The Advent Wreath

An Invitation to a Holy Advent

This is a different kind of Advent; and why not, it’s been a different kind of year. It’s been a year when we’ve been waiting, waiting in our homes, waiting in lines to get into the grocery store, waiting in lines in our cars- waiting to come together. This is a year of waiting, a year of Advent. It’s also a year when our relationships became more important and we had to re-think how we do the simpliest things. It feels like a good year to re-think, re-enliven, re- discover how we keep a holy Advent in a time of Advent- in a time of waiting. Advent is the season of waiting. Waiting for the light of Jesus to come into the World again, waiting for hope and wonder, and joy to re-immerge out of the darkness. Waiting for the World to turn. So this year, I invite you to lean into your Advent traditions, to lean into welcoming the light of Christ, wherever you find it with joy. Put up your lights, decorate your house, listen to Christmas music, bake, cook for your neighbours, friends and even the strangers you pass on the street. This Advent is about leaning in, taking a breathe and finding new ways to welcome the light of Christ. As my favourite version of the song of Mary goes; “My heart shall sing of the day you bring, Let the fires of your justice burn. Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near, and the World is about to turn.”

This Advent is about finding joy in the midst of darkness, spreading joy in the midst of fear, hanging on to hope as we wait, and being present to the God who is always near.

We wish you a Holy Advent.

Advent at St John’s 2020

Advent Lessons and Carols November 29th 3pm (livestreamed) Come and begin Advent with the retelling of the Great Stories and hear and sing the sacred music. Come in your comfy clothes and sing along at home. Services of Advent I, II, III, IV Live-streamed on our YouTube page, Facebook live, with links on our website.

The Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath dates back to ancient celebrations of the winter solstice, that time in the year when the sun reaches its southern-most point in our earth’s sky and the days are the darkest and most gloomy. The ancients longed for the return of the sun’s life, warmth and light; so they stopped all usual activities, scarified the use of their wagon wheels and hung them up, festooned with lights and greens in their celebration halls. There they awaited the return of the sun-god, thinking of the warmth and light they missed. The celebrations culminated in the “nativity” of the sun, the turning point of the year. As Christians, we use the same meaningful tradition to anticipate the feast of light and life: the nativity of the Saviour. We add one candle on the wreath for each Sunday in Advent, four in all. We think of the darkness of our world and watch the growing light as we prepare for the birth of our Saviour. The sacrificed wheel of the Advent wreath makes us pause and reflect on the return of our hope, the birth of the Christ.

Reflections on the Advent Wreath: The Circle of the Wreath has no beginning and no end. So God has no beginning and no end, “I am the Alpha and the Omega”. God is in all things, everywhere, and in all times. The Greenery reminds us of creation, of new growth, and of life itself. In the middle of winter they bring us hope of a new year, a new spring in which life will blossom again. So in Jesus Christ is our promise of new life. Blue or Purple candles (First, Second and Fourth Sundays) are the colour of hope. It is the time of preparation in the hope of God’s life. This is the time when we reflect on who we are and how we are making ready for the coming of our Lord. Pink Candle (third Sunday) reminds us of love. We await the coming of God, who is Love, into human form. White Candle (At Christmas until Epiphany) reminds us of hope and peace. The light that it sheds proclaims the Light of the World, and brings to our hearts the warmth of God’s love in Jesus Christ.

Making Advent Wreaths Begin by soaking the oasis in warm water until fully saturated. Measure and mark the position for each candle. Place the candles in position (you may have to cut some of the oasis to stabilize the candles - please wear eye protection). Once the candles are in place, insert the greenery into the oasis; positioning the greenery until the entire oasis is covered. Once the greenery is in place you can attach the extra embellishments using the floral tape. You may wish to use a hot glue gun to secure the votive holders to the oasis. Use the floral tape to wrap your wreath as best as possible. Keep the oasis moist by adding a little water each day. Never leave the candles burning without supervision – if the candles burn too low the greenery might burn. Adapted from: https://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/how-to-make-an-advent- wreath/#:~:text=Once%20the%20candles%20are%20in,a%20little%20water%20each%20day.

Prayers for the Lighting of Advent Wreaths

First Sunday Advent I Light the first purple candle and pray: Loving God, thank you for the light. Help us help the light grow. Amen. Blow it out! Second Sunday Advent II Light the first and second purple candles and pray: Faithful God, thank you for faith. Help us make our faith grow. Amen. Blow them out! Third Sunday Advent III Light the first and second purple candles and the pink candle, and pray: Joyful God, thank you for joy. Help us make joy grow. Amen. Blow them out! Fourth Sunday Advent IV Light all purple and pink candles, and pray: Peaceful God, thank you for peace. Help us help peace grow. Amen. Blow them out! Dec 24th Christmas Eve Light all purple and pink candles and the white Christ candle, and pray: Living God, thank you for coming to us as a baby. Help us to live with light, faith, joy, and peace. Amen. Blow them out and shout MERRY CHRISTMAS!

(or)

Advent I Hope for all God’s People One We light this candle for all God’s people, struggling to be bearers of hope in a troubled world. All God, as we wait for your promise, Give Light, Give Hope. Advent 2 The Prophets One We light this candle for all God’s prophets, confronting justice and restoring the dream of a world of freedom and peace. All God, as we wait for your promise, Give Light, Give Peace. Advent 3 John the Baptist One We light this candle for all God’s messengers, preparing the way for change, signs pointing to a new age to come. All God, as we wait for your promise, Give Light, Give Joy. Advent 4 Mary One We light this candle for all God-bearers, saying ‘yes’ to God’s challenge, accepting the pain and joy of an unknown future. All God, as we wait for your promise, Give Light, Give Love. Christmas The Birth of Christ One We light this candle for the newborn Christ, reawakening hope and faith, the Word embodied for our time. All God, as we receive your promise, You are Light, You are Hope.

Daily Advent Email Calendar

Sign-up for a daily email in Advent with meditations from Archbishop Melissa and spiritual directors in the diocese. Each day will include a selected image, hymn, or poem that evokes the actions of Advent: waiting, longing, anticipating, expecting, and preparing. The art is a means for awakening our imaginations to renew our journey through Advent once more. Advent is usually the season to once again celebrate the coming birth of Jesus. Yet the scriptures and hymns also point us to the central event we are expecting in Advent: the future coming of Jesus Christ. This is the time of fulfillment, the time of the kingdom in all its wholeness, the time of final judgement which brings justice and mercy to all. This is the event we await in Advent. https://www.vancouver.anglican.ca/diocesan-resources/2020-advent

The Creche, or Nativity Scene The family, or household, can prepare for the coming of the Christ child by recreating the birthplace of Jesus. At this time of year many stores have creches for sale, but perhaps it is more fun to make your own. In order to enhance the mood of anticipation, present the creche over several days; a possible schedule is presented below. One household tradition is to gather daily as the newest creche piece is put out and sing a verse of an Advent Carol. Another way to enhance anticipation and create a daily ritual is to place the Mary and Joseph figures far away in the house, and to move them closer each day – spending nights in children’s rooms, halls, stairwells, on appliances – until they arrive at the Creche on Christmas Eve. The Magi can similarly be moved closer and closer every day, to arrive on Epiphany, January 6th.

9 Day Set up Think About Dec 16 Prepare the Place Getting ourselves ready Dec 17 Bethlehem (houses etc) Our city, community, school, etc. Dec 18 Stable Our home, those who are homeless Dec 19 Animals Pets, all creatures Dec 20 Shepherds Those who care for us Dec 22 Angel(s) Being messengers of God Dec 23 Joseph Trusting in God’s plan Dec 24 Mary Joyfully following God’s call Christmas Eve or Day Jesus Jesus Christ, Light of the World Jan 6 Magi Bringing our gifts to God’s work in the world

Saint Nicholas December 6th, during the first week of Advent, we celebrate St. Nicholas, a generous bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) who lived during the fourth century. Nicholas was a friend of the poor, especially children. One legend is that St. Nicholas threw gold coins in through a window as a dowry for three young girls, thereby preventing them from being sold into slavery. Santa Claud and the tradition of gift-giving have evolved from St. Nicholas. Two advent customs below suggest how we can reclaim the Christian heritage of St. Nicholas.

Christkind - An Advent custom from Austria On the first day of Advent, the family or household gathers. The name of each person is placed in a bowl and then the names are drawn out. The person drawing a name is then responsible to do one kind thing for that person each day in Advent and Christmas

10 without being caught! This establishes an atmosphere of kindness amidst the busyness of Christmas planning and reminds us that Christmas is a season of giving rather than receiving. The spirit of giving life St. Nicholas prepares our hearts to receive Christ. It may be continued throughout the twelve days of Christmas until Epiphany.

Saint Nicholas’ Cookies, call Speculatius Legend says that St. Nicholas still visits homes on December 6th and gives children a package of sweets, and invites the whole family to draw near to the One Who is To Come, the Holy Child. St Nicholas spice cookies, often cut in the shape of a bishop, are made and distributed to friends, neighbours and children. Children may help in the making of the cookies on the evening of Dec. 5, and after they have gone to bed the adults or older teens can decorate these so they appear secretly decorated on St. Nicholas Day.

Advent and Christmas recipes This year as we connect in a different way; you may wish to bake (with a mask and gloves on) and share with neighbours, friends, family and even those you meet as you walk out and about. Recipes often come with stories, Christmas recipes almost always do…. Here are some recipes to try:

Alma Kraemer’s White Cookies/Sugar Cookies (Mother’s Liz’s Great Grandmother) My Great Grandmother was a tiny tiny dictator, and I watched her with awe order the rest of my family around with a heavy german/midwestern accent, “you do this, over here! Oh yah, yah, yah…” Everyone did what they were told, and we loved her very much. She only came to visit us once and it was at Christmas, I think it was too damp for her, and there was no snow, but Christmas isn’t Christmas in our house without these cookies. The recipe is weird, but it works, and to me it smells like Christmas. I make them early and often, the kids and Robin help decorate, usually listening to “Dave cooks, or raises the Turkey,” by the wonder Stewart McClean, glass of something nice in hand.

11 Ingredients:

Part I: 3cups flour 1cup butter Part II: 2 large eggs (or 3medium eggs) 1cup of granulated sugar Part III: ¼ cup of milk 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla (My Mom loves almond instead) Directions: 1) Cream Part I together 2) Beat together Part II until light yellow. 3) Mix Part three together in a small bowl 4) Add Part II to Part I, mix then add part III 5) Your dough will now come together, and you may need to add more flour to make it workable, or even a little water, you want a nice firm dough consistancy. I usually let it rest for a half an hour in the fridge and then work it in halves. 6) Role with rolling pin, (the thinner the dough, the crunchier the cookie) and use cookie cutters in your favourite shapes. 7) Bake on cookie sheet at 350* until the edges of the cookies start to turn brown (depending on the size of the cookies this could take from 8-12 minutes.) 8) Allow to cool complete and then ice with your favourite icing, or in my family a glaze made of icing sugar, vanilla (or almond for my Mom) food colouring and water (there is no recipe for this is really hit and miss each year!), decorate with coloured sugar, or sugar pearls.

Easy and Delicious Hot Chocolate Mix (Janet Hamilton) Ingredients: ½ cup cocoa, ½ cup white granulated sugar Put in sealed container and shake well until mixed. Fill a mug ¾ full with your favourite kind of milk (oat milk is really good!) and heat in microwave. Stir in one heaping teaspoon of mixture (or more, to taste). A few mini-marshmallows make it better, especially if stirred in with a small candy cane.

12 BOTERKOEK (Karin Fulcher) (Almond Butter Cake)

2 cups plain flour, sifted with 2 tsp. baking powder 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of butter ½ to 1 tsp. almond extract (according to taste) 1 egg Flaked almonds

Mix together first 5 ingredients Beat egg and add half (yes ½) to the batter Spread into a 9 x 9” baking dish and spread the other half of the egg on top Sprinkle almonds on top Bake in 325° oven for 35 – 45 minutes Cut into squares while still warm

From my Dutch friend Elly Johnston around 1970 Some friends and I did a cookie exchange every Christmas for many years

CHRISTMAS COOKIES (Karin Fulcher)

1 cup soft butter ¾ cup brown sugar ½ tsp. vanilla 2 ½ cups sifted flour 1/8 tsp salt 1 cup chopped almonds ½ cup each red and green glacé cherries, quartered

Cream butter, add sugar and then add vanilla, flour and salt. Finally fold in nuts and cherries and form into rolls about 2” diameter Put in the ‘frig overnight.

Heat oven to 375°. Slice thinly with a sharp knife and bake on greased baking sheet in moderate oven for 10 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

From my mother-in-law Rose (Brown) Fulcher (1914-2013) probably from the 1940’s or earlier as this was a family recipe and may have come from her mother! 13 CRANBERRY BRIE BITES (Karin Fulcher)

• 1 tube crescent dough • Cooking spray, for pan • Flour, for rolling out dough • 8 oz. wheel Brie • 1 c. whole berry cranberry sauce • 1/2 c. chopped pecans • 6 sprigs of rosemary, cut into 1" pieces.

1. Preheat oven to 375° and grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, roll out crescent dough, and pinch seams together. Cut into 24 squares. Place squares into muffin tin slots. 2. Cut brie into small pieces and place inside the crescent dough. Top with a spoonful of cranberry sauce, some chopped pecans, and one little sprig of rosemary. 3. Bake until the crescent is golden, about 15 minutes. 4. Serve warm.

TRADITIONAL DUNDEE CAKE (Like a light Christmas cake) (Karin Fulcher)

150 gr. Butter at room temperature 150 gr. Berry sugar 3 large eggs 225 gr. plain flour, sifted with 1 tsp. baking powder Milk (if necessary) 175 gr. Currants 175 gr. Sultanas 50 gr. Glacé cherries, halved or quartered 50 gr. Mixed peel 2 Tbsp. ground almonds

Grated rind of one orange Grated rind of one lemon Whole blanched almonds (for top of cake)

Pre heat oven to 325° (170°) Grease cake tin(s) and line with parchment or brown paper

Beat together butter and sugar. Whisk eggs separately, and then slowly add to butter/sugar mixture.

14 Combine fold in sifted flour/BP mixture – batter should be good soft dropping consistency – if too dry add a little milk

Fold in rest of ingredients EXCEPT for whole almonds Spoon into prepared cake tin(s) smoothing top Arrange whole almonds round the top of the cake

Bake for 2 – 2 ½ hours depending upon size of cake tins. Test after 2 hrs. Centre should feel firm but springy to the touch. Cool in tin. Keeps very well for many days and is best left for a day or two before tucking in!!

From DELIA SMITH Complete Illustrated Cookery Course Purchased by me in 1993

TRADITIONAL SHORTBREAD (Karin Fulcher) Easy as 1, 2, 3

100 gr. Berry sugar 200 gr. Butter 300 gr. Flour

Mix sugar and butter together and fold in flour. Press into 2 7” (18 cm.) pie dishes Mark top into slices, flute edges, and prick all over with a fork.

Alternatively press into baking pans and mark into rectangles. Bake at 325° for about 30 minutes or until golden

Re-cut portions while still warm and sprinkle lightly with sugar.

From the Be-Ro Flour Centenary Cookbook (owned by my mother)

15 BARCARDI RUM CAKE (Robyn Woodward)

For the Cake

· 1 cup unsalted pecans or walnuts (chopped and toasted) · 1 (18 1/2-ounce) yellow cake mix · 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces) · 4 eggs · 1/2 cup cold milk · 1/2 cup vegetable oil · 1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum

For the Glaze · 1/2 cup butter · 1/4 cup water · 1 cup sugar · 1/2 cup Bacardi dark rum

Pre heat the Oven to 325 F Grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan Sprinkle the nuts on the bottom of the pan Combine all the rest of the cake ingredients Pour into the prepared pan Bake for 1 hour

Cool in pan and then invert onto serving plate Prick all over the top of the cooled cake with a fork

To make the glaze … Melt the butter in a saucepan Stir in water and sugar Boil for 5 minutes stirring constantly Remove from heat – and stir in the rum (which will steam – so do not burn yourself) Drizzle the glaze over the cake and brush the sides of the cake with the glaze and spoon the glaze on the plate over top of the cake again

The longer this cake sits, the better the taste.

16 Cranberry Coffee Cake (Robyn Woodward)

CAKE: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter, softened 2 eggs 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups all purpose flour 2 tsp grated orange rind 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 2 cups frozen cranberries

Grease a 13x9 inch pan and set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat together sugar and butter until smooth and creamy. Beat in eggs one at a time until light and fluffy. Stir in yogurt. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, orange rind, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir flour mixture into butter mixture until combined. Stir in frozen cranberries. Spoon into prepared pan.

TOPPING: Stir together in a small bowl: 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1 tsp cinnamon Sprinkle evenly over batter in pan. *Refrigerate covered up to 24 hours.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F. Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Let cake stand on wire rack for 15 minutes to cool before cutting into squares. Serve warm.

17 Spiced Mixed Nuts (Robyn Woodward)

2 ½ cups of unsalted mixed nuts (almonds, pecans etc) 2 Tbsp vegetable oil 2 tsp chili powder ¼ - ½ tsp cayenne pepper 2 tbsp sugar 1 tsp salt

➢ Preheat oven to 300 F ➢ Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat and add chili powder and cayenne pepper stir until aromatic – 15. Seconds ➢ Pour over mixed nuts and add sugar and salt and stir to coat ➢ Transfer to a baking dish and bake until nuts are roasted – stir occasionally – about 20- 25 minutes

IMPERIAL CHEESE CRISPS (Robyn Woodward)

1 cup (250 mL) (250 mL) (250 mL) unsalted butter, at room temperature 230-g tub MacLaren’s Imperial cold pack cheddar cheese product, at room temperature, broken up 1/4 tsp (1 mL) cayenne pepper or hot sauce (optional) 1/4 tsp (1 mL) Worcestershire sauce (optional) Pinch salt 1-1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour 4 cups (1L) Rice Krispies or other crisp rice cereal BAKE: 350 F for 12-15 minutes

18 CHICKEN MARBELLA (Robyn Woodward)

INGREDIENTS

• 4 chickens, 2 1/2 pounds each, quartered • 1 head of garlic, peeled and finely pureed • 1/4 cup dried oregano • coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1 cup pitted prunes • 1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives • 1/2 cup capers with a bit of juice • 6 bay leaves • 1 cup brown sugar • 1 cup white wine • 1/4 cup Italian parsley or fresh coriander (cilantro), finely chopped

PREPARATION

1. In a large bowl combine chicken quarters, garlic, oregano, pepper and coarse salt to taste, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers and juice, and bay leaves. Cover and let marinate, refrigerated, overnight. 2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 3. Arrange chicken in a single layer in one or two large, shallow baking pans and spoon marinade over it evenly. Sprinkle chicken pieces with brown sugar and pour white wine around them. 4. Bake for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently with pan juices. Chicken is done when thigh pieces, pricked with a fork at their thickest, yield clear yellow (rather than pink) juice. 5. With a slotted spoon transfer chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter. Moisten with a few spoonfuls of pan juices and sprinkle generously with parsley or cilantro. 6. Pass remaining pan juices in a sauceboat.

19 20 Sunday online service Wednesday online service 10:00am Morning Prayer live-stream 8:00pm Mid-Week Meditation

Rector The Reverend John Stephens [email protected] Coadjutor Bishop-elect Assistant Priest The Reverend Elizabeth Ruder-Celiz [email protected]

Pastoral Care Team Coordinator Helen Kline Rector’s Warden Judith Downes People’s Warden Maggie Sanders Treasurer Donald Wood Property Trustee Michael Dezell Vestry Clerk The Reverend Karin Fulcher Music Director Michael Dirk [email protected] Choir Director Ann Chen Children’s Ministry Annabelle Ip Parish Administrator Janet Hamilton PWRDF Rep Doug Symons Verger/caretaker Regan Gorman

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St John’s Shaughnessy Anglican Church Diocese of New Westminster Anglican Church of Canada 1490 Nanton Ave. Vancouver, BC V6H 2E2 604 731 4966 (ex 11 for office, 31 for rector) [email protected] www.sjs.net

Offices are closed, but staff are working from home. Email and voice mail are checked regularly and often, so please reach out. Cover: photo of the SJS Advent Wreath by Robyn Woodward