Christmas Eve Service and Christmas Greetings

Christmas Greetings

This year, instead of a written Christmas letter, I invite you to receive our Christmas greetings through this short video message. I think this might be the second time I’ve created a recording in this way, so there are no bells and whistles and it won’t win an Oscar, but I do believe you will find blessing in message and melody.

2025 Christmas Greetings

In it, you’ll hear words of hope and good news for this season, along with two beautiful anthems shared by our choir this past Sunday. Together, they invite us to pause, to listen, and to remember that the story of Christmas is not only something we recall, but something we are drawn into again and again.

On the back of tonight’s Christmas Eve bulletin, we are invited simply to believe:

that light is now in the world,
that God has become one of us,
that love is born among us,
that the manger is full,
and that God is faithful to the promises spoken by the prophets.

This video is offered in that same spirit — as an invitation to believe anew, and know Jesus, wherever you may find yourself this Christmas.

You are also warmly invited to join us tonight for our all-ages, candlelight and communion Christmas Eve service at 7:00 p.m., in person at St. James or online via Facebook and YouTube (StJamesHanwell).

May the God of hope fill you this Christmas with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Rev. Wendy

2025 Poinsettia Memorial Tree

Each year, we hold a Comfort and Hope service, similar in spirit to a Blue Christmas or Longest Night service. This year’s service took place on Sunday evening, December 7.

One of the cherished traditions of this service is the building of a poinsettia tree. We begin with a stark, empty metal frame and lovingly add poinsettias, each one honouring and remembering beloved family members and friends who are no longer with us. As their names and flowers join together, the tree becomes a symbol of beauty, legacy, and transformation.

The tradition of the poinsettia—the “Flower of the Holy Night”—also speaks of transformation as we draw near to the Christ child. According to legend, a young girl wished to bring a gift to the manger but felt she had nothing worthy to offer. She gathered simple weeds into a small bouquet, and as she approached the Christ child, the weeds were transformed into vibrant red blooms. Her heart, too, was transformed—filled with hope, love, and welcome.

May the God of comfort and hope fill us with such transforming gifts as we offer God our whole selves, including the grief, stress, and heaviness we may carry in this season. And may the Light of the World shine gently on our darkness.

This year’s Poinsettia Memorial

Dec 13 Festive Community Breakfast

We ho-ho-hope you will join us at St. James this Saturday, December 13, from 9–11 a.m. for a festive community breakfast. Santa will be coming!

Come enjoy a hearty breakfast and heartfelt social connections while making a difference in the community.

The price is freewill offering. Have you ever wondered why our breakfasts are always freewill offering rather than a set price? It is because we believe that families, friends, and neighbours should be able to spend quality time together without cost being a barrier. We trust the generosity of the community, which has always been tremendous. Their support allows us to extend care to the community well beyond the table.

Here are just a few examples of what your breakfast contributions have made possible:

Our breakfasts enabled us to establish the “Feed the Bears” weekend (food) backpack program at Hanwell Park Academy, ensuring students and families in need have food support over the weekend.
This past year, we began partenering with the Grade 8 students at Hanwell Park Academy to help with costs toward their annual trip to Quebec.
We are also able to offer assistance during more financially challenging seasons, such as Christmas. Last year we provided fourteen families with $50 gift cards. This year, thanks to community generosity and grants, we will deliver fourteen $100 gift cards.

The community also gives freely of their time. We are grateful for the faithful Friends of Hanwell volunteers who help with grocery shopping, cooking, serving, set-up, and clean-up. We are also grateful for the Grade 8 students and their parents who have joined us in serving this past year.

And we are grateful for you — for showing up around the table, inviting others, serving in the hall, cooking in the kitchen, and assisting with shopping, set-up, and clean-up. Your presence strengthens the community we share.