September is just around the corner, the kids are already back at school, and St. Andrew's will soon be a busy and bustling community once again! I hope that everyone had a wonderful summer season, whether you were here at St. Andrew's or travelling and worshipping elsewhere.

This Sunday (Aug. 31) is the final Sunday for 10:00 a.m. worship. We switch back to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7th.

September calendars will be out in the bulletin this Sunday so you can take note of the many things that are starting up soon. These will include:

• St. Andrew's Choir (Sept. 4th @ 7:30 p.m.) - All are welcome!
• Kids' Club (Sept. 12th @ 7:15 p.m.) - For kids in grades 4-8
• Youth Group (Sept. 14th @ 7:00 p.m.) - grades 9 & up
• Sunday morning Bible Study (Sept. 14th @ 9:30 a.m.) - All are welcome!
  
• Thursday Group (Sept. 18th @ 1:30 p.m.) - adults

Also, everyone is invited to attend the Induction Service for our new team minister, the Rev. Gwen Ament. It will be held on Sunday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m.

Hello St. Andrew's Folk:

As most of you know, I (Amanda) am beginning my holidays tomorrow (July 14th). I'll be away until August 17th when I'll be going up to work at Camp Christopher for the week with the Senior Teen Camp. Our summer student minister, the Rev. Heetae Park, is available for any pastoral concerns while I am away. You can reach Heetae at the church or at my home phone number, as he will be staying at our house during our holidays.

Also, take note that we will be celebrating Holy Communion at St. Andrew's on Sunday, August 24th. The original plan was to have Communion in late July, but the plan has changed. I hope that you will all have a wonderful and restful summer, and I look forward to seeing you all again on August 24th.

May the peace of Christ be with you all.

~Amanda

Don't be late! During the months of July and August, Sunday worship begins at 10:00 a.m.

The sun is rising very, very early these days, so I hope that you'll be up earlier and ready to worship God a little earlier too. And perhaps you can go out from worship at St. Andrew's to continue to worship God as you enjoy God's creation and some beautiful summer Sundays.

Are you travelling this summer? I hope you'll take the opportunity to worship with a local Presbyterian Church or a church of another denomination wherever you are staying. Take a holiday from work. Take a holiday from your usual routines. But don't take a holiday from your true purpose of glorifying and enjoying God.

Have a wonderful summer everyone, whether you're worshipping with us at St. Andrew's (at 10:00 a.m.) or wherever your travels take you. We will return to the regular worship hour of 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 7th.

St. Andrew's Session invited the Rev. Gwen Ament to preach for a call to team ministry in our congregation, and she did so on Sunday, June 15th, 2008. Following worship, the congregation met and voted in favour of calling Gwen to work with us. The Call was signed by members and adherents and presented to the Presbytery of Northern Saskatchewan on Friday, June 20th. The Presbytery approved the Call, and it has been forwarded to the Presbytery of Ottawa for their approval.

Assuming that the Ottawa Presbytery finds the Call in order at their meeting in late July, it will be placed in Gwen's hands to accept of decline. All being well, we expect to welcome our new team minister in September.

A service of induction (to install the Rev. Ament at St. Andrew's) has been tentatively scheduled by the Presbytery: Sunday, September 7th at 7:30 p.m. Mark that date in your schedule, and plan to welcome Gwen as our new team minister.

You are invited to a picnic/BBQ in celebration of the baptisms of Daniel and David Tabien, sons of Hortense Elizabeth Nsoh Tabien. The boys will be baptized on Sunday at St. Andrew's, and the family are inviting everyone to a picnic/BBQ in the park across from the church at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 15th. (If it's raining, we will move to the lower hall of the church.) There will be some food provided, but you're welcome to bring a contribution to the meal.

And... while I'm emailing... don't forget that this is the weekend that the Rev. Gwen Ament is preaching for a call to team ministry at St. Andrew's. Come to the "Come and Go Tea" from 2- 4 p.m. today (Saturday) to meet Gwen. And come to worship tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. and stay for the congregational meeting following the service. Remember to pray for Gwen and for our congregation as we discern whether Gwen is the one that God is calling to partner with us in ministry.