St. Luke Cedar Hill

St. Luke Cedar Hill www.stlukesvictoria.ca

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36

http://www.stlukesvictoria.ca/

https://biblehub.com/luke/6-36.htm

Table of Contents

From the Editors .................................................................................................................................... 1

End of Year Reflections .......................................................................................................................... 1

From the Rector’s Desk – Christmas 2020 ............................................................................................ 2

Christmas Services ................................................................................................................................. 3

A Reminder that Your Support is Needed ............................................................................................. 3

Notes from Carcross, Yukon Territory ................................................................................................... 4

Christmas Crossword ............................................................................................................................. 6

A Week of Remembrance ...................................................................................................................... 7

Waiting for the Light – For Lent and Advent ......................................................................................... 8

The Back of the Piano ............................................................................................................................ 9

Christmas Kid Humour ......................................................................................................................... 11

St. Luke’s 160th Anniversary T-Shirt Designs ....................................................................................... 11

My Brother, Barry ................................................................................................................................ 14

Advent, St. Nicholas, and the Candy Cane .......................................................................................... 15

Misheard Lyrics .................................................................................................................................... 15

Transforming the Lounge and an Update on Projects Happening in the Hall .................................... 16

The Christmas at Greccio: A Story of St. Francis ................................................................................. 17

The Mystery Writing Box ..................................................................................................................... 19

Christmas Word Search ....................................................................................................................... 21

Christmas Melody ................................................................................................................................ 21

An Invitation ........................................................................................................................................ 22

St. Luke’s Christmas Bundles ............................................................................................................... 22

What’s Cooking at the Shelbourne Community Kitchen .................................................................... 23

A Shadow Box for the Cemetery ......................................................................................................... 24

How Children Perceive their Grandparents ........................................................................................ 25

Advertisements ................................................................................................................................... 26

Word Find and Crossword Solutions ................................................................................................... 26

St. Luke’s Rector: The Reverend Daniel Fournier

Editors: Sharon McMillan and Barb Prescott

Cover photos by Sharon McMillan (2020).

The Prescription – Christmas 2020 | Page 1

From the Editors Sharon McMillan and Barb Prescott

Thank you to everyone who has sent in pictures and articles for this edition - we are always happy to receive your contributions! We hope you will enjoy this issue of the Prescription.

The submission deadline for the Easter 2021 edition of The Prescription is Friday, March 5th. Please keep sending us your articles, photos, poems, and other creative endeavours, either to St. Luke’s Church Office at [email protected] or to [email protected].

End of Year Reflections

“What a year this has been!” Isn’t that an understatement? Who would have thought when we were celebrating Christmas last year that this Christmas would be so different? We have all been forced to adapt to this new lifestyle with far fewer contacts, doing so many activities online, wearing masks, and “staying in our bubbles”. So many things are different. Some of these changes will have a silver lining. People anywhere can watch our services from the comfort of their homes. People in care homes or at home with mobility issues can view the services if they have access to a computer. Meetings on Zoom have the advantage of having no commute time and no need to head out on an ugly, rainy night. Instead just settle down in a warm spot in front of the computer. But I know we all wish that our old lives were back – or close to being back but maybe with a few changes! This year feels like it has been Lent or Advent all year – long seasons of waiting.

But soon Christmas will be here and we will celebrate Jesus’ birth in different ways this year. We hope that you will be able to view all the special services over Christmas – and sing along with all the carols! See the list on page 3 and at the news page of our website (https://www.stlukes victoria.ca/news). If you don’t watch the services on the day they are posted, they will still be available to watch at your convenience. We hope that you will enjoy these services and find peace and comfort in watching them.

Of course, this is also time to look to the New Year. A date to mark on your calendars is February 21st, which will be our AGM (also called our Annual Vestry Meeting). Reports for this meeting are due by the end of January (or sooner if possible!) so they can be included in the report package. Also, please consider if you could be a Parish Council member in 2021. Being on Parish Council is a good way to contribute your talents and learn about the working of the parish. Find out how your donations are used to run the parish. We are all shareholders and stakeholders in our parish of St. Luke Cedar Hill. If you would like to learn more by being on Parish Council, please talk to the Nominating Committee members, Rick Saville and Sharon Hallsor.

Blessings to you and your loved ones at Christmas and in the New Year, Barb

ANNUAL VESTRY MEETING SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21st

The Annual Vestry meeting will include reports from 2020 and the election of new Parish Council members. Mark this date on your 2021 calendars and plan to attend this meeting.

The Parish of St. Luke Cedar Hill is all of us. Please read the reports, come to the meeting, and support the

parish leadership in the work of our parish.

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Page 2 | The Prescription – Christmas 2020

From the Rector’s Desk – Christmas 2020 by the Rev. Daniel Fournier

“He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.” Hebrews 1:3

Dear Friends,

What a strange time we live in. As I write this, it has just been announced that our usual gathering together for Christmas events, whether they be for meals, gift opening, carol singing, Christmas Eve and Christmas morning services, gathering together from any distance, is going to be put on a shelf this year.

A strange feeling is evoked from within us. For most of us, this news comes with feelings of sadness, as if this year has not been difficult enough already. For some of us, this news may be greeted with wet eyes as we so

much miss being close to our most loved ones. In honest candor, I find myself also very sad and share that pain with you. It was very much our hope that we could spend some time with our son TJ and his wife Ashley who had moved to Vancouver Island from Montreal. This was going to be our first Christmas together. We had picked up some special presents and planned a special way to celebrate Christmas as it has been 18 years since any of our children lived relatively close to us.

So then, how will we celebrate Christmas this year? One way will be through the gift of technology. Facebook messenger or other similar applications allow us to visit TJ and Ashley (in our own time zone), Laura and Kayah (Alberta time), Andrew and Nicole (in China), and the Shannons and granddaughters, Isabelle and Eloise, in Australia. I guess for some it will be Christmas Lunch and for others, Boxing Day Brunch, and for some, a very, very early morning!

What I am trying to say is that there is a way to connect and it will be so important to connect and find ways to shorten the distance between loved ones, friends, and relatives. Find within each of us the God-given gifts, talents, and creativity we have all been endowed with, reach out and express the wonder and beauty in the gift that is deep in our hearts. Deep in our hearts this Christmas is the truth and reality that the greatest gift we can receive is each other and what we represent to each other – love! The source of all Love, God, is embodied in us because of Love. And ultimately, Love that came in the form of a child lying in a manger and beamed from that place to shed its light on a tree - a cross.

When we receive a greeting, a phone call, or a video conversation, recognize the act of love that is speaking to you. Treasure that act of love, and most importantly, give that love back to that person and to others for they so need to be witnesses of God’s love this year. By doing this, by living up to what love calls us to, we honour and pay homage like the shepherds and the Magi did so long ago.

And so, to begin this great expression and in voices exuberant, from my house to yours, Christmas Blessings to each one of you and a Holy and much improved new year!

In God’s abundant Love, Daniel+

The Reverend Daniel Fournier

Photo credit: Catherine Hyde


Christmas Services Services this Christmas will be posted at St. Luke’s website and Facebook page.

Watch for an e-mail with the link when the service is posted or visit the St. Luke’s At Home page (https://www.stlukesvictoria.ca/st-lukes-at-home) or St. Luke’s Facebook page

(https://www.facebook.com/StLukeCedarHill) to view these services.

Christmas Eve Service A Lessons and Carols Service will be posted in the evening of December 24th.

Christmas Day Service A Lessons and Carols Service will be posted in the morning of December 25th.

First Sunday after Christmas (December 27th) No service this Sunday. Watch for links at the website to services around the world to watch this Sunday.

Epiphany Sunday (January 3rd) A Lessons and Carols Service for Epiphany will be posted in the morning of January 3rd.

Thanks to so many people who have made these special services happen. A big thank you to Daniel and Joan, Susanne (for all the wonderful music), and Sharon McMillan. A full list of all the people involved is included in the service bulletins.

A Reminder…. That Your Support is Needed…

As Readers and Liturgical Assistants. Please speak to Daniel or to Sean Tiernay or leave a message for them in the office if you are able to help in this way.

By donating to the Altar Guild Flower Fund. Please write donation cheques to St. Luke’s Altar Guild. However, if a receipt is required, please write the cheque to St. Luke’s Church with a notation that the donation is for flowers. For more information about making a donation for Altar Flowers, please call Ann Seguin at 250-477-0704 between 10 am-12 noon or after 4 pm.

By financially supporting St. Luke’s. While our buildings are closed, our expenses continue, as does our ministry, albeit in a different way. While there are many ways to support St. Luke’s such as through volunteer activities and through prayer, please consider if you are able to make an extra financial donation during this time. You can support St. Luke’s by going to the St. Luke’s DONATE page at the website: https://www.stlukesvictoria.ca/welcome/donate

There you will find that you can make a gift by:

• Cheque (mail; dropped at the office; picked up; in your envelope in the Sunday collection plate) • Canada Helps (credit card) at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/24305 • Electronic Collection Plate (automatic debit).

If you are viewing The Prescription online, click here to print the form. Your completed form can be dropped off at the hall, mailed in, or scanned and e-mailed to [email protected]

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https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/24305


https://churchos-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/05/02/01/26/32/e72f1f45-57d6-4f27-b4a7-78fe741570aa/ECP Form New - St. Lukes.pdf


Notes from Carcross, Yukon Territory by Dorothy Inglis

[Editors’ Note: Dorothy Inglis and her mother Marjory used to attend Evensong at St. Luke’s. More recently, Dorothy attended the Thursday morning service, prior to moving to the Yukon last year.]

November 3, 2020: Well, I bought a log house here in the small town of Carcross. Life is pretty good in the Yukon. We are on the edge of the wilderness: mountains, lakes, and big skies. Quite a change from Victoria, but I grew up in the Northwest Territories in the 50's and 60's, so it feels like coming home.

It's wide open up here. I mean you can live in a luxurious home with every convenience (finances permitting, of course) or live simply in a cabin away off in the bush. I'm in the middle. My house has electricity with electric heat and a wood stove.

Carcross is more a village than a town. The elementary school is half a block away with only about 35 students. There are three little churches: a Baptist-based community church and a Catholic Church, which both have a weekly service, and St. Saviour's, the Anglican

Church, which has one service a month. The minister drives out from Whitehorse or Atlin if winter driving conditions permit. The Anglican Church operated a residential school here, so there is an unfortunate legacy to overcome. Both the Catholic Church and St. Saviour's are original turn of 19th century buildings that have been nicely kept up and are a joy to be in. I have the pleasant duty of lighting the old woodstove on service days in winter. If lit by 10 in the morning, the church is nice and warm by 2 pm.

Winter arrived with a blizzard day before yesterday. 45 cm of snow overnight! Records were broken and everyone was out shoveling in the brilliant sunshine yesterday. The snow here tends to be dry so it's easier to shift than the heavy wet stuff on the coast. Good thing too because we may have to deal with a lot of it this year.

November 13, 2020: Wednesday was Remembrance Day and the local RCMP officers gathered out in front of the detachment in traditional red serge to honour the day. The ceremony was supposed to include recorded music, but their CD player froze up in the cold. Fortunately, Linda the town librarian (and amateur trumpet player) appeared on the steps of the church across the street and the Last Post sounded. Later, Linda had her hand shaken by a surprised and grateful RCMP commissioner.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcross

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/rcmp-station-new-carcross-1.4838343


People up here are very resourceful and DIY. They have to be because outside of Whitehorse, the only city in the Yukon wilderness, tradespeople are hard to find. Most of them are based in Whitehorse; they charge a lot for time and travel to isolated communities and are less than willing to venture far afield. You have to get together with your neighbours who need the same service, for example, chimney cleaning and the sweep will come out and do everybody on the same day. Or, like my neighbour Brenda, who is no spring chicken, you climb up there and do it yourself.

I think there is only one piano tuner in the whole Territory and as for organs, probably none. St. Saviour's has an old 1880's vintage pump organ made in Ontario by Doherty Co. It hasn't been used for years. I couldn't resist trying it out. It would be usable except for three keys: two won't sound and the third won't be quiet.

My friend Linda, the trumpet-playing librarian, is mechanically minded and has permission from the minister to have a look inside. Which is how we spent the rest of Remembrance Day and now pieces of organ and screws and tools are strewn about the church. The general consensus is we can't do anything worse than has already been done and it's quite obvious that over the years, many hands have been at work inside the battered old instrument. But you know, even now, with missing keys and a most annoying cypher, the sound is rich and full.

Three cords of firewood were delivered here last month and duly stacked in the backyard. I spent this afternoon carrying armfuls of wood up the steep snowy path to the house. It's a fine workout

and a very pleasant job in the crisp winter air. I think I will sleep well tonight.

December 3, 2020: Actually, global warming is here as I write: it's so warm here the last 2 days, it actually rained! And the snow has been melting. We are promised a return to seasonal chill by the weekend - I sure hope so and so do all the sled dog mushers.

http://www.explorenorth.com/library/communities/ canada/images/

Tripadvisor.ca

CBC News


Christmas Crossword

Christmas Words Crossword


A Week of Remembrance

The week started with a Service of Remembrance on Sunday, November 8th to honour the veterans resting in St. Luke's cemetery.

On Tuesday, November 10th, students from a grade 4 class at Doncaster School placed their painted poppy rocks on 25 of the veterans' graves and heard some stories of the veterans they were honouring.

On Remembrance Day, it was wonderful to see the community visit the cemetery to honour the veterans and remember their sacrifice. A group of friends (through Scouts) showed their respect by helping to tidy up the cemetery, holding a short ceremony at 11:00, and then listening to a few stories. In spite of the cold, wet day, several families came to place painted rocks and flowers on the veterans' graves.

Photo credits: Sharon McMillan


[Editors’ Note: In the following two articles, Brenda describes her creative process in making new frontals for the altar and a cover for the piano. It was a hard choice, whether to include Brenda’s write-up about the purple Advent/Lent frontal or the white Christmas/Easter frontal in this Prescription. Since you’ve seen glimpses of the purple frontal during Advent and will see it again next in Lent, this seemed to be a good time to provide the background to that frontal. Watch for articles about the other frontals in upcoming Prescriptions. As Brenda commented in an e-mail: “The making of the series has been quite a journey for me. I've had to think about the meaning of all the seasons so I could interpret them. I've learned so much.” Thanks for sharing your talents and your journey with us, Brenda.]

Waiting for the Light – For Lent and Advent by Brenda Morgan

I am giving up chocolate, or I am giving up social media, or I am giving up some other loved goodie: this is common to hear at Lent, this giving up of something. For many of us this is what Lent has become—the deprivation of some petty indulgence, which in some small way tries to echo the sacrifice of Jesus.

When coming to the design of the purple altar frontal and what it should depict, I was faced with the question: What is Lent? If it were simply a matter of sacrifice, then I could just depict a crown of thorns and a Cross, all on a purple background—Done! But then there is the niggling question of the ‘forty days’ of Lent. Jesus went into the wilderness for forty days to fast and meditate before he understood what his ministry should be; Moses spent forty years in the desert before he led his people to the Promised Land; and after forty days of Lent, we have Easter. Furthermore, tradition has it that Lent is a time associated with penitence and reflection, and ultimately forgiveness—always the hope and promise of light at the end of it all.

Advent is similarly a period of expectancy and penitence, a sombre period during which we ready ourselves for the birth of Jesus. Both Advent and Lent end with great feasts, feasts associated with Joy and Glory and Light. The colour for Advent used to be purple but is now often a dark blue.

I wanted the altar frontal to depict the long period of reflection and penitence, but then at the end of the waiting, the expectancy of light. The light in this piece is prominent, but it is not a full explosion of light. That will come on the big feast day at the end of the period. But the promise is there. I have included blue in the piece so it can be used for Advent as well as Lent, the sentiment behind the two seasons being so similar.

Reverend Daniel Fournier had asked me to make two panels rather than one, and this project started out that way. I had them hanging on my design wall at home, and because my space is not large, they were hanging almost side to side. Looking at them together they suddenly made sense; the promise of the light to come suddenly became evident. Sometimes, the whole is more than


the sum of its parts, and this was happening here. Together the two pieces seemed to have meaning. I had almost finished the pieces, and this was my last chance to make changes.

Daniel eventually left it to me to decide. Because I had designed them as separate, I had to fiddle and fudge to get them together neatly. Eventually, I was satisfied with the result. I called the piece “Waiting for the Light”, a title I thought would work for both Advent and Lent. The dedication on the back is to my husband, Eric Morgan and my two sons, Andrew, and Guy. I also included that it was made “in gratitude to the welcoming members of the church”.

The Back of the Piano by Brenda Morgan

It’s amazing how a seemingly simple project can become the source of an enormous amount of discussion and lead from very prosaic and practical beginnings to some deeper thought and understanding.

About a year ago, there was a repositioning of furniture in the church. The piano, for one, found a new and happy home behind the left side of the choir. Here, it would not have to be moved into the centre aisle every time Susanne Reul-Zastre played. It would be more-or-less hidden—but the music would ring out.

Nothing is ever simple. While the piano had its new and appropriate spot, the back of the piano was now visible—and the back of the piano was not particularly attractive. Susanne procured some quilts to cover the back. She had the right liturgical colours for the various seasons, but the installation of these pieces presented a problem.

The back of the piano houses the soundboard, and the quality of the piano depends on the integrity of said soundboard. Susanne and our pastor, Daniel, were not in any way prepared to jeopardise that important part of an expensive instrument. Rather than using rods or other fixtures, Susanne decided to wedge the edges of the quilts into the hinges, which did the job of keeping them up. The only liturgical season Susanne didn’t have a cover for was the festive seasons of Christmas and Easter. She asked me if I would make a cover, in white. When I asked how it would be held up, Susanne said it would be wedged into the hinges, the same as the others. I discussed with her possibilities of using some other method of installation, and she said she would get advice from the piano-tuner.

The more I thought about the cover, the more I knew I didn’t want to use the ‘tucked into the hinge’ method of installation, which seemed impermanent and somewhat undignified. Also, the lovely quilts, originally designed for a bed or a sofa-throw, were not purpose-made and seemed out of place, doing no justice to either themselves or our beautiful church. In a discussion with Joan Scandrett, she suggested using a neutral colour not associated with the liturgical seasons. As


soon as she said this, I knew that was the answer. If we used just one neutral colour for the back, then we wouldn’t need to change the cover. It would be part of the furniture.

I broached this idea with Susanne, and what ensued was a long discussion about which elements in the church needed to be highlighted by the liturgical colours. We talked about ‘distractions’ to the sacred elements that were most important. We realised that the piano, per se, wasn’t important; it was the sacred music it produced that was. We didn’t need to see it; we needed to hear it. Our eyes, also, should be directed to the altar—the most sacred element—and not be distracted by the back of the

piano. Just like on stage, for the production to work, actors must learn when to give the spotlight to another actor and not steal it. The cover for the back of the piano had to be quiet, but elegant and properly installed, befitting its inclusion as part of the church furnishings. Installation - now there was the problem. It was the end of November, Advent had just begun, and Susanne was anxious to have a cover for Christmas. Because of the COVID 19 restrictions, the service of Lessons and Carols was going to be filmed on Dec 13. I was reluctant to start work on a cover that I didn’t know how to finish, because I didn’t know how it would be installed. The piano tuner had already mentioned in an email that Velcro would not affect the sound, but would Daniel agree to using that on finished wood? Would the piano turner agree to two screws being put into the wood so a metal hanger could be used (as seen in the picture to the right)? I had used this method before, but it was invasive and could affect the soundboard.

I decided to at least purchase the fabric while I waited for a decision. I managed to find what I needed in the Cyber Monday sale at an incredibly good price. Even the braids and fringes were on sale. Perfect, we could add a little richness to the project.

Perhaps it was seeing the fabric that led me to another thought about installation. Perhaps it was the Holy Spirit who, in exasperation, decided to come to my aid. We could use fabric tabs as hinges and Velcro them to the underside of the piano lid where they would not be seen. No

holes to be drilled into the wood, no Velcro pulling off the finish on the wood, and no damage to the soundboard. Problem solved! I phoned the piano-tuner and checked it out with him, and he gave me the go-ahead. All this—and I hadn’t even started making the cover.

The sewing came with its usual challenges and annoyances, seams to be unpicked and so on, but was fairly straightforward. At last, it was done. Now the only thing left was to see if the chosen method of installation would hold up.


As I look back on the whole project, I realize that for both Susanne and me, it was a thoughtful journey into the importance of what in a church should be kept prominent and sacred, and what should take a secondary role. If as you read this you are thinking, “I don’t know what she’s talking about; I didn’t notice anything on the piano,” then I have been successful. Ostentatious or dowdy, either would have been a distraction. A subtle elegance is what was needed and what I hope I achieved.

Christmas Kid Humour From Reader’s Digest Canada

The meaning of Christmas Sorting out how Santa fits in with the religious meaning of Christmas can be confusing for kids. This was evidenced by my two-year-old daughter, Josie, as she pretended to read from a book: “Then Santa forgave them their trespasses…” - Clara Smith, Victoria, BC

Stocking stuffers One Christmas my husband put an assortment of beauty products in my stocking. I tried one of the facial masks, and was about to wash it off when my eight-year-old son, Callum, walked in. I explained to him that it was a present from his dad, and it would make me beautiful.

He patiently waited by my side as I rinsed and patted my face dry. “Well, what do you think?” I asked.

“Oh, Mom, it didn’t work!” Callum replied. - Lynn Thibodeau, Ajax, Ontario

St. Luke’s 160th Anniversary T-Shirt Designs

Thank you to everyone for entering St. Luke’s 160’s Anniversary T-Shirt Design contest earlier this year to create a design for St. Luke’s t-shirts and possibly to use on other items. (Have you ordered your t-shirt yet? If not, please speak to Heather Simpson.)

We promised that we would share the submitted t-shirt designs with you. So here they are on the next two pages and below is the key regarding who submitted the designs.

1. Keisha Blackburn* 8. Alison Leamy

2. Sharon McMillan 9. Sharon McMillan

3. Tara Poilievre 10. Samantha Poilievre

4. Sharon McMillan 11. Sharon McMillan

5. Brenda Morgan 12. Gillian Bloom

6. Sharon McMillan 13. Judith Williamson

7. Sylvia Sinclair

*Keisha is Cynthia and Bill Blackburn’s granddaughter, who lives in Toronto. We’ve met her when she has come to visit and stay with her grandparents. It’s great that she was able to enter the contest!

Credit for the photos in Brenda’s articles: Brenda Morgan, Susanne Reul-Zastre, and Sharon McMillan

Gillian is 21, Barry is 18 Photos submitted by Gillian.


St. Luke’s 160th Anniversary

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My Brother, Barry by Gillian Bloom

Sadly, my brother Barry passed away on November 17. He was 77 years old.

I was to have visited him this past summer but of course COVID-19 changed my plans. I did visit him in 2018 and one could already see the increasing dementia and lack of mobility, which necessitated him being placed in a home shortly after my visit. Luckily, through the marvels of technology, I was able to “visit” him on a weekly basis via Skype or Zoom. Even if my sister-in-law was unable to be at the home, the caregivers were very good at getting things set up so we could see each other. Recently, he did not say very much, but I usually got a small wave goodbye and the beginnings of a smile. When I last travelled there, Tricia (my sister-in-law) drove us all to Tatsfield, where we used to live. Our prime reason for going there was to see a bench I had had installed on the church grounds, with a plaque to commemorate my parents (whose ashes are scattered there). Even though it was placed there in 2000 I had never seen it, but it was still in good shape although slightly weathered. From there we went and saw the house in which we used to live and then up to the village pub for lunch. Good memories! Today (December 3), again via modern technology and live streaming, I was able to “attend” his Celebration of Life. I could see the family and friends and although I could not really take part – I felt I was there.

Since then I have been in contact with the Rector of the church at Tatsfield and am planning to add another engraving on the bench as a memory to my brother - I may never see it, but I know it is there!

Gillian and Barry with their parents, Frank and Pat Collis

Gillian is 21, Barry is 18 Photos submitted by Gillian.

The house in Tatsfield where they lived.

Tricia and Barry having lunch at the village pub.


Advent, St. Nicholas, and the Candy Cane submitted by Vicki Sharp

The origin of the candy cane has been linked to the shepherd’s “staff” of St. Nicholas, a 4th-century Bishop in Lycia (southeast of Turkey). Nicholas was a man who had a pure heart, selflessly helped the poor and grew in spiritual wisdom as he ministered to them. The “hooked” shape of the candy cane is also a reminder of the shepherds who were the first worshippers of the Christ child in the manger, more than two thousand years ago. The three colours of the candy cane are white (which represents the purity of our life when we dedicate it to Christ), red (which symbolizes our Lord’s sacrifice for us and the sacrifices we must make as we minister and service in Christ’s name), and green (which symbolizes our spiritual growth as we make these sacrifices). The aroma of peppermint is akin to the aromatic herb “hyssop”. Old Testament scholars say that hyssop was used, in addition to its delightful taste, for its medicinal qualities. Thus, a healing nature is suggested in the symbolism of the candy cane.

The candy cane is candy that is to be shared – broken in pieces for all to share, drawing us into a fellowship of sharing. Just as Jesus’ body in the Holy Eucharist is broken in order to be shared, so our lives, as good stewards, must be shared. As children of God and sharers of Christ’s life, we come to learn that only as we give so we live. Advent is a time of “preparation” for the birth of the Christ Child anew in our hearts and world. As you savour this wee gift in celebration of the Second Sunday in Advent and in honour of St. Nicholas, I pray that you will reflect on the symbolism of the candy cane and that it will add to your Advent celebrations.

Misheard Lyrics From Reader’s Digest Canada

When my niece was a student, her class of six-year-olds sang “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing” at a Christmas concert. The line “God and sinners reconciled” was a tricky one for this age group. One little boy, with a voice that completely drowned out the rest of the choir, happily belted out, “God and sinners dressed in style!”

—Jessie Robertson, Williams Lake, BC.

Images from cleanpng.com


Transforming the Lounge and an Update on Projects Happening in the Hall

by Barb Prescott

In the Fall Prescription, we promised you some pictures of the transformation that has been taking place in the hall while most of the building has been closed due to COVID precautions. The Lounge/Fireside Room has been transformed into a Library/Conference Room thanks to new tables, teak bookshelves, blinds, and fresh paint. Thanks to the painters and interior decorators, Sharon M., Sharon H. and Dorothy Barlow! Here is a preview of the room’s new look.

As well as these changes in the Lounge, we have been fortunate to be able to hire a student to organize and catalogue all the books in the library. Our book collection had grown and we hadn’t had time to organize it. Through a grant from the Canada Summer Jobs Program, which we had postponed using earlier in the year because of COVID, we have been able to hire two students to help us with the library project and our archives project. We hired Justine Soles to work 21 hours/week for 8 weeks on the archives project and Sarah Stephens to work 14 hours/week on the library project. They both started on December 14th and will work until the beginning of February.

Sarah is training to be a teacher librarian, while Justine is working towards a Master of Library and Information Science specializing in Archives Management. It is great to be able to hire these two capable young women, provide them with work experience in their chosen fields, and get these projects done!

Above: The Lounge before To the right and below:

The Library/Conference Room now Photo credits: Barb Prescott

and Susanne Reul-Zastre

Justine (left) is working on our archives project. Sarah (right) is working on the library project.

Photo credits: Justine Soles


The Christmas at Greccio: A Story of St. Francis A Short Christmas Story by Sophie Jewett

One night in December, Brother Francis, with one companion, was walking through the beautiful valley of the Velino River, toward Rieti, a little city where he came often on his way from Assisi to Rome. He had turned somewhat aside from the main road, as he wished to spend Christmas with his friend, Sir John of Greccio. Greccio is a tiny village, lying where the foothills begin, on the western side of the valley. The very feet of Brother Francis knew the road so well that he could have walked safely in the darkness, but it was not dark. The full moon floated over the valley, making the narrow river and the sharp outlines of the snow-covered mountains shine like silver. The plain and the lower hills were pastureland, and, not far from the road, on a grassy slope, the Brothers saw the red glow of an almost-spent shepherds' fire. "Let us stop and visit our brothers, the shepherds," said Francis, and they turned toward the fading fire.

There was no sense of winter in the air, scarcely a touch of frost, and the only snow was that on the silver peaks against the sky. The shepherds, three men and one boy, lay sleeping soundly on the bare ground, with their sheepskin coats drawn closely around them. All about them the sheep were sleeping, too, but the solemn white sheep dogs were wide awake. If a stranger's foot had trod the grass ever so softly, every dog would have barked, and every shepherd would have been on his feet in an instant. But the dogs trotted silently up to the Grey Brothers and rubbed against them, as if they said, "We are glad to see you again," for they knew the friendly feet of the Little Poor Man, and they had more than once helped him to eat the bread that was his only dinner.

Followed by the dogs, Francis walked about among the shepherds, but they slept on and Francis could not find it in his heart to waken them. The sheep lay huddled together in groups for more warmth. Around one small square of grass a net was stretched, and, inside it, were the mother sheep who had little lambs. There was no sound except the faint cry, now and then, of a baby lamb. The coals over which the shepherds had cooked their supper paled from dull red to grey. There was only a thin column of smoke, white in the moonlight.

Francis sat down on a stone, and the largest of the white dogs pressed up against his knee. Another went dutifully back to his post beside the fold where the mothers and babies slept. The Italian hillside seemed to Francis to change to that of Bethlehem, which he had seen, perhaps, on his Eastern journey; the clear December night seemed like that of the first Christmas Eve. "How these shepherds sleep!" he thought; "How they would awaken if they heard the 'Peace on earth' of the angels' song!" Then he remembered sadly how the armies that called themselves Christian had, year after year, battled with the Saracens over the cradle and the tomb of the Prince of Peace. The moonlight grew misty about him, the silver heights of the mountains and the silver line of the river faded, for the eyes of Brother Francis were full of tears.

As the two Brothers went on their way, Francis grew light of heart again. The sight of the shepherds sleeping on the grass had given him a new idea, and he was planning a surprise for his friends at Greccio. For at Greccio all were his friends, from Sir John, his host, down to the babies in the street. In the valley of Rieti, he was almost as well known and as dearly loved as in his own valley of Assisi. The

Images from the Order of Franciscan Hermits


children of Greccio had never heard of Christmas trees, nor, perhaps, of Christmas presents. I am not sure if, in the thirteenth century, Italians had the beautiful custom of giving presents at Twelfth Night, in memory of the coming of the three kings with their gifts to the Christ Child; but in the thirteenth century, even as now, Christmas was the happiest festival of the year. This year all the folk of Greccio, big and little, were happier than usual because their beloved Brother Francis was to help them keep their Christmas-tide. Next day Francis confided his plan to his friend, Sir John, who promised that all should be ready on Christmas Eve.

On the day before Christmas, the people came from all the country around to see and hear Brother Francis. Men, women, and children, dressed in their holiday clothes, walking, riding on donkeys, crowding into little carts drawn by great white oxen, from everywhere and in every fashion the country folk came toward Greccio. Many came from far away, and the early winter darkness fell long before they could reach the town. The light of their torches might be seen on the open road, and the sound of their singing reached the gates of Greccio before them. That night the little town was almost as crowded as was Bethlehem on the eve of the first Christmas. The crowds were poor folk, for the most part, peasants from the fields, charcoal burners from the mountains, shepherds in their sheepskin coats and trousers, made with the wool outside, so that the wearers looked like strange, two-legged animals. The four shepherds, who had slept so soundly a few nights before, were of the company, but they knew nothing of their midnight visitors. The white dogs knew, but they could keep a secret. The shepherds were almost as quiet as their dogs. They always talked and sang less than other people, having grown used to long silences among their sheep.

Gathered at last into the square before the church, by the light of flaring torches, for the moon would rise late, the people saw with wonder and delight the surprise which Brother Francis and Sir John had prepared for them. They looked into a real stable. There was the manger full of hay; there was a live ox and a live ass. Even by torchlight, their breath showed in the frosty air. And there, on the hay, lay a real baby, wrapped from the cold, asleep and smiling. It looked as sweet and innocent as the Christ Child Himself. The people shouted with delight. They clapped their hands and waved their torches.

Then there was silence, for Brother Francis stood before them, and the voice they loved so well and

had come so far to hear began to read the old story of the birth of the Child Jesus, of the shepherds in the fields, and of the angels' song. When the reading was ended, Brother Francis talked to them as a father might speak to his children. He told of the love that is gentle as a little child, that is willing to be poor and humble as the Baby who was laid in a manger among the cattle. He begged his listeners to put anger, hatred, and envy out of their hearts this Christmas Eve, and to think only thoughts of peace and good will. All listened eagerly while Brother Francis spoke, but the moment he finished the great crowd broke into singing. From the church tower the bells rang loud; the torches waved wildly, while voices here and there shouted for Brother Francis and for the Blessed Little Christ. Never before had such glorious hymns nor such joyous shouting been heard in the town of Greccio. Only the mothers, with babies in their arms, and the shepherds, in their woolly coats, looked on silently and thought, "We are in Bethlehem."


The Mystery Writing Box by Barb Prescott

In 2015, Laura Lang of Esquimalt was sorting through her sister’s possessions after her death when she found an old wooden box. It appeared to be a writing box, lined with purple velvet, holding glass ink bottles, inkwells and a blotter.

The box included a number of old photographs and some hidden compartments. Behind one of the compartments was a hand-written letter, dated October 14, 1898, from the Turks Islands. It was addressed to Mrs. McCoubrey in St. John’s from W. Stanley Jones. The letter thanked Mrs. McCoubrey for letting him know about the death of her husband, “Dick” (Richard Alexander) McCoubrey.

The pictures were not of any of Laura’s family members so she put all the contents back in the box and put it on a shelf in her home, where it remained for four years. In the summer of 2019, Laura decided to see what she could find out about the box and its pictures.

With the letter as a starting point and noting that several of the photographs were taken by professional photographers in St. John's, Newfoundland, Laura contacted The Telegram in St. John’s. Rosie Mullaley of The Telegram wrote an article about the box, which was published in June. Laura soon received e-mails from all over Canada.

One of the people contacting Laura was Christopher Morry of Rockland, Ontario. Chris and I have been in contact about the Newfoundland connections of a number of people who are buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery. Christopher’s great-grandfather, Thomas Morry, is buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery, along with his wife, Clara Windsor Morry. Christopher explained that Richard (Dick) Alexander McCoubrey had married Clara Isabelle Windsor in St. John’s. After Richard died in 1898, Clara moved to Victoria with her son and, in 1930, she married Thomas Graham Morry in Victoria when he was 80 and she was 78. This was her third marriage and his second. They had been childhood sweethearts, but never married each other for various reasons. [Editors’ Note: Chris Morry told the story of his great-grandfather and Clara Isabella Windsor McCoubrey Morry in the Fall 2017 issue of St. Luke’s Prescription.]

News stories about the mystery box were also carried on the Vancouver Island CTV News by reporter Adam Sawatsky and in the Saanich News and Oak Bay News in July and August by Devon Bidal.

The Mystery Writing Box Photo credit: Saanich Archives

Clara [McCoubrey] Morry (on the right) with her sisters,

Jessie Hay and Sarah Bradshaw

Photo submitted by John and Shannon Wheeler.


Members of the Saanich Archives staff watched the CTV news segment and immediately recognized one of the photographs as Ethel Bradshaw Lytton (and I did, too), whose collection of photo albums had been donated to the Archives by her descendants only a few months earlier. As you know, we have included excerpts from Ethel Bradshaw Lytton’s diary in recent Prescriptions.

Over several months in the summer of 2019 through e-mails with relatives in Saanich, Ontario, and Newfoundland (and other interested onlookers such as myself), we were able to identify many of the people in the photographs. Included were photographs of Clara’s brothers, Henry Charles Windsor and Peter Ford Windsor; her sister, Emma Windsor’s wedding to Charles Frederick Lester; the picture of Clara’s niece, Ethel Bradshaw (later Lytton); a picture of her nephew, Douglas Windsor Morry, and as well as other more distant relatives.

In September of this year, Laura Lang and Suzanne Hervieux of the Saanich Archives were finally able to schedule the donation of the “Mystery Writing Box” to Saanich Archives. The writing box and its contents have now joined the rest of the Windsor/Bradshaw/Lytton family collection donated last year by members of the Wheeler and Wenman families (descendants of Ethel May Bradshaw Lytton). We are pleased that this beautiful and interesting artifact has found a permanent home in the Saanich Archives.

[Editors’ Note: Links to stories about the mystery writing box can be found at St. Luke’s website at: https://www.stlukesvictoria.ca/pages/the-mystery-writing-box. Clara Isabelle Windsor Morry, and her third husband, Thomas Graham Morry, are buried in St. Luke’s Cemetery along with Clara’s sister, Sarah Bradshaw. Sarah’s daughter, Ethel, her husband Claude Lytton, several of Ethel’s sisters, and her two daughters (Joyce Wheeler and Evelyn Wenman) are also buried in St. Luke’s cemetery.]

Saanich Archives staff recognized this photo of Ethel Bradshaw Lytton (Clara’s niece) in the mystery box - and I recognized this photo, too!

Last summer, John and Shannon Wheeler of Vancouver visited Laura Lang (left) in Victoria to

see the mystery writing box, which includes a photo of John’s grandmother, Ethel May Bradshaw Lytton.

Photo submitted by John Wheeler.

https://www.stlukesvictoria.ca/


Christmas Word Search

Christmas Melody

The melody of Christmas fills the air. No heart can help but join the swelling song, For this brief time we rise above our care And realize afresh that love is strong. Yes, strong and sweet, the strength of innocence, For this, if ever, is the children’s time. Their laughter rings through all the radiance Of Christmas stories, Christmas song and rhyme. How lovely are the trees with coloured lights! The presents gaily wrapped their secrets hide. With glad expectancy December nights Await the night of all most glorified. Through all the year our feet this way have sped, To see a Baby in a manger bed.

By Mary Garland Coleman

CHRISTMAS MELODY

*Mary Garland Coleman, Rosemary (Rofey) Watts’ mother, published four collections of poems.


An Invitation from Ray Lett

Here's a challenge for you. Write a story about an unusual photograph of a tree apparently consuming a light standard on Hopesmore Drive in Saanich. I started writing a reflection on the demise of the embrace between close friends during the pandemic using the photo as an example, but my story seemed to have no clear ending.

Then I thought about imaging a fictitious conversation between the tree and the light standard. For example:

"It's cold ever since they replaced the warming incandescent lamps with LED ones," complained the light standard.

"Let me try and warm you," replied Willow as she gracefully entwined herself around the light standard.

"Cold is not the only hazard today," continued Willow. “My roots are continually being disturbed by construction and there's always the threat of root virus."

This seemed a good start for a story especially having a reference to a virus, but writing about a relationship between a tree and a light standard seemed a little bizarre. So, perhaps for the next Prescription someone can think of story about this photograph.

St. Luke’s Christmas Bundles

Sharon Hallsor made up and coordinated the delivery of surprise Christmas bundles to families who have attended Sunday School, Fantastic Fridays, or the Virtual Day Camp in the summer. We miss seeing all of the families. Our last in-person Fantastic Friday was in March. We held several Zoom Fantastic Fridays but those were not well attended. Families prefer being able to meet in person.

Thanks to Gillian Klassen for sharing these pictures of Benji and Noah with their Christmas bundle. Gillian commented, “Thank you so much for the bag of Christmas goodies that we got today from St. Lukes! It was such a wonderful surprise. Noah was very excited about the activities.”

Great idea, Sharon!


What’s Cooking at the Shelbourne Community Kitchen by Kim Cummins and David Robertson

The pandemic is highlighting the important services the Kitchen provides to our community. Membership as risen to 995, including volunteers, clients and supporters, and the Kitchen’s Pantry Program now serves 406 people, including 75 families. The support of local business, community groups and individuals is greatly appreciated, as is the support of the partner agencies like St. Luke’s.

As with everything this year at the Kitchen, holiday programs have adjusted to meet COVID-19 requirements. Festive wreath making kits were packed and delivered to participants for a Zoom session on wreath making held December 2. Virtual coffee and tea sessions are being offered where participants can join in for at-home games, discussion, and a fun scavenger hunt. Virtual cooking programs will include holiday cookie baking sessions (gluten-free and no-dietary restrictions) with meal kits being delivered so that people can cook along at home through Zoom. Coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, along with pre-packed treats and special surprises, are being offered to pantry participants along with hand-knit toques from residents of the Kensington.

The Kitchen is working in partnership with Red Cedar Café, offering 100 frozen prepared meals each week. Meeting this increase in demand has been greatly helped by the Kitchen’s newly opened food storage at the Lutheran Church of the Cross and with the addition of new staff person, Odessa Kelebay. Odessa has been working as the Pantry Coordinator for the last three months.

The Kitchen has a new Translation Project to help it become a more accessible and inclusive environment for non-English speaking participants. Volunteers have been translating documents and resources and on-call translators are available Tuesday and Friday to help participants fill and send their order to the Kitchen’s Pantry Program. Services are now available in 12 languages.

While food donations have been on hold for the last months, the Kitchen is now accepting them again. Individual donations are gratefully received at the Shelbourne Community Kitchen, 3541 Shelbourne Street, on Wednesdays or Fridays between 10 am and 2 pm. Please refrain from dropping off donations at other times in the week.

The Kitchen was invited to take part in a panel discussion about food security and food literacy at CRFAIR's December Good Food Summit. The session, Tackling Food Insecurity: A Just and Equitable Future, explored the big questions related to food insecurity and how individuals and agencies can take action to decrease food insecurity in the region.

Wishing everyone at St. Luke’s a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday. The Kitchen will be closed from December 19 to January 4.


A Shadow Box for the Cemetery A shadowbox has been installed at the entrance to the cemetery! The structure was built by Warren Scott and Tara McMillan. Transportation of the beast to the site was coordinated by Harry Felsing and took many hands to accomplish. The installation crew was coordinated by Bruce Hallsor and included Robert Hallsor, Gary Lunn, David Lunn, and Peter Machin. Thank you, everyone!

Photo credits: Sharon McMillan and Sharon Hallsor


How Children Perceive their Grandparents PART 2 - submitted by the Felsings

1. When my grandson Billy and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were

inside to avoid attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

2. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised ... "mine says I'm 4 to 6."

3. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said . . . "How do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'."

4. Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The fireman came down the ladder, pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked.

"Sure," replied the young boy confidently. "It means carrying a child."

5. A grandfather was delivering his grandchildren to their home one day when a fire truck zoomed past. Sitting in the front seat of the fire truck was a Dalmatian dog. The children started discussing the dog's duties.

"They use him to keep crowds back," said one child.

"No," said another. "He's just for good luck."

A third child brought the argument to a close. "You're both wrong . . . They use the dogs," she said firmly, "to find the fire hydrants."

6. Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don't get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

7. A 6-year-old was asked where his grandma lived. "Oh," he said, "she lives at the airport, and when we want her, we just go get her. Then, when we're done having her visit, we take her back to the airport."

Images from cleanpng.com


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