THE VAUDREUIL PARISH PULSE

January 2006

>From the Rector

Happy New Year! As we began our year, the various Christmas services were
well-attended, and we are convincingly holding our own in numbers and enthusiasm.
Thanks to the Turtle Pond Lane Gang, for the spirited Carol-Sing. Lots of people
filled St Mary's Hall. Someone said that they made a conscious choice of our
Lessons and Carols Service over the Cathedral's! And they were very pleased they
had. Congratulations to the choir, and readers, and all involved. What a wonderful
pageant on the afternoon of Christmas Eve! As always, thanks to Wanda and the gang.
It was good again this year to be with the Rev'd Marsha Mundy, priest of Evergreen
congregation, at the Christmas Holy Night Communion.

The media keep reminding us of the failures of our world, the destructiveness and
tragedy all around us. Indeed, several of us have had a tragic year. But the media
don't often tell us that it is the beauty and importance and wonder of our lives
that make their opposite so tragic. The world and our part of it is full of beauty
and wonder. In our parish, we have celebrated many beautiful moments. At the heart
of our faith, life with God is lived in hope, and has a kind of joy that is
victorious in our lives.

I am delighted to announce that Don Maguire has agreed to become the new chair of
the Parish Communications Committee. We thank Larry Smith for the work he has
done for the parish in forming and chairing this committee. They established a new
format for the parish bulletins, and launched a new website. Contact with other
media, including the Montreal Anglican, and the local papers, and notice boards in
St James and St Mary's publicized things that were happening. The new Parish Pulse
was designed and is now emailed to about 125 households and mailed to about 200
others. Both the Pulse and the website are ongoing with a small group
co-ordinating each. After more than two years at the helm, Larry has stepped aside
for others to take up the reins. Again, thank-you, Larry.

The Confirmation Class is going away on a weekend! Thanks to Alison Bentley for her
energy and expertise. I'm personally looking forward to it.

The St James' nursery is working well, helping parents of very young children to
attend church. It is always staffed, so feel free to plan to come to a service at
11 am on Sunday, and your children will be well cared for, if you wish. No charge!

More great events from the Pastoral Committee. Families with young children again
gathered for festive song, prayer, and a great meal.

As always, I am at 458-5372. I will visit, or bring Communion or a prayer to the
shut-in, or the sick; or bless your home; or prepare you for Baptism, Confirmation,
Marriage, a memorial, or simply chat! Please do call.

God bless you.

Fr John

THE PEOPLE OF ST. JAMES' HAVE WARM HEARTS:

This is a brief few words to express the feelings of this, still somewhat, "New Boy
on the Street".

I came to live in Hudson only a short three years ago. In that time I joined the
congregation of St. James' and was surprised by the almost immediate acceptance of
my presence and the out-pouring of friendship from so many. I have since moved just
across the Ontario border, but fortunately close enough to continue my association
with the peoples of St. James'.

Then in January of this year I was asked if I would stand for nomination to replace
the outgoing Deputy Warden Sal IIaqua. I felt that that was a huge leap of trust to
someone so new in their midst. I was of course very humbled by this act and
accepted the offer.

So with all of that, I just want to thank the congregation of St. James' for all
their support in welcoming me into the church and their hearts. Have a wonderful
Christmas and all my best wishes for the New Year.

Doug Moulton, Deputy Warden

CHRISTMAS BAZAARS DRAW LARGE HAPPY CROWDS:

The Christmas Bazaars at St. Mary's and St. James' drew huge crowds of enthusiastic
shoppers and participants. The array of goodies and gifts at both events were
amazing and the smiles, laughter and cheerful banter between the staff and shoppers
at both events were a pleasure to witness.

Many, many thanks to all who make toys, bake goodies, serve coffee and lunch, and
co-ordinate and otherwise staff these bazaars. Your contribution to Parish Life and
the community at large is immeasurable. While the financial results are not known
to your editors, we are certainly aware the churches could not survive without all
that you have done and continue to do!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ST. JAMES' CHURCH WOMEN:

The Government of Canada has an election date on the day we had planned for our
A.G.M. and Dinner .... we have made a change because we have been upstaged!

Therefore the A.G.M. ONLY will now be on January 18th at 7:30 p.m. in the small
hall. More information regarding a new date for the Dinner Evening to follow. Our
A.G.M. is a review of our year's activities ... please plan to attend this important
meeting with social time afterward.

AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE !!

SAVE THE DATE: Monday February 20th, 6:00 p.m.

Linda Cobbett (456-5100) and Margaret Lagimodière (458-4784) will host a ladies only
dinner at St. James. Please join us for an evening of casual dining and
conviviality. Bring a friend, bring some wine but PLEASE we must know if you are
planning to come. Give us a call and PLEASE leave a message. See you on the 20th.

ST. MARY'S AFTER SERVICE X-COUNTRY SKI: Starting Sunday, January 8th 2006

Several of us at St. Mary's would like to have an "After Service X-country Ski" in
the months of Jan, Feb and March depending on the weather. Leaving from the Parish
Hall at 273 Main Road and returning for a pot luck lunch at the Hall after.

One of us will be there to call a "go or no go" decision. Anyone who would like to
join us just show up. Also, Gay will bring several pairs of snow shoes for those who
would like to try that.

See you all at the Hall Sundays after Church around 10.30AM (ish).

PARISH FAMILY: Milestones of recent weeks

WEDDINGS AT ST. MARY'S:

Mary Frasher married James Wilkes on December 9th

Lisa Master married Bradley Hyslop on December 31st.

DEATH:

Walter François Friederich Joly died on December 5th and a celebration of his life
took place on December 10th at St. Mary's Church.

BAPTISMS:

Yannkick Lewis Bré son of Elizabeth Vipond and Wilfried Kofmehl was baptized at St.
James Church on January 1st, 2006. Grandson of Glenna & John Vipond.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

ST. MARY'S CHANCEL GUILD AGM: Friday, 13 January at 10:00 am

ST. JAMES CHURCH WOMEN AGM: Wednesday, 18 January at 7:30 pm.

ST. JAMES ADVISORY BOARD: Thursday, 19 January at 7:30 pm.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY: Sunday, 22 January at 6:00 pm.

A service followed by a pot luck supper will be held at Wyman United Church.

ST. MARY'S ADVISORY BOARD: Thursday, 26 January, 7:30 pm.

COMMUNION AT MANOIR CAVAGNAL: Friday, 27 January, 10:00 am

ST. JAMES ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING: Sunday, 29 January, after church

There will be a pot luck lunch before the meeting. All committee Chairmen please
have annual reports handed into parish office by Monday 23 January so they can be
included in the booklet.

ST. MARY'S ANNUAL FAMILY PANCAKE SUPPER: Tuesday, February 28th 4:00 pm

Mark this on all your calendar-- St. Mary's Hall 273 Main Road. Volunteers to cook
and clean up are welcome, (lots of fun). Call Elizabeth Dempsey 458-4380 or Wilf
Hall 458-7913.

NEW OFFICE HOURS:

As of January 2006 the office will be closed on Mondays, and open on

Tuesday to Friday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

PULSE" CONTACT INFORMATION:

The Parish Pulse Editorial Team is actively looking for your articles. Please feel
free to contact any of them with your ideas or suggestions for an article. (Patti
Ann Gannon, 613-674-1376, pattiann@sympatico.ca; Paul Brierley, 450-458-1750,
paul.brierley@future.ca; Wilf Hall, 450-458-7913, wghall@sympatico.ca). The
deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, January 18th, 2006. The publication will
be Friday, January 27th, 2006.

Submissions should be directed to Patti Ann Gannon through:

pattiann@sympatico.ca, parishvaudreuil@ca.inter.net, drop off at the Parish Office,
fax to the Parish Office at 450-458-8802, or mail to The Parish of Vaudreuil, 642
Main Road, Hudson Heights, Quebec, J0P 1J0.

WEB LINKS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDITORS:

http://www.montreal.anglican.org/index-01.shtml

http://www.alphacanada.org/

http://www.podm.net/po_how.htm

www.parishofvaudreuil.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!