As we prepare for the festivities of Christmas,
​let us not forget the reason for the season. 
He will reign forever more!  

 
​Save the Date:   
Christmas Supper serving Chicken Francese,
December 8.  Doors open at 6p

***Reserve Your Space***
Don't forget to plan ahead as autumn is upon us and winter approaching.  Planning a beautiful winter wedding?  Thanksgiving dinner? Christmas party?  Baby christenings?  Baby or wedding showers?  Any occasion where you are in need of a place to celebrate, we are here for you.  Our facility offers a full commercial kitchen, banquet hall that seats 150 people, and smaller rooms to accommodate your needs, whether it be for a few hours, weekly or monthly.  Please inquire by contacting the church or using our convenient Rental Inquiry Form on our facility page for pricing and availability.  Space fills up quickly, so be sure to book ahead to ensure you have the perfect date for your special occasion.
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​Our Mission Statement: As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to love and serve God and community, committing ourselves to lives of joyful worship, prayer, and the teaching of Scripture.
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​Take a moment to read the latest issue of the Dovetale to get all the latest information, news, stories and events. You will also find a delicious recipe for Apple Pan Dowdy.  
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Adding an Event to our Calendar
Please first check if the space and time you want are open. Then email our calendar keepers at saintdavidsMA@gmail.com to make your request. It will be official when you hear back from them.
​From the desk of Fr Harvey……..

Thanks to everyone who joined us for worship yesterday!! You can still watch the 10:00 service on our Facebook page. For those who prefer YouTube, please click here.
​Next Sunday is the beginning of Advent and the new Christian year. I attach the schedule to this message. Here I bring your attention to the things coming up the quickest.

Next Sunday is a big week for our children. They’ll begin rehearsing for the Christmas Pageant during Sunday School The pageant itself will be Sunday, December 17 during the 10:00 service. Immediately after the 10:00 service, we’ll make Advent wreaths. Please call the office (413-786-6133) if you or your child would like to participate and haven’t signed up. It’s free, but we want to make sure we have enough stuff.

At noon, some of us will head to the Parish Cupboard for Church without Walls, where we will distribute hats and scarves knitted by our Prayer Shawl Ministry, as well as the regular lunches. The Prayer Shawl Ministry will also have a regular meeting.

Next Sunday we’ll also put out names for the Agawam Christmas Project. As folks may remember, we get the name, gender, age, size, and preferences of needy children in Agawam. We buy a present and an item of clothing for each child, and deliver them to the Town Nurse, who distributes them to the families. I am grateful to Sue O’Hare, Dixie Lauzon, and friends for coordinating this project!!

I’ll also put out Advent devotionals next Sunday. We have plenty of free ones. Deacon Terry, I, and at least a few others will be using a slightly more substantial devotional called Feast of Feasts, by Frank and Victoria Logue. It costs $5 on Amazon. I have also bought a few copies for the parish. On Sunday, December 10 and 17, we’ll gather after the 10:00 service to talk about how our Advents are going.

A couple of final Advent notes for now: On Friday, December 8 at 6:00, we’ll have a Christmas-themed Community Supper, $15/adult. And on Saturday from 9:00 to 11:00, we’ll have Breakfast with Santa! We hope lots of people from the community will join us for both. The second is free.

Phew!! Back to this week. Our regular weekly events are happening. In addition, we’ll have our Tuesday Discussion Group tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4:15 on Google Meets (just click the link to join). We’ll continue with chapter seven of Richard Rohr’s Things Hidden: Scripture as Spirituality. At 6:00 that evening, we’ll watch and discuss episode 4 of The Chosen.

Thanks!! God’s peace and all good to you all!!

Fr. Harvey
Books written by our parishioners are available in our​ library or for sale.  For enlightening and enjoyable reading, get your copy today by contacting us.
Book recommendations by Fr. Harvey:
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She Keeled Over into the Liver Pate! And Other True Humorous Stories in the Life of an Episcopal Priest by Scott Seabury
The title says it all! Seabury’s stories are laugh-out-loud funny. At the same time, they display the compassionate heart of a gifted pastor and priest.
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Show Up and Bring Coffee: How to Support Your Friends with Disabled Children, by Megan Amrich
Drawing on her own experiences as the parent of a disabled child, Amrich advises her readers on the wants and needs of people in her situation. That already makes this an important and helpful book. But its value goes farther. Many of her particular suggestions can guide people eager to help friends or family in other challenging situations as well. 
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To Dance with Grief: Following the Rhythms and Motions of Mourning, by Domenic Ciannella
This book is packed with wisdom about grief and the healing process. Ciannella emphasizes that every experience of grief is unique and complex, and he offers practical guidelines for how we can most effectively work on personal healing or offer pastoral care to the bereaved.

Confirmation Classes

​We are offering Confirmation Classes beginning 10/15 23 at 11:30. It looks like we should have a good group, with adults and teenagers. If you are interested in more information or joining the classes, please let me know. Teens should be at least sixteen by the time the Bishop comes, although exceptions can be made for interested younger children. Folks who don’t need to be confirmed or received but would like to learn more about their faith and our Church are also welcome!
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If anyone would like some homemade wine, please see Mary Moore or use the contact form. Other varieties available.  There is a suggested donation, which goes to support ministries of St. David’s. 

​Check out our Library page for interesting books and recommendations that you are welcome to borrow at any time. Our library is open.
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Schedule for the Week
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11/27 - 12/3/23
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Morning Prayer, Mondays through Fridays at 8:00 AM (Facebook)
Compline, Mondays through Fridays at 8:00 PM on Zoom
(to log-in, click here; passcode compline)

Monday:
Men’s Bible Study at 7:00
WCCC Bible Study at 7:00 at the Women’s Correctional Center of Chicopee

Tuesday:
Tuesday Discussion Group at 4:15 on Google Meets
Chosen Watch Party and Conversation at 6:00 (episode 4)

Friday:
Healing Eucharist at 12:00
Bible Study at 1:00
Contemplative Prayer at 2:30

Sunday:
​Holy Eucharist at 8:00 and 10:00
Sunday School at 10:00, including Pageant Rehearsal
Advent Wreaths at 11:15
Prayer Shawl Ministry at 11:30
Church without Walls at 12:00 at the Parish Cupboard

Upcoming Events

Prison Bible Study, Monday, November 27 at 7:00 at the WCCC
Tuesday Discussion Group, Tuesday, November 28 at 4:15 on Google Meets (Rohr, chpt 7)
The Chosen Conversation, Tuesday, November 28 at 6:00 (episode 4)
Prayer Shawl Ministry, Sunday, December 3 at 11:15
Church without Walls, Sunday, December 3 at 12:00 at the Parish Cupboard
WCCC Bible Study, Monday, December 4 at 7:00 at the WCCC
Veterans Lunch, Tuesday, December 5 at 11:30
Tuesday Discussion Group, Tuesday, December 5 at 4:15 on Google Meets
The Chosen Conversation, Tuesday, December 5 at 6:00 (episode 5)
Prayer Shawl Ministry, Wednesday, December 6 at 2:00
Christmas Supper, Friday, December 8 at 6:00
Breakfast with Santa, Saturday, December 9 from 9:00 to 11:00
The Chosen Conversation, Tuesday, December 12 at 6:00 (Christmas episode)
Philadelphia Eleven Documentary, Saturday, 12/16 at 10:00AM at Tower Square ($12)
Christmas Pageant, Sunday, December 17 at the 10:00 service
Women’s Book Group, Sunday, December 17 at 11:15 (Towles, A Gentleman in Moscow)
Vestry, Wednesday, December 20 at 6:30
Blue Christmas Service, Friday December 22 at 12:00
Christmas Eve service, Sunday, December 24 at 5:00??
Christmas Day service, Monday, December 25 at 9:00
Lessons and Carols, Sunday, December 31 at 10:00 (regular Eucharist at 8:00)
Annual Meeting, Sunday, January 28 at 11:15

Community Events

Carols for Dancing, performed by Renaissonics, Sunday, 12/3 at 3:00 at St Andrew’s, Longmeadow

The Philadelphia Eleven, a documentary about the first ordinations of women in the Episcopal Church, Saturday, December 16 at 10:00AM at Tower Theater, The Village Commons, 19 College St. South Hadley. To see the trailer, please click here. $12. To purchase tickets, please click here.

​Province I Indigenous Peoples’ Justice Network Book Discussion Series, Wednesday, January 10 at 7:00 on Zoom (to register, please click here)
Other organizations dates and times at St Davids:

​Mondays from 6:30-8:30 PM: OA
Thursdays from 9:30-11:00 AM : OA
Saturdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM: Al-Anon Meeting
​Saturdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM: Narcotics Anonymous

Caring for the Elderly

Do you have an elderly relative or friend that is in need of additional care? Are you finding it difficult to care for an elderly parent or grandparent? In need of a facility that can offer a place to live with access to medical care? So many questions when it comes to making sure loved-ones get the proper care and comfort in their aging years. You may find answers to some of your questions at Caring.com. Please visit their site to find out more information about senior living.

Blood Donations

Ever since COVID, the donor centers have seen a reduction in the number of donations; and therefore, a decreased supply of blood available to the many in need.  Please consider donating today.

Blood can be donated at the Red Cross. 150 Brookline Dr, Springfield or at Baystate Medical Center main hospital, 759 Chestnut St., Springfield. Anyone donating will need to call before going and make an appointment, or you could end up driving there to find out they are full for that day.
Red Cross: 1-800-448-3543 TIMES ARE FOLLOWS: Sundays—7:30 AM-3:45 PM Mondays– 11AM—7:15 PM Tuesdays-11AM—7:15 PM Wednesdays-11AM—7:15 PM Thursdays-10:30AM-6:45PM Fridays– 7:45AM– 4:00PM Saturdays-7:30AM-3:34PM
Baystate: 413-794-4610. Call for appointment.
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Your donation can save a life! Thank you.
​Stop by the Clothing Shed located in St David's parking lot to drop off unwanted gently-used clothing items
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​First Time at Saint David’s?

Our regular services are at 8:00 and 10:00 on Sunday mornings.

At both services, we sing songs, read passages from the Bible, hear a sermon about how the Bible applies to our lives, and celebrate Holy Communion. The service lasts about an hour.

You can follow the service on screens at the front of the Church or else in the red Book of Common Prayer in the pews.

Children are welcome at all services. There is also a nursery available during all services, as well as special children’s programming during the 10:00 service.

After the 10:00 service, please join us for pastries, coffee, and/or juice. We would love to get to know you better!

We have ample parking, and the Church is fully handicapped-accessible.

Praise and worship of our Lord does not end when the service is over. We are all encouraged to go in peace to love and serve the Lord where ever life takes us. Don't miss out on what you deserve: peace, love, and happiness. Come to St. David's where you will find that and more. ALL are welcome, please join us!
St. David's is a place where new friendships are formed and old friendships blossom. Saint David’s is called to be: a caring community of dynamic worship and relevant teaching designed to provide a foundation for our daily lives and to equip believers to serve God in the world.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to love God; committing ourselves to lives of joyful worship, prayer and the teaching of scripture
The viability of our church can only be sustained with your unending support.  St David's offers so much to our parish and to the community through our many projects and ministries.  Our parishioners make our church a warm and friendly place to worship, the physical surroundings offer a comfortable and peaceful environment to gather, and Fr. Harvey offers a personal touch in helping us understand the word of the Lord.  Please consider making a general donation or a donation to our memorial fund, or our children's ministry.  Click on the "Donate" button below, mail a check or put in our collection basket during our services.  Thank you in advance for your support.