St. Mary Magdalene Church

Published by the Church Wardens

September 2005

Issue #20

Rectors Rob & Ellen Willngham 629-6700

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

“I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121

Warden's Report

The last newsletter was way back in June - months ago! We have a lot of catching up to do with the most important event this summer being the successful Church Fair which will be discussed later in the Treasurer’s Report.

In late June, Bishop James Cowan presided over a Church service which was followed by a luncheon and discussion at Church house. It was well attended, not only from members of our parish, but also from St Margaret’s of Scotland parish of Galiano Island. Right on the heels of the Bishop’s visit followed the Church Fair. Thanks to the Men’s Breakfast group and to the Lions Club who erected the tents in the rain. Fortunately, on the day of the Fair the weather cleared and we did not see a spot of rain. Thanks again to all the groups and individuals for working so hard to put together yet another successful Fair! We are very blessed with the support the Church receives.

Moving along into August, we had a perfect summer’s day for the outdoor Church service at Dinner Bay Park followed by a “pot luck” lunch, golfing and games. Compared to last year’s outdoor service, we must have doubled the attendance with many more children participating this year.

On Sunday, August 28, Rev’d Thomi Glover presided over the service for Rob & Ellen who were busy with their Pender Island Fall Fair. A special thank-you to Thomi for taking the service.

You may have noticed a newly installed cement barrier on the waterside of Georgina Point Road at the foot of our Church driveway. Thanks to Mainroad Contracting for placing the barrier – adding a measure of safety. In keeping with maintenance items, we received a new hi-tech ride ’em lawn mower complete with a little wagon. John & Kathy Moore and Dereck & Sue Atha went in together and shared the cost of this latest addition to our arsenal of gardening equipment.

Mark your calendars for Saturday October 22 at Church house. Our Diocese in Victoria will be sending out a “Diocesan Ministry Resource Team” to have discussions with Rob & Ellen as well as with the Council and congregation. The topic is, “A picture of today and our future”. Details on how you can participate will be forth coming.

Treasurer's Report

The first update is the Church Fair. The final net profit for the fair was $11,122. An amazing amount for a 4-1/2 hour event, however, many hours of work were put in weeks before to make the fair a great success - which it was. The increase in revenue came from a number of activity centres - Quiltessential, Garden Centre, General Donations, and the Silent Auction. The auction this year was the highest profit (as far as my records show) of $4,969. Thank you everyone for your hard work. As in the past, 10% of the net profit is donated to either the community &/or to off-island projects/causes. This year the amount of $1,100 was donated to Mayne Island Lions Club, Mayne Island Health Centre, Mayne Island School (Field Trips) and Doctors Without Borders (Sierre Leone). A total of $300 is being held for distribution to a project later in the year or to PWRDF by year-end.

The July 31st financial statements, which includes the Church Fair, reflect receipts of $15,984 and disbursements of $4,061. In comparing year-to-date "actual to budget" figures, a number of items are to be noted: Receipted donations are slightly below budget, however, I feel confident that by September we will meet our budgeted forecast. We are still catching up to cancelled services in January because of inclement weather. Our contribution to the PWRDF is below budget by approximately $200. Contributions to the School Settlement Fund is meeting our $100/month commitment. In disbursements: Repair & Maintenance is over budget by approximately $560, largely in part to having a pest control company service the Church for carpenter ants. Our hydro bill has finally settled at $193 per monthly installment. It was $413 per month at the end of last year; we are now recording a surplus in this account. We’ll hold our breath for the next round of Hydro readings (or lack of). Capital projects have been put on hold until the Fall when the weather cools and John Larsen returns from holidays. July year-to-date shows an excess of disbursements over receipts of $4,047 which is better than our budgeted loss of $8,779. This budgeted improvement is mostly a result of the increase in Church Fair receipts of $2,000 and the decrease in budgeted Hydro payments of over $2,000.

Please remember to contribute to the Primate World Relief Development Fund. The Fund is accepting donations to support church-backed relief efforts for victims of the August 29th devastating hurricane, Katrina. Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, has asked Canadian Anglicans to support the relief work of Church World Service which ECUSA (Episcopal Church in the United States of America) is a member. Please make a note on your contribution envelope if you would like a portion of your donation sent to this special fund. Thank you.

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.

Thoughts and Prayers

Members of the congregation in hospital that are in our thoughts and prayers - Keith Yates, Per Jahren, Veronica Hooker, Bruce & Ann Richmond, Gregg Fraser, Ken Driver, Richard Brown, Marie Haenisch and all their families.

Parish Council
Members

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

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