The annual Vestry is a time to look back – and a time to look forward.
Looking back is the easy part:
- The vestry booklet (which was circulated last week, and which I am sure you have read and memorized cover to cover) has captured the essence of our year.
- The Treasurer’s report has given us a detailed accounting of the cost of doing ministry in this time and place.
- Our wardens have again praised the faith and spirit of our members, which is what keeps us going despite the financial and property concerns which weigh heavily upon us.
We remember those whose journey with us ended this past year:
- Ed Bailey
- Marjory Gibbons
- Evelyn Inksetter
- Muriel Kirby
- Flo Rubinoff
- Father Bob Skelding
Giving thanks for them, and their many gifts, and the memories we hold of them.
Looking forward is not as easy.
Last week’s reading about a variety of gifts (but the same Spirit) was a perfect start to Vestry week … reminding us all that our differences are what strengthen the ministry of church (as long as we recognize that we are in this together as part of the body of Christ – not in competition)
And so I looked at the readings for today :
The words from the prophet Jeremiah remind us that God knew us before we were even in the womb, and that our words and thoughts and actions come from him. (we can do this)
The passage from First Corinthians speaks to the importance of doing what we do “in love” . While we often hear this passage at weddings (and oooh and ahhhh as they are beautifully read), we need to remember that they were NOT written to be part of a picturesque wedding. These words were first offered to the people of Corinth who were fighting with each other about a number of issues – who needed to be called to account. Who needed some sort of standard to hold their behaviour up against – and see how they were doing. (that works for every congregation and faith community … including our own).
And then the Gospel. Which tells of Jesus preaching in the synagogue – and so offending people that they rallied to take him to the edge of town and throw him off a cliff.
Where am I to go with that ? Other than be thankful that we are closer to the center of town and nowhere near a cliff.
So much for that idea …
Okay – let’s start with this …
DOORS OPEN
Last year – we entered launched OPEN DOORS – a theme which called us to open our doors and our resources to the community, and to see that mission and ministry in and through this place would continue.
And I called on us to focus on three key areas:
Evangelism, Stewardship and Fund-Raising.
Evangelism – inviting others into our community. The days of believing that folks will “come to church because they know we are here” are long gone. Each of us needs to be proactive – inviting family and friends and “lapsed” folks to join us for worship or one of our many social events. Getting them here, welcoming visitors, and then letting God work through the community and the gathering to make them want to be a regular part of what we do. I have not charted this, but have recognized that from time to time many of you have brought guests with you (either to church services or social events or both). We need to continue that ~~~
Stewardship – which is everything we do after we say “I believe”. We supported the Mill Courtland Community Center, the Foster Care suitcase drive and the Fill the Sills campaign … all of which strengthened relationships and made deeper connections with the people in this area. Financially – we doubled our support for Doors Open, and generously supported Our of the Cold, The Primates World Relief & Development Fund, Renison College, the Deanery Refugee families (just to name a few).
Fund-Raising – as I continue to remind you, the key to successful fund-raising is accessing other people’s money. Our fund-raisers this year did just that:
- The wine club
- The Easter Bake Sale
- The Rheo Thompson chocolate sales
- The Time and Talent auction
Supported by our members — but all had the strong support of non-members as well. All of which we plan to offer again this year.
The Wine Club, has already begun its first campaign for 2016. During our meeting today, there will be the opportunity to sample our two special offerings:
- Classic ice wine
- Chocolate Raspberry port
I have opened this fund-raising opportunity to other churches in the area – and hope their sales will give this first campaign of the year a tremendous boost.
CONVERSATIONS
About seven years ago, the bishop asked the clergy in Kitchener to begin a conversation about our life together. Like most cities we seemed to be competing against each other for the same souls, the same outreach opportunities, through four different buildings. We met, and came to the realization that we are four extremely different parishes who (at the time) were all viable and able to function independently (but that if things changed, we would certainly re-visit things) We agreed to get together for certain liturgies (Ash Wednesday as a start), and support the initiatives and ministries of each other, all in addition to those things we already share with the other parishes in our deanery (joint confirmations, outreach committee, etc). Unfortunately, this did not last very long. However, the relationship between St. Andrew’s and Holy Trinity Church has continued … we share Ash Wednesday services, Advent and Christmas Carol services, and support some of each other’s programs and events.
As you are all aware, this past year, the bishop called us together again … clergy and wardens .. and the conversations and possibilities have resumed.
BISHOP TERRY
This past year, we were blessed with many visits from our Bishop. Bishop Terry invited himself to St. Andrew’s for Ash Wednesday (he brought his wife, drove through one of the worst snow storms of the season, and worshipped with us as we entered Season of Lent). For the next six weeks he lead a Deanery Bible Study – many of us were blessed to be part of that study). In the summer, he came and met with our Parish Council to discuss our future both as a parish, and as part of the wider Anglican presence in the city of Kitchener. He returned a few months later – meeting with the clergy and wardens of all the Kitchener churches, as we began our conversations about how we can best work together, and support each others ministries (rather than seeming to be in competition).
When Bishop Terry announced he would be retiring as the end of 2015, he asked that he be allowed one more visit to worship at St. Andrew’s – because he (like Bishop Bob) feel a very strong spirit and love in this place.
St. Andrew’s has had no shortage of opportunity to meet, and pray, and talk, with our bishop.
With his retirement, we enter a new stage:
BETWEEN
When the process began to choose our next bishop began, I was humbled (and honoured) to be nominated for consideration. It has been a long four month process, as the candidates have travelled around the diocese, met hundreds of people, been interviewed and questioned, and “put out there” as people prayerfully and diligently consider who they feel is being called to serve as our bishop.
For me – it is just one more thing that leave me/us in limbo
- As a diocese (while we wait to see who our new bishop will be)
- As the churches in Kitchener (as we address our future working relationship)
- As a Parish (because the results of those two previous things will affect what’s happening here).
- And as an individual, because all three of those will affect my life (no matter how they unfold)
And the song that keeps running through my head is from a Sesame Street video I saw years ago called BETWEEN
When the Cheese is in the middle of two slices of bread (it’s between).
When you’re lying in the covers of your nice warm bed (you’re between).
Whenever someone’s on this side, and someone’s on the other.
Right there in the middle is right in between (between, between).
This year (more than any other) – I’m really feeling “between”
But that is nothing new for us (or for the church)We are always in between something … from the moment we say YES to being a follower of Jesus ….. to the moment when he comes again …. we are in between.
And our life/our ministry is constantly in between those two points.
Moving from one thing to another.
And we strengthen our self for all of that
- by studying scripture
- by praying
- by gathering with one another
- and by doing what we can , when we can, in whatever context we find ourselves … knowing that it is all in between. Because if we wait for the “this” to finish, we will be into another period of “between”.
So for all of us – as we live through our “in between”.
Don’t lose faith – stay true to what you believe and what we are called to do
Trust that God will carry us through.
Copyright ©2016 by Rob Towler