Rectors Report
March 25th, 2012

Civic Simplicity - A call for a new approach to governingourselves, recognizing that to live more lightly and sustainably on the Earth will require changes in every area of public life - from transportation and education to the design of our cities, public buildings and workplaces. The politics of Simplicity is also a media politics as the mass media are the primary vehicle for reinforcing, or transforming, the mass consciousness of consumerism.
                                                            - Essay - by Duane Elgin     

Rev. Judie and I met on Wednesday morning to discuss plans for a number of events being organized by the Spiritual Development Committee. Among the topics we talked about was the quiet day Lenten Retreat scheduled for March 31st. Our theological student, Rob Elford, will be the main presenter for the day. An outline for the morning is available this morning. Also of note is the special service planned for April 15th during which we will dedicate our Eucharist to the memory of the Titanic on the 100 anniversary of its sinking. Special guests that morning will include a wide range of personnel who become involved when disaster strikes. We also talked about a special service for youth to be held on April 29th. This service will encourage the active participation of our youth in our worship and music on that day.

I met with the Rev. Mark Kingsbury, Archdeacon for the region of Fort Sackville, on Wednesday afternoon. Mark and I meet regularly to discuss concerns from our region and to find ways of supporting the parishes within it. Of note is the fact that we will be welcoming two new rectors to our region in the near future. The Rev. Brianna Andrew's has been appointed to the parish of French Village, and Rob Elford, our student, will become the rector of Trinity in Fairview. Please keep both of these individuals in your prayers as they begin these new chapters in the life of their ministry.
Mid-week Holy Eucharist took place on Wednesday evening. Only in the Maritimes can you cancel a service on e week because of snow, and then gather the following week in temperatures rising into the mid to upper twenties.

I was pleased to get out of the office on Thursday morning to do a pastoral visit. Myself, Rev. Judie and Marilyn schedule weekly visits to homes, nursing homes and hospitals. If you have a need of, or simply would like a visit, kindly let me know and I will make that a priority. I also give thanks for the ongoing good work of the Pastoral Care Committee whose calls, cards and visits are an outstanding example of the caring nature of our parish.

The Book Study Group met on Thursday afternoon. Our study of Karen Armstrong's book Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life will conlude with our final session this coming Thursday, March 29th. We will conclude our fall and winter Bible Study program and Book Study during a pot luck supper in April. Along with food and fellowship we will take the opportunity to assess our studies this year and make plans for the fall.

I make every effort to be in the office on Wednesday and Friday mornings to do administrative work and begin preparations for Sunday worship. It is also a time that I am available to meet with parishioners. I am pleased that a number of people do drop by if there is something that they want to talk about or even just to say hello. During my time in the office this week I was pleased to welcome a number of people.

The Men's Breakfast Group met on Saturday morning to share food and fellowship. The group meets on the fourth Saturday of the month. Our next breakfast is on April 28th. Mark your calendars. We will have our last breakfast before taking a summer break on May 26th.

Blessings
Rev. Mike