TheWee Voice Newsletter

November 27, 2020 COVER PHOTO “Advent” Barb and Don Messaros I THINK I GOT IT FROM MY DAD HOPE And no, I don’t think that’s a bad thing! the wolf will live with the Every year at Christmas I’d get the things “I lamb needed” from my mom - a new coat, new pants, Isaiah 11 maybe pajamas, that kind of stuff. This Sunday What were the But from my dad I could count on getting the “fun” stuff. A Lionel “O” gauge train set, or a prophets hoping for? Meccano building set, or a Strombecker road race Rev Jennifer Palin set, or even a pool table - okay it was only 5 foot by 2½ foot, but the cues and balls felt real! Tina’s Hymn Sing And it wasn’t just that he gave me this stuff, he Keep enjoying the selection then proceeded to build a train table complete with of hymns on the list already mountains; he showed me how to build a working created - 72!! Tina hopes crane out of Meccano; we had races with the road to be adding some new race set; he taught me how to play billiards (pool ones next week. was for shady types!). A question I never got around to asking my https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt8T0eq-qUqnJnWMsWUVqx5vdC60GUbO4 mom was whether she minded that dad was the “fun one”. Honestly, I don’t think she did. She Keep on ZOOMing!! would just smile and shake her head sometimes. Until we have a plan, our Sunday services There was always something of a “little kid” in will keep on Zooming along! Don’t forget you my dad, and that seems to have rubbed off on me. can join by regular phone. Call David Hall if But it was never the “getting stuff” that mattered, you need help (416) 445 - 0994. but rather the look on the face of a little one when they opened up the special present. I’ve been Remember to look for your zoom invites in blessed with a large family, and now I have a lot of your email IN box every Friday for the Sunday grandchildren. I actually like the Christmas Worship Service. Don’t see it? Check shopping, trying to find the “right” gift for each one your SPAM or JUNK folders. - the one that will bring the smile out. Not there either, please call the church office. I’m going to miss that the most this year. Memories will have to do until we can get together again. The City of Toronto has passed a bylaw Tom Joyce requiring masks to be worn in public places. Section 6 of the bylaw specifically includes Our Church Office churches. To conform with the requirements Our church office is now open: the following notice will be posted on all entrance doors. Monday to Friday, ALL PERSONS ENTERING OR REMAINING 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. IN THESE PREMISES SHALL WEAR A MASK No one but Emily is allowed access into the OR FACE COVERING WHICH COVERS THE office. Offering cheques can be dropped in the NOSE, MOUTH AND CHIN AS REQUIRED mailbox (call Emily and let her know). Please UNDER CITY OF TORONTO BY-LAW 541-2020 help support Emily as we live the new life of Please help keep everyone safe by doing your self-distancing. part. WANT TO STAY Follow us and Like us on Facebook UP TO DATE? Donway Covenant United Church SPECIAL SERVICES THISTHIS ADVENTADVENT The theme for Advent this year is Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Please join us on ZOOM SEASONSEASON WILLWILL for these services. BEBE FULLFULL OFOF Nov. 29 1st Sunday of Advent - Hope 10:30 am “Hope as seen through the eyes of MUSIC!!MUSIC!! the Old Testament Prophets.” The DONWAY COVENANT Dec. 6 2nd Sunday of Advent – Peace 10:30 am “When the Angels sing to the UNITED CHURCH shepherds, they wish ‘Peace to presents...... all people’.” A CHRISTMAS CONCERT Dec. 13 3rd Sunday of Advent – Joy ((ONLINE)ONLINE) 10:30 am “Where are you finding Joy?”

Dec. 20 4th Sunday of Advent – Love SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13th 10:30 am “What kind of love is displayed by Jesus' parents when they flee Egypt.” 4:00 pm Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Communion Featuring the music of Tina Faye 7:00 pm Service. “Mary. What was the first Christmas Eve like for her?” accompanied by Candle lit singing of Silent Night will Margaret Bardos close this service. Michael Robert-Broder Dec. 27 Poetry and Carols Service Victoria Forsey 10:30 am Paul Genyk-Berezowsky

We look forward to your participation in the We hope you can join us for this celebration above services over the Christmas Season. of The Worship Committee The Worship Committee

Waiting in the Dark, IT IS WELL WITH Together MY SOUL Three small group opportunities to grow You may know Hugh spiritually as we share Advent art, poetry, Bonneville as the Earl of scripture, and our own thoughts and feelings, Gratham in the acclaimed on ZOOM on Saturday afternoons from 2-3 pm. Downton Abbey series. Here he reads at a Christmas concert, accompanied by the Mormon Tabernacle choir and orchestra. the DECEMBER 5th; 12th; and 19th story “It is Well With My Soul” - the heartbreaking story of tragedy and of faith, of Please let the office know if you would like to Horatio Spafford and his family. receive ZOOM invites for this. Click here and be inspired. Jennifer Palin and Alice Chiu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReApJymYSiw&feature=youtu.be Dave and I listened to a A Christmas Tradition Christmas album today that we hadn’t heard before, on Sonos. One of the songs on there Reverend Bates Burt began the was about Jesus and it’s called “Some custom of sending carols in his Children See Him”. Wonderful lyrics. Christmas cards when he moved to Pontiac, Michigan, with his family to Maureen Hall become pastor of the Episcopal November 23, 2020 Church in 1922. He wrote both the Alfred Burt 1920~1954 lyrics and music to his carols. The Some Children Burt’s son Alfred was born on April 22, 1920. His parents gave Alfred a cornet when he turned ten, See Him because had a shown an interest in music. composed by Alfred Burt Eventually, he learned to play several instruments and Wihla Hutson including the piano, but he spent most of his life playing the cornet and trumpet in Jazz bands and orchestras. Some children see Him lily white The baby Jesus born this night Reverend Burt asked Alfred to write the music for Some children see Him lily white the 1942 carol, “Christmas Cometh Caroling”. With tresses soft and fair From that point on, Alfred wrote the music for the family Christmas cards. During World War II, Alfred Some children see Him bronzed and brown served as a United States Army officer stationed at The Lord of heav'n to earth come down San Angelo, Texas, and played with the Army Air Some children see Him bronzed and brown Force Band. Reverend Burt in Michigan sent him With dark and heavy hair the lyrics for the 1943 and 1944 carols and Alfred wrote the music for them. The 1947 Christmas card Some children see Him almond-eyed marked the end of the collaboration because This Saviour whom we kneel beside Reverend Burt died of a heart attack early in 1948. Some children see Him almond-eyed Alfred and his wife Anne Burt continued the family With skin of golden hue Christmas card tradition in his honour. Some children see Him dark as they Anne and Alfred asked an old family friend Wihla Hutson, organist at Reverend Bates Sweet Mary's Son to whom we pray Burt’s Pontiac Episcopal Church to Some children see him dark as they write the Christmas poems for their And, oh they love Him too cards while Alfred wrote the music The children in each different place to them. Wihla Hutson and Alfred Burt seemed fated to be Will see the baby Jesus' face collaborators. Wihla Hutson 1901~2002 Like theirs, but bright, with heavenly grace And filled with holy light Wihla Hutson eagerly agreed to become part of the Burt Christmas Carol Card tradition by writing Oh lay aside each earthly thing the words to the card carols. The Christmas card list And with thy heart as offering grew over the years as the circle of Burt friends Come worship now the infant King grew and soon the list had expanded from 50 to 450 'Tis love that's born tonight people. Anne Burt recalled that she would periodically drop the names of some people from 'Tis love that's born tonight the list because of the cost of sending out so many cards, but they wouldn’t stay dropped. People would There have been many recordings over the either call or write her and say that the Post Office years which you can find on YouTube must have lost their card. She would put their name - including , , Cher. back on the list. Click here for James Taylor singing “Some “Some Children See Him” was the carol Children See Him”. composed for the1951 Christmas card. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIOSejyxm68 from an article by Kathy Warnes in History Because It’s Here protective tarp was placed GINGERBREAD HOUSE on the floor, ready for the fun CHRISTMAS PARTY to begin. First was to reassemble the house, then ...... Fun for all Ages!!! to paint and decorate it. We Christmas was always a special time for were overwhelmed with Sunday School concerts, crafts and of course volunteers of all ages wanting to help. With the help of adults, lunches. Intergenerational Spencer Bray and participation was shingles were attached one by Kathleen Tapp stand by, ready to decorate encouraged with hand one and painted. The chimney made crafts to be enjoyed bricks had to be precise. Children added their by all. Don and Barb still imaginative touch... candy have some very special cane pillars, snowflakes items they place on their and walls painted with Nancy Rowe and Harold every colour available. It Christmas tree. Tilbury enjoy crafts with Erika Bray, Lauren and Kathleen Tapp. would have been a shame Each year was a challenge to come up with to throw the house out new ideas. I particularly remember the gingerbread house made out of cardboard. Don Messaros with helpers First I came up with a sketch, Meagan Paterson, Lauren then a trip to Kennedy Road in Tapp and Erica Bray. Scarborough where I scavenged after all this work so we corrugated cardboard from managed to store it on the behind the furniture and stage for the enjoyment of appliance stores. The material the kids for another few fit nicely into my van to be taken weeks. to my garage/workshop. Here a 1998 Gingerbread mock-up was prefabricated to be This was truly a house sketch later reassembled in the church memorable occasion. Kids and adults put their imagination to auditorium. Invitations went out, the day arrived Don Messaros work creating a fairy when everyone got a chance to participate. A tale gingerbread house

German Day dinner was a goose (my job was to “prime” the goose as it cooked!) Served Christmas with it would be boiled potatoes, red cabbage, Memories applesauce, cranberries. Dessert I grew up in Recklinghausen, a small town in would be vanilla pudding Germany. with raspberry syrup. I always went to Church on Christmas Eve. When I was nine years old my brother and I When I returned home I was astonished and contracted TB (tuberculosis) and were sent to a delighted to see a fully decorated Christmas special hospital in Bavaria. I was cured in a few Tree! We had real candles (specially made) on months but remained in Bavaria until my brother our tree and being quite young I had no idea would be cured. This turned out to be a special how that tree got there! Christmas Eve meant a time for me! I stayed with the local schoolmaster supper of Herring in a special sauce with who had sons my age. That's when I learned to potatoes and vegetables. Our tradition was to ski. One unforgettable Christmas evening we open our presents on Christmas Eve! I would skied down the Alps holding lit torches! What a usually receive a shirt, socks, books by my beautiful sight that is but the real thrill is to be favourite author Karl May. One year a most skiing on the slopes! special gift to me was an accordion! Christmas Udo Ernst

celebrate with surprises having a piece of "Light of the World" chocolate behind a tiny door for each day on in Advent Season different calendars. Or you might like to put a little something special that can be done to help As Jennifer invited prepare for Christmas, perhaps a good deed for me to reflect on the each day! Advent Spirituality small groups, that resonates Here are a few ideas: for my practice when I was living with the Call a friend you haven't spoken with for Anglican Sisters at the a while; Convent years ago. Visit (maybe video call or Zoom) a neighbour who lives alone; As we prepare our heart and souls in anticipation of the nativity of Jesus at Christmas, Bring something to the Food Bank it is a time to remember, through prayer, boxes in local grocery stores; reflections, special music, and good deeds what Say a prayer for a different person each the true meaning of Jesus' birth is. This year we day; could step away from what can be a frenzied Ask your family for ideas – little ones time of parties and shopping for gifts because of have huge hearts and great ideas! the second pandemic lockdown. If you have an Advent Wreath at home, you So if you receive a call from me at odd times, may want to light it this like when you are cooking meals or taking cat Sunday before or as soon naps, it's okay to let me know and hang me up. as you join the Zoom service. I am also writing cards I was trying to take a nice to you all, and have photo with my purple cloth, found many unused old and you can see my first HOPE candle lit here. stamps from my collection. If you are My memory of Advent at the Convent was in also a stamp collector, silence retreats. We had small groups once a please let me know week to share our daily devotion notes. And of (call or email) whether course, we read scriptures and sang hymns you would like a stamp on your card when I mail every day in our morning and evening prayers. it out, like Chinese zodiac “cow or dog”, roses, We also practised “to cease doing evil, and birds, and only five (5) Queen Elizabeth II learn to do good to one another.” Coronation/60th Anniversary stamps left. I used to count down the days to Christmas Alice Chiu with an Advent calendar, like many other people chair Pastoral Care

THE STORY OF THE ADVENT WREATH with a candle lit each of the four Sundays leading up The Advent wreath first to, and on Christmas Day. The light of the flickering appeared in Germany in 1839. candle flames reminds us who Jesus is: “In Him A Lutheran minister working at a was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. mission for children created a The light shines in the darkness, and the wreath out of the wheel of a cart. darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5). He placed twenty small red The first candle symbolizes HOPE and is called candles and four large white the "Prophet’s Candle." The prophets of the Old candles inside the ring. The red Testament, especially Isaiah, waited in hope for the candles were lit on weekdays Messiah’s arrival. The purple colour symbolizes and the four white candles were royalty, repentance, and fasting. lit on Sundays. from “The Advent Storybook” The Advent wreath is a symbol of the season, by Laura Richie Christmas Memories MY WISHES TO YOU from Moncton by Mary Low It's snowing! Perfect for reflecting childhood I wish you peace - memories in Moncton New Brunswick where I the peace that comes with knowledge grew up. Snow meant outdoor skating on that you are not alone Christmas Eve, then my girlfriend and I would that there are those who return to my house on Maple St. and patiently care about you. wait for my Uncle Stratton to come downstairs with presents! He would literally “throw” them I wish you love - under the tree while I squealed the love of family and friends with delight to see most of them and the gift of self-love. were for me! We did not open any presents until the next I wish you happiness - morning. There was always a the happiness of giving and sharing colouring book, crayons and and from knowing you are doing sometimes special colouring what you want to be doing. pencils! There would be “paper dolls” or “cut outs” as we called I wish you friendship - them. And always a pair of those special people that accept and cherish pajamas! I still have two books given to me: you as you are “The Adventures of Chatterer the Red through laughter and tears. Squirrel” by Thornton W. Burgess with the inscription “Merry Christmas I wish you strength - Roberta, from Uncle Stratton”. strength to face the unknown The other is “New Just Mary to make decisions and to live Stories” by Mary E. Grannan, your beliefs in an often hurried written inside was: “Roberta and troubled world. from Granny, Christmas 1946”. Our Christmas feast was I wish you success - usually a chicken with stuffing, the ability to build foundations gravy, veggies, cranberry under your dreams, sauce (home made), and mincemeat to risk-take, and to not fear failure pie and cranberry loaf. (I still have my but rather fear never trying. grandmother's recipe). There would be dishes around the room with assortment of candies: I wish you health - Ribbon Candy; Barley Toys; Wishbones. physical and emotional, (Maritimers would recognize these candies!) so that you may enjoy life to its fullest. Our home was filled with not just the delicious smell of our Christmas feast, but sounds of These wishes I give to you. laughter and music, especially Bing Crosby May Peace and Joy be yours always. singing “White Christmas”! submitted by Marian Childerhose Roberta Walker November 24, 2020 DON MILLS WILL BE BLOOMIN!!!! 171 Amaryllis bulb kits were delivered, safely, as part of our Refugee Sponsorship fundraising. solo walks great for mulling things over in the Family Legacy back of my mind, and one thing I pondered was – Thank you, Covid! what to do with the cups and saucers. I finally decided on writing a letter to each of the Nothing like a quarantine to get at those jobs grandchildren. The first paragraph was the same I never seem to find time to start! Last spring, for each of them. It talked about my family life in after returning from the U.S., I tackled some times long before they boxes of things that had belonged to my parents were born: the significance while we were in our 14 day quarantine. Hard to of meal times, and how believe we'd been “storing” them tucked away each of my parents out of site for more than 20 years! We had a contributed to that rich ZOOM call with our children and their spouses, environment, including the where we had set out some of the nicer china beautiful cups and saucers. and ornaments, and they took turns selecting The second paragraph of the letter explained the things they wanted to have. We reminisced why I picked the particular china for each one. about the things they remembered, and Dave The last paragraph was also the same for each and I shared stories about the origins of some of them, reminding them they are connected to of the pieces and how they related to my lives they have never met. And I included a parents' life over the years. And the kids learned picture of their cup and some new things too - who knew one of them saucer in each letter… would be so enthralled with Toby Mugs? It was preparing for the future! a wonderful evening. The children were much more interested than I My mother had several china cups and thought they would be. saucers and, yes, they were packed up at our And it was a delight place too. I set aside 5 of watching the 4 and 5 year olds carefully drinking them in the spring, picking hot chocolate from their bone china cups. ones that reminded me somehow of each of our I'm now more focused on telling family grandchildren. But I didn't stories to the children and they love it. Thank quite know how I'd present you Covid for slowing the pace of life. them to the children. After Maureen Hall, starting up my daily walks this fall, I found the November 21, 2020 MAKING THE HOUSE READY FOR THE LORD by Mary Oliver And the raccoon limps into the kitchen and Dear Lord, opens the cupboard while the dog snores, the cat hugs the pillow; I have swept and I have What shall I do? washed but still nothing is as shining as it should Beautiful is the new snow falling in the yard be for you. Under the and the fox who is staring boldly up the path, to sink, for example, is an the door. And still I believe you will come, Lord: uproar of mice - it is the season of their many you will, when I speak to the fox, the sparrow, children. the lost dog, the shivering sea-goose, know What shall I do? that really I am speaking to you whenever I say, as I do all morning and afternoon: And under the eaves and through the walls the Come in, Come in. squirrels have gnawed their ragged entrances - but it is the season when they need shelter, submitted by Jennifer Palin So what shall I do? November 24, 2020 As many of our friends know, Bill and I are serious lovers of all kinds of soup but this recipe, kindly shared by our good friend Marilyn many years ago, is one of our favourites. It is delicious; brimming with taste, texture and lots of things that are good for you! With a chunk of freshly baked bread, it's almost a meal in itself but a wedge of warm apple pie with cream and a slice of cheddar would make the meal complete!! Anne Anderson November 22, 2020

LENTIL, BARLEY and SWEET POTATO SOUP INGREDIENTS: INSTRUCTIONS: ½ cup Dried Green Lentils Rinse lentils. In large saucepan, heat oil over 2 tsp Vegetable Oil medium heat. Cook onion, carrots, celery, garlic 1 Onion, medium, chopped and thyme, stirring often for about 5 minutes, 2 Carrots, chopped until softened. Stir in lentils and barley. Add 2 stalks Celery, chopped stock and bay leaves. Bring to boil, then reduce 2 cloves Garlic, minced heat and simmer, covered 50 minutes. 1½ tsp Dried Thyme 1 Stir in sweet potato, cover and simmer 20 3 cup Pot or Pearl Barley 6 cups Chicken or Vegetable Stock minutes or until barley and sweet potato are 2 Bay Leaves tender. Discard bay leaves. Add dill and parsley, 1 Sweet Potato, peeled, diced if using. Season with salt and pepper. (about 2 cups) Makes 8 servings. Great for freezing. 1 4 cup Fresh Dill, chopped ** 1 4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped 1 ** If fresh dill is not available substitute 1 4 tsp Salt and pepper to taste of dried dill. (approx. 2 tsp. salt)

LEARN SOMETHING NEW GINGERBREAD MEN EVERY DAY! 2020??? Pot barley is simply barley with only the outermost, inedible husk removed, lending it a very nutty flavour. Pearl barley is more refined, being both husked and polished, and therefore less nutritious. ... Pot barley takes a good 50 minutes in a stew, but will add much in sustenance and is great in cold weather.

Pot Barley, Pearl Barley, and Green Lentils are available at Metro, Loblaws stores and most grocery stores.

Church office is staffed for Minister: Rev. Jennifer Palin ‘phone calls and e-mails. Please no visits while we Music Tina Faye weather the pandemic storm. Facilitator: Church Emily McLean Administrator: Szekely Custodian: Kim Morgan Together in spirit while we practice physical distancing.

Celebrating 6 years of being an Affirming Congregation 230 The Donway West, Toronto, ON M3B 2V8 ‘ phone (416) 444 - 8444 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.donwaycovenant.com