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 On the evening of Sunday November 16th, the third annual “Songs for All Souls” community event was held. An annual event of music, poetry, and reflection, this is a community gathering to remember our dead and honour their lives. It is co-hosted by Valley Hospice Foundation and St. John's Anglican Church, with Sarah Scott and Nicole Uzans, and features local musician Sarah McInnis alongside other artists. The gathering is inclusive of all spiritual expressions and traditions and is welcoming of the variety of losses we encounter. The previous gatherings in the last two years have been deeply meaningful in our community, and we value the opportunity to be together in shared support. Bishop Sandra Fyfe was in attendance, and commented "I was fortunate to have a parish visit close to home today. It meant I could drive across to the Valley to attend the annual Songs for All Souls service at St. John's Wolfville. We heard stirring music, poetry, and stories of solace and hope. We also lit candles and got a glimpse of the Grief Library created by Valley Hospice. Tender and soothing, this service was balm for the soul as we remembered 'those we love but see no longer.’” A dozen enthusiastic students from Landmark East School brought their energy and enthusiasm to St. John’s on October 15 as part of their annual
“Thank You Day.” Armed with rakes, tarps, and a wheelbarrow (that quickly became more than just a tool for yard work!), the students spent a full morning clearing mounds of leaves and bucketfuls of chestnuts from the church yard. In true Thank You Day spirit, the morning wasn’t all work. There was laughter and fun along the way, and of course, a well-earned snack break (the home baked cookies were a big hit!) provided by St. John’s. We were also happy to answer their many questions about the church, its history and our traditions. A big thank you to the Landmark East students for their spirit of service. It’s more than just a day of raking—it’s a day of community, connection, and gratitude.  The week of July 14 at St. John’s was full of laughter, splashes, stories, and shared joy as we welcomed fourteen campers — ages 4 to 12 — to Community Roots Summer Camp. Some familiar faces returned from last year, and it was a delight to reconnect and see how they've grown. The week’s theme, Ripples and Waves, carried through everything we did, from the stories we told to the water we played in during a particularly hot week. Christ’s love, we learned, is deep and wide — like the ocean — and just like water, it spreads, flows, and touches everything in its path. Throughout the week, we explored what it means to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Whether through storytelling, Godly Play, or shared meals and games, the children were immersed in the experience of building community and relationships — with one another, with our volunteers, and with God. We again joined our friends at L’Arche one morning to make candles, create ripples-and-waves-themed artwork, learn to weave, and play games together. That spirit of creativity and community added an extra spark to our week. Another highlight for many was the unexpected moment when an eagle circled overhead as we gathered on the church lawn. It felt like a blessing from above, a reminder of God's presence among us. We wrapped up the week with a joyful closing celebration at the Town's splash pad. On a scorching summer afternoon, there was no better way to cool off and have fun together! A heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this week possible — from the amazing volunteers and leaders to those who provided the much-enjoyed snacks, and to the campers who brought their curiosity. A special shout out goes to the Anglican Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island for their amazing support. Together we created waves of love, faith, and kindness that will ripple far beyond this one week. 
 Following the morning service on Sunday June 29, families and friends spilled out of the church and gathered together for a joyful picnic with food and fellowship — not even the threat of rain could dampen our spirits! We were especially blessed to welcome some of the families of children registered for this year’s Community Roots summer camp. What a joy it was to see new faces joining in the fun and feeling right at home. The grill team was on fire (literally and figuratively), serving up hot dogs and burgers fresh off the flame. Kids (young and old!) played lawn games while others caught up over lemonade and laughter. And the dessert table—oh, the dessert table—was truly a sight to behold, groaning under the weight of homemade cookies and cupcakes. More than just a picnic, the gathering was a beautiful reminder of what it means to be a church family — welcoming, generous, joyful. As plates emptied and hearts filled, we were reminded that moments like these are where community is built, where new connections form, and where God's love is shared in the most delicious and down-to-earth ways. Thank you to every volunteer who brought a dish, set up tables, flipped burgers, or simply showed up with a smile. Your presence helped turn an ordinary Sunday into something truly special. Here’s to many more gatherings like this—and to a summer full of faith, fun, and fresh opportunities to grow together.
A huge thank you to the Eastern Kings Memorial Foundation for making this possible, and to Andrew for guiding us with patience. We hope we never have to use our AED – but if the time ever comes, we’ll be ready.
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and welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. 🏳️🌈 🏳️⚧️ ♿️
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