You are warmly invited into the season of Advent; a time to pause amidst the busyness, reflect on the spirit of the season, and prepare our hearts to receive the good news of Christ's birth. Advent has been celebrated in the Christian church for over 1,000 years.
Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Eve. Each week, as we light a new candle on our Advent wreath, it has become traditional to turn our thoughts to the theme for that week: Hope, Peace, Joy or Love. December 6 begins the Advent Week of Peace.
You can join in celebrating Advent with us from home. Click here for short prayers to accompany each week's candle lighting. Or contact us and we will drop off a free "Advent in a Bag" kit to anyone living in North Vancouver, while quantities last. It contains materials to make a simple Advent wreath and other ideas for celebrating the season.
Each week a new section of this website will offer a virtual Advent wreath lighting from St. Clement's, reflections on the theme from our fellow citizens in the community, and stories, songs, prayers and blessings on Hope, Peace, Joy or Love. There is much here to inspire people of all ages!
And don't forget to visit our Advent Tree in Lynn Valley Village, along with St. Clement's new outdoor Advent wreath. Come find us at 3400 Institute Rd. Warm Advent wishes to you as we journey together to Christmas.
In the Mexican Las Posadas tradition, Mary and Joseph travel around the village looking for shelter in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. We would love to see your photos of Mary and Joseph around North Van. You can use your own figures, or find some to download below.
Every day you can visit our virtual Advent Calendar to find a new photo, thought, video or other surprise. Maybe one of your photos will end up here!
A message from the Rev. Elizabeth Mathers
Many critters have come to explore the Advent wreath. Can you spot the...
- Beaver?
- Lobster?
- Frog?
Project Ploughshares is the peace research institute of The Canadian Council of Churches that works with churches, governments, and civil society, in Canada and abroad, to advance policies and actions to prevent war and armed violence and build peace.
Government officials and politicians in Canada and abroad have come to expect high-quality and accurate research, as well as forthright presentations of concrete policy options. The views of Project Ploughshares are listened to and sought out by decisionmakers.
Their website is full of current information about Canada's role in space security, the arms trade, emerging technologies and other matters vital to understanding conflict, justice and peace.
Etty Hillesum was a young Dutch woman who has become considered a modern mystic. She was killed in Auschwitz in November 1943, just weeks short of her 30th birthday. Rather than taking action to guard herself from harm, she saw it as her mission to encourage others and to provide support to fellow Jews victimized by the Nazis.
3) Complete the hymn title - O Come, O Come ..............................
4) What is the last day of Advent?
5) Which plant is a common symbol of peace - an olive tree or a fig tree?