Rector's Report
Jan. 12 - Jan. 18
In the wake of the conflict that has broken out between Israel and the region
of Gaza our primate, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, has asked us to say a special prayer
for peace in this region which has a long history of human suffering.
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts
of truth and peace proceed;
Kindle, we pray thee, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and
guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations
of the earth; that in tranquility thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth
is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
We extend prayers and condolences to the family of Gordon Francis whose passing we marked with a service at St. Andrew's on Friday Celebrating his Life and giving thanks for his witness to God among family and friends alike.
We welcome this morning and offer prayers for Evan James Stockhaus who will begin his own journey in Christ next Sunday in the celebration of Holy Baptism.
Our wardens, Ken Richardson and Linda Strachan, have been busy this week preparing the reports for our annual meeting next Sunday. Copies are available at the back of the church for your perusal. Please remember to bring the report with you next week to the Annual Meeting.
On Wednesday Clericus met at St. John the Evangelist in Lower Sackville. We welcomed the Rev. Sandra Hounsell-Drover to our clericus following her appointment as the rector of the parish of St. John the Evangelist.
On Wednesday afternoon I attended a meeting at the QE II put on for persons doing pastoral visits in the hospital setting. The meeting was designed to give directions in two parts (1) a teaching session on the various level of infectious diseases and how visitors are instructed to take proper precautions both for their sake and the sake of the patient. (2) Staff from the pastoral care unit of the hospital gave direction regarding matters of confidentiality of patient records. At present we have access to lists of patients by denomination. When we visit our visits are to be kept confidential unless we have the consent of the patient to share their name. In this regard I suggest that if you know you are going to be admitted to hospital that you contact the parish with the information so that we may follow up and add you to the prayer list if you so desire.
While at the hospital on Wednesday I was pleased to make one hospital visit on behalf of the parish.
On Thursday the committee charged with the responsibility of making arrangements for the closure of St. Luke's met in the fellowship room at St. Andrew's. We began an information gathering process that will eventually give direction as to how we sell the property and recommend ways that the proceeds of said sale would be used for the benefit of the parish and to the honour of the memory of St. Luke's.
Today following the service at St. Andrew's I will be meeting with the Sunday School teachers. We give thanks for the children of our Sunday School and to the teachers who minister to them.
As always it is appropriate to thank the choir for their time and effort in providing the music ministry for our funeral liturgy on Friday and the ladies group for their ministry of hospitality in providing refreshments for the gathering afterwards.
Blessings
Rev. Mike