St. Augustine's Anglican Church

Solstice Event/Blue Christmas Service with St Augustine's at Grace United Church, Saturday December 21st
A service for those who have difficulty in celebrating the “joy” of Christmas. Held on the winter solstice, this service invites us into the sacred space of the longest night of the year.Please come for as much or as little time as you need to nourish your spirit on the longest night of the year.

5:30-6:00PM Candle Lighting and silent time in the sanctuary.
6:00-7:00PM Reflective Music, contemplation and candle lighting (come and go as needed).
7:00PM Blue Christmas Service

Following the service there will be refreshments and time for conversation downstairs in the Sunshine Room
Lessons & Carols service Sunday, December 22nd @10am expect lots of community-led music, seasonal reading, and the children's pagaent!! Musicians, contact Megan C. if you want to help out.
Christmas Eve Early - 4pm, a simple, kid-approachable candlelight Communion service. Want to help out? Let Rev. Jonathan know as he will need 5-6 helpers for the sermon activity.
Christmas Eve Late - 9pm Carols Sing, 9:30pm Candlelight Holy Communion. Post-service goodies not yet planned (hint, hint)
Christmas Day Service - 8am simple communion service. Also livestreamed.
Sunday December 29th - Service is at 10am only.
Twelfth Night Celebration. We close off our Christmas celebration with this ancient tradition. Saturday, January 4th, 5:30pm community potluck and Evening Prayer. Yes, we will sing the song :) Bring a main course or dessert or your leftover xmas treats. Anyone want to make us a big pot of Wassail?
We celebrate the Epiphany in church Sunday January 5th.

TheNo Room in the Inn initiative is based on the biblical story of Mary and Joseph being homeless after discovering that there was no room in the inn in Bethlehem the night that Jesus was born. No one in our community should be without safe, adequate housing.

This year the No Room In the Inn Campaign is supporting Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS) to replace the roof on their Whyte Ave. facility.

YESS‘s Whyte Avenue Facility houses their Youth Support Centre (YSC). The YSC is an evolution in youth care and crisis management. Recognizing the need for integrated service delivery that addresses all aspects of well-being, YESS combined all of their services into the overarching YSC in the summer of 2023. The YSC provides a centralized place for those in crisis to get immediate support, stabilization and assessment.

Built in 1911, the Whyte Avenue facility, located at 9310 82 Avenue in Edmonton, has required a number of repairs and renovations over the years to extend its life and provide a safe and comfortable environment for youth experiencing homelessness. The building has been zoned as a shelter and transitional housing building since YESS‘s inception in 1981.

Currently, the facility’s asphalt roof is in dire need of replacement. It is is in poor condition, with constant leaks and multiple patchwork repairs throughout the year. This is causing extensive damage to ceilings, walls and insulation. YESS‘s facilities team can no longer keep up with the constant repairs and maintenance. Replacement is the best option.

YESS does not have the resources to undertake this project. Funding from No Room In the Inn will ensure that this project can be completed as soon as possible so YESS can remain operational and they can continue to serve vulnerable homeless youth at their facility.

No Room in the Inn appeals to the people of Edmonton and area churches at Christmas time to think about those living in our community who do not have adequate and safe housing in which to live. And during the pandemic when we spent so much time “at home” we became more aware of the importance of a safe place to live.

To make a donation, please put "No Room In the Inn" on the memo line of your cheque or on your offering envelope and put in the collection plate or delivery directly to the church office. If you wish to donate via e transfer (office@staugustinesedmonton.com) or tithe'ly please indicate that it is for No Room In the Inn in the message section. The church will then forward donations to YESS.

Due to the ongoing mail disruption cheques cannot be sent directly to YESS. If you make out a cheque to YESS it will be delivered with other donations collected.

Any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Cheryl in the church office (by phone or email).