Parish newsletter for Advent 2011 - St Nicholas Birch Cliff Anglican Church, Toronto

1. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
NICK’S NEWS
20 Questions
...with St. Nicks’ new
director of music,
Carmine Lappano
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Where are from originally? What is
your family background?
I was born and bred in Toronto. My
parents are both from a southern region
of Italy called Calabria. Therefore, I have
been raised in the culture of good pasta
sauce, spirited conservations (or
arguments containing plenty of
stubbornness), a lot of opera, and of
Michaelʼs Message course, quite a bit of soccer!
2. How does a Roman Catholic end
Remember your interior journey at Christmas up being a music director at an
Anglican church?
Dear Fellow Travellers, First of all, let me say that Excellent question! I have been lucky
One of the many images I'm very grateful to be here, at to play and sing in churches of many
used to describe our life on St. Nicholas, Birch Cliff. I have denominations of Christianity. The
this planet is that of travel. no idea about the length of my Anglican Church is the one I feel most
Life can be seen as a journey stay, but I am pleased to be close to. I guess I must have lived in
which is ultimately from birth here for this part of my own England in a previous life, or something
to death. journey. like that. In all seriousness, making music
I hope to get to know in a Christian family of faith is all that
While we take this life- matters to me.
long journey there are many some of you during my time
other trips that we take: here. 3. What inspires you?
school; relationships; And I want you to know Love inspires me. Love of my faith.
vocational or professional; that I hope to be as available Love of my family. Love of my friends. It
faith. Each of these may have to you as you need for your is easy to be inspired when you love, and
its own set of distinct own journey. are loved.
characteristics. Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2
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2. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
Focus: All it takes is five minutes a day
Continued from page 1 shopping, card writing, where that may lead and what
One of our common special cooking and baking, kinds of thoughts and
yearly journeys is nearing its special decorating, and of feelings it might evoke.
time for ending and new course, socializing, that seems Let's not allow the
beginning. As you very likely to take up so much of our journey of Advent and the
know, our church calendar time during the four weeks celebration of Christmas to
year begins with the First leading up to Christmas. become one jumbled mess
Sunday of Advent which falls For far too many people this year.
on Nov. 27 this year. this seems to leave little, if As I'm sure you all know,
Advent can certainly be a any, time for the other kind the 12 days of Christmas
wonderful time of year. No of journey that we ought to actually begin on Dec. 25, and
matter what age you are, the be on during these weeks: the end on Jan. 6, the Feast of the
days and weeks leading up to interior journey. Epiphany.
Christmas, are often filled The interior journey can I encourage you to keep
with all sorts of activities. add so much to the the two separate and distinct.
Sometimes, depending on preparations we make to And in so doing, our
our own character and celebrate Christmas. It can preparatory journey during
interior life, Advent can build be as simple as taking just five Advent and our celebratory
up to a deafening crescendo minutes every day during the journey during Christmas-
that actually causes a great season of Advent, blocking tide will each be enriched and
deal of stress and strain. I'm out all the exterior noises, enhanced.
sure that many of us are all allowing ourselves to focus on
May God guide, bless, and
too familiar with the hustle being in God's presence in a
enrich each of you and our
and bustle of Christmas special way, and discerning
common journey together!
...More Carmine
4. Who or what have been 5. What’s on your IPod?
your musical influences? Actually, I do not even own
I think that I am an IPod! However, if you asked
influenced by many musicians my wife this question, she
or styles. Whether they are would roll her eyes and say
musicians I have had the that the CD carrying case in
privilege of working with in my car probably has a
person, or musicians of the recording of the Kings College
past. I love all types of music, Choir under the direction of
and they have all formed me to David Willcocks, next to an
being the type of musician I Eminem CD.
am today.
Continued on page 5
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3. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
WARDENS’ REPORT
Dear Parishioner:
These last few months
have certainly been busy for
your Wardens and members
of Executive and Parish
Council. We are appreciative
of your prayers and support
over these past months.
Father Kevin
Robertson announced that
he has accepted a position at
Christ Church Deer Park,
and his last Sunday with us
was Sept. 25. Kevin had been
our incumbent for 6 1/2
years, and was a wonderful
pastor, friend and spiritual
leader.
Our bishop, Patrick Yu,
has appointed Michael
Pollesel as our Interim On Sunday, Sept. 18 we
Priest in Charge, and it has held a special vestry to elect
been a pleasure and privilege the members of the Parish
to have Michael in our midst Selection Committee (PSC),
during this period of change who are responsible for
and transition. Michael was working with the Bishop in
most recently the General selecting our next
Secretary of the General incumbent. This committee
Synod of the Anglican consists of Doug Goss,
Church of Canada, a Sonia Halloran, Andrew
position from which he has Reeves, Shawn Carter,
recently retired. Freda Gearing, Pauline
Michael is pleased to be Glasgow and Julia
back in parish ministry and Hanson. We expect that a
especially so here in new incumbent will be in
Scarborough, where he spent place by late Spring of 2012.
many years earlier in his Joan Waters-Garner
ministry. We warmly and Bill Goodfellow
welcome Michael, and please announced their retirement We welcomed two additions to
introduce yourself if you as Co-Directors of Music. our St. Nick’s family - Carmine
have not already done so. Lappano (top) and Rev. Dr.
Continued on page 6 Michael Pollesel.
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4. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
* To our ministry team, musical directors, * To all our church school teachers,
choir, servers, chalice bearers, sacristans, especially those who kept church school
sidespeople, greeters, readers, intercessors, altar running each week during the summer.
guild members, for making our worship services * To all those who participated in our annual
so meaningful. Bazaar, but most especially to those who
* To all those involved in the wonderful new organize and run this amazing event !
gardens taking shape on the church lawn.To all * To those who hosted the farewell
those involved in the ongoing maintenance receptions for Father Kevin as well as for
and care of all of our property. Joan Waters-Garner and Bill Goodfellow.
POETRY Once more the Christmas Story read
A manger for a Baby's bed,
With cattle looking on nearby
By Joan Clarke
A shining star high in the sky.
The strong north winds begin to blow
On the hillside, shepherds abide
Soon it will bring the pure white snow,
As Angels appear by their side,
Bright coloured lights will then appear
Singing the praises and the joy
Telling us Christmas time is near.
Of the birth of the Baby Boy.
Christmas Carols soon fill the air
Through the years, we do celebrate
And Church bazaars are everywhere,
The news the Angels did relate,
Folks are rushing from store to store
The Son of God was born today
And wreaths are hung upon each door.
His radiance did light the way.
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5. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
6. You’re a big soccer guy. To 11. Your wife is a music game, and started playing a few
encourage more scoring, teacher and choir director years ago.
don’t you think it would be a as well. Do the two of you 17. What have you found
good idea to make the nets walk around the house most rewarding about
bigger? singing to each other? working at St. Nick’s?
How about a smaller ball? I can assure you, if I am Working with the choir.
7. What’s your favourite walking around the house They have been such an
team and player? singing, my wife asks me to enthusiastic, eager group of
stop, immediately. musicians, and I am very
I am such a student, and fan
of the game, I really do not 12. What is your guilty pleased with what we have been
have a favourite team. I enjoy pleasure? able to do already in such a
watching the great teams like Timbits, (ask the choir). short amount of time. They
Barcelona, and Manchester also laugh at my jokes.
13. What is your pet peeve?
City, because they are full of 18. What is your idea of a
Punctuality, or lack thereof
talent and skill. I suppose I do perfect evening?
(ask the choir, again).
follow the Italian National If you asked me this
Soccer Team, for obvious 14. Are the Leafs for real
question 10 years ago, it would
reasons. My favourite player this year?
be completely different. I will
today is the great Lionel Messi. I think all the variables are leave that to the imagination.
The only issue with him is that going to determine it. Will At present time, I would say
he is not Italian. Reimer be back soon and find that a perfect evening would
his form from last year? Will
8. You’re a full-time teacher, entail a wonderful meal with
Kessel keep scoring? Will
father of two young boys my wife and two sons, reading
Phaneuf play the way he played
and music director at St. my sons stories before bed
the first 10 games for the whole
Nick’s. What do you do with while lulling them to sleep, and
season? Will Ron Wilson teach
the three minutes of free knowing that I am lucky to
his team how to kill penalties?
time you have every day? have a beautiful home and a
Wow! I am glad I do not have
I read about sports online. beautiful family that I get to
to right about that stuff!
Yes, I read your columns! enjoy every single day.
15. What book is on your
9. Have you ever had a 19. Have you ever played in
nightstand?
mullet? a band?
The Tenth Insight by James
Absolutely! Haven’t we all? In high school! I was the
Redfield is on my nightstand
Unfortunately, I was asked (by drummer of a rock band. The
right now. I have been trying to
my wife) to burn any pictures mullet was cut by then, thank
read it for a long time, but have
showcasing my mullet, to spare heavens.
not gotten far. I loved the
the scalding of retinas of all 20. What is your favourite
prequel, The Celestine Prophecy.
those who would have the song of all-time?
misfortune of beholding such a 16. What sports do you play
That is a hard one. Can I
terrible visual. aside from soccer?
give you two? I mean, I really
Basketball and squash. I
10. Do you ever fantasize could give you about 50, but I
picked up the game of Squash
about being a rock star? am sure anyone could do that.
when I was in my undergrad at
What do you think I’m How about Billy Joel’s Honesty
U of T. Basketball is the most
thinking about while I am and Elton John’s Goodbye Ye#ow
recent. I fell in love with the
playing the Offertory hymn? Brick Road?
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6. ST. NICHOLAS BIRCH CLIFF ANGLICAN CHURCH
CHRISTMAS, 2011
WARDENS’ REPORT
Carmine and Michael have a lot we are blessed to have this
They were a wonderful of new names to try and happen in our midst each year.
team and led the choir and our remember! Our own St Nick's Knights
music ministry for over three Our annual bazaar was won the Scarborough Anglican
years. While they may have another resounding success! Youth Softball Tournament this
retired from "the bench" you Many thanks to all who year. Thanks to the team and
can still see Bill in the choir contributed to this amazing their loyal fans who have
most Sundays and Joan in the event. Not only did we raise cheered them on the whole
congregation. It is wonderful to over $14,000, we also opened season.
have their presence with us our doors to the wider We should always be
each week. community. Many thanks to the reminded of how blessed we are
We are pleased to have leaders and planners of this at St. Nicholas to have the
welcomed Carmine Lappano event, as it is a year long effort. inspirational leadership from
as our new Director of Music Our vacation Bible camp in our ministry team. Their
and organist. Carmine has been August was another great leadership empowers and
with us since the beginning of success. Special thanks to Deb equips us all to serve the Lord
September and if you haven't Chapman for organizing and and live the Gospel.
already done so, please running this. This is a special The Churchwardens thank
introduce yourself to Carmine. ministry that involves our our ministry leaders and all
We look forward to Carmine's parish families but also a great Parishioners for the time, talent
talent and enthusiasm in many children in the and treasure each of you devote
leading our music program at community that are not to our Parish life.
St. Nick’s. members of St Nicholas. This is
The Churchwardens -
Please remember to wear outreach in so many ways, and
Doug Goss, Sonia Halloran,
your name tags, as both Anne Moir and Brian Todd
CHRISTMAS SERVICES
Sunday, Dec. 18 Saturday, Dec. 24 10:30 a.m. - Sung
(Advent 4) (Christmas Eve) Eucharist with Christmas
8:30 a.m. – Holy 4 p.m. - Family Eucharist Carols
Eucharist 7 p.m. - Family Eucharist Sunday, Jan. 1 (The
10:30 a.m. – Sung with Pageant, followed by Naming of Jesus)
Eucharist with Church a Birthday cake! 8:30am - Holy Eucharist
School 11 p.m. - Traditional 10:30am – Sung Eucharist
7 p.m. – A Service of Eucharist with Candlelight Friday, Jan. 6
Lessons and Carols Sunday, Dec. 25 (Epiphany)
(Christmas Day) 7 p.m. – Sung Eucharist
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