St. Mary Magdalene Church - Newsletter

Published by the Church Wardens

June 2004

Issue #11

Rectors Rob & Ellen Willngham 629-6700

Wardens: Pat Gasston 539-5519 Dereck Atha 539-5530

Warden’s Report

As usual, we begin our newsletter with some information as generated from our Parish Council meeting held on Thursday June 10. Various topics were discussed as outlined below, but perhaps the most important event is planned for Sunday June 27, following morning’s church service: a celebratory luncheon for Bob & Vivian Brown, long time friends, past council members as Treasurer & Secretary, and overall the nicest people that we have the privilege of knowing. It is a pot-luck lunch – petite sandwiches, salads & desserts are most welcome. Please see Pat or Dereck for further information.

The next important event following Bob & Vivian’s luncheon is our Church Fair on July 10. We are in need of more volunteers for the children’s games – please contact Ed Pedersen @ 539-3634 – he will really appreciate your help. Otherwise, the Fair seems to falling into place thanks to everyone’s efforts. Auction items may be services too, such as gardening, dog-walking, cutting wood….

Bottles for Janet’s Bottle Booth may be left at the Sussex office for pick-up. Janet may be reached @ 539-3132 if you have any questions. Silent Auction items may be dropped off at the Sussex office for pick-up by Jeannine Merinuk or call Jeannine @ 539-9998.

We will be opening the Church on Saturdays again this year for visitors – from 2 to 4pm. If you are interested in showing our island visitors the church, there will be a sign-up sheet in church house – thank-you.

News of the Colombian refugee family is that we are still in a ‘holding-pattern’ waiting for any news of their arrival. Their home here is ready for them and apart from some last minute items, we are ready to receive the family. The process of approving refugee applications through the various interviews, medical checks, and government red-tape is lengthy as we are discovering. We ask for your continuing patience.

Treasurer’s Report

The May 31st financial statements recorded Receipted Donations for the period January 1 to May 31st at $15,297, above our budget projection of $12,490. Contributions to the PWRDF for the same period was $1,025, also above our budget projection of $850. The Colombian Family Fund is at $8,995 with expenses at $1,155. Our operating expenses are within budget.

We are looking forward to a good Church Fair with proceeds meeting or exceeding our budget of $9,000 as this is our main fundraising event for the Church.

Building & Maintenance

Denis reports that apart from replacing the outside light fixture for the vestry and perhaps replacing the Church front door light fixture all appears well looked after. Should you notice something that is in need of repair/replacement, please see John Larsen or call him @ 539-2988.

Centennial Memorial Garden

Some vines & roses have been planted around the gazebo, and Ian Beattie will be replacing some trees that didn’t make it through the winter. Don Slinn will be finishing the bench in the new upper grassed section, commonly known as John Larsen’s area. Jack gladly welcomes volunteers to help him with the gardening and may be reached @ 539-5890.

Church House

Please call Janet Guy @ 539-3132 for bookings.

Women’s Auxiliary

Twenty ladies attended an appreciation luncheon for Vivian Brown & Ivy Zonni at the Spring Water Inn, both who are planning to leave the Island to take up residences on either side of the Strait of Georgia: Sidney & White Rock. Ellen Willingham gave a talk about her experience with the “Faith in Action” over-night-walk-about held in Victoria with other clergy who spent the night visiting the homeless and destitute people living on the streets of Victoria.

Sunday School

Please call Emily Boldt @ 539-2039 or Colleen Fraser @ 539-5460 for information.

Announcements

Parish Meat Pies will be ‘constructed’ at Church house June 23, and the following day at Church house we will be painting Jake Boldt’s donated Wood-n-Things for the Church Fair Garden Centre. Painter’s needed – please see Jeannine or call @ 539-9998.

If you are interested in reading back issues of our newsletters, they are archived on our Church web site.

Parish Council
Members

Rob & Ellen Willingham, Pat Gasston, Dereck Atha, Sue Atha, Bart Wittke, Jack Lewis, Naidae Betker, Denis Simmons, Hank Betker, Lorna Kirby, Mary Simmons, Janet Guy, June Yates, Don Kirby, Marion Worrall, John Larsen.