St Paul's Journal

Halifax, Nova Scotia Advent 1997

From the Rector

John Newton

Much of what you will read in this issue of St Paul's Journal is retro spective in nature: some fascinating information about a family who were members of St Paul's a century ago, an article from our parish newsletter written at the time of the Halifax explosion, whose eightieth anniversary we observe on 6 December, a re quest for input into our upcoming 250th Anniversary celebrations.

In fact we go back even farther than thatto a time 2000 or more years ago when a man and a woman made their way to Bethlehem, where she gave birth to a son. The eve nt itself seems inconsequential. It certainly did not have the immediate impact of the Halifax explosion. Apart from a few shepherds and some wandering "wise men" it drew very little attention outside Bethlehem. Yet what happened that nig ht set in motion a series of events which would alter the course of the world ever after. It is no coincidence that we date our calendars from that time.

As Christians we believe that all of eternity finds its meaning in the event s of the life, death and resurrection of the baby who was born in Bethlehem. At the same time, we are also convinced that God continues to work in the world todayindeed that some of the greatest events that he has planned for us have yet to come. For we believe that Jesus, who came to us as a tiny infant will come again, and that when he does all of creation will be transformed to reflect the perfect glory of God.

Christmas Services
at St Paul's Church
1997

Advent 4:
Sunday, 21 December

8:00 a.m. Holy Communion
9:15 a.m. Morning Prayer
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion

7:00 p.m. Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols

Christmas Eve

11:00 a.m. Holy Communion
4:00 p.m. Children's Service< BR> 7:00 p.m. Holy Communion
11:00 p.m. Midnight Communion

Christmas Day

8:00 a.m. Holy Communion
10:00 a.m. Family Communion

Christmas 1:
Sunday, 28 Decemb er

8:00 a.m. Holy Communion
9:15 a.m. Holy Communion
11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer

Wednesday, 31 December

11:00 a.m. Holy Communion

New Year's Day 1998

11:00 a.m. Holy Communion

If you know of any who, because of illness or infirmity, are unable to be present for any the Christmas services, please call the rector and he will be happy to celebrate Holy Communion with them in t heir homes. Thank you!

Continued on next page.

page St Paul's Journal

Christian Education Corner

Agnes Flam< /B>

"In the beginning was the Word"

This opening verse from the Gospel of John is a glimpse of the greater meaning of Advent. Advent is more than Christmas shopping or baking cookies or fun though these t hings are. I don't have to tell you that Advent is about preparing for the birth of Jesus Christ. For all of us Advent is a time where we can choose to be reflective about who God is, and where we are in relationship with him. It's a time when we ca n choose to be still and know that he is God. This is a challenge amid the frenzy of what this season commercially has turned out to be.. Still the opportunity is there for us to know Christ in a deeper and more intimate way. In Sunday school we have been studying the beginning of God's relationship with us, his creation. The book of Genesis has taken us through our birth as a people, to our choosing to turn away from our maker in sin and shame. But even then, the opportunity to know God was ava ilable to those who chose so. I pray that all of us would choose to be still and quite before the Lord, sometime during this Advent. When you seek the Lord, you will find him (Isaiah 55:6).

From the Rector (continued)

St Paul's Journal is published by

St Paul's Church

1749 Argyle Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K4

Telephone: (902) 429-2240
Facsimile: (902) 429-8 230
E-mail: stpauls@chebucto.ns.ca
Home Page:
www.chebucto.ns.ca/Religion/StPauls

The Rev. John Newton, Rector

Mr Dennis Pilkey, Senior Warden
Mr Patrick Hartling, Junior Warden
Mrs Jane Bureau, D eputy Warden

Captain Agnes Flam, Director of
Christian Education
Mr Paul Hutten, Director of
Music Ministries

Submissions to St Paul's Journal are always welcome. The deadline for the next issue is 18 January 1998.

A special message for all the Junior High members of our church and their friends: There will be a Christmas party for the youth group on December 14th, at Daniel McAllister's place in Bedford. Please call Agnes at 425-0470 for details. It's sure to be a blast!!!

Advent/Christmas 1997 page

Music Notes

Paul Hutten

Advent and Christmas are extremely important seasons in the musical life of any church, and St Paul's is no exception. The Senior Choir (a ugmented by five new members!) has been preparing special music for December for some time now, and the music team is also getting ready for this very special time of year. Advent Youth Choir practices are currently in their third week, and the childr en should be well prepared to share their music with the congregation on December 21st and 24th.

Anyone who is interested in getting involved with a musical ensemble at St Paul's or in making a musical contribution of any kind to the 9:15 or 11:00 services can talk to Paul Hutten. Young people who play a band instrument, guitar or recorder are especially welcome to join the music team. Come experience the thrill of leading God's people in worship!

Baby Jesus, Gift of Love

Denise G. McKay

Baby Jesus, gift of love,
Sent to us from God above,
We long to see you face to face,
Blessed holy Child of peace and grace.
We worship you on bended knee,
God's gift for all humanity,
You are our bridge to heaven above,
Between us and our Father's love.
Baby Jesus whe n you're older,
You'll bear our sin upon your shoulder,
Sacred Son of God you'll be
Sacrificed, to pardon humanity.
God's holy Child, to you we bring
Our grateful thanks, O King of kings!
Emmanuel, our Prince of Peace,
Praise G od! Your reign shall never cease.

Written and composed with God's help for Christmas 1997

"O come let us worship and bow down..." (Psalm 95:6, King James Version)

Carols for Shoppers

This year we ar e offering a special musical treat during the Advent season. At 5:30p.m. on Thursdays, December 4, 11 and 18, come and sing your favourite Christmas carols with St Paul's Choir. Hot, spiced Annapolis Valley apple cider will also be served. Why not come alongand bring a friend!

page St Paul's Journal

Eighty Years Ago

The Rev. Dr William Armitage's Rector's Letter in St Paul 's Parish Magazine, published in December of 1917, recently "rediscovered" in the parish archives.

Since the morning of the 6th day of December when in a moment of time we were left a helpless, stricken city, the re have been too many claimant calls for ought else to be the thought of save relief.

Today, with the tide of suffering stayed, the emergency in some measure met, there comes a pause in all this sacred haste and we ask ourselves just where we stand as a church and congregation.

Thank God when the tale is all written, the members of this parish need feel no blush of shame for the part which St Paul's has played. The staff was among the first to reach the devasta ted area, and there in the work of rescue, and in the hospitals and shelters, they saw with pride the heroic devotion of scores of parishioners, and in the subsequent relief, committee and brigade work there have been no more earnest and conscientious workers than the members of this church, and we feel sure that they will do their part in meeting the problems of the future, not only in connection with our stricken churches, but also in the task of upbuilding the city itself.

The s tory of St Paul's part in the relief work begins with the church itself. Through the initiative of a member of the vestry, the church building became at once a haven for the injured, while busy hands were making the hall as habitable as could be. Th ere blankets, food, supplies and clothing began to arrive, and within a few hours after the explosion the injured and homeless refugees found beneath its roof shelter and friends.

Thereafter the church was filled with the

coffined dead, and along its aisles hour after hour the solemn burial office was read for thos e who were no more.

The workers will never forget the pathetic scenes of those first few days at the hall, nor will the clergy fail to remember the splendid way in which all joined together to do anything and everything that would br ing comfort or relief. The hall parlour became the dining room, the mission hall the first dormitory, and the men's parlour and the gymnasium were converted into a hospital and dressing room, where doctors and nurses were busy daily from the first.

Some idea of the immense amount of work in connection with the establishment of the shelter may be realized from the fact that over 350 individuals have been cared for over night during the first month, and more than 10,000 meals given , for this purpose a large range being installed.

Bath accommodation and laundry facilities next had to be provided. A clothing department and food relief were also opened and did splendid work during the first trying days. At the b ureau of information hundreds of people were helped and directed, and over a thousand relief orders written for members of many congregations.

The splendid work of the dressing station was widely recognized, and it became the centre not only for the St Paul's work and the district outpatients, but for St Mary's and the Acadian Shelters as well. It is estimated that more than 2,000 dressings and minor surgical operations were attended to. In all the period not one life was lost, although in more than one instance only immediate aid sufficed to save it. Many indeed are the sufferers who will remember with gratitude St Paul's Hospital and the time when the welcome Red Cross banner hung upon its portals.

Advent/Christmas 1997 page

It has been one of the pleasant features of the entire work, the gratefulness of those who have been helped.

Many expressions have been received from families who were taken care of and have since from Milltown, N.B., another from Fredericton, a third from Boston, another from Waterville, all deeply appreciat ive of the treatment they received from the St Paul's workers and their assistants.

And for these latter, representing many churches, we have only words of unqualified praise. Recognition must be forever general, for in the rush of all things the roll of workers was not taken.

The shelter has now been transferred into the hands of a salaried staff, and while the need remains acute will remain the hospitable relief depot it has so effectively been.

There have been many little memories which the helpers will treasure all their days.

To see the reunion of parent and child after days of separation. To see the look of pain and anxiety fade from the little faces. To have bee n present at the wonderful Christmas was in itself a benediction. And then these was the little baby of the family, born the day after the explosion, and which was christened in the church and named after St Paul, our own patron saint.

But shelter was not confined entirely to material needs. There was religious hospitality as well. St Mark's, St George's, and Trinity services were also held at special hours, and as some one said, "St Paul's, the mother of churches, still s tands stretching out loving arms to all."

The injuries to the fabric of our parish buildings were serious and such as to require large expenditures to restore.

The church building, "timbered in times when men built strong," suffered perhaps less than other public buildings, although

doors, windows, partitions, tablets, ceilings and chimneys were affected.

In the parish hall the great skylight fell, the art glass was destroyed, doors were blown off their hinges, the gas system deranged, and much other damage done.

About three hundred families who made this their church ho me have been in need of relief, while we estimate the number of those who have been injured as in the neighbourhood of 500. The list of dead is not yet complete. In some cases whole families have been called away. In one small casket we buried all t hat was mortal of a mother and four children. In another a father, mother and grown up daughter were interred. The clergy have officiated at 128 funerals, more in the single month than in any entire year in the history of the parish.

If in their hour of trial the church fails them not, the ties of affiliation will be strengthened as never before and they will hear and receive the word of Life, because through it they were visited in their affliction, and through it warmed and clo thed.

We believe that St. Paul's faces the greatest opportunity of the long years. If we can only stand together, loyal, liberal, dispensing to those in need, there will result a quickening of parochial life which will react on the parish for years to come.

page St Paul's J ournal

The 250th Anniversary Committee

Sarah Emsley

The 250th Anniversary Committee is looking for information about parishioners' experiences of worship, service, fellowship, and life at St Paul's over the years. Please tell us about memorable services, meaningf ul missions, fast friendships, significant events, and any other relevant reminiscences. You may wish to write your story down and drop it off at the church office, or you may prefer to arrange a brief interview with Sarah Emsley (425-4241).

Have you been a member of St Paul's for as long as you can remember? Has your family attended St Paul's since the days of Cornwallis? We would like to identify the following: a) the oldest member of St Paul's; b) the person(s) with long est membership; c) the person(s) with the longest continuous family relationship (with family tree); and d) the person(s) with the oldest connections to St Paul's, i.e., descendants of the earliest members, etc. Please write down the information n ecessary to make your case and bring it to the church office, or speak to Ray Carman (443-9003).

We are also looking for any archival material or artifacts connected to St Paul's. Although we are not yet ready to collect items at th is time, we would like to know what you may have or know of. Call Don Lordly at 454-7954 for more information. Please see an enclosed brochure to find out how you could help and participate in celebrating the history of our church.

"The General"
and his son

Tinker McKay

Some families at St Paul's have left evidence of their existence in the fo rm of marble monuments hanging on the walls. The Tozer family have left a much smaller reminder of their lives. Four medals awarded to Sergeant A. Tozer, and a First World War memorial plaque to John Tozer have been found in our archives storage. Wh o was Sergeant Tozer, and why do we have his medals?

When I searched the Register of Burials, I saw an entry for Aaron Tozer, 87 years, February 16, 1914. Next I read The Evening Mail, a Halifax newspaper. The headline for t he February 14, 1914, edition reported, "Aaron Tozer Passes to His Reward", and the obituary told me that he was born in 1827 in Buckfastleigh, Devon, England. At 18, he joined the Royal Artillery at Plymouth. Shortly after his marriage in 1 854, the Crimean War began. Gunner Tozer served throughout the war in the Field Artillery as a driver, guiding a team of horses pulling a gun carriage up to the firing line. He took part in the battles of Alma, Inkermann, Balaclava, and the taking of Sebastopol. Two of his medals were awarded for this service. The Evening Mail reported, "His brigade, while not in the famous immortal charge of the Light Brigade, supported it and assisted in bringing in the wounded. He was an eyewit ness and often delighted his friends with Tennyson's famous lines His account of the hardships and sufferings borne by British troops, no pen can describe. The deaths from cholera, distemper and exposure were far more numerous than those killed in bat tle."

After the war, Sergeant Tozer and the brigade returned to England. In 1861, they were sent to Canada, and landed at Halifax

Advent/Christmas 1997 page

in the middle of a blizzard. The Evening Mail tells us that Tozer's "first impression was that Canada was entitled to her name, "The Lady of the Snows". The troops travelled by sled to Saint John, and then by rail to Montreal. In 1866 his battery took part in putting down the Fenian Raid, for which he was awarded his third medal, the Canada General Service medal.

By 1871, Aaron Tozer was in Halifax, "late of the Royal Artillery" as the Register of Baptisms records. The family moved to Pleasant Street (now Barrington), and Sergeant Tozer served as messenger and caretaker at military headquarte rs. At St Paul's he was affectionately known as "the General". Following his father's example, and influenced by his army experiences, he was a total abstainer, and an active temperance worker. His name appears in a list of 33 candidate s for Confirmation in December 1906.

His fourth medal, for Meritorious Service, was awarded at a parade of the garrison in 1907, in recognition of over 50 years of service in the army. As a member of the Society of Royal British Vete rans, he was present at the ceremonies at the Parker-Welsford monument on Balaclava Day.

Aaron and Frances Tozer were preparing to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary with their children and grandchildren when they died withi n a week of each other in February 1914. Their family presented the medals to the church in May 1915.

The bronze plaque found stored with the medals is inscribed to John Tozer, a son of Aaron and Frances. When the war began in Augu st 1914, John Tozer joined his militia regiment, the 63rd Halifax Rifles. Their task

was to defend the Fortress of Halifax on McNab's Island, and they quickly bega n digging trenches and dugouts, building blockhouses and setting up wire barricades. Since the troops going overseas required all available equipment, in the early months of the war the 63rd soldiers were outfitted in uniforms patched with flour sacks , and worn-out boots soled with wooden shingles. When H.M.S. Suffolk rushed into port in desperate need of coal so that she could continue the hunt for an enemy cruiser, the 63rd worked at a frantic pace to fuel her. For a conductor in the Ha lifax Electric Tram Company, army service must have been strenuous. After a short illness, Private John Tozer died in the military hospital in February 1917. He was 50. His name is on our War Memorial Arch, and each Remembrance Sunday we hear " J. Tozer" in the long, tragic Roll of Honour. I have not discovered when his memorial plaque was given to the church, but presumably, his family wanted it to be placed with their father's medals.

A note of thanks

We acknowledge with gratitude a gift from the estate of the late Keith Wickwire. We also expect that during the month of D ecember, half of the 'Wickwire' stained glass window will be dedicated in memory of Keith and of his brother Robert, who died in 1985.

page St Paul's Journal

Faith and Obedience

Denise G. McKay

I've never been a person to bravely forge ahead
In any type of project, I'm uneasy and with dread,
That's why w hen I say 'yes' to it, and finally get it done,
And it's accepted, I'm surprised! but I'm the only one.
I need to gain more confidence, and trust the Lord to do
Whatever is his will for me, in obedience see it through.
That's why I so admi re the folk in Bible days,
Noah, Abraham and all, who never questioned all God's ways,
Their faith was strong, they trusted God, they went about their task,
Obedient and sure in mind, they didn't have to ask
"Why me, O Lord? I'm ins ecure, I don't know if I can,"
Instead, they forge ahead with God to carry out the plan.
The miracle of Jesus' birth and how it came about,
Is also an example of faith without a doubt,
Mary with humility and reverence, faced in trust< BR>Whatever lay before her, as God's word is right and just.
Joseph was bewildered and upset, (like anyone)
Before he heard the angel's words, "This child is God's own Son,"
He knew that God had understood, and set his mind at rest,
The baby was named Jesus, God's people would be blessed.
Emmanuel, our God with us, come to each heart to stay,
We worship and adore you, Lord: Praise God for Christmas Day!

Written and composed with God's help for Christmas 1997

"And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus:
for he shall save his people from their sins.'"
(Matthew 1:21 King James Version)

Advent/Christmas 1997 page

From the Library

Dot Kell y

We have many new additions to the library which make for wonderful reading and study for the winter months ahead.

You may also wish to recommend those to which you have already become familiar, to family a nd friends. May we look forward to some book reviews?

Happy reading and Happy Christmas!

New Titles:

One-Sided Christianity Ronald J. Sider

Future Faith Churches Don Posterski

Where is God When It Hurts?
Philip Yancey

Becoming a Contagious Christian
Bill Hybels

The Men We Long to Be Stephen B. Boyd

The Original Jesus Tom Wright

Faithful and True Mark Laaser

The Monday Connection William E. Diehl

The Visiting Committee

The members of the Visiting Committee look forward to a "new year" of keeping in touch with our special friends in nursing homes, hos pitals and those confined to their homes.

We want to take this opportunity to wish you and all our fellow parishioners a meaningful Advent Season and a Joyous Christmas.

Phyllis, David, Mary, Les, Jill, Laura, C harlie and Dot

A Prayer for Children: Christmas 1997

Gretchen Gillis

Bless the little ones, Lord,
Who come to church to learn about you,
Bless the ones who don't come, too ­
Each little child is pr ecious to you:
Help them learn that Jesus is true.

Bless the teenagers, Lord,
Who come to church to learn about you,
Bless the ones who don't come, too ­
Every teenager so precious to you!
Help them all learn that Jesus is true .

page St Paul's Journal

From our Letterbox

What a marvellous service I had the opportunity to participate in on Sunday, Nov. 9, 1 997. The music was excellent, even though I was not familiar with some of it. The sermon was wonderful - no notes, I'm impressed. The sense of community was great (moving up was a great idea). I felt absolutely at home. Thank you to your congregat ion, and keep up the good work for our Lord.

My home parish is St. Thomas', St. John's, Newfoundland. Our service is very similiar. Even the times of services are the same.

Our daughter is now living in Halifax. She also attended the service with me on Sunday, and said she thoroughly enjoyed the whole service. She said she will return. She is 20 years old; so you have a wonderful service for our young people. I thank God for you and your work.

I just wanted you to know that from a visitor's point of view, you are a blessing; and I would definately be interested in making St. Paul's my spiritual home if I lived in the area. God bless.

Yours in Christ,

Joan FitzGerald

Christmas Reminders

Author Unknown

May the Christmas presents remind you
Of God's greatest gift
his only begotten Son.

May the Christmas candles remind you
Of him who is the light of the world.

May the Christmas tree remind you
Of another tree on which he died for you.

May the Christmas cheer remind you
Of him who said, " Be of good cheer."

May the Christmas feast remind you
Of him who is the bread of life.

May the Christmas snow remind you
Of the cleansing power of Christ.

May the Christmas bells remind you
Of the glorious proclamation of his bir th.

May the Christmas carols remind you
Of his glad tidings which we are
to proclaim to all mankind.

May the Christmas season remind you
In every way of Jesus Christ your King.

Rector's Christmas Appeal

We are receiving a steady flow of requests for assistance over the Christmas season. It is our custom to issue grocery vouchers from the Discretionary Fund together with presents for both children and adults. Gifts may be purchased by taking one of the tags from the tree at the back of the ch urch and then buying an appropriate gift for the person whose name appears on it. Donations to the Discretionary Fund should be placed in an envelope clearly marked "Christmas Assistance". We are also looking for volunteers to deliver the parcels on Saturday, 20 December. Last year we were able to assist 108 needy people.

Announcement

The Rev. David Smith (a former p arishioner of St Paul's) will be married to the Rev. Tracey Lloyd on 6 December in St Alban's Cathedral, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. If you would like to send greetings to them, David's address is: Box 478, Spiritwood, Saskatchewan S0J 2M0.