Welcome to St. Matthew’s!
Joining our church community is an invitation for you to look at the magnificent creation that surrounds us, given to us to discover all the goodness that God does for us. This invitation also encourages all of us to look at what will further our vision and mission of church, as our mission statement summarizes: “We are called to share God’s love as we welcome and care for our community.”
At St. Matthew’s, we affirm to be a spiritual family; we are inclusive, open to the world, and we live our faith through concrete commitments. We strive to provide a taste of how it is to be part of this mission of church, reaching out to the hearts of many people, whether on the social, community or pastoral level. As our way to develop discipleship to reach some of those who are waiting, our volunteers are always involved in ministries, outreach programs and regular events.
May this journey together be a renewal and a path to grow as a spiritual family, and to fully live our mission as baptized people. Let us be united and good to each other, to truly be a life-giving church.
Blessings,
Rev’d Gilles+
Joining our church community is an invitation for you to look at the magnificent creation that surrounds us, given to us to discover all the goodness that God does for us. This invitation also encourages all of us to look at what will further our vision and mission of church, as our mission statement summarizes: “We are called to share God’s love as we welcome and care for our community.”
At St. Matthew’s, we affirm to be a spiritual family; we are inclusive, open to the world, and we live our faith through concrete commitments. We strive to provide a taste of how it is to be part of this mission of church, reaching out to the hearts of many people, whether on the social, community or pastoral level. As our way to develop discipleship to reach some of those who are waiting, our volunteers are always involved in ministries, outreach programs and regular events.
May this journey together be a renewal and a path to grow as a spiritual family, and to fully live our mission as baptized people. Let us be united and good to each other, to truly be a life-giving church.
Blessings,
Rev’d Gilles+
This Summer Season - 2026
Dear friends,
There are moments in the year when we pause, look back, and suddenly realize just how much life we have lived together. As we enter this summer season, that is exactly what fills my heart: deep gratitude, genuine amazement, and admiration for our parish family who, since January, has certainly not been sleeping in its chairs. A community in motion, alive, generous, and faithful. When I think of the past months, I see faces, gestures, smiles, hands reaching out, voices rising in song, hearts offering themselves in service. I see our celebrations — beautiful, prayerful, grounding us week after week. I see our ministries, each with its own colour, its own breath, its own mission: Jail Ministry where light crosses even the thickest walls. Backpack Program offering dignity and support. Sewing Ministry where every stitch is an act of care. Breakfast Program at Marlborough nourishing bodies and spirits. Coffee Hour and Coffee Chat, those simple, grace filled moments where conversation becomes community, where a cup of coffee opens the door to friendship, encouragement, and the quiet ministry of being present to one another. Community Meals where the table becomes a place of belonging. TNT and Community Breakfasts bringing together people who might never have met otherwise. Euchre Tournaments reminding us that joy is also a ministry. Our tireless CCFM volunteers and Craft Guild, whose dedication inspires us all. Our Choir, Readers, Intercessors, Sidepersons, Collection team, the Bulletin team, lifting our prayers through music, words and intercessions, greetings with a warms hospitality and those making sure we are accountable to all the donations received. Wardens and Parish Council discerning, listening, guiding
with wisdom. And all of this… is only half the year. We have walked, served, prayed, built, welcomed. We have been Church in the most beautiful sense of the word. And beyond our visible ministries, there is the faithful, often unseen work that keeps our parish strong: Envelope Secretary and Assistant, quietly ensuring that every offering is recorded with care, integrity, and gratitude. Treasurer, carrying the responsibility of stewardship, balancing numbers so that our mission can flourish. Property Management, tending to the buildings and grounds that shelter our worship, our ministries, and our community life. Kitchen Team, the hands and hearts behind so many meals, gatherings, and moments of fellowship. Green & Recycling Team, reminding us that caring for creation is also a form of worship. Garden & Flower Ministry, transforming our spaces with beauty, offering colour, fragrance, and a quiet testimony that God delights in creation. Chancel Guild, preparing the sanctuary with reverence and devotion, ensuring that our worship is surrounded by beauty, order, and sacred care. Administrative Assistant, supporting the daily life of the parish with diligence, organization, and a steady hand that keeps everything running smoothly. And at the heart of our worship: Lay Reader, proclaiming the Word, leading prayers, and offering their voices and presence in service to the liturgy. Servers, assisting at the altar with grace and attentiveness, helping our worship flow with beauty and reverence. And we give thanks as well for: Our Assistant Priest in Field Placement — whose presence, learning, and ministry among us have been a blessing, enriching our parish life and reminding us that the Church continues to grow, form, and send forth new leaders. Summer is a time to breathe, to renew, and to let God care for us. Summer arrives like a gentle breath. A season where the rhythm shifts, where the light stretches long into the evening, where creation itself seems to whisper, “Slow down.” Scripture reminds us that rest is not indulgence — it is wisdom, blessing, and even commandment. “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). “He makes me lie down in green pastures… He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23). “For everything there is a season.” (Ecclesiastes 3). And summer truly gives us the chance to rediscover small joys; those simple moments we finally allow ourselves to live. Find yourself A quiet road or allow a warm wind on the face. A good coffee shared with friends on the side of the road. No schedule. No role to play. Just the deep, peaceful sensation of being fully in touch with oneself, present to the moment, alive to the gift of simply being.
I invite you, wholeheartedly, to welcome this time as a gift: walk in nature, travel or simply change your pace, care for your body, enjoy a good meal, laugh more often, surround yourself with those you love, and above all, be gentle with yourself. Summer is a sanctuary and a place where God meets us differently, in beauty, in silence, in rest, in the soft breeze. May this summer be a temple for your soul. My hope for each of you is that these summer weeks become: a time of true rest, a chance to rebuild from within, a moment to deepen your spiritual life, an opportunity to learn the grace of letting go, a return to balance, peace, and simple joy. May you arrive in the fall renewed, grounded, and filled with quiet strength. Every day, I give thanks for you, for your presence, your generosity, your faithfulness, your heart. Thank you for being this vibrant, beautiful, committed community that inspires me deeply. May God bless you and keep you.
May He grant you a summer that is gentle, bright, and full of grace. With my pastoral affection,
Blessings to you and yours, Rev'd Gilles+
Dear friends,
There are moments in the year when we pause, look back, and suddenly realize just how much life we have lived together. As we enter this summer season, that is exactly what fills my heart: deep gratitude, genuine amazement, and admiration for our parish family who, since January, has certainly not been sleeping in its chairs. A community in motion, alive, generous, and faithful. When I think of the past months, I see faces, gestures, smiles, hands reaching out, voices rising in song, hearts offering themselves in service. I see our celebrations — beautiful, prayerful, grounding us week after week. I see our ministries, each with its own colour, its own breath, its own mission: Jail Ministry where light crosses even the thickest walls. Backpack Program offering dignity and support. Sewing Ministry where every stitch is an act of care. Breakfast Program at Marlborough nourishing bodies and spirits. Coffee Hour and Coffee Chat, those simple, grace filled moments where conversation becomes community, where a cup of coffee opens the door to friendship, encouragement, and the quiet ministry of being present to one another. Community Meals where the table becomes a place of belonging. TNT and Community Breakfasts bringing together people who might never have met otherwise. Euchre Tournaments reminding us that joy is also a ministry. Our tireless CCFM volunteers and Craft Guild, whose dedication inspires us all. Our Choir, Readers, Intercessors, Sidepersons, Collection team, the Bulletin team, lifting our prayers through music, words and intercessions, greetings with a warms hospitality and those making sure we are accountable to all the donations received. Wardens and Parish Council discerning, listening, guiding
with wisdom. And all of this… is only half the year. We have walked, served, prayed, built, welcomed. We have been Church in the most beautiful sense of the word. And beyond our visible ministries, there is the faithful, often unseen work that keeps our parish strong: Envelope Secretary and Assistant, quietly ensuring that every offering is recorded with care, integrity, and gratitude. Treasurer, carrying the responsibility of stewardship, balancing numbers so that our mission can flourish. Property Management, tending to the buildings and grounds that shelter our worship, our ministries, and our community life. Kitchen Team, the hands and hearts behind so many meals, gatherings, and moments of fellowship. Green & Recycling Team, reminding us that caring for creation is also a form of worship. Garden & Flower Ministry, transforming our spaces with beauty, offering colour, fragrance, and a quiet testimony that God delights in creation. Chancel Guild, preparing the sanctuary with reverence and devotion, ensuring that our worship is surrounded by beauty, order, and sacred care. Administrative Assistant, supporting the daily life of the parish with diligence, organization, and a steady hand that keeps everything running smoothly. And at the heart of our worship: Lay Reader, proclaiming the Word, leading prayers, and offering their voices and presence in service to the liturgy. Servers, assisting at the altar with grace and attentiveness, helping our worship flow with beauty and reverence. And we give thanks as well for: Our Assistant Priest in Field Placement — whose presence, learning, and ministry among us have been a blessing, enriching our parish life and reminding us that the Church continues to grow, form, and send forth new leaders. Summer is a time to breathe, to renew, and to let God care for us. Summer arrives like a gentle breath. A season where the rhythm shifts, where the light stretches long into the evening, where creation itself seems to whisper, “Slow down.” Scripture reminds us that rest is not indulgence — it is wisdom, blessing, and even commandment. “Come to me… and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28). “He makes me lie down in green pastures… He restores my soul.” (Psalm 23). “For everything there is a season.” (Ecclesiastes 3). And summer truly gives us the chance to rediscover small joys; those simple moments we finally allow ourselves to live. Find yourself A quiet road or allow a warm wind on the face. A good coffee shared with friends on the side of the road. No schedule. No role to play. Just the deep, peaceful sensation of being fully in touch with oneself, present to the moment, alive to the gift of simply being.
I invite you, wholeheartedly, to welcome this time as a gift: walk in nature, travel or simply change your pace, care for your body, enjoy a good meal, laugh more often, surround yourself with those you love, and above all, be gentle with yourself. Summer is a sanctuary and a place where God meets us differently, in beauty, in silence, in rest, in the soft breeze. May this summer be a temple for your soul. My hope for each of you is that these summer weeks become: a time of true rest, a chance to rebuild from within, a moment to deepen your spiritual life, an opportunity to learn the grace of letting go, a return to balance, peace, and simple joy. May you arrive in the fall renewed, grounded, and filled with quiet strength. Every day, I give thanks for you, for your presence, your generosity, your faithfulness, your heart. Thank you for being this vibrant, beautiful, committed community that inspires me deeply. May God bless you and keep you.
May He grant you a summer that is gentle, bright, and full of grace. With my pastoral affection,
Blessings to you and yours, Rev'd Gilles+
An Easter Message - 2026
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
As we celebrate this holy feast of Easter, our hearts turn once again toward the One who makes all things new. Christ is risen, and in the light of His Resurrection we walk forward with renewed strength and deep gratitude. Easter is not only a remembrance of a past event — it is a living force that continues to transform our lives, our actions, and our community. It reminds us that everything we do, we do for Christ and with Christ, who goes before us. “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). These words invite us to rediscover the meaning of our mission: to encounter the Lord who lifts us up, and to be His witnesses in the world. We are called not only to deepen our own relationship with Christ, but also to reach out to
those who search for Him, who long for hope, who need to recognize His presence in their lives. Easter is also a call to trust: Trust in God, who walks with us. Trust in ourselves, for we are capable of growing, rising, and beginning again. Trust in our community, which continues to be built with generosity, commitment, and faith.At St. Matthew’s, we see signs of this new life every week: a smile offered, a hand extended, a service rendered, a prayer shared. Our mission is not only to celebrate the Resurrection, but to make it visible through our daily actions. This mission takes shape in our Outreach ministries, where compassion becomes a language of faith: The Sunday Luncheons during Advent and Lent, to support the vital ministries of the Council of the North and Alongside Hope, respectively. The Breakfast Program at Marlborough school, where a simple meal becomes a gesture of dignity and care. Our Food Cupboard and Donation Baskets, to share with those in need. The Backpack Program at the jail, where a bag offered becomes a sign of hope for those rebuilding their lives. The Sewing Ministry, where listening, material support, and the sharing of personal
stories, create a sacred space where Christ can be recognized. In each of these acts, we are witnesses of the Risen Christ. We stand together, united by the joy of Easter, confident that Christ works through our hands, our words, and our presence. As St. Paul reminds us: “It is God who works in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
Easter invites us to renew our openness, to rekindle our missionary spirit, and to continue building this beautiful community where faith is lived in service, hospitality, and shared joy. May St. Matthew’s always be a place where all can encounter the living Christ — in prayer, in welcome, in solidarity, and in hope.
May the peace of the Risen Lord fill your hearts and your homes. May it strengthen you in your commitments. May it inspire you to be, each day, witnesses of the Life that conquers death.
Christ is risen, Alleluia. He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Blessing to you and yours
Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+
Season of Lent 2026
As we enter this holy season of Lent together, we step once more into a time of reflection, renewal, and quiet hope. Lent invites us to slow down, to listen more deeply for the voice of God, and to rediscover the grace that meets us in every moment. At St. Matthew’s, this journey is never taken alone—we walk it as a community shaped by prayer, compassion, and the Gospel we share. During this Lenten season, may we open our hearts to God’s quiet work within us. May this be a time to deepen our prayer, renew our compassion, and rediscover the joy of walking with Christ. And as spring approaches, may new life—both in nature and in our parish—remind us that God is forever bringing forth renewal.
May the blessing of this holy season rest upon you: May Christ walk beside you in your fasting and your feasting, may the Spirit strengthen you in your seeking and your surrender, and may the love of God surround you, guide you, and bring you to Easter with a heart made new. Amen.
Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,
As we celebrate this holy feast of Easter, our hearts turn once again toward the One who makes all things new. Christ is risen, and in the light of His Resurrection we walk forward with renewed strength and deep gratitude. Easter is not only a remembrance of a past event — it is a living force that continues to transform our lives, our actions, and our community. It reminds us that everything we do, we do for Christ and with Christ, who goes before us. “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25). These words invite us to rediscover the meaning of our mission: to encounter the Lord who lifts us up, and to be His witnesses in the world. We are called not only to deepen our own relationship with Christ, but also to reach out to
those who search for Him, who long for hope, who need to recognize His presence in their lives. Easter is also a call to trust: Trust in God, who walks with us. Trust in ourselves, for we are capable of growing, rising, and beginning again. Trust in our community, which continues to be built with generosity, commitment, and faith.At St. Matthew’s, we see signs of this new life every week: a smile offered, a hand extended, a service rendered, a prayer shared. Our mission is not only to celebrate the Resurrection, but to make it visible through our daily actions. This mission takes shape in our Outreach ministries, where compassion becomes a language of faith: The Sunday Luncheons during Advent and Lent, to support the vital ministries of the Council of the North and Alongside Hope, respectively. The Breakfast Program at Marlborough school, where a simple meal becomes a gesture of dignity and care. Our Food Cupboard and Donation Baskets, to share with those in need. The Backpack Program at the jail, where a bag offered becomes a sign of hope for those rebuilding their lives. The Sewing Ministry, where listening, material support, and the sharing of personal
stories, create a sacred space where Christ can be recognized. In each of these acts, we are witnesses of the Risen Christ. We stand together, united by the joy of Easter, confident that Christ works through our hands, our words, and our presence. As St. Paul reminds us: “It is God who works in you, enabling you both to will and to work for His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
Easter invites us to renew our openness, to rekindle our missionary spirit, and to continue building this beautiful community where faith is lived in service, hospitality, and shared joy. May St. Matthew’s always be a place where all can encounter the living Christ — in prayer, in welcome, in solidarity, and in hope.
May the peace of the Risen Lord fill your hearts and your homes. May it strengthen you in your commitments. May it inspire you to be, each day, witnesses of the Life that conquers death.
Christ is risen, Alleluia. He is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Blessing to you and yours
Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+
Season of Lent 2026
As we enter this holy season of Lent together, we step once more into a time of reflection, renewal, and quiet hope. Lent invites us to slow down, to listen more deeply for the voice of God, and to rediscover the grace that meets us in every moment. At St. Matthew’s, this journey is never taken alone—we walk it as a community shaped by prayer, compassion, and the Gospel we share. During this Lenten season, may we open our hearts to God’s quiet work within us. May this be a time to deepen our prayer, renew our compassion, and rediscover the joy of walking with Christ. And as spring approaches, may new life—both in nature and in our parish—remind us that God is forever bringing forth renewal.
May the blessing of this holy season rest upon you: May Christ walk beside you in your fasting and your feasting, may the Spirit strengthen you in your seeking and your surrender, and may the love of God surround you, guide you, and bring you to Easter with a heart made new. Amen.
Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+
Season of Advent: renewal, service, humility and transformation.
As we enter the holy season of Advent, we are invited once again to walk together in the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. These four themes guide us through each Sunday of Advent, preparing our hearts to celebrate Emmanuel—God with us. Over the past months, we have witnessed the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our parishioners, and the strength of our community. Together, we have built something stronger, rooted in faith and service. Advent reminds us that this journey is not only about what we have accomplished, but also about how we continue to grow. The Gospel readings this season—Matthew 24:36-44, Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 11:2-11, Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 2:1-7—call us to watchfulness, repentance, joy, and the embrace of God’s love revealed in Christ’s birth. They remind us that hope is not passive; it is active, shaping how we live and how we renew ourselves in faith. This Advent, I invite each of you to reflect on renewal. Renewal can be found in small acts: sitting in a different pew, meeting new neighbours in the congregation, or trying something new in ministry. These simple changes open our eyes to the gifts of others and help us see ourselves anew. Renewal can also mean stepping into unfamiliar service, working alongside different people, or exploring new avenues of personal spiritual growth. Serving others is not only for our own need; it is to serve for the purpose of God’s Spirit—to allow God to transform the lives of others through our actions, and in turn, to let ourselves be transformed. Our service and commitment are not ends in themselves, but acts of hope and love offered in the name of God. Sometimes, renewal requires us to let go of ego, pride, self contentment, or habit, and instead allow the Spirit of God to work around us and within us. Everything depends on perspective. By shifting our gaze, we discover fresh ways to encounter Christ in one another. As a community, let us embrace renewal, change, and hope— walking together on paths we may not have taken before. The coming year will bring many opportunities. Let us begin now, in this season of Advent, by opening our hearts to renewal and preparation to celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth.
May our journey together be marked by hope, strengthened by peace, filled with joy, and rooted in love.
In Christ, Rev’d Gilles+
Prayer of Blessing for Advent
Loving God, Emmanuel, we thank You for the gift of this holy season of Advent.
Bless our community with hope that sustains us, peace that calms us, joy that uplifts us,
and love that binds us together. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son,
renew our hearts, open our eyes, and guide our steps. May our service bring light to others,
and may Your Spirit transform us in humility and grace. Bless our families, our parish, and all
who seek You. May the celebration of Christ’s birth fill us with wonder
and may Emmanuel, God with us, be our strength and joy, now and forever. Amen.
As we enter the holy season of Advent, we are invited once again to walk together in the light of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. These four themes guide us through each Sunday of Advent, preparing our hearts to celebrate Emmanuel—God with us. Over the past months, we have witnessed the dedication of our volunteers, the generosity of our parishioners, and the strength of our community. Together, we have built something stronger, rooted in faith and service. Advent reminds us that this journey is not only about what we have accomplished, but also about how we continue to grow. The Gospel readings this season—Matthew 24:36-44, Matthew 3:1-12, Matthew 11:2-11, Matthew 1:18-25, and Luke 2:1-7—call us to watchfulness, repentance, joy, and the embrace of God’s love revealed in Christ’s birth. They remind us that hope is not passive; it is active, shaping how we live and how we renew ourselves in faith. This Advent, I invite each of you to reflect on renewal. Renewal can be found in small acts: sitting in a different pew, meeting new neighbours in the congregation, or trying something new in ministry. These simple changes open our eyes to the gifts of others and help us see ourselves anew. Renewal can also mean stepping into unfamiliar service, working alongside different people, or exploring new avenues of personal spiritual growth. Serving others is not only for our own need; it is to serve for the purpose of God’s Spirit—to allow God to transform the lives of others through our actions, and in turn, to let ourselves be transformed. Our service and commitment are not ends in themselves, but acts of hope and love offered in the name of God. Sometimes, renewal requires us to let go of ego, pride, self contentment, or habit, and instead allow the Spirit of God to work around us and within us. Everything depends on perspective. By shifting our gaze, we discover fresh ways to encounter Christ in one another. As a community, let us embrace renewal, change, and hope— walking together on paths we may not have taken before. The coming year will bring many opportunities. Let us begin now, in this season of Advent, by opening our hearts to renewal and preparation to celebrate the joy of Christ’s birth.
May our journey together be marked by hope, strengthened by peace, filled with joy, and rooted in love.
In Christ, Rev’d Gilles+
Prayer of Blessing for Advent
Loving God, Emmanuel, we thank You for the gift of this holy season of Advent.
Bless our community with hope that sustains us, peace that calms us, joy that uplifts us,
and love that binds us together. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Your Son,
renew our hearts, open our eyes, and guide our steps. May our service bring light to others,
and may Your Spirit transform us in humility and grace. Bless our families, our parish, and all
who seek You. May the celebration of Christ’s birth fill us with wonder
and may Emmanuel, God with us, be our strength and joy, now and forever. Amen.
An Invitation this Fall Season
Here we are, entering a new season that invites us to look at all this magnificent creation that surrounds us, given to us to discover all the goodness that God does for us. This new autumn season also invites us to look at all that we have accomplished together, and to go further in our vision and mission of church; it sets the tone for self-examination and discovery of what we must do together for renewal, broadening our overall vision, and our mission. In the coming months, I would like as a goal for us, to develop a new way of discipleship to reach those who are waiting, to provide to the hearts of many people a taste of how it is to be part in this mission of church whether on the social, community or pastoral level. We affirm to be a spiritual family and that we are inclusive, open to the world, and that we live our faith through concrete commitments; but what does this consist of, and how do we transmit this affirmation? Is this inclusiveness and openness simply about looking at what we experience together as a Christian community or should we do more to renew, so that this mission can reach and go beyond the walls of our routines? “Behold, I am doing a new thing: it is already sprouting, do you not see it?” (Is 43:19). God challenges us through the words of Isaiah: do we not see the call for renewal of the Church? So, what more can we do together, to bring about renewal, change and a new way of being church together and to reach out more to those who need it? There is in these biblical verses, a beautiful reflection, that we are all invited to make, and to become aware of. It is about seeing that renewal is not called to be a simple fad or recurring effect, the Church that we are is called to better correspond to the spirit of the times, and to be an essential presence in our community in general. How could our way of evangelizing be more of a reflection of our mission? How can we let the miracle of Pentecost be reproduced through our actions and commitments? How can we be a presence of the Church? Does this not involve not only a conversion of hearts and mentalities, but a conversion of practices or ways of acting? Together, we must carefully review the way in which we welcome people and receive their requests. It is important to return to the heart of the Gospel to operate a discernment that will lead us to rethink our actions, our commitments, and our mission. Furthermore, what do we want for the next three or five years to come? How do we see our mission, our community and our way of living the gospel? Where do we want to be? I challenge us to reflect on this, and see how we can renew our commitments to be a loving, welcoming and living presence that could better reflect the Gospel. This season, I will be inviting us to reflect more on this urgent need to define our vision and mission to be a church close to all. May this new season be for us, a renewal and a path to grow together, and to fully live our mission as baptized people. Let us be good to each other and in unity, be open to renewal, to truly be a life-giving church. Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+
Here we are, entering a new season that invites us to look at all this magnificent creation that surrounds us, given to us to discover all the goodness that God does for us. This new autumn season also invites us to look at all that we have accomplished together, and to go further in our vision and mission of church; it sets the tone for self-examination and discovery of what we must do together for renewal, broadening our overall vision, and our mission. In the coming months, I would like as a goal for us, to develop a new way of discipleship to reach those who are waiting, to provide to the hearts of many people a taste of how it is to be part in this mission of church whether on the social, community or pastoral level. We affirm to be a spiritual family and that we are inclusive, open to the world, and that we live our faith through concrete commitments; but what does this consist of, and how do we transmit this affirmation? Is this inclusiveness and openness simply about looking at what we experience together as a Christian community or should we do more to renew, so that this mission can reach and go beyond the walls of our routines? “Behold, I am doing a new thing: it is already sprouting, do you not see it?” (Is 43:19). God challenges us through the words of Isaiah: do we not see the call for renewal of the Church? So, what more can we do together, to bring about renewal, change and a new way of being church together and to reach out more to those who need it? There is in these biblical verses, a beautiful reflection, that we are all invited to make, and to become aware of. It is about seeing that renewal is not called to be a simple fad or recurring effect, the Church that we are is called to better correspond to the spirit of the times, and to be an essential presence in our community in general. How could our way of evangelizing be more of a reflection of our mission? How can we let the miracle of Pentecost be reproduced through our actions and commitments? How can we be a presence of the Church? Does this not involve not only a conversion of hearts and mentalities, but a conversion of practices or ways of acting? Together, we must carefully review the way in which we welcome people and receive their requests. It is important to return to the heart of the Gospel to operate a discernment that will lead us to rethink our actions, our commitments, and our mission. Furthermore, what do we want for the next three or five years to come? How do we see our mission, our community and our way of living the gospel? Where do we want to be? I challenge us to reflect on this, and see how we can renew our commitments to be a loving, welcoming and living presence that could better reflect the Gospel. This season, I will be inviting us to reflect more on this urgent need to define our vision and mission to be a church close to all. May this new season be for us, a renewal and a path to grow together, and to fully live our mission as baptized people. Let us be good to each other and in unity, be open to renewal, to truly be a life-giving church. Blessings, Rev'd Gilles+