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Rector's
Messages
Annual
Report 2006
The
Parish of St. James, Armdale, seeks to live out the Christian faith in the
Anglican tradition, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We strive to
grow as a welcoming, friendly, parish family that has strong liturgical,
pastoral and teaching ministries. We are dedicated to fostering the
values of the Christian Faith in our parish, and reaching out
to the wider community. -St. James Mission Statement
Fostering
Values and Reaching Out: The Rector's Report for 2006
A
mission statement is best evaluated, not by words alone but by the lived
reality of those whom it inspires. We adopted our Parish Mission Statement
several years ago. It is printed almost weekly in the parish leaflet. It
is important we monitor how we live it out.
We
strive to foster the values of Christian faith. I strive to realize
this vision through my educator's responsibilities as parish priest.
Sermon preparation is a call to relate the insights of the readings to the
experience of a living faith. Current trends in the world, developments in
the wider church, the concerns and observations of parishioners, the
conversations from our Bible Study Group all provide a mine of
information. I then place it alongside the insights of the authors of
Sacred Story. There is an old joke about "preaching to
yourself". In fact, preachers are well advised to include themselves
among those to whom they preach. After all, pastors face the same
challenge joys and concerns faced by people in the pews. Preaching, Bible
study, sermon series, children's stories, funeral and wedding homilies,
and my part in other educational aspects of parish life challenge me to
foster the values of Christian Faith. The enterprise is not mine alone.
This past year, for example, the Ecumenical Water Awareness Program was
placed before our parish in a set of related initiatives. The Lenten
sermon series was devoted to the theme of water as a faith symbol. Water
was the focus of the Children's stories. The worship events were matched
by the excellent presentations given by Bill Gates (water delivery
systems), Bill Li (Earth's Oceans & Water Cycle) and Carmon Stone
(Water and Mid East Geography). Carmon also instructed the confirmation
program that began in last fall. The Sunday school program works in a
holistic way in the classroom, in conjunction with worship, and with
outreach programming to foster the values of faith in the children of the
parish. I'm pleased to lend support to these endeavors. The newly
organized Christian Meditation Group, coordinated by Irene Reid, provides
a contemplative opportunity for nurturing and sustaining the spiritual
life. Liturgy is one of the most important contexts for training
Christians. The rhythm of the Church year is such a wonderful resource in
this regard. From the intimate Easter Vigil and Resurrection reception
following to the Choral Eucharist of Easter Day, the celebration of Easter
is a microcosm of our entire church year. Liturgies like this form and
shape us throughout the year. A great number of people are involved in the
planning and conduct of liturgy: committee members and parish staff,
readers, servers, choristers and musicians, eucharistic ministers, Altar
Guild members, sidespeople, and so forth.
The
Pastoral life of the Church is an arena for fostering Christian
values-especially the values of care, mercy, compassion, and grace. There
are some statistics below; but the continuum of pastoral appointments that
characterizes my role runs from preparing people for baptism and weddings,
through pastoral counsel, to sacramental acts for the sick and the dying.
What is said or signed in each situation is intended to be grounded in the
values of faith. Once again, it is a shared ministry. It is shared with
the pastoral visitors group and others who visit on behalf of the church.
It is shared with the many individuals whom I know uphold others in
prayer. It is shared with the hospital chaplaincy team. It is shared with
the activity staff in the nursing home. It is shared with members of the
many families of the parish who care for one another during life's turning
points. The fostering of the values of Christian faith takes place within
a setting that is made up both of people and a place. The values of faith
are fostered in the activities of the people who belong to our many groups
and organizations. The singing of hymns, the planning of food events, the
conduct of programs and activities are all expressions of the values of
people engaged in building up community. The church building itself is
also a vehicle for Christian formation. Buildings may be a burden in some
situations. However, we must not loose sight of the fact that our
buildings are an asset for the faithful. Throughout the year visitors and
new comers remark on the beauty of our church environment. Immediately
stories ensue about their church of origin, or how the surroundings here
make them feel 'at home.' You can see the warmth as they take in the
church environment around them. Many people returning home for a visit
remark on the loveliness of the chapel. Immediately stories ensue about
growing up in the parish, worshipping in the 'old church', or attended
Sunday school. Sacred space is a place where the sacred story is joined to
the stories of people-people who are part of our story. Therefore, those
who labour to care for maintain and upgrade our church and hall play a
crucial role in fostering an environment that in turn fosters values.
The
values of faith enliven a people for outreach into God's
world. Many and varied are the ways that people from St. James volunteer
in the wider community in fulfillment of their baptismal covenant. There
are several people from our parish who contribute to Diocesan work. Note
the work of our outreach Committee and the many projects it supports
locally and in the wider world. Mark the opportunities for learning and
generosity that are part of the life of our groups, organizations and
Sunday school. Many of the Mothers Union monthly programs bridge the
interests of MU with speakers from the wider community. The St. James
Branch also makes a contribution to outreach through such things as
Mission to Seafarers, Phoenix House, and the northern clergy wives fund. A
Mothers Union member is often one of the earliest contacts a new parent at
St. James will make at church. There is the work of The Anglican Church
Women. The A.C.W. has a long and solid history with mission-something that
continues to be reflected in the interests and expenditures of St. James
A.C.W. St. James Social Club, celebrating its 55th year in 2007, includes
topics pertaining to the wider world on its calendar of events. The
Stewardship Committee is a new initiative within our parish committee
structure. Stewardship theology has an outreach component in that it
joins "our house" to God's world. I'm energized in working with
our Stewardship Committee in its formative stages. I try and make certain
that there is an "outgoing" aspect to my own role as a priest of
the church. Much of my preaching and teaching ministry is delivered from a
justice education perspective. I have found my pastoral contribution to
Glades Lodge to be very meaningful. I am enjoying my work with Bishop Fred
as a member of Dean and Chapter. I am enjoying my work with Bishop Sue as
a member of the Diocesan Stewardship Resource Education Group -part of the
"Letting Down the Nets" initiative. I was able to serve as
acting regional dean for Chebucto this past fall. This past year I
completed my term as Diocesan Chaplain for Mothers Union. It was great
to attend with members from St. James the spring rally in St. John's,
North Sydney. It was a privilege to be here in November when St. James
hosted Mothers Union Branches and welcomed Susan Wilson from Mary Sumner
House in England. Ms. Wilson gave a great presentation on the work of MU
worldwide. She spoke about the work of the MU "Overseas Fund" in
so many places in the world. Mothers Union has under gone a very
significant evolution over the past number of years. The MU is committed
to fostering all types of family life around the world. Having supported
MU branches as a priest in several parishes, it was a great privilege to
become an actual member of a branch here at St. James this past year.
Let
me conclude with some thank you notes. I reiterate the expressions
of gratitude by our wardens in their report to so many faithful members of
the parish. In addition to the groups I noted above, I wish to thank our
staff Michael Hadley (custodian), Allen Simpson and his wife Karen (book
keeper and printer), David Wilson (choir director and organist) together
with Betty Rice (office secretary), Hugh McGinn (envelope secretary)
for all of their time and work. I wish to thank our parish
wardens. It has
been wonderful working with Carmon Stone, Pam Williams and Bill Li. I'm
aware of the time commitment and sense of responsibility that is theirs.
Carmon is rotating off as Senior Warden. A note of gratitude is extended
to him on behalf of Pam, Bill and I. A thank you is extended as well to
those who are rotating off from a term on Parish Council. They do so with
appreciation for consistent and committed service. A thank you is extended
to Sarah Jane Raine and members of the Finance Committee. Good management
and oversight resulted in a great year in 2006 with a prudent budget for
the year just begun. Thank you is extended to my "mentor" The
Rev. Canon David Boston. David's availability to take services during my
holidays, to assist on Sundays as his intrepid schedule permits, his help
with both hospital ministry and Wednesdays on occasion, and for his
ongoing support are all much appreciated. A very special thank you is
extended to Wendy for all of her support and understanding, and her
willingness to uphold me in parish ministry despite a very demanding
schedule of her own both at home and at work. The Holy Spirit has given
her the gifts of encouragement, patience, insight and wise counsel. I am
frequently a beneficiary of her application of the same.
Respectfully
submitted - The Rev. Canon Rod Gillis
2006
Pastoral appointments: 257
Easter
Octave attendance: 516.
Easter
Octave Communicants: 506. (April15.16 &23)
Christmas
attendance: 532.
Christmas
Communicants: 475. (Dec. (24/25)
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