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Rector's
Messages
Annual
Report 2008
Each
of us has our own particular role to play, in concert with others, as
members of the Body of Christ in our parish. In the midst of all the
activity here at St. James, I try and be mindful of my particular role as
pastor and priest. My calling is to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the
sacraments of redemption, provide leadership for the parish as a caring
community, and be a mentor to other members of the whole people of God in
this place. Each of these things allow me to contribute to the stated
mission of the Parish as a person in an order of ministry.
Proclaiming
the Gospel takes place in many settings including Parish Council,
committee work, in contact with organizations, and in the many
conversations with individuals. I try in each instance to bring the values
of the Gospel into those discussions. Teaching is a particular part of
formally preaching the Gospel during our liturgies. Each week I strive to
bridge the message and meaning of scripture with real concerns presented
to us as people of faith in our times. At funeral liturgies I try and link
the message of hope and consolation embedded in the readings with the
lives of both those who have died and those who continue on their journey.
Celebrating
the sacraments of redemption is at the core of priestly ministry. This
past year I have made a modest increase in the ministry to folks preparing
for baptism. The Sunday Eucharists require some planning before hand so
that the sermon, children's talks and hymns coherently reflect the themes
of the church year. It is also important the that Eucharist be celebrated
in such a way that it is clearly understood to be the work of “the whole
people”. Throughout the year there are many opportunities through
Communion to the sick and shut-ins, and through the rite of anointing, to
celebrate the sacraments of redemption as two or three are gathered around
a hospital bed or a family's coffee table.
On
January 4th of the current year, we welcomed our Diocesan bishop Sue
Moxley, and her husband Bruce, for complete adult Christian initiation and
the rite of confirmation. Confirmation instruction began in the fall of
2008. Carmon Stone provided excellent instruction for the candidates. I am
indebted to The Rev. Lisa Vaughn of St. Timothy's Parish and their Alpha
group who together with Carmon provided instruction for initiation to
Kathryn Edgett. ( Pastor Lisa was also a guest preacher at St. James in
June).
The
past year I conducted 235 pastoral appointments in homes, hospitals, my
office or other locations.
Many
of these had a direct sacramental context. Others were times for counsel
and prayer.
Mentoring
others so that they may find ways of discovering and expressing their
ministry as members of the whole people of God is an important part of
being a pastor in today's church. I discover often in moving to affirm or
support others in their tasks, that I myself come away feeling affirmed.
There are so many ways that the people of St. James live out their calling
to be the people of God. I could not mention them all in a single report .
There is one group that I fear are sometimes overlooked in terms of what
they contribute to our parish. They are the young people at St. James. The
youth are not the largest segment in our parish, but they have an
effective presence in our midst. Young people have a ministry in our
Sunday school, both as students and assisting teachers, in the orchestra,
in the Servers Guild, and in the Scouting programs of which the parish is
a sponsor. The enthusiasm of the children during the weekly children's
story provides an energetic exclamation mark for the 10:00 am liturgy. The
children make a powerful contribution to the Christmas family service and
to the Children's Good Friday liturgy. This year we will have an
opportunity to experience the children in a single Good Friday service for
all ages. Last year Maria Josey led a group of young people from within
and beyond the parish for the 30 hour Famine. It was a privilege have
Maria presented with the Duke of Edinburgh award during a Sunday service--
the location of her choice. During lent in 2008, several young people
played for a series of Lenten vesper services. It's my intention to
reprise an adapted version of the same this coming Lent. The theme of the
children's stories during Lent was the “I am sayings” from John's
Gospel. During the series the children, with the help of Colleen Day and
Kate Hinchey Day, constructed an Easter banner for the sanctuary cross. It
will adorn our sanctuary again this coming Easter Season. We welcomed the
members of 1st Armdale Group for church parade on Remembrance Sunday and
during “Thinking Week”. We have been increasing the role of the
members of the group during church parades.
Our
parish outreach budget is a kind of tithe on the part of the parish to
those in need both near and far. We support the Halifax West Ecumenical
Food Bank. A number of people whose lives are in disarray get a modest
amount of emergency help via the discretionary fund. We support “Streetfeat”,
the voice of the poor in Halifax, as an advertiser. The work of The
Primate's Fund is actively supported. The Sunday school includes outreach
endeavors in its program. The parish hall is used by some non profit
organizations. A variety of outreach efforts characterized our observance
of advent and Christmas. A crucial and essential component of the message
of Christianity is about the kingdom of God—outreach is one of ways in
which we actively express this message as disciples of Christ. The United
Nations Millennium goals were the focus of the Lenten sermon series. The
goals have been endorsed by the Anglican Church of Canada. There is a real
correspondence between supporting the Goals and being a Gospel people.
A
mini-training event for our servers was held in February. Gael Page has
taken over co-ordinating the young people and adults of our servers guild.
The ministry of Alice Hadley in that capacity in years previous is much
appreciated. Alice continues to be an active server and Eucharistic
minister.
After
many years of faithful service and strong leadership, Audrey Li retired as
Sunday School Superintendent. Her ministry was acknowledged during the
Sunday school closing in May. Ken Francis and Rhiannon Morgan began
sharing joint oversight of the Sunday school in September.
In
order to remain effective as a priest and pastor, it is important to
engage in continuing education.
In
April I attended a one day preaching and scripture workshop sponsored by
the Association of Professional Anglican Clergy. I attended the Nicholson
Lectures at A.S.T. in the Spring and one of the MacKinnon Lectures last
fall. I have been engaged in planning for a sabbatical leave in 2009. The
Sabbatical leave will be of six to eight weeks in duration. The focus of
study will be consideration of classic biblical stories for adults in the
modern world.
Each
of the activities and events noted above, yours and mine, are grounded in
the Parish Mission Statement. Our Mission Statement is not an anchor to
moor us to the past. It is a compass to guide us into the future. Our
parish is changing. I note that the number of home communicants has
increased this past holiday season. The Social club has reduced meetings
to match the needs of its membership. We have had some active and gifted
parishioners who have had to curtail their level of activity because of
changing personal circumstances. Several parishioners have passed into the
fullness of life, and are greatly missed. The Christmas family service
continues to enjoy strong attendance, but there is a decline in the late
service. We continue to enjoy the celebration of a goodly number of
baptisms; but the sustained participation of young families in parish life
is a big challenge. Significant attention has been paid to our buildings
as they under go something of a “fifth decade” refit. However, new
ventures are emerging as we move into that future to which God calls us.
The Property and Finance Committees have been hard at work on the roof
project and the Capital Campaign. A very significant amount of educational
work has been done in the parish by The Stewardship Committee. It may be
that the Faith, Worship, Development Committee will be merged with
Stewardship in order to best utilize time and talent in building up the
parish. An ad hoc Asset Development Committee has been set up to research
possibilities for creative future development of our property. The baptism
preparation program is being expanded. Some new social activities have
taken root alongside some of the long standing ones.
I
wish to conclude with a heart felt thank you to The wardens and Parish
Council for all their leadership and hard work during the past year. Bill
Li (warden) is stepping down after a very busy and demanding three year
term. Appreciation is extended to Nancy Harlow who also stepped down as
warden this past year. Thank You is extended to outgoing Council members
Robin Calder, Lillian Dodge, Rod Glover, Catherine Too, and Richard Kirkey,
the latter, as chair of Property Committee, had a very demanding tenure. I
wish as well to extend my thanks and appreciation to the staff: Allen
& Karen Simpson (printing/book-keeping), David Wilson (music
director), Michael Hadley (custodian) and Betty Rice ( receptionist)
together with some key volunteers not mentioned elsewhere: Sharon Stone (
now Sr. warden) Sarah Jane Raine ( treasurer), Hugh McGinn ( envelope
secretary) as well as the members of the Altar Guild, Servers Guild, the
team of Eucharistic ministers, choirs, orchestra, readers and sides people
teams. We should acknowledge with thanksgiving the great opportunities for
mission, education, and fellowship provided by The A.C.W., Mothers Union,
and Social Club.
This
June past I celebrated thirty years as an ordained priest of The Anglican
Church of Canada. I have now spent one-third of that time here in the
Parish of St. James, Armdale. Once again I would like to thank everyone
for the wonderful anniversary celebration June past. Please know how much
the ministry of the members of this parish make St. James the community it
is. Every one who aspires to mentor others should have a mentor of their
own. Thank you Canon David Boston for all your generous support as a
colleague. As always, I want to note that as I complete another year as a
minister of The Gospel, I could not do so without the support,
encouragement and patience of my wife Wendy.
A
very profound thank you to her for all that she is.
Respectfully
submitted, The Rev. Canon Rod Gillis
Easter
Attendance
Easter
Vigil 35; 8:30 am 54; 10:00 am 275.
Christmas
Attendance
4:00
pm 400+; 10:00 pm 88; 10:00 am 19
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