As I look back, I am so thankful for the safety of all affected by the fires this past summer and early fall: for those who were evacuated, those on alert, and those who opened their homes and hearts to support those displaced and their animals.
In spite of losses, there continues the spirit of strength in our communities. People continue to come together to love and support each other, to contribute to fundraisers, and to help as needed. We are a truly blessed part of B.C.!
Here at St. Alban’s, we continue to offer our space to many groups in the community, and are thankful for all the community members who facilitate our Soup’s On program! Each Friday different teams prepare a hot lunch that is available to any who want to come. With our donation program for Soup’s On, we are able to pay for the supplies and put a bit away for extra events.
Our Thanksgiving turkey and salmon lunch was a huge success, with almost 100 people attending and enjoying the food and the fellowship! The Ashcroft Terminal donated the turkeys, and the salmon was also donated. Desert Hills contributed to the veggies, with a variety of goodies to polish off the meal: it was really a community effort! Many thanks!
On Friday, Nov. 8, Karyn Bryson (outgoing coordinator), Maryann Simpson (current coordinator), and Maryann’s team were honoured to accept a cheque from our mayor, Barbara Roden, on behalf of the Exceed Electrical Engineering company. Soup’s On was the first community recipient of Exceed’s Giving Fund, which supports community-based initiatives in the communities where they are hired for specific projects.
Looking forward, the Soup’s On program will be hosting a Christmas dinner on Friday, Dec. 20 with a full turkey and ham dinner once again. The meal will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., as usual.
Once again, St. Albans will be participating at the Christmas bazaar on Dec. 7 at the Ashcroft HUB with pies, a variety of baked goods, our “famous” pickled beets, and a Christmas hamper raffle.
St. Albans is also looking forward to the upcoming Christmas season. In this Advent season (the four weeks leading up to Christmas), we have several special services in addition to our usual 10 a.m. Sunday Holy Communion services. These include a Hope and Healing service at 4 p.m. on Dec. 18 in the church, a service of carols and lessons at 10 a.m. on Dec. 22 at St. Alban’s, and two Christmas Eve Holy Communion services: the first at 3 p.m. in Spences Bridge (at the former school), the second at 7 p.m. at St. Alban’s in Ashcroft. There will also be a Christmas morning service at St. Alban’s at 10 a.m.
