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Dear St. Mary’s family,

It feels strange and yet completely familiar to be sitting at my desk in my office here at St. Mary’s and to be writing to you: imagining your faces, our Sunday services and our coffee hours together.

I’m back after 5 long months of being away. I want to express my gratitude to you for all the ways you found to support me during my wellness leave: giving me the space to rest, buoying me up with cards and messages and yes, best of all, prayer!!

I felt it; I felt your love. And I am humbled by your care.  

It’s not for me to thank you for keeping the parish life going – caring for each other, the buildings, grounds; helping out with the liturgies, getting the re-roofing going, helping out in a million and one different ways. This is what family, what community does.  We look out for our well-being; our own and each other’s.  But it is heartening to see a well-functioning community at work!  

Having the Venerable Alan Naylor step in with such grace and respect gave me such peace of mind and I learned a lot watching him preside online each Sunday.

Were there ever harder-working wardens? You are amazing! And KAT, you kept the ship afloat.

And here I am with a pile of papers exactly 5 papers deep to contend with!  What a wonderful way to return – to peace and order!

I’m taking my time easing in, just to make sure I don’t overdo it. That said, it may take me a while to connect with each of you. So please, if you want or need to see or talk to me, PLEASE reach out to me.  I want to respond where the most need is and only you can let me know that.

I’ve learned a lot these past 5 months. And I know you have as well. I look forward to sharing new found insights as we move forward. Our church will look different; it has to. We’ve all changed and our worship, our ways of gathering and our focus will need to be adapted to reflect these changes.  But whatever changes we make, we will make as a community; a community informed by the Holy Spirit. And as we prayed all through the pandemic, “You are God and we need you. Your will is health and wholeness. Your love is never changing, and in this lies our future.

I look forward to seeing your faces again soon.  And discovering our future, together.  And I’ll “see” you on Sunday!

God bless you all,
Selinde  

And a BIG THANK YOU for the ‘WELCOME BACK' sign creators…you know who you are!     

Rev. Alan’s Thank you :     

The 2022 Canadian Church Calendar can now be ordered.  Our St. Francis Pet Memorial Garden is in September and about the size of a calendar square.  The cost will be by donation.  Please let KAT know if you interested in ordering by JULY 27, 2021.      


      

The church roof will be finished this week!  Thank you to Don N for a job WELL DONE! 

                                             

A lovely photo of Chloe and Dale from Chloe’s Grade 12 graduation.  BIG Congrats!