Rectors Report
September 30th, 2012

I was pleased to meet with Rev. Judie and Rev. Marilyn on Wednesday morning. This is a sure sign that fall is here and we are getting back to normal. Vacations are over and now is the time to plan our schedules for the days ahead. We are so blessed to have a devoted and committed ministry team willing and able serve in response to the needs of our parish and our community.

I ask you to keep Ralph Wheadon and his family in your prayers this week. As you will recall Ralph's wife, Genesta, passed away earlier this summer. Next Saturday I will join Ralph and his family for a private memorial service for Genesta. I was pleased to meet with Ralph to make arrangements for this Celebration of Genesta's life.

Our Honourary Assistant, the Rev. David Dellapina, and I had lunch on Wednesday. David has been appointed Priest-in-Charge of the parish of Hackett's Cove while there rector is on parental leave. I ask you to hold David's ministry with us and with the parish of Hackett's Cove in your prayers.

I was in attendance at a meeting of the Parish Finance Committee on Thursday evening. Financial updates to the end of August were presented. You may recall that at our annual meeting we forecasted a deficit for the year 2012. Unfortunately it appears that our forecast will indeed become a reality. Once the September statements have been prepared we will issue an update of our year to date position. Your prayers and support of the ministries here at St. Andrew's and your commitment to the sustainability and vitality of our witness is very much appreciated.

I was pleased to meet with a number of our parishioners in my office, and at my office away from my office, Tim Horton's. Please let me know if there is any issue you would like to meet with me about, pastorally or of another nature. I will prioritize requests made for visits.

Marian and I were pleased to host a gathering of rectors at our home on Friday afternoon. This is both a time of fellowship among colleagues and a time to exchange ideas and information with one another.

I was pleased to be in attendance for a wedding rehearsal for Marc Blackburn and Laura Lee Evans on Friday evening. They were married at St. Andrew's on Saturday afternoon. Please keep the newly married couple in your prayers. I was also pleased to attend a supper at my wife Marian's church on Friday evening. This is their Back to Church Sunday weekend as it is in many other parishes throughout the diocese. Please pray that these special celebrations might be a success for the parishes involved.

Following services here today I will be attending the Layreaders training workshop at St. Thomas' Church in Fall River. Pray for those who will become Layreaders in training and pray for the ministry of our Layreaders, Wendy Wells, Doug Gillett, and Donna Ruggles.

Today is the last day to register for confirmation. Registration forms are available at the back of the Church.

As we approach the Celebration of Thanksgiving let us be aware this week of the abundant blessings that we enjoy, and, mindful of those blessings be in ourselves in what we say and what we do be a blessings to God's Holy name.

Rev. Mike