Rector's Weekly Report
May 1st, 2011

Happy Easter!!! No I'm not losing it, and no I'm not late, Easter is celebration of fifty days leading up to the Sunday of Pentecost. So don't feel too guilty about having that last piece of leftover chocolate.

Welcome to our special celebration this morning... a celebration dedicated to and led by our young people. A special welcome to the St. Margaret's Bay Boy's Honour Choir. We thank you for being with us this morning and bringing your gift of music to our Easter celebrations.

Last year our parish along with many others in the diocese celebrated Back to Church Sunday. Our event was held in September and was a tremendous success. I along with Rev. Judie, and Marilyn Hamlin attended a gathering at St. Peter's in Birch Cove to make plans for another event this year. It was exciting last year and we hope to make it even more exciting this year. More information will be made available shortly and we look for the participation of everyone to make this year's Back to Church Sunday an even greater success than last year.

It was good to see our young people on Thursday as they came together at St. Andrew's to prepare for the Sunday service. As I said earlier the liturgy this morning is dedicated to and led by our young people. Thanks to Rev. Judie and Marilyn for helping to get this worship service ready for this morning.

I was pleased to meet with the Finance Committee on Thursday afternoon.

On Friday and Saturday the church and hall were a beehive of activity. The Ladies Group were setting up and preparing for their yard sale on Friday, on Saturday they had there wares all arranged for sale and by all indications had another successful event. As they were inside attending to their sale another group was outside cleaning up the church grounds and cemetery. It is wonderful to see the pride that these volunteers take in St. Andrew's that inspires them to such dedicated service. Thank you!!

The hectic pace doesn't stop just yet either. Tonight at St. Andrew's there will be another Country Music Show. These events have been enjoyed by many and have been a source of fundraising for our Ways and Means Committee. Thanks to Rev. Judie for organizing these shows and to the members of Ways and Means for their support in providing canteen services. Y'all come!!

I will be away from the parish at a Regional Deans meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday. If there is a pastoral emergency during my absence please contact Rev. Judie - 446-0229.

May our lives be a blessing to God's holy name.

Rev. Mike

The final regional event to discuss this topic takes place at St. Francis, Lower Sackville on May 14th from 9:00a.m -12:00p.m.
Everyone is welcome to come and be part of the discussions.
Please Note the Following
Announcement
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At the last meeting of Parish Council on April 14th there was considerable discussion around how we should respond to the Bishop’s Pastoral Letter oflast October asking each parish to discern their pastoral response regarding same gender relationships. The bishops have asked each parish to respond so that “the mind of the diocese” may be known when attending the House of Bishops and for information at our upcoming synod. We want to give everyone an opportunity for their voice to be heard. Therefore, we will proceed as follows:
Surveys to gauge the range of opinions will be distributed during our Sunday services on May 8th, and May 15th. Also, on those Sundays, time will be made available after the service so that voices may be heard, information can be gathered, and questions may be addressed. The results from the surveys that come from these two Sundays will be compiled and printed in the bulletin on May 22nd.
This notice will appear in the bulletin each week leading up to and including the Sundays mentioned above.________________________