Rector's Weekly Report
October 9th, 2011

~~~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING ~~~

"If the only prayer you were to say in you're entire life is thank you, it will be enough."                   - Meister Eckhard

Not only are Newfoundlanders a half hour ahead of the rest of us in Atlantic Canada, they were also the first to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in North America. In the year 1578 he held a formal ceremony, in what is now Newfoundland to give thanks for surviving the long journey.

This truly is a day to stop and reflect on the and give thanks for the goodness and bounty of all creation. For the air we breathe, for the water we drink, for the plants and animals that nourish our bodies. It is also a time to give thanks for one another, family, friends, acquaintances.. friends we have yet to meet. It is a time to look at the riches of our own lives and share where we are able with others. Your donations of food this morning will make a difference in someone’s life. “I was hungry, and you gave me food.” Thanks be to God.

I was pleased to be at the home of our organist, Edith Steffens, this past Wednesday night where the choir met for a pot luck supper, fellowship and to celebrate a significant birthday for one choir member, Flos MacFarlane. I won’t give it away, you need to ask her... I give thanks for this time of fellowship, Edith’s hospitality, and for the music ministry that takes place here at St. Andrew’s. Also while acknowledging Flos’ significant birthday, I want also to acknowledge here significant contributions to the life of St. Andrew’s. As a long time member of the choir, altar guild, Ladies Group, sidesperson, Flos has been a tireless volunteer on behalf of the church and in witness to her faith. Thanks be to God.

I invite you to take a peek into the men’s choir room and see the transformation that has taken place. New gyproc, painting, redone floors and storage areas make the space so much more inviting and functional. For those who have dedicated time and labour to make this possible, Thanks be to God.

I was pleased to meet with our theological student, Rob Elford, on Wednesday morning. It is a sign of the continuing presence of the  church to have Rob with us and to journey with him as he prepares to take God’s message into the world as a parish priest. Thanks be to God.

I was pleased to visit Melville Lodge where three members of our congregation are residents. If we add the ages of the three we come up with a sum of two hundred and sixty-seven (267). I came away from that visit mindful of all those years of service that these individuals have contributed to the ministry and witness of St. Andrew’s. Thanks be to God.

I was pleased to visit the hospital to take the wishes and prayers of our congregation to in patients. The connectedness with the sick and hurting is a healing ministry. Thanks be to God.

Let us give thanks for the ministries that place here at St. Andrew’s, for the ways that we minister and care for one another, and let us pray that our lives may be a blessing to God’s holy name, and a reflection of God’s kingdom here on earth.

Blessings
Rev. Mike