Weekly Notices - March 2nd, 2022

“Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose” So wrote the French author Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr during a time of huge social upheavals in his country. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

It’s true in all walks of life. For example, Covid-19 has effectively changed almost everything we do, yet much important stuff is the same - our faith and identity, our hopes and dreams, and the love of family and dear friends. 

It’s also true in the life of St. Mary’s.  Over the years there have been many changes, some large and some not so big, yet if you think about it, there is so much that has stayed the same. Faithful prayer and worship for example, fellowship and friendship, the parish’s dynamic presence in the community, and so much more. 

So it is also as we now enter this “interim” time between rectors - things change yet they stay the same!  A face, a name and a voice have changed, there may be a few minor tweaks in how things are done (because we each have our own style don’t we…) but they will be very small compared with so much that stays the same. We are still the same parish family of St. Mary’s and still part of the wider body of Christ that is the church - diocesan, national and universal. We also continue in our ministries, responding to the call of Micah 6:8 - to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with our God.  Your parish family, its leadership and ministries are still here for you - indeed we all continue to be here for each other.

Which leads me to a few practical pieces of information. As your interim pastor, please know that I am here for you also. I of course will be at the church on Sunday mornings and am happy to chat, pray or meet with anyone after the service. I will also be in the church office every Wednesday (roughly 9 - 3) for the weekly Bible studies, for administrative functions and, again, to meet with anyone who wishes it. Beyond that there will be some hours available during the week for visits with the sick and homebound, and for any other pastoral needs.

Here’s how to get hold of me. I can be contacted at incumbent@stmarynb.ca; by phone at the church office (250) 468-5684 or a message can be left on my confidential church line (250) 821-5600. If your need is urgent I can also be called at home or through the wardens or KAT who can reach me by cell phone.

Diana and I (and Trixie, our little hairy beast) are delighted to be in fellowship with you. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

With every blessing,
Alan  

    Dear St. Mary's,
Thank you for my goodbye party last Wednesday: for the wonderful turnout, the delicious food, the kind words, the generous gifts, the prayer flags, the hanging with your fingerprints, the laughter, the hugs, the tears. Thank you for all the support, good wishes and love. You gave me the perfect send off. I feel blessed, I feel loved. And I go forward in faith and trust.

God bless you all.

With gratitude and love,
Selinde

On Sunday, February 27 at the AVM, Jennifer, our Treasurer, gave a brief financial overview of 2021. There will be a SPECIAL VESTRY MEETING to review the 2021 Financials and vote on the 2022 Budget, on a date to be determined.  Here is Jennifer's summary:

Early in November, the computer used for the church’s Quickbooks accounting system decided it was too old and crashed. We were able to obtain a new hard drive and our computer technician, Jonathan Lyster, was able to transfer all our financial information to the new setup. Then, on January 8, St. Mary’s hall was broken into and the computer was stolen.

I was unable to get the year-end financials ready for our AVM and indeed for the Finance Committee to prepare a Budget for 2023.   After several weeks, we now have a new computer, and QuickBook postings are up-to-date, thanks to Marg’s data entry. I am therefore able to give you a simplified version of where St. Mary stands financially.  

For several months, I have been sharing with you the actual donations received through Electronic Plate Offering and Weekly Envelope Offering. Given the restrictions surrounding the opening of the church due to COVID, it has been understandable that Weekly Envelope Offerings are significantly reduced.  

The actual amount received in 2021 for all offerings was $137,266.
The actual expenses for 2021 were $146,970.00. 
So there is a loss of $9,704.00 in offerings against the expenses.  

Since I became Treasurer some four years ago, it has been very clear to me that St. Mary cannot meet its annual basic expenses through offerings. Yes, we have been fortunate to offset those losses through fundraising, rentals and indeed, the Federal Government’s Wage Subsidy, along with generous grants from the Diocese and the Anglican Foundation of Canada. These revenues help with our contingency but cannot be depended upon to manage month-over-month expenses to keep the Church viable.  

St. Mary has a strong family community, a healthy outreach program and we are encouraged by the strong commitment of our parishioners who have much to offer in their time, talent and treasure.  

To read a PASTORAL LETTER FROM THE BISHOP on  the former St. Michael’s Residential School grounds inquiry,  please see the letter attached below or click   HERE  to view online.

Our office will be closed on Thursday March 3 from 9-4 due to BC Hydro Upgrades in the area.  KAT will be working from home and checking messages.  

LENTEN STUDY BOOKS are in! From Living Compass, the group from which we have been getting our booklets for Advent and Lent these past years, comes “Living Well Through Lent 2022 – Letting Go with All your Heart, Soul, Strength and Mind”. Available in the narthex on Sunday or from KAT in the office. We’re asking for a $4 donation to cover costs.  

The Diocesan Post is now called Faith Tides. Selinde has written an article about the consecration of the Memorial Garden and and the virtual tour of St. Mary Nanoose Bay in the March issue.  Click on  this link  to view it.