ST. JUDE’S ANGLICAN CHURCH Vestry Reports for the year 2016

CLERGY AND STAFF The Rev. Canon Rob Fead, Rector The Rev. Deanne Keatings, Priest Associate The Rev. Tom Decker, Honorary Assistant The Venerable Harry Dawson, Honorary Assistant Simon Walker, Director of Music Andrei Streliaev, Assistant Organist Julie Hudak, Business Manager Cindy McCuaig, Administrative Secretary

CHURCH WARDENS Steve Warren, Rector’s Warden Terri Guthrie, People’s Warden Bob Clark, Deputy Warden Tony Denning, Treasurer

Message from the Wardens

One of the interesting things about life is that for all the change that takes place around us, there is an equal amount of stability. The parish of St. Jude's is no exception to this rule. A little over a year ago the Stewardship Committee organised appreciation events where close to 30 committees were recognised for their contributions to the work of the parish. We would like to take a moment to thank everyone at St. Jude's who has served, and continues to serve in support of the many programmes and committees of the parish. Quietly and often un-noticed, your contribution makes a difference and we are truly thankful for your support. This past year has also brought change to our parish and as the old saying goes, 'without change there is no innovation, creativity, or incentive for improvement'. We saw Tom Decker embrace his new career as a Military Chaplain and we wish Tom well. He survived basic training; it can only get easier from here. We welcomed Matthew Bowman and Michael Coren as interns and we look forward to supporting them on their path to ordination. We celebrated Wendy Hart's 22 years of ministry at St. Jude's and we wish Wendy and Bob many years of happiness in retirement. We embraced the new Children's choir and we want to thank Simon for his vision and dedication to all our music programmes. We can't mention music without also thanking Andrei who adds so much to our weekly services. We supported the Justice & Servant Ministries as they embarked on a new programme called "Restore" to support people and families in need within our community. We congratulated Drew Bucknall as he received the Order of Niagara from Bishop Michael on October 2nd at Christ's Church Cathedral. We wait patiently for the opportunity to help a new family to Canada through our refugee to newcomer programme, but we continue to prepare and support other parishes who are now working with families through their first year. We embraced new technology in a "cashless society" by providing the opportunity to contribute through debit, credit or on-line giving. We supported Rob through another losing season for the Maple Leafs - - sorry, this is not new!

1 Throughout the year, whether things are steadily moving ahead or in the midst of change we rely heavily on Julie and Cindy to keep us on the rails. Thank you for all you do each and every day. As Wardens we look forward to the coming year. There's more excitement ahead and we encourage everyone to be part of it in ways that fit your schedule and interests. They say the first step to success is just showing up. We hope you will show up, participate and enjoy being part of this great community of worship. Steven Warren, Rector's Warden Terri Guthrie, People’s Warden Bob Clark, Deputy Rector’s Warden ______

Greetings friends,

There is much to be said about all that has taken place here at St. Jude’s over the past year, but I’ll leave it to the entire collection of reports to tell that story.

One thing I’ve been working really hard on over the past twelve months has been to increase my level of community involvement outside our walls. I know that literally hundreds of you who are reading this also volunteer in the community, and will know what I mean when I say it’s difficult to find the time to fit such initiatives into our already busy schedules, but I also know that you will agree how rewarding it can be at the same time. As a member of the clergy, I have found it to be a great opportunity for networking. Networking with other organizations is crucial for churches so that we can gain insight as to how we might partner with other local agencies in order to better serve the neighbours we have in common. And as Christians, it also keeps us honest about being focused outward rather than inward.

Networking is one thing, but advertising is another. We Christians often prefer to err on the side of humility and carry out our good deeds in secret. There’s merit in that, but I’m also a firm believer that one act of service almost always leads to another. Have you ever noticed that those who volunteer seem to be addicted to volunteering? And that those same people almost always have friends and family who are also super-volunteers? They inspire others, as they too were likely inspired by someone else. Which is why, so long as God gets the glory, it’s good for us to let others know the ways in which we’re serving our community. Jesus does say, after all: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt 5:16).

Perhaps this is why the most rewarding part of the experience for me has been unexpectedly running into many of you at various events and “catching you in the act” of service. Whether you’re volunteering for a charity, visiting a senior, advocating for change or justice, participating in a community roundtable or in any other way being generous with your time, talents, or treasure, please know that not only are you serving Christ- often without even realizing it (Mt 25:40), but you’re also allowing Christ to serve through you at the same time. St. Teresa of Avila reminds us of this with the following words: “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

It is for these reasons and more that I give thanks for you all every day. And I ask you to join in my prayers that we, as a community of faith, might find new and exciting ways of bringing the world to Christ and Christ to the world, in the year ahead and forevermore.

Yours in Christ, The Rev. Deanne Keatings+ Priest Associate

2 2017 VESTRY REPORT ST. JUDE’S ALTAR GUILD

The St Jude’s Altar Guild likely is over 100 years old! We are currently trying to research archived records to confirm! I am pleased to report that the Guild is a group of 32 diligent women who are quick to help, quick to laugh and quick to become good friends and assist each other. The Guild sets up the Altar for services on Wednesday and Sundays as well as the odd concert where we set up the Candelabras. We are responsible for weddings, funerals and baptisms as well. This work is handled weekly by 4 women or 5-6 at the Christmas services. The women work hard on washing and ironing linens led by Esmae Tennison and Sara Turner. Protecting the linens from weekly lipstick stains is a continuing weekly job which these ladies handle with ease.

We are declining in numbers as our Guild has lost members and we are looking for younger members who have a pride and enjoyment of their work. This year Judi Pangman, Bev Ripley, Sharon Campbell and Trish Wiltshire have retired. Sadly, Barbara Brake, a long-time Altar Guild member passed away this year. Dolores Baldwin has moved to a church closer to her home and Barb Watt is on a Leave of Absence for the Duty Roster. Luckily Maureen Bewley has returned from a Leave of Absence! We have welcomed Joan Price as a new member this year and she has been a great help for Festival Decorating.

New members are people who would have a love of the Altar Linens and their traditions and history and would help us with our maintaining these precious items. We also fill the candelabras and polish silver chalices and brass used in the services! You will meet some very good friends here and enjoy the ritual of preparing the Altar for the services. Please feel free to get in touch with Kathy Punnett 289.259.5463 or Sandra Woollard 905.469.3385 if you are interested in joining us.

Significant legacy donations to the Altar Guild have enabled us to preserve our Historic Altar Frontals which needed repair. We were able to repair and preserve the beautiful Red Altar Frontals and the White Frontal in 2016. We are in the process of repairing and preserving our Antique White Frontal, which has tremendous history and memories at St Jude’s. Wait Lists for repairs of this type are long, we currently are on a Wait List for mid 2018. We encourage all parishioners to enable our church to continue serving these needs with donations as you are able.

Easter – We were very fortunate to have Colleen Balders assist with selecting the décor for Easter this year. As Easter was very early in the year, there was some difficulty getting flowers in full bloom to decorate the church. However all our efforts resulted in a lovely Easter in the church. The candelabras always make a special addition for festivals at St Jude’s.

Thanksgiving - The Thanksgiving décor this year was stunning, natural elements such as Hay Bales, Fall vegetables and Autumn leaves were used to create a beautiful entry for our Thanksgiving visitors. This was created by Betty Cooke and implemented with some Altar Guild Members. Betty did a tremendous amount of work on this Festival and I wish to thank Betty and her husband for their plan and their donations.

Christmas – This year we had outstanding comments from worshippers entering the front vestibule. We are a beautiful church and it shows beautifully to our Christmas visitors especially with the décor designed by Joanne Stone. We try as much as possible to use natural décor such as Christmas greens but do supplement with other beautiful décor. We had lovely donations of décor this year.

A very big thank you to our retiring honorary male members, Art Brown and Ross Reeves, who assisted the new honorary members, George Brett and Chris Punnett with raising the Christmas Tree and learning to “fluff a Christmas tree”. These retiring men were invaluable as they know the exact locations for wreaths and garlands. Also retiring after

3 many years of assisting us were Chris Bewley and Bob Stone. We honoured these Volunteers with an invitation to our Altar Guild Luncheon and presented them with a small gift of thanks.

Current Members of the Altar Guild are: Colleen Balders, Maureen Bewley, Judy Bindon (Past Co-President), Linda Boire, Jane Bowden, Yvonne Brown (Trainer), Sonja Buckland, Margaret Bucknall, Gloria Busse (Flowers), Janice Clark (Newsletter), Betty Cook, Susan Cooke, Barbara Davidson, Joyce Histed, Susan Kahro-Barber, Vicki Kennan (Wine & Wafer Orders), Mary McCarter, Ann McCulloch, Yvonne McLean, Lesley Manchester (Easter Décor & Line Repair), Tish Murray (Past Co-President & Social), Rosalind Nightingale, Barb Norman, Bev Peat (Treasurer), Joan Price, Kathy Punnett (President), Valerie Rughi, Mags Shorey (Secretary), JoAnne Stone, Esmae Tennison (Linens - Small), Sara Turner(Linens - Large), Barb Watt, Sandra Woolard (Membership). They serve with great love and heart and we could not continue without the help of these lovely, hardworking and dedicated ladies.

Yours in Christ, Kathy Punnett, President St Jude’s Altar Guild 2016-2017 ______

Christian Formation (Fellowship and Education) Report for 2017 Vestry - Chris Punnett

Currently several independent groups are supporting the following programs. Please join one or more of them this year, there is no sign-up required, we finish in a timely fashion and we come away refreshed and renewed. Monday morning Women’s Study Group A group of women meet at 10:30 am in the Library Hall every Monday

Wednesday morning Men’s Fellowship and Breakfast Team A group of men meet at 8:00 am in the Library Hall on Wednesday mornings, Ian Howard is their coordinator. A subgroup of men coordinate Men’s breakfasts 2 to 3 times a year, with speakers and fellowship at a local hotel.

Living the Word A group of 9:30 parishioners meet after coffee hour on Sundays in Victoria Hall to discuss the Gospel reading and the morning’s homily. We are supported by 6 facilitators, we talk about our faith and the Gospel and how it applies to our lives.

Thursday night Study of Matthew Deanne is leading a group of parishioners in the Upper Room on Thursday evenings to support Rob’s challenge to the congregation to read the book of Matthew from cover to cover.

Wednesday night Bible Study Traditionally Bible study in St Jude’s has been a program based group of 20 to 30 people led by clergy. Tom lead a study of The Eucharist over 7 sessions during Lent 2016 Feb24 to April 6; we came away with a new appreciation for the differences between Mark and Matthew’s Jerusalem or Semitic tradition and the more Helenistic Pauline version from Luke and the Epistles, both defining the 7 actions: take, bless, break, & share the bread; then take the cup, give thanks and share the wine. In the fall, Tom lead us in a study of Messianic Yearnings in the Old Testament as written over 400 years (scholars think) in Isaiah leading up to the Christmas readings. We took pages of notes, and I am hoping Tom will one day write a book on this topic – if he ever slows down – it was fascinating! We look forward to welcoming you to our 2017 Lenten series: ‘From Truth to Reconciliation: Anglican Perspectives on the Legacy of Residential Schools’ led by Matthew Bowman. It is a four or five-part series starting March 8, 7:45 to 9:15pm with a brief history of Canadian Colonialism and Anglican responses, then we plan to tour the Mohawk Institute Residential School / Museum on Saturday March 11 in the morning, and continue with a study of Bishop Michael’s recommended Lenten book by Wab Kinew “The Reason You Walk” from March 15 to April 5. Please watch for announcements in the weekly pew bulletins.

4 NEWCOMERS COMMITTEE – 2016 VESTRY REPORT

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” Matthew 25:35

In 2016 our newcomers represented the full range of our membership from young adults to retired seniors.

Once registered in the office, a member of the Committee visited or met with the newcomers. In most cases the visitor took a small gift of flowers, or St. Jude’s coffee, along with a package of information on St. Jude’s Church and nametags for household members.

A follow-up call is made one year after the initial contact to obtain the newcomers’ impressions of St. Jude’s and to offer assistance, if requested, for integrating into parish life. At the end of the year this feedback is collated and sent to the clergy and wardens.

We continued to send cards to families who had children baptized, on the one-year anniversary of the baptism.

Most newcomers mention that they find St. Jude’s very warm and welcoming. Thanks to all who greet people they don’t know, both in church and at Coffee Hour where visitors and newcomers are encouraged to use a “Blue Mug”.

Please continue to ensure that St. Jude’s is a warm, welcoming community.

Jean Ross, Newcomers Committee

St Jude’s Scholarship for Indigenous Students Vestry Report 2017

The Loonie Toonie Collection to support the St Jude’s Scholarship for Indigenous Students was held on November 6, 2016 and raised $1300 towards next year’s funding of four scholarships. This includes donations made on November 6th, as well as donations made through the Church Office. Your continued support of this initiative will enable St Jude’s to continue with four scholarships of $1000 to students at U of T, Sheridan College and Mohawk College. Collecting a year in advance gives the educational institutions the opportunity to advertise the available scholarships so that all students have adequate time to make application.

For the current 2016-2017 academic year, the 4 student recipients of the St Jude’s Scholarship for Indigenous Students are: ● University of Toronto- Sheena Kitchimokman is in her final year of a degree in Aboriginal and Women’s Studies. ● Sheridan College- Kelly Esquat is in the 2nd year of the Police Foundations program and is from Ginoogaming First Nation near Longlac, in Northern Ontario. Cameron Poirier is in the 1st year of the Performing Arts Program. He is Inuit from Nunavut Territory. ● Mohawk College- Darian Zytaruk-Mancini is studying Advanced Security Management with the goal of work in private security or with Hamilton Police Service. He is from Six Nations.

Parishioners can make donations through the church office or after church any Sunday by cheque, cash or debit. The next Loonie-Toonie Sunday is on Vestry Sunday, February 26th, 2017. Make sure to designate your donation as “Indigenous Scholarship Fund.”

The Committee overseeing the Scholarship meets twice a year, as needed, to organize the fundraisers and share communication with the educational institutions. If you would like to know more about the St Jude’s Scholarship for Indigenous Students, or wish to be more involved, please speak with one of the Committee Members: Dave Pearson (chair), Catherine Leckey, Dave Haslett, Donna Young or Rod Murray.

5 Property Committee Report for the 2017 Vestry on 2016 Activity

A number of very talented and dedicated parishioners have worked diligently over this past year to ensure the church facilities continue to meet the needs of the parish and I would like to thank these committee members: Rob Doyle, Doug Field (Secretary), Shirley Harrison, Tony Houghton, Bill Shank, and Michael Turner for a job well done. I would also like to thank Julie Hudak for her continued support of the Committee and all the volunteers who helped with routine maintenance activities throughout this past year.

In previous years this report to Vestry has been used to catalogue the activities of the Property Committee. While the Committee has been busy as usual seeing to the upkeep of the church and vicarage, this year's report will be a departure from the format of the past in that it will focus on one important decision the Committee needs from Vestry this year and that is the decision concerning the replacement of the church's main slate roof.

Under the leadership of Mike Turner, and with the help of consultant experts, an ad hoc committee has examined in detail the options for replacing the current slate roof. This roof has served well for over 100 years but is now finally approaching the end of its useful life. By increasing the investment in annual maintenance, the current roof's life can be extended for a few more years but, notwithstanding this fact, a decision must now be taken on its replacement if there is to be sufficient time to raise the necessary funds for replacement.

A full range of replacement options was considered by the committee including slate, metal and new composite roofing tile materials. After careful consideration and after investigating the experience of other institutions facing the same problem, the choice was narrowed to that between slate and metal. Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. Most notably the slate option offers the advantage of best respecting the heritage nature of the building and hence preserving the good will of our neighbours. It also represents a vote for the future in that such a roof should again be expected to last for a century. The most significant disadvantage of the slate roof however is the cost which would likely be in excess of $400,000. The metal roof on the other hand is a much less expensive at approximately $130,000. Such a roof however would only be expected to last from 30 to 50 years and would represent a significant departure from the heritage appearance of the structure. One possible additional advantage of the metal option though would be that insulation could possibly be added to reduce heat loss.

To fairly assess the two options (that is to properly compare apples against apples) the very significant difference in the expected life of the two roofing materials needs to be taken into consideration. Over the course of the life of a new slate roof a metal roof would need to be replaced as many as three times. After adjusting for the discounted cost of future expenditures on metal roof replacement therefore the fair (net present) cost of the metal option should be increased to approximately $200,000.

It must be understood that the final decision on how to proceed with the roof replacement rests with the Bishop. So following the Vestry vote it is the intention of the Committee to seek the approval of the Diocese. Should the decision be made to opt for the slate roof a campaign to raise the necessary funds will also need to be organized.

Mike Turner of the Property Committee will be making a full presentation on this roof choice at Vestry and we urge all those interested to attend, make their views known and most important of all to vote for a one or other of the two short listed options because time has run out and we now must decide.

Lloyd McCoomb, Chair

6 Director of Music - Vestry 2017:

As I approach 5 years as Director of Music at St Jude’s, I can celebrate the fact that I still find great pleasure and reward in the music programme which continues to build and strive towards new and exciting projects.

St Jude’s continues to be supported by the two very dedicated adult choirs, the 9:30 and 11 O’clock choirs, but in addition to this, a small Children’s Choir has been formed and now we have the opportunity to interest young people in the music of our services. The Children’s Choir started in October, just meeting on Sunday mornings at 8:45 prior to the service, but in December we also met on Wednesday evenings to rehearse a Christmas Pageant. The pageant was performed on December 18th and many people in the congregation commented on how confidently and musically the children sang. We have therefore decided to expand the Childrens Choir programme to include a Wednesday Evening rehearsal. Hopefully, this will enable the children to take on a number of projects in addition to making a fuller contribution to singing with the adults at the 9:30 Eucharist. In the coming months I look forward to spending more time on building and developing this programme.

In 2016, the 9:30 Choir welcomed Michael Maurice, a new tenor. I feel very blessed that that this group of 14 singers has such a balance spread of sopranos, altos, tenors and basses. The result is a small choir that can support the liturgy as though it was a rather larger choir, and now when joined by the children, the choir stalls look quite busy on a Sunday morning.

The 11 O’clock Choir has had a number of highlights in the last year in addition to our weekly Sunday commitments. On Palm Sunday afternoon we sang a Cantata, ‘Olivet to Calvary’ by J.H. Maunder. Having had such success and positive feedback about performing Stainer’s Crucifixion in 2014, this similar Victorian work came off with equal aplomb, and presented the congregation with a musical meditation with which to begin Holy Week devotions. We look forward to having another cantata this year on Palm Sunday.

The 11 O’clock Choir also presented a concert in the ‘Celebration of the Arts’ series for the first time in some years, performing the Little Organ Mass by Haydn, and the Gloria by Vivaldi. This was a major undertaking, and we welcomed a group of Toronto based instrumentalists to form a miniature orchestral accompaniment. I was very pleased with how well this concert came off. The choir also went on the road twice last year. We sang for the Mohawk first nations community at Tyendinaga and a Sunday morning at Kingston Cathedral in early July, and in September we joined up with the choir of St Mary Magdalene in Toronto to sing the ‘Apostrophe to the Heavenly Host’ by Healey Willan on the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. (You can enjoy hearing this performance online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUSxbRJHJRU.) We are looking forward to resurrecting this project for a performance at the Celebration of the Arts Concert this year, when we’ll be joined by John Laing’s chamber choir ‘Voces Animae’.

At the time of writing, I am busy preparing for a Choral Workshop which takes place on the 25th February at St Jude’s. This event is being hosted by us for the Hamilton Centre of the Royal Canadian College of Organists, and following the success of the Choral workshop with Schola Magdalena in January last year (as part of the COTA programming) I am anticipating this to be an exciting event. In hosting this, it does feel especially rewarding for us at St Jude’s to be able to offer something back to the wider choral community as the result of our own achievements. Going into the future, we have made a provisional booking for another trip to the UK – a week singing at Winchester Cathedral in July 2019…!

As always, I wish to express my gratitude to all those who help me in what I do. Special thanks are due to Julie and Cindy in the office, Bev Armstrong our choir president, Margo Chambers for her work as choir librarian, our choral scholars and Andrei for his continued and marvelous commitment to us as Assistant Organist. Of course none of this would be possible without our Rector, Rob providing us with his unwavering support of the musical ambitions we collectively pursue in giving our most evocative expressions of praise to God, every Sunday morning of the year.

Respectfully submitted,

Simon Walker, Director of Music

7 Rummages & Christmas Bazaar 2016

Our two rummage sales and Christmas Bazaar were extremely well attended again this year and we were fortunate to welcome many new faces to our rank of volunteers. Everyone is welcome, you don’t need any experience, just a willingness to pitch in and have fun…there is a job for everyone. Once again, thank you all who have donated, come out to work or shopped at these events. If you haven’t already, please join us, we’d love to have you.

The results of the years’ sales were as follows: Spring Rummage Sale $4,100 Fall Rummage Sale $3,400 Christmas Bazaar $11,000 Total 2016 $18,500

With respect to this year’s activities, we have requested that the funds be distributed as follows: Fare share Food bank $7,000 Ian Anderson House $3,000 Tomato Ladies $2,500 St Mathews House Hamilton $3,000 St Jude’s Crisis Relief Fund $3,000

Most of us are familiar with the Fareshare Food Bank here in Oakville, a facility which is run entirely by volunteers and receives no government funding.

The Tomato Ladies are a group of volunteers, many of whom are from our parish, who put on free cooking classes , hoping to teach families how to make nutritious and interesting meals from ingredients that they may receive from the food bank. They also host a number of special dinners at the Lighthouse shelter.

St Mathews House in Hamilton is an outreach project of the Diocese of Niagara .It serves people living in and around some of the most impoverished areas in Hamilton. Their services include emergency food, crisis intervention and outreach to seniors and vulnerable persons to support their independent living.

The St. Jude’s Crisis Relief fund is a fund administered by the clergy and business manager at St Jude’s, to provide financial help to people in need. Aid may take the form of grocery gift certificates for those struggling to make ends meet, the shortfall of what is not covered for medical aids, or helping a Restore client with a financial need. It is a fund totally financed by personally directed donations.

8 Refugee to Newcomer 2016 Vestry Report

In January 2015 we decided to partner with St. Simon’s Anglican Church of Oakville in the sponsorship of a Refugee family. Through the Diocese of Niagara (as Sponsorship Agreement Holder) we have applied for a BVOR case (Blended Visa Office Referred), where support is offered by the sponsorship group (the Parishes of St. Simon’s and St. Jude’s) and funding is provided by both the Government of Canada and the sponsorship group.

To explain the process, Diocesan presentations were held at St. Jude’s and St. Simon’s on January 7th and January 27th, 2016 respectively. On February 20th and April 30th, we held Saturday morning sessions at St. Simon’s for parishioners from both parishes who were interested in supporting this initiative.

This year there was a Leadership Team made up of Jennifer MacKenzie (St. Simon’s), Ann Mulvale (St. Jude’s) and Cheryl Hudson (St. Jude’s). This team met at least weekly by conference call or in person. Volunteers participated in the following teams, each with their own area of responsibility: o Finance o Housing & Clothing o Employment & Education o Settlement o Transportation o Communication.

Each team appointed their own team leader. The teams met according to their own schedules and the Team Leaders met with the Leadership Team once every 3 weeks. The Communications Team ensured that a consistent message was delivered to both parishes. This was done by way of a Blog (refugeetonewcomer.wordpress.com), coordinated notices in both parish bulletins, email blasts and Sunday morning announcements.

Teams were very active over the year, doing lots of research, gathering supplies and holding fundraising events (Sidebar Concert and Entertainer’s Concert at St. Simon’s church, and the St. Jude’s Bake Sale,). We estimated that we needed to raise $38,000 in order to sponsor a family for 12 months. To-date, we have raised approximately $33,000. We feel well equipped to assist a family when one arrives.

On May 6, 2016, we submitted a Settlement Plan and Budget to the Diocese stating that we were equipped to sponsor a family of 5 to 7 people and that we would be willing to sponsor a family from any region of the world deemed to be in need.

Unfortunately, that was the point in time when the federal government effectively put the brakes on processing and accepting new refugee applications. As a result, we are still on a list waiting to be matched with a family. We have no indication as to when a match will be made or when our family will arrive.

While very frustrated by this situation, we have had the privilege of being able to use some of our resources to respond to other requests for assistance. Confident that we will be able to replenish any donations we’ve already received, we were able to provide a bedframe, mattress, box-spring, 2 bar stools, and a wooden table with matching chairs to a family consisting of a Mom and 2 girls in primary school who had recently moved to Oakville and were having to “start over”. In addition, we offered our assistance to Church of the Incarnation & St. Aidan’s, who have already received the family they are co-sponsoring. In that instance, we were able to provide some assistance with volunteer drivers.

We continue to wait with prayerful anticipation for the family that we will be able to assist.

Report submitted by Cheryl Hudson

9 Justice and Servant Ministries 2016 Annual Report to Vestry

1. Introduction In 2010, following a recommendation of the Rector and discussion at Parish Council, Justice and Servant Ministries adopted a mandate focussing on food ministry. This was:

“To mobilize the resources and engage the members of the Parish, focussing these on the problem of hunger/malnutrition amongst families and individuals in Oakville and in Itabo, Cuba, (where we have a partner church, St. Mary the Virgin), and working in partnership with a few selected community agencies.”

The Team’s role initially was to work with food partners, to review a list of projects proposed by the food partners, and to choose the ones most suitable for St. Jude’s to support with both grants and volunteer resources. The Team’s recommendations for grants to food partners were included in its budget and subsequently were approved by the Corporation on an annual basis. In addition to recommending the allocation of grants, the Team managed the start-up of each project, which included recruiting volunteers, designing programs and designating project leadership, as well as working closely with food partner staff members. The Team was responsible for clarifying results expected and for communicating regularly with the congregation, so that it would be kept informed of progress. Practically, this meant that volunteer recruitment, training, management and recognition took up much of the Team’s time. Over the period 2010-2016, the scope of activity has steadily increased.

2. New Program Introduced in 2016: Restore The most significant event in 2016 was the introduction in April of the first J&SM program not specifically related to food ministry: the Restore Method of Care Program.

Restore equips churches and their congregations to help people in distress “cross a bridge” to a healthier, less- dependent and sustainable life. The philosophy is that people experiencing poverty and distress want a hand up, rather than a hand-out. Restore helps people to understand and access the resources available to them and it fills the gaps where formal and informal services are not available. Restore was successfully developed and launched by a group of churches in Markham and then it was replicated in Halton Region. Nine churches in Oakville are participating, under the leadership of Kerr Street Mission as Delivery Partner in Halton.

Since April, nine clients have been admitted to Restore. Seven are from the community and two are members of the congregation. Ten volunteers have taken the Restore Foundations Course and are now qualified as care planners. Blair Richardson is overall Care Coordinator. St. Jude’s has provided financial support from the crisis relief fund, e.g. help with a child’s dental bill, for a winter coat, for groceries and medications. This support amounted to $926.50. Through the generous spirit of parishioners, Restore clients have received household items, clothing, bedding and furniture. Stanley Redwood, Restore Area Director for Halton Region, who is employed at Kerr Street Mission, has provided leadership and support to our volunteers.

3. Monday Night Dinners at Kerr Street Mission Program Coordinator: Elizabeth Chalmers

Monday nights are family night at KSM, and St. Jude’s provided a family dinner each month, excepting July and August.

10 The number of people attending each month ranged between 55 and 85 guests, with more than half of them children and teenagers. Since it is challenging not to know how many people will attend, the Monday night team has always cooked enough food to serve 90 – 100 guests. However, with so many children (and their typically smaller food portions), we were generally able to serve about 130 portions. There was always enough for second helpings, and any additional leftovers were packaged up for guests to take home. A team of approximately 20 volunteers rotated monthly to cook and serve a high quality, nutritious meal that included beef and chicken entrees, vegetarian choices, and plenty of fresh produce. As a result, we were able to accommodate various diet restrictions. Providing family dinners at KSM is a gratifying and rewarding experience. In 2017, the Monday Night Coordinator Team will be Carol Lowes, Ann Mulvale and Ashley Trapman.

4. Thursday Night Dinners at Kerr Street Mission Team Leader: Robin Woollard St. Jude’s Thursday night dinners for adults at Kerr Street remained as popular as ever, and our 40 or so volunteers who prepared and served the dinners all had a fun time! Client numbers seemed to be on the upswing, with regular attendance in excess of 80 guests and on occasion, exceeding the 100 mark. In May, we were privileged to be asked to cater for the “Live at Kerr” - the launch of KSM’s new fundraising drive. We prepared and served our regular three- course meal to about 100 of Oakville’s "Movers and Shakers". From comments received, we were very much a part of making the evening the roaring success that it was. Funds raised both that evening and since have enabled KSM to pay down close to $1.5 million on their mortgage by the end of December! Kerr Street Mission is not a “Soup Kitchen” and our primary aim is not only to supply meals, but to introduce to the evening a sense of self-worth and dignity for the clients. We do this by presenting the meal in a “Restaurant” setting, (called The Eagle’s Flight Café). Initial greeting in the assembly area, coloured table cloths, flowers and chatting to customers are all part of this experience. We serve a three- course meal, cooked from scratch and focussing on good nutrition. The menus vary, depending on grocery store specials, and while food costs have risen this year, we have still been able to provide the dinners at a cost of approximately $3.00 per guest.

5. Wednesday Food For Life Outreach Program Program Coordinator: Rev. Deanne Keatings In 2016, our growing team of 36 volunteers (6 new additions and only 2 retirements) received, sorted, and hand- delivered over 40,000 pounds of food to 32 families (77 adults and 77 children and teens) in the Margaret and Maurice Drive community. This allowed us to provide our recipients with roughly 24,000 family meals in 2016, or 53 family meals per household per month! Over and above these numbers, grants from St. Jude’s also enabled us once more to donate 72 bags of fresh produce to Kerr Street Mission in support of their cooking ministry. We even managed to cut our costs this year and encourage “the three R’s” (reduce, reuse, recycle) by asking parishioners to donate their used plastic grocery bags. The fruits (pun intended) of this ministry were many, not the least of which are the relationships formed and nurtured amongst our volunteers and with our neighbours.

6. Summer Weekly Barbecue at Margaret/Maurice Drive Program Coordinator: Blair Richardson For the fourth summer in a row, volunteers from St. Jude’s provided a weekly BBQ in July and August to the families residing in the Margaret/Maurice Drive complex. For the first time ever, one week was cancelled due to rain! Each week, a team of 12 from a roster of 40 volunteers buys, prepares and cooks the hot dogs, chicken, veggie and beef hamburgers with all the trimmings, all under the leadership of a Team Captain. Our partner, Frontline Outreach, provides the BBQ‘s, tables and equipment and delivers the refrigerated meat portion of the BBQ. More than 2,000 meals were served over the summer. In September, Halton Region staff hosted a well-attended meeting for BBQ guests to provide feedback. It was very clear that resident families appreciate the occasions for more than just the food consumed. Many good suggestions emerged from the discussion and for the first time, a Margaret/Maurice Drive resident, Maryam Bobbo, will become a coordinator, along with two volunteers from St. Jude’s, for the 2017 program. This will help strengthen our relationship with residents, improve communications, and enable us to implement a number of the suggestions.

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7. Lyon’s Lane Vegetable Garden Plot Program Coordinator: Michael Nightingale We started the season with one plot, but in mid-June were given a second plot adjoining ours. It was a late start, so the quantity of produce from it was limited. However, by the end of the season, on 31st October, we had delivered 260 lbs of assorted vegetables to Kerr Street Mission. With both plots for the entire 2017 season, we hope to raise the output to 300 lbs, at least! We also installed a donation box for contributions from other gardeners at Lyon’s Lane, some of whom were very generous. With better signage, perhaps we can persuade even more to donate produce. Apart from the purchase of seeds and plants, the main expense for each plot is the annual rental of $83.43, paid to the Town.

8. Annual Grants and Payments to Community Partners Accountant: Roger Beach The approved budget for J&SM in 2016 was $19,000. Actual expenses for the year were $18,709 with approximately 38% representing the KSM dinner costs. Other expenditures included (i) fresh food boxes delivered to St. Jude’s once per month by Food For Life, Halton Fresh Food Box - $3,257.00, (ii) Of total BBQ costs of $4,233 Front Line Outreach received - $2,150.00 for the cost of meat provided, and (iii) Food For Life received a grant of $4,000.00, to help defray their food delivery costs.

9. Conclusion A special thank you goes to everyone who volunteered and to our community partners. Overall, it was a very successful year, only made possible through the support and engagement of our congregation and its leaders.

Respectfully submitted by Justice and Servant Ministries

Rev. Deanne Keatings Roger Beach Drew Bucknall Elizabeth Chalmers Perry Cloete George Duross Noreen Duross Blair Richardson Peter Stamp Catherine Farrell

12 Communications and Public Witness Vestry Report 2016

Communication is always an important part of any faith community. At St. Jude's, we have numerous ways to share information to the parish community and beyond: The St. Jude’s This Week announcement bulletin, quarterly Newsletters, weekly office Email Blasts and special events reminders, the St. Jude's website (stjudeschurch.net), the St. Jude’s Facebook Page, as well as telephone calls and spoken announcements by parishioners and clergy on Sunday. If you do not yet receive the email blasts, contact the Church Office and have your email address added to the list. If you are away, and need to see the St. Jude’s This Week weekly bulletin, it can viewed on your computer or tablet at the Church website. Visit the Church Facebook page and click Follow to see the updates in your News Feed.

Since the redevelopment of the stjudeschurch.net website in 2014, the site is now easier to navigate and more user friendly. New information is added regularly so that the most important content can always be found. The calendar feature can easily be accessed so that parishioners can know what events are upcoming. There is a search field that can assist in locating all needed information. New slideshows of recent events are updated and videos have been added. The St. Jude's YouTube Channel has a growing collection of short videos about parish activities, groups and events. If your Parish group has an event that needs to be photographed or recorded, contact the office and make a request.

Our website includes a link to St. Jude’s and St. Simon’s joint Syrian Refugee Project Blog. During the past year, the Refugee to Newcomer team has worked tirelessly to prepare a plan and raise funds in preparation for a family, yet unknown to us. The site includes information updates, contact information, meeting calendars, links to Diocesan resources and a volunteer form, can be viewed at: refugeetonewcomer.wordpress.com. You can subscribe to Refugee to Newcomer by visiting the site and clicking on the Follow button that appears in the bottom right corner. After entering your email address, you will receive updates automatically via email.

If you have suggestions about how communication can better serve the needs of our Parishioners, contact the Office or the Communication Chairperson.

Submitted by Rod Murray

Report on the Activities of the Men's Gatherings 1. The Men's Group is open each Wednesday morning 8pm to 9pm, to men who wish to participate in lively discussions concerning matters of faith, social justice, ethics, and truth, in a fast changing world. We open and close the morning gathering in prayer. While we encourage respectful thoughtfulness on all matters, we also encourage an ample and good flow of good humour. Laughter is an excellent medicine. The group consists of 22 men who attend on a regular basis. Most Wednesdays 15 -17 are in attendance. Newcomers are always welcome. Men from outside the immediate St. Jude's family are also welcome. Come try us out.

2. In addition to the weekly gatherings, the men hold a Saturday morning Men's breakfast, 2 -3 times each year. The small committee have the meeting running very well. All speakers have eloquently been able to fascinate, educate and make us laugh as they tell us something about the importance a stable Christian faith has meant to them in their careers and family life. Included in the committee and whose able assistance is much appreciated are;

Drew Bucknall O.N., Brock Mason, Douglas Field, Chris Punnett, Robin Woollard and Ian Howard

At the next breakfast in April, the speaker will be Michael Coren, may I suggest you book April 29th now, there is a limited number of seats, half sold out ready. Suggestions for speakers are always welcome.

This report is respectfully submitted on behalf of the men in the 2 groups, Ian Howard

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St. Jude’s Parish Statistics

2016 2015 2014 2013

Number of registered households 589 610 615 674 Number of contributors on parish roll 410 402 430 441

Sacraments Baptisms 15 15 15 32 Confirmations 1 8 5 9 Marriages 17 18 16 15 Funerals 41 32 43 25

Sunday Worship (average attendance) 242 252 268 276 8:00 a.m. 28 28 30 31 9:30 a.m. 92 86 101 108 11:00 a.m. 113 123 124 120 10:00 a.m. (15 Combined Services in 2014) 128 141 143 160

10:30 a.m. Wednesday 19 18 17 20 Jazz Vespers 72 72 71 68 Evensong 76 83 78 75

Easter: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 831 935 1009 822 Christmas Eve/Day 1098 1140 1234 1236

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