Rectors Report
JANUARY 15th, 2012

Special greetings this morning to members of the Masonic Lodge who are with us for worship and to participate in the liturgy by the proclamation of Holy Scripture. We give thanks for their ministry of service on behalf of the community. Welcome!!

It is also a pleasure to welcome the Rev. Debra Burleson, Formation Director at The Atlantic School of Theology. Debra is also a facilitator of the Education for Ministry program, a program of study approved for those discerning a call to Non-Stipendiary Ordained Ministry. Debra is here this morning to award Marilyn Hamlin, postulant for the vocational Diaconate, her certificate upon completion of the program. Welcome Debra, congratulations, Marilyn.

As Regional Dean I was pleased to be at All Saints, Bedford on Monday night to take part in a covenant review between the parish and their priest the Rev. Aaran Thorpe. I was at Holy Trinity, in Bridgewater, on Tuesday to co-facilitate a Fresh Start group of clergy.

The book study group resumed meeting on Thursday afternoon. Parish Council, scheduled for Thursday night, was postponed due to the weather and will take place following the services this morning.

I was pleased to meet with our Honorary Assistant, David Dellapina. David has been taking services at St. Peter's, Birch Cove, during the absence of their rector. I was pleased also to meet with Marilyn Hamlin, our postulant, to review her progress as she moves towards ordination later this year. Please continue to hold Marilyn in your prayers as she prepares for ordination to the diaconate.

I was pleased to meet with a number of other parishioners, in their homes and in my office throughout the week.

In addition to the activities mentioned above I was busy preparing my report for the Annual General Meeting and reviewing other reports that have been submitted.

Today's gospel reading tells the story of Jesus calling Phillip to be his disciple. Jesus invites Phillip saying, "Follow me." In turn, Phillip invites his friend Nathanael. Phillip says to him, "Come and see."
I am reminded of our focus last September for Back to Church Sunday, that focus being, that each one invites one. If we are to follow the example of Jesus and those first disciples it seems evident that our role includes the ministry of invitation. Who might welcome your invitation to be part of this community, to be part of body of Christ?

Blessings
Rev. Mike