Slideshow image

Last Sunday, on March 19 we our usual coffee time fellowship following the church service was made richer with two celebrations. We were blessed to meet Isabel, and celebrate her first birthday with heartfelt singing of "Happy Birthday" and a delicious strawberry cake - complete with one oversize candle which Isabel had no problem blowing out with the help of mom. Isabel also brought dad, Evgueny and grand-ma, Mila to help celebrate. Photo prints of Isabel with her proud parents will be available for viewing in the Fireside room soon. 

The spring Equinox also coincides with the celebration of Nowruz or the Persian New Year. We enjoyed learning from Mohammad about the Persian custom of forgiving debts as well and making peace with your enemies of the past.  Mohammed also shared with us some of the symbolism associated with Chaharshanbe Suri which is celebrated before the arrival of Nowruz. The Irainian community of the North Shore gathers at Ambleside for this event every year. An important tradition is to jump over the fire - as they do, they set fire to diseases, problems and sorrows and receive redness, strength and warmth of the fire as a gift.

Our choir together with Marcia have been rehearsing hard for a special anthem on Passion Sunday. And Sonja who is returning from her maternity leave and will be with us every Sunday again, is preparing an anthem for Easter Sunday.