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Summer is traditionally a time for holidays. It may be a
dumb question, but what are holidays? Do you know that the
word comes from a combination of two words, namely HOLY and
DAYS. Have you ever thought that your time away is holy?
When we take times of refreshment they are to be used for
the good of our soul. This summer when you have some time to
yourself, take time to think about your life and your
ministry and your calling. Step out of the rat race and into
a holy zone and breathe. All of us need this. From the
creation of the world, God established that there is a
Sabbath day each week for us to rest from our labours. It
is, after all, one of the Ten Commandments. So, if God
needed a Sabbath rest after creating all things, what makes
you think you don’t need one?
As you may have guessed, I am almost in holiday mode. I’m
not using the word vacation. "Vacation" comes from the word
VACANT or VACATE which mean to leave or be absent. I’m not
leaving the parish vacant, I’m just taking some holy days at
our cottage for the good of my soul and the well being of my
faith. My hope is that you too will get some holy days
yourself this summer season.
Rev. Richard Jones
RECTOR
LABYRINTH & PARKING
A few people have asked me or made comments about the future
of our labyrinth especially since the beginning of the
planning of our parking lot. The plans for the parking lot
are still in the discussion stage, but parameters have been
set. We have agreed that the trees on Wellington and our
labyrinth will not be removed.
Currently there is no one that I know of who is taking
responsibility for the care and up keep of the labyrinth. I
do not think that this is a big job, especially if a couple
of people choose to take it on. However, if there is no one
to look after it, then we should probably reconsider whether
we keep it. If you would like to help take care of it,
please speak to me before the end of May.
PARISH PICNIC
Mark you calendar for Sunday June 8th. We will have lunch
together on our front lawn after the 10:30 service. Other
details are being worked out.
DECORATION DAY AT THE CEMETERY
Mark your calendar for Sunday June 8th at 2:30 p.m.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY: BOWLING NIGHT JUNE 11TH
All children and youth of the parish are invited to an
evening of food and bowling, supper at 5:30, bowling at
6:30.
Register by calling Crystal Drost at: 519-539-5597
CONFIRMATION
Our confirmation preparation is underway. So far there are
11 youth. We meet every 4 to 6 weeks for a full evening
(5:30 to 10 or so). Two sessions have been held and the next
on May 30th is eagerly anticipated. There are also 4 adults
who have spoken to me about being confirmed and I anticipate
there will be sessions in the fall. No date has been set
with the Bishop, but I am looking at November.
RELAY FOR LIFE
Our “Epiphany Stars” are entered again this year. Four of
our young adults are taking a leadership role and so far
four of our confirmation class have signed up. There is
still room on the team. Relay for Life is June 13th-14th and
raises fund for the cancer society.
ROSE WINDOW (MAY 31ST GALA)
Our rose window that is on the Dundas end of our nave is in
need of repair. We have a grant from the Federal Government
for $25,000 which is available to us until March of 2009. So
the work on the window should begin this summer. There is a
fundraising dinner/talent show and silent auction scheduled
for MAY 31ST. Tickets are $25 and are available from the
church office. Thanks to “Queen” Anne Gray and her many
helpers for all their work getting ready for this.
SYNOD
Please pray for our annual Diocesan Synod. This year our
delegates are Don Hastie, Richard Phillips, and Karen Scott.
There are some very important motions being discussed this
year.
LICENCED LAY READERS
I am pleased to announce that there are three lay readers in
training. Shirley Doney, Mary Mitchell and Don Hastie have
been preparing for several months now. After their interview
with the diocesan chaplain to lay readers (the Rev. Tony
Bouwmeester) they will be ready. We have set the evening of
June 22nd for their installation.
$ FINANCES $
At the end of April our income was $68,282 compared to
$73,414 last year.
Our expenses at the end of April were $68,105 compared to
$103,756 last year.
While it is a good thing that our expenses are down, it is a
concern that our income is also down a little. We still have
not paid any money to the diocese and we did budget $26,000
for 2008. Please keep this in mind and in your prayers.
Thank you for all your generosity so far this year.
MAY GOD BLESS US ALL AS WE PREPARE HIM ROOM IN OUR
HEARTS AND OUR LIVES. Amen
Blessings and Joy in Christ! |
