This is a distinctly Canadian holiday weekend, and one I have always enjoyed.
It has called the ‘Victoria Day’ weekend since 1845, a time to recognize the birthday of our sovereign (originally Victoria and today Elizabeth) and give thanks for the integrity and security of governance we enjoy as Canadians, beyond party and politics.
This is also the weekend on which many of us return to work our gardens. With fear of frost past in most southern communities, there is an excitement as hands delve again into the friable soil and we look forward to seasons of colour and growth.
Already, however, we enjoy the perennials – the snowdrops and bluebells have given way to forsythia and magnolia, daffodils and tulips. The photo above shows tulips in front of the limestone walls of the heritage 1841 St. Andrew’s manse.
This is a season of grace in so many ways, and it is the tulip on which my sermon thoughts focus this month of May. Last century there arose a brief overview of a Reformed understanding of God’s grace known by the acronym TULIP – and this week I continue with an exploration of ‘L’, representing ‘limited atonement’. If you are in the area, we warmly welcome you to join us this Sunday.
During the service there is offered a nursery for infants and a programme for young children if desired. There is free parking on the streets around (please note that the time-of-day restrictions on Clergy Street north of Queen are not in effect on Sundays) and in the surface civic lot just behind the church off Queen Street. There is a wheel chair lift available in the doors of the church closest to the manse (the courtyard is entered from the driveway half way along the St. Andrew’s block of Clergy Street) and a wheelchair ramp is available by ramp and door along Princess Street.
If you have any questions, please call the church office Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon, or email [email protected]