Rectors Report
April 1st,2012

On Tuesday evening clergy from around the diocese met at St. Peter's Church in Birch Cove for a retreat and quiet time. The retreat continued on Wednesday morning and was highlighted with the celebration of Holy Eucharist and the renewal of ordination vows.

We continued our mid week Eucharist on Wednesday evening. I have been using reflections from a book called Four Days in Spring written by Herbert O'Driscoll.

The book study group concluded our study of Karen Armstrong's book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. Compassion, like any discipline, is not achieved as an aha, once and you've got it moment, but rather through a lifetime of awareness and mindfulness that encourages us to care for others as we would have them care for us.

The property committee met on Thursday evening to make plans for property improvements and maintenance. Great strides have been taken to improve our property that has made it more efficient and more appealing. Going forward there are still a number of projects that we would like to do. A summary of these projects is posted at the back of the church and was also mailed out with the Easter letter. A special appeal called the Renovation Fund has also been established with the hope that monies might be forthcoming to allow us to proceed with the improvements.

I was pleased to have several pastoral visits this week, some in the office, and others in parishioners homes. Please let me know if you would like a visit and I will make it a priority.

Members from our congregation gathered together on Saturday morning for some quiet time, prayer and to listen to a presentation from our theological student, Rob Elford. Rob presentation left us with lots of food for thought. This was Rob’s last day with us a student. He becomes the Rector of Trinity in Fairview on May 1st. Our prayers and best wished go with him.
We concluded the morning with a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. Thanks to Rev. Judie and the Spiritual Development Committee for arranging the quiet day.

I was pleased to see a number of our young servers on Saturday. They were present with Rev. Judie to review their ministry as servers and to continue to build their skill sets and confidence in their ministry. They do a great job and I give thanks for their ministry at St. Andrew’s.

About today - The Passion Sunday liturgy probably originated in Jerusalem from the tendency to historicize details of Jesus’ last days and hours. The geographic locations mentioned in the New Testament accounts became the focal points for observing each event in order throughout the week in its prescribed location. the triumphal entry from the Mount of Olives into Jerusalem was re-enacted on the Sunday afternoon beginning the observance of Holy Week. The tradition of Passion Sunday remained normative in much of the Western church for centuries, with the palm procession only fully accepted by the tenth or eleventh century, while at the same time, keeping the element of Jesus’ Passion.
Let Us Keep the Feast -
Celebrating Lent, Holy Week and Easter

I invite you to experience the breadth of meaning for Holy Week by attending the worship services that take us from triumph, to despair, to glory.

Blessings
Rev. Mike