Weekly Newsletter

A Note from Rev'd Holly

Gene Tucker has written:

This truth is certainly borne out in the reading from Genesis 28 this coming Sunday. Jacob is in the wilderness both literally and figuratively. Jacob’s lies, greed and self-interest have led him into a relational crisis with Esau. Jacob is on the run, in a limbo of his own making. In exhaustion he falls asleep and has a dream. He sees angels going up and down on a ladder between heaven and earth.

What does it mean? The dream ladder of angels ascending and descending is a symbol for contact between heaven and earth, that is clear enough. But his life is in peril. He’s trying to escape the consequences of his actions and he is fearful. However, the dream conveys to him a perspective on his reality which is very different. Up until that point, Jacob did not have a personal experience of God. In the previous chapter he speaks to his father about “your God” not “my God.” But in the dream, God stands beside him and reiterates the promise, now to Jacob, of the blessing of land and offspring which God had promised to Abraham in Gen. 12.

Jacob now is awestruck and declares “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And in fear he adds “This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.” It has become a sacred place for him -- and for all of Israel through him. Moreover, he is changed. He goes on to meet Esau in humility.

Have you ever had an experience of being in some state of fear or confusion and having your whole perspective changed by a dream or some other unexpected messenger? This is one of many ways God discloses our sacred places to us, if we will recognize God in them -- and be changed by them.

Rev'd Holly Ratcliffe

Table of Contents:

1. Upcoming Events & Notices:
   1. Creative Cluster: Week 6
2. Community Corner:
   1. St. Michael's Mission Updates!
3. Sunday Service Information

Upcoming Events & Notices

Creative Cluster: Week 6

Join Rev'd Heather for the sixth meeting of our "creative cluster" based on Julia Cameron's work The Artist's Way.

First week joining us? Want to drop in and see what it's all about? Newcomers welcome!

For more information about creative clusters and The Artist's Way click here and here! You do not need to purchase the book to participate–printed handouts will be provided.

If you're interested in joining this group, please write to the office at office@st-georgeschurch.org

Community Corner

St. Michael's Mission Update

Hello all,

I want to take the opportunity this week to extend a very big thank you to all the volunteers from St. George’s for hosting one of our Brigade teams, and our volunteers from CGI for the sandwich making activity this past Tuesday. St. Micheal's Mission was able to get a whopping 450 sandwiches from the day, that are greatly appreciated by our community. Our Brigaders were really happy to have the opportunity to participate in a dynamic and community-oriented event, and said they felt very welcomed and encouraged by all the volunteers. If you have any activities you would like to propose for our Brigade teams, feel free to send me an email.

Emma Campbell: < ecampbell@stmichaelsmission.ca >

If you can provide donations in the coming weeks, we have the following needs for our community:

o Men’s pants (preferably sweatpants)

o Men’s shorts

o Backpacks

o T-shirts

o Bottles of water

o Running shoes

As usual we also are very happy to receive tupperware, yogurt containers, empty pill containers, etc… (for distributions of food, shampoo, etc…).

If you have a lot of stuff to bring to us, you can use our in-kind donations form HERE or on our website to let us know you’re coming by.

We also have a new Amazon Wishlist that you can find HERE to get a better idea of some of our more pressing needs.

And, as always, you are welcome to drop in and say hello!

Until next time!

Emma

This Sunday, July 19th

Important Links for Services

Ways to Give to St. George's​

• Interac transfer to accounting@st-georgeschurch.org

• Contact the office at office@st-georgeschurch.org to initiate or change your PAR giving

• Mail a cheque to: St. George’s Church, 1101 Rue Stanley, Montreal, QC, H3B2S6​
  ​

Want to stay in the loop?

Follow us on Social Media!

Click the icons below to visit us on Facebook & Instagram

​​