Last Sunday 29 carolers from St. Elizabeth’s went Christmas Caroling at Trillium Health Centre. This is our 5th year of caroling at the hospital and we had the largest number of carolers. We separated into 3 teams, and we sang from floor to floor to bring the joy and peace of Christmas to patients and staff in the hospital. I would like to thank Anna for suggesting the carol practice and making hymnal folders. We thank Jennifer for leading us in the practice. In the past few years, Simon and Tammy had prepared gifts for hospital patients. This year each caroler wrote 20 Christmas cards and distributed to patients and staff. It was a wonderful experience when we sang along with staff. When we were invited to enter patient’s rooms, we saw that the patients and even visitors’ faces glowed as we sang. One of the patients was moved to tears when she heard our carol singing.
No one likes to stay in the hospital, especially during the Christmas season. Instead of shopping, eating Christmas dinner with family and attending services, patients are confined in their room. To many of them, it is blue Christmas. When people are vulnerable and weak, what would be a better gift than sharing Christmas carols with them?
Back in the fall of 2006, after completing a one week shift of 24-hour on-call chaplaincy service, I inquired at the chaplaincy office how the hospital celebrated Christmas. The secretary told me more than a decade ago, parishioners from different churches came to sing carols. However, it had stopped since then. After conferring with our church leaders, St. Elizabeth’s was willing to take on this task. As angels bringing good news to the shepherds, we learned to bring the news of Jesus’ birth to people in need.
The first Christmas carol was composed by Archbishop Ambrose of Milan, Italy back in the fourth century. Then beginning in the ninth century, more and more people composed Christmas carols. The first English carol was composed in 1426 by John Awdlay, then the tradition of wassailing (caroling house to house) began till today. May this beautiful tradition continue as we proclaim “Hark! The herald angels sing, glory to the new born king!
On behalf of the church, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you in making 2011 another memorable year. Thank you for inviting you more than 50 friends to our Anniversary Back to Church Sunday! Thank you for supporting the Mandarin Ministry even though there were unexpected changes! We should also thank all those who have worked hard behind the scene. They are:
PAB members
1. Wilson Loo - Rector’s Warden
2. Simon Pang - People’s Warden,
3. Fenella Chiu– Secretary/bulletin/Youth/ppt
4. Kenny Pang – Treasurer, bulletin
5. Polvy Lai – Mission/Outreach
6. Grace Liu- Social & Caring, garden/flower
7. Bonny Kwok – Finance/Social & Caring
8. Margaret Loo – Worship, Screening/Sun. School
9. Joel Chiu – Worship/cleaning/garbage/outreach/setup
10. Billy Ng – Synod Delegate
11. David Lau – member at large
12. Joanne Loo – Choir director/pianist/bulletin
13. Choir
14. Ophelia Chiu – cleaning/outreach
15. Jennifer Loo – bulletin editor/pianist
16. Candice Ng – bulletin editor
17. Katherina Lai (H.K.) – bulletin editor 18. John Fung– Altar Guild/set up
19. Annie Fung - Altar Guild
20. Maurice Yeung – powerpoint/recording
21. Yvonne Zheng – English/Sun School/powerpoint
22. Margaret Cheung – Sunday School/English
23. Tammy Pang – Kitchen/visitation
24. Alice Luk – bulletin editor
25P aul Seto – Christian Ed/Youth/Badminton 26. Daniel Liu – powerpoint
27. Vanky So
28. Josephine Cheung – Outreach
29. Alfrend Chiu - setup
30. Michelle Zheng – Pianist
31. Catherine Zheng - Pianist
32. Sarah Yuen - Pianist
33. Amy Chiu – Envelop Sec/bulletin/Youth
34. Kim Cheong – Raking leaves/shoveling
35. Jack Lu - bulletin
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A Christmas Message – Christmas Caroling
The Rev. Philip Der
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