Rectors Report
August 19th, 2012

There is a Newsletter available for pick up this morning that details some of the activities that will take place in our parish this fall. If you could take your own as well as any that you might be able to deliver that would enable us to cut back on the postage costs of mailing the letters out. Special thanks to Brenda Morash, chair of the Administration Committee, for getting the Newsletter ready to go.
Further to the Newsletter, I will be meeting with Brenda and the Administration Committee this Wednesday evening to deal with preparations for Back to Church Sunday.

Speaking of Back to Church Sunday who are you going to invite? The date for our celebration is September 23rd and our goal is to make this the most successful Back to Church Sunday yet.

I was pleased to see Rev. Judie in the office on Wednesday morning. As chair of Spiritual Development she will be in attendance at our meeting on Wednesday evening. She will be back to celebrate at Holy Eucharist on September 2nd as I will be away, on vacation, from the parish from August 26th to September 11th

I also met with Doug Gillett in my office on Wednesday morning. At a special meeting of Parish Council a motion was passed to list the St. Luke's property. Doug, who has spearheaded our efforts to sell the St. Luke's property, arranged the purchase and sale agreement with our realtor. Many thanks to Doug for the hours of work he has volunteered to this process.

As well as spending some time in the office on Thursday and Friday I was pleased to make four visits to parishioners living in assisted living homes and nursing homes. I was also pleased to visit the hospital and even more pleased to note that no one from our parish is currently an in patient.

It is becoming a familiar theme but that one that continues to apply. Many thanks to the Property Committee. While I was at the Church on Saturday morning the lawn was being mowed, there was painting going on and cleaning taking place. Our building and property is kept beautiful through these efforts and we are most thankful. There are new windows in the hall and thanks to Flos MacFarlane we have clean curtains to put on them.

A week ago I submitted my resignation as Regional Dean to our bishops and they have received and accepted it. While I enjoyed serving the diocese, the region of Fort Sackville, and our parish in this ministry I would be less that truthful if I didn't also acknowledge that it was also a source of some stress. I will continue to be an active member of clericus and the region, and may at time consider other ways of serving the diocese. However, for now, my attention and efforts will be concentrated on serving with the people of this parish to strengthen ourselves in our mission to be faithful witnesses in word and deed to the teachings of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

As noted earlier I will be on vacation from August 27th to September 11th. If there is any matter requiring my attention before then please let me know. In my absence Rev. Judie will be back to celebrate at Holy Eucharist, and she and Rev. Marilyn will be available for pastoral emergencies.

May your lives be a reflection of our Lords teaching so that what we say and do may be a blessing to God’s holy name.

Rev. Mike