Rectors Report
JANUARY 29th, 2012

Each week as we prepare for Sunday worship I say a prayer in the Fellowship/Choir Room part of which is to give thanks for the many ministries that take place here at St. Andrew's. As we hold our Annual General Meeting, after worship this morning, may we all be reminded of how God has blessed us through the good work and ministries we offer together, as a parish, witnessing to the gospel of Christ.

I was pleased to meet with Rev. Judie on Wednesday morning to discuss proposals by the Spiritual Development Committee pertaining to worship and the building up of faith community in the months ahead. With Lent on the near horizon much of our discussion centered on that. A Lenten schedule of events will b e included in a news letter to be circulated in the near future.

The book study group continued their study on Thursday afternoon. Personally, I derive a great deal of joy from our discussions as they encourage me to stretch and grow in my faith.

Thursday evening St. Andrew's hosted a week of Prayer for Christian Unity service. All denominations from our local communities were represented and we enjoyed a time of meaningful worship and fellowship together.

I was pleased to meet with our theological student, Rob Elford, on Friday morning. These are exciting times for Rob as he approaches the end of his studies at AST and readies for ordination later this year. Please continue to hold Rob in your prayers as he continues his journey.

Likewise please continue to pray for Marilyn Hamlin, our postulant for the vocational diaconate, as she continues her journey and quite possibly will join Rob as ordinand later this year.

I was also pleased to meet with the parish wardens as we made some final preparations for the annual general meeting.

I was at the hospital on Friday evening and was saddened to learn that Cyril Griffin had passed away. I talked with the family on Friday evening and met with them on Saturday morning to plan a funeral service for next Thursday, February 2nd, at 2 p.m.
Please keep the family in your prayers.

As usual I was well fed at the Men’s Breakfast on Saturday morning. No one leaves hungry. Many thanks to those who work to make this time of men’s fellowship possible. Thanks also to Jim Steffens for his story about the restoration of a 1929 Buick.

Following services today I will be away for three weeks. Marian and I are going to vacation in Florida for two weeks and then will spend a retreat week at the Duncan Retreat Centre in Delray Beach, Florida. During this time pastoral emergencies should be referred to Rev. Judie Lafford. All other inquiries can be addressed to the parish wardens.

May our lives be a blessing to God’s kingdom here on earth as we strive to imitate Christ in all that we think, say and do.

Blessings
Rev. Mike