Children and Youth UpdateASK Kids has met three more

times this fall and completed three more fun projects. In October we made pop tab collection boxes which are available for parishioners to take home and return with pop tabs in support of March of Dimes. In November we made Christmas cards for the seniors, and in December we made reindeer candy canes for the Out of the Cold guests.

The youth have been having lots of fun this fall too! In October we brought back our role playing games nights and played our first official game of Dungeons & Dragons, then we played a second round this past Friday. (Technically, we continued the first round. Our game play is slow as we’re learning.)

A group of five youth were able to attend the Diocese of Toronto Youth Retreat at Muskoka Woods this October. It was a weekend full of exciting activities like rock climbing and archery, making new friends, and learning how we can be agents of change.

The youth were also able to get together to have a sleepover at the church. We enjoyed an evening of fun and games like Sardines using the entire church. We also discussed some of the water related issues in the world today and made a pledge to do something about it. Many youth were keen to pledge not drink bottled water any-more and work harder to conserve water at home.

The young people con-tinue to be busy this December as we get ready for the annual Children’s Christmas Party of December 16, one final youth group on December 22, and of course the Christmas Pageant for the 4:00pm service on Christmas Eve.

∙Kelly MalcolMson

FOR ALL THE SAINTS DECEMBER, 2017

2850 Bloor St. WToronto, ONM8X 2K5(416-233-1125)

Website: www.allsaintskingsway.caTwitter: www.twitter.com/SaintsKingswayFacebook: www.facebook.com/AllSaintsKingswayInstagram: www.instagram.com/saintskingsway/

ASK the Archives: Worship through drama – the Christmas pageant

In 1992, enticed by local advertising, I brought my young son to see the Christmas Pageant. It was a Sunday evening and I was amazed by the large cast. The person I remember most strongly was Herod, who rushed into the sanctuary looking incredibly villainous; he was obviously enjoying himself immensely. In one of his performances, I’ve been told, he brandished a knife and terrified the children, so the weapon was banned! All in all, a lively introduction to ASK.

To trace the history of the pageant, I used service booklets and people’s memories to see how things changed over the years. It began in January, 1958, with the Anglican Young People’s Association (AYPA) Epiphany Pageant. The previous November, the congregation had been asked to “help in the assembling of the costumes by donating used window drapes, curtains, bedspreads, dress material, jewellery or ornaments.”

It seemed to be a one-off, but then in 1960 the AYPA presented a Christmas pageant. This has be-come our annual tradition, the only exception being 1966, the year of the fire. The pageant was part of Evensong, held on the third Sunday in December; there were two services: 7pm, for families with children, and 8.30, for adults. It was an act of worship. Both choirs sang, and prayers were said.

At some point adults came to play a much larger role, and family relationships were taken into ac-count in casting. Innkeepers were played by married couples, fathers and sons played the kings and their pages. Children were angels, shepherds, animals, and also children of the world who came to see the Christ child. The story was broad, starting with readings from the early prophets, and includ-ing Mary’s visit to Zachariah and Elizabeth, and the Magi’s visit to Herod. The cast of about 50 began rehearsal in October. This format lasted until 1993.

In a 1994 mini-pageant, rector Tim Foley, his wife, and young baby played the Holy Family as part of the Christmas Eve service. A year later, the pageant was restored in a different format with a small-er cast, and with only one performance during the early Christmas Eve service. Prompted by cue cards, the congregation joined in, as we now do in the posadas in Advent.

Still on Christmas Eve, the pageant now takes place in a special late afternoon service. Roman soldiers featured for a few years; the angels began and still continue liturgical dance. When possible, real babies played Jesus, sometimes with their parents as Mary and Joseph. We have a wide range of animals, even extending to dinosaurs, and once we had a real dog. Over time adult participation has diminished, and we’re now back to the young people’s format that we began with.

The costumes are critical to the pageant, but the original ones were de-stroyed in the fire. During 1967, money was raised to buy fabric, and sew-ing machines and cutting tables were set up in Warden McKechnie’s base-ment. A group of women worked from 10am to 3pm once a week to make the costumes. The styles were researched to make sure the garments were as authentic as possible–particular trouble was taken with the breast plate worn by Zechariah. So, the costumes we’ll be seeing this Christmas are cel-ebrating their 50th birthday. Watch them with respect.

As you enjoy this year’s pageant, reflect that you are participating in one of ASK’s most enduring traditions. ∙evelyn clarKe

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New season at Out of the ColdThe first Out of the Cold dinner was held on Friday, Novem-

ber 24. Nearly 100 guests entered the doors to a warm and welcoming environment. The art table was busy, and guests were entertained by a musician. Those who slept overnight were given a hot breakfast, a bagged lunch, and a subway token. Out of the Cold continues until April. Thank you to all who make this ministry so successful!

On Saturday, November 25, two successful fundraising con-certs were held. Choirs from All Saints, Kingsway Lambton, and Our Lady of Sorrows participated with the Salvation Army band, along with storyteller Michael Kramer from 96.3 FM.∙Steve Favell

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A Brief History of the Nativity SceneSources attribute the first staging of a nativity scene to St. Francis of Assisi, in the year 1223. He

received permission from the Pope to set up a manger with hay and two live animals – an ox and an ass – in a cave in the Italian village of Grecio. He then invited the villagers to come and gaze upon the scene while he preached about “the Babe of Bethlehem.” The popularity of nativity scenes spread from there throughout Europe. The early artistic nativity figures in Catholic churches were cast in marble, precious woods and terra cotta. The oldest of these can still be seen today in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome.

Later scenes began incorporating dioramas or “tableaux vivant” and the cast of characters gradu-ally expanded beyond Mary, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus to sometimes include the whole village! We know that the portrayal of some of these figures is not biblically accurate. Nowhere in Sts. Matthew and Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus do shepherds and wisemen appear together. And no one mentions donkeys, cattle, camels (or mice) in conjunction with Jesus’ birth. But what would a nativity scene be without them?

Many Christians world-wide have a nativity scene, or creche, in their homes as a central part of their festive decorations. They often portray regional and cultural differences of setting and costume, and are either simple or elaborate, and often whimsical. Many of us have become collectors of nativ-ity scenes on our travels. This is evident in our own display at ASK, which parishioners with visiting family and friends will hopefully enjoy again this season.

But the most important aspect of any nativity scene is its role in centering our thoughts on the Christ Child during Advent and Christmas. As a lovely children’s hymn invites us, “Come, come, come to the Manger.”∙sharon conway (With references from The Smithsonian Institute)

Update: Today we deposited $7,992.00 from the concert. This included $2000.00 from the Kingsway BIA. We may get fur-ther donations by mail, similar to past years. There were 362 people in attendance – 168 at first concert and 194 at second.Congratulations to all the sing-ers and the Salvation Army Band and all the helpers who made this such a success.∙Cathie Figuera

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Social Justice, Advocacy, and Outreach EventsToronto Diocesan Outreach and Advocacy Annual Conference

Cathie Figueira and I attended this year’s diocesan conference, and we both found it thought provoking. The conference focused on racial and ethnic diversity. Much as we often hear that diver-sity is our strength, life is more complicated than that. Diversity is complex and challenging.

The workshop I attended with Brother Reginald-Martin Cren-shaw, OHC, an associate at St Paul the Apostle, Rexdale took these ideas on to dismantling racism in the parish. Brother Regi-nald raised the idea of fish in water and the fact that like fish taking water for granted those of us who are white take that for granted.

The Rev. (now Canon) Gary van der Meer, incumbent at St. Anne, Toronto covered his experience of getting out into the community. This included visits with the local BIA. As well, due to his sojourns a friendship is growing between St. Anne’s and the Muslim community in the area. This workshop was co-led with Imam Ilyas Ally of the Information & Dawah Centre. More details on the conference can be found on page eight of December’s “Anglican” in an article by Murray MacAdam.

All Saints Sherbourne and FaithWorks

Recently at All Saints Kingsway we were treated to a sermon by Rev. David Opheim, who preached on FaithWorks and All Saints Sherbourne. Recently All Saints has partnered with Margaret Fraser House, and the church has become a 24/7 refuge from the cold. This pro-gram will run for five months. David thanked us for past donations to All Saints as well as to FaithWorks saying that when we give to FaithWorks we are part of something much bigger.

He added thanks for the volunteers past and present, mentioning the Men’s Cooking Group in particular, which continues to prepare food for the women’s drop-in program. If you have not yet sent in a donation to FaithWorks one can easily be put on the collection plate. A cheque made out to All Saints Kingsway with FaithWorks noted in the memo will en-sure that our church receives fifteen percent back to send to a local charity—generally the Stonegate Ministry.

∙Ruth SchembRi

Issues of the AnglIcAn cAn be downloAded from the Diocese of ToronTo∞ websIte.

Mooreland Christmas SharingThank you to everyone who partici-

pated in the Moorelands Christmas Sharing this season! Because of your generosity we were able to pur-chase gifts for five families and make their season brighter. An extra big thanks goes out to Josh, Isabel, El-liot, Kate, Michael, and Natania who organized and packed all the boxes, and Kim Steynor for delivering all our boxes!∙Kelly malcolmSon

Coming to the liturgical tradition of the Christian church later in life as I did (in my mid 20’s) has allowed me to develop a deep appreciation for the way in which the church is timed in the liturgical calendar.

Growing up, advent for me meant open-ing the calendar doors, excitedly anticipating those yummy little chocolates that were al-ways more waxy than chocolatey!

In my youth, I was also under the impres-sion—as apparently most of our consumer culture is—that the twelve days of Christmas were the twelve days before Christmas as if to anticipate the Eve of Christmas.

Walking down Bloor St. in the Kingsway recently I noticed more than a couple “12 days of Christ-mas” deals where different deals are offered for the days approaching Christmas. Ignorance loves company, I suppose.

Imagine my shock in my 20’s learning that no, the twelve days of Christmas were in fact the twelve days after Christmas and that Christmas is not just a day followed by Boxing Day but is actually twelve days – a tide of days in which to celebrate the nativity of Jesus!

This is all to say that the church is timed differently than is the world around us and it’s something wonderful to live into intentionally. We are timed differently precisely because of what we are about to celebrate together, that the time of God and the time of this world meet in the Incarnation and nativity of Jesus Christ. All time finds its center in this One who comes to us, dwells with us, makes home with us. This is Jesus, of whom Charles Wesley wrote,

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;Hail the incarnate deity,Pleased in flesh with us to dwell,Jesus, our Emmanuel.

The time of the church year is centered on this One because it is in Jesus that the whole world, its time, its history, its past, present and future are shot through with the grandeur and glory of God (to borrow from Hopkins!).

I have found in myself an increasing need for this time, this time of the church, this time, this rhythm for my days that seems so at odds with the rush, the harried pace of the world around me.

My guess is that you need it too. And so my pastoral concern and prayer for you is that you take time, in prayer, in waiting, in reading the Scriptures, in silence, and in solitude so that you too will be well prepared to celebrate the coming – nay, the advent – of God in Jesus. That’s something that we do collectively together through this season’s liturgy as we light our candles, as we wait, as we pray, as we hear the stories of old, and as we celebrate the gift of God’s redemption of all things in Jesus, including our time.

Grace and peace to you,Patrick+

From the Rector’s Desk

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ASK Plans for the FutureOn November 26, ASK took the next step in planning for

the future of our church. At a special town hall meeting after the 10:00 service, 70 members of the congregation reviewed and discussed a draft strategic plan that had been prepared by a team of parishioners and staff, and circulated in advance. When introducing the plan, Patrick noted that it was built on the excellent parish profile de-veloped when ASK was looking for a new rector.

The discussion centered on the three proposed goals ASK would work toward over the next three years:(1)Growth—in attendance and membership;(2)Formation—and strengthening of our faith; and(3)Caring—for the community in our church and our wider neighbourhood.

Those at the meeting responded to two questions.

What do you find most hopeful about this proposal?• We actually have a proposed plan.• It is a clear statement of our identity and provides a

framework for us to continue to use.• Our plan meshes well with recent Diocese plan.• We already have a Stewardship Committee set up – a

key piece in execution.• The three elements complement each other.• The focus on community is important.

What do you find most challenging about this proposal?• It is very ambitious, especially with respect to increasing

membership and givings.• We must focus on serving children; they are the future.• Many churches are struggling / failing; this is a major

challenge.• We have physical accessibility needs; these are urgent

but very expensive.• There is a risk of burnout – a few parishioners doing too

much.• We had a plan but did not follow through; will we de-

liver on this one?

Response forms were circulated and parishioners were encouraged to complete and return them to the church office. Parishioners can also meet with Patrick.

The timeline for the plan is “assertive.” There will be a town hall in January to review the next draft so the plan can be ready for a vote at the February vestry. Anyone interested in contributing to the planning and implemen-tation of the plan should contact the wardens or Patrick.

∙ PW

Strategic Plan UpdateWe have had an initial look at

our strategic plan, and the re-sponse from all of you has been positive, brimming with real excitement. Challenges have been noted, but there seems to be an energy to move for-ward in order to discover what God’s got in store for us!

We have digested the re-sponses from the town hall and are in the middle of putting together a specific action plan with an accountability piece for the implementation of the plan over the next three years.

Please continue to pray for us as we go about this important work. We will gather together again near the end of January to give some more detailed thought to the plan in advance of our vestry meeting at the end of February.PatRicK+

Our children and yOuth spent time during the tOwn hall at their Own table, where their feedback created a very cOlOurful mural.