March 2005

Warden's Report

It is has been a couple of months since the last newsletter, so in a page or two, we will attempt to bring you up-to-date with our current financial standing, and the decision reached concerning the Colombian refugee family, but we begin first by thanking our very own and never tiring, Jack & Jeanne Lewis who put on a splendid Lenten Passover Luncheon at church house on Maundy Thursday, March 24^th.

At the beginning of Lent, Jack had made available many of his books for us to read. At the end of Lent we were to meet over lunch and discuss with others what the books that we had selected mean to us on a personal inspirational level. To gather around a table for food and conversation is a traditional and most pleasant form of fellowship and shared learning. This Passover meal, which we shared, carries on the learning tradition established by God through Moses when he commanded his people to commemorate his loving kindness towards them in the Exodus. Out of our luncheon, spawned the idea of getting together again to discuss books or passages of spiritual interest. If you are interested in spending some time together in an informal discussion group, say once or twice a month for an hour or so, please call Diane Rosenberg @ 539-5079.

This week we will be mailing out a letter to all the individuals and service clubs who donated money to the Colombian family refugee programme informing everyone about the decision we arrived at our last parish council meeting. Basically, we will be consolidating our donations of money and furnishings with St. Saviour’s parish in Victoria who will be sponsoring another family from Colombia. We had to make this decision because of the severe shortage of affordable accommodation on Mayne Island. 

The World Day of Prayer, held March 4^th, was very well attended. This year’s theme was generated from Poland. Thank-you to Mary Simmons for organizing the service and the video and refreshments.

Our thoughts and prayers extend to the friends and families in our community who are not well or who are recovering from surgeries especially Denis Simmons and Ed Pedersen. Prayers of recovery extend also to Don Kirby who has just completed an exhaustive cancer treatment programme in Victoria.  Lorna, in our last council meeting, made mention of the need for a Mayne Island Cancer Support Group. While in Victoria receiving cancer treatments, through this difficult and stressful period, Don & Lorna appreciated the support they received, and it is their wish to initiate a similar cancer support group here to help others. For more information on how you can help, please contact Lorna @ 539-5881.

Apart from the regular monthly meetings, please mark your calendar for the next “New-to-You” Women’s Auxiliary event scheduled for Tuesday, April 5 from 10 am to Noon. Please contact Pat @ 539-5519 for details.

And for those computer savvy individuals who would like to stay current with news concerning the Anglican Church of Canada, you can view the Web casts of Archbishop Andrew Hutchison called +Andrew: Conversations with the Primate at www.anglican.ca

It is time to give the Church and Church House a spring clean up. If you would like to help, please contact Sue @ 539-5530. We hope to schedule this "work bee" for sometime in April.

Thanks to the efforts last fall by the garden crew of Denis Simmons, John Larsen, Dennis Watts, Ed Meriniuk and Len Epp, the grounds are in full bloom this spring. As well, the Memorial Garden, under the watchful eye of Jack Lewis and his helpers, are in glorious bloom.

Thank-you also to Janet Guy for covering for Shirley Heslip while she was recovering for treatment on her hand.

Treasurer's Report

We had a little bit of a slow start for the year, with two services cancelled in January due to bad weather. Therefore, our February month end showed total receipts of $5,611 and total disbursements of $10,875; with an excess of disbursements over receipts of $5,264. We hope with spring arriving, bringing lots of visitors to the Church, we will once again be in good standing.

The cost of property insurance was $2,079 this year, which was slightly lower than budget forecast of $2,200. The church also received a generous donation from Eleanor Evans to purchase new vinyl-top folding tables, for use by the quilters; however, the tables have been a welcome addition for other Church House functions.

Please remember two important funds that require your contributions. Our Church’s share of the Residential Schools Settlement is $6,108. Our monthly commitment is $100. We have $3,808 left to pay the Diocese. Another important Fund is the Primate World Relief Development Fund ("PWRDF"). The PWRDF engages in development work, responds to emergencies, works to protect refugees and educates and advocates for change. You can learn more about this Fund on their web site at www.pwrdf.org   If you would like to contribute to either of these funds just make a note on the outside of your weekly envelope.

If you are interested in reading the Lessons in Church and/or preparing and reading the Prayers of the People or serving the coffee/tea hour after Church service, please add your name to the sign up sheet posted in Church House.  We appreciate your support.

Our Church Fair theme this year is “Country & Western”. Next meeting is April 6, 10 am @ Church house.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

Church House

Please call Janet Guy @ 539-3132 for bookings.

Sunday School

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

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.