and always.

The Wardens:  Kerri McComb, Sharon Nicholson, Debra Rastin

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in your faith, so that in the power of the Holy Spirit you may be rich in hope.     Romans 15:13
* We acknowledge that the land on which we
gather is the traditional territory of the
Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee,
Attawandaron (Neutral) and Wendat peoples.
This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties.

                                     


    Send us your comments, suggestions or questions.