Rectors Report
January 10, 2010
     A new year brings with it new challenges and new opportunities. I hope you will view 2010 as a time of renewal and as an opportunity for growth in your spiritual life within our parish. St Paul aptly suggests, "all of the members of the body, though many, are one body." That is true also for us who are members of this parish. We are one body part of a still greater body which is the church, the body of Christ. Today we delight in welcoming two new members to this body through baptism, Kennedy Rachel Pye and Isabella Grace Haverstock.
As part of the body of Christ, through baptism, I was pleased to represent our parish this week in the following ways:
On Wednesday morning I met with our Associate Priest, Rev. Judie, to look at the covenant in ministry made when I came to the parish with a view to revising it to more clearly represent and indicate our roles, myself as rector of the parish, and Rev. Judie as Associate Priest, the goal being to be as efficient as possible with gifts that are available to maximize them for the greatest benefit.  
On Wednesday evening the Finance Committee met to review the proposed budget for 2010. We give thanks for Doug Gillett, chair of the Finance Committee, and for Keith Fraser, parish treasurer, who prepared the draft budget which we reviewed. We give thanks also for all of you who participate in the work of the parish through your gifts of time, talent, and treasure throughout the year.
Thursday morning I had an unscheduled, but pleasant meeting, as I stopped at St. Timothy's of Horton for my morning coffee. Seated there, enjoying his coffee, was parish warden, Lloyd Miller, and we had about an hour together to talk about our concerns, and our hopes and dreams for the parish in 2010. Following that impromptu meeting I was glad to spend some time in the office catching up on some paperwork with the hope of finding my desk as I begin a new year.
The Visioning Committee resumed its work on Friday morning. I am excited about the plans we have made to further this process as we prepare to meet with our congregation next Saturday. Some people will be asked specifically to attend ALL are invited. I am including here a copy of the format we will be following next Saturday morning.
Visioning 2010
St. Andrew's, Timberlea
January 16, 2010
St. Andrew's strives to be a caring, welcoming, friendly congregation reflecting the love f Christ in one another, and the wider community by proclaiming Christ's gospel by word and deed..
 9:00 -  9:30                Coffee     -     Opening Prayer
 9:30 -  9:35                Opening Reflection "Caring"
 9:35 - 10:00               Small Group Discussions
10:00 - 10:15              Feedback
10:15 - 10:30              Break
10:30 - 10:35              Reflection        "Welcoming"
10:35 - 11:00              Small Group Discussions
11:00  - 11:15             Feedback
11:15 - 11:20              Reflection        "Friendliness"
11:20 - 11:45              Small Group Discussions
11:45 - 12:00              Feedback
LUNCH !!!
I met with the wardens and Rev. Judie following our visioning meeting as we prepared to set the agenda for next weeks parish council meeting as well as to make plans for our Annual General Meeting on January 31.
On Friday evening I attended the Regional Epiphany party at the home of the Rev. Gloria Penwell in Lower Sackville.
Saturday morning I was at Trinity Church for the launch of the Regional Puppet Ministry program. Changes to eligibility for participants have been made to include youth from 10 - 17 years of age. 

Blessings
Rev. Mike