ST. JUDE's ANGLICAN CHURCH Vestry Reports for the Year 2016
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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.