RECTOR’S ANNUAL
REPORT - Parish Annual Meeting 2010
This is my 7th annual report as
the Rector of All Saints’. For the first time I have to record a noticeable
drop in attendances – 1,000 communions, in fact. This seems surprising, for we
continue to be a growing parish, attracting new people & preparing families
and individuals for the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation. The fact is,
over the last 2 years we have lost over 25 parishioners through moving or
death. Moving is a fact of life with our younger people and our military
families – but it is always sad when they leave after just a few years.
THE PARISH
Despite this drop in attendances our
parish continues to grow in many ways. We are a unique church, representing the
anglocatholic tradition in a diocese and national church that is becoming
increasingly liberal protestant. This gives us a vibrant life, particularly in
our worship. To attend All Saints’ is to experience something not found in many
other parishes.
It is not just our traditional worship
that we are known for, but also the sense of community, the pastoral care and
the preaching of the Catholic Faith. In all these areas I have been kept very
busy this past year – and I thank the members of the parish for your prayers
and support.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
In a conversation with Bishop Mathes last
year, I pointed out that it is hard being a traditional anglocatholic parish.
On the one hand, people looking for an Episcopal parish will not be interested
in the worship we offer, and on the other hand, people looking for traditional
teaching will not be looking for an Episcopal church. Never-the-less, we have a
witness to give, and a part to play.
Since I came to San Diego in 2003 the
Episcopal Church has become even more liberal. The triennial Convention last
year confirmed this continuing direction. Yet our church nationally is facing a
financial crisis, due to decline in membership and finance. Our own diocese has
seen a 20% decline in membership and attendance since 2002 – yet at All Saints’
we have reversed that trend. My experience is that when the traditional
catholic faith is expressed in worship and teaching, then a church grows and is
an exciting place to be.
So I begin my report by saying that,
despite a drop in attendance, we have an important and necessary role to play
as a parish of this diocese and our church. Of course, not all parishioners
agree on every political or theological issue dominating our church’s life. But
our membership of All Saints’ affirms the importance and necessity of believing
the right faith and worshipping God in a traditional way.
WORSHIP
The main purpose for which any church
exists is to worship God and to preach the gospel. This, quite rightly, lies at
the heart of our life here, and we do both well. The worship continues to be
inspiring – whether it is a quiet Low Mass, or Sunday High Mass in all its
glory. The music continues to just get better and better, & I pay tribute
to Robert MacLeod and the choir. We have had new choir members join us, to add
to our very committed choir members. Thank you to all of you. Our appreciation
of them is shown by the generous contribution by parishioners for the music –
over $11,000 this year.
Last year we foreshadowed the renovation
of 2 upstairs classrooms to provide better space for Mr MacLeod and the choir.
This was successfully done, and we now have a better rehearsal room, and a
spacious office for Bob and our growing collection of music. It was quite a job
to move, collate and file all the music, and I would like to pay special
tribute to Marty Fisher, who organised it all. Marty has become, by default,
our choir librarian – a very necessary ministry which is so helpful to our
music department.
The excellence of our music is matched by
the acolytes. They perform a dedicated and necessary service, and I thank Terry
for being Head Acolyte last year. His attention to detail of services and
rehearsals has resulted in some wonderful liturgies.
2 important people in the worship are
Ralph Gordon, our Sunday Sexton, and Norma Dreyer. They both do so much, for
which we are grateful. Norma, of course, is assisted by a happy team of altar
guild members, who ensure that everything for worship and the sacraments is
ready, and the best we can offer.
Another special group who make our worship
so beautiful is the flower guild. Last year Mary Maust took on responsibility
for this, and she would be the first to acknowledge this happy team who produce
such beautiful creations Sunday by Sunday. I do encourage more people to donate
gifts to the flower fund as a memorial or thanksgiving offering.
PASTORAL CARE
Fr Krulak and I have been kept rather busy
with pastoral visiting. It is always our joy to take the Blessed Sacrament to
parishioners unable to attend Mass because of sickness, etc. Last year it
seemed there were a large number of people in this category. Some have returned
to church and others have moved on to the great High Mass in heaven. We
continue to visit and be available to those in need – and we certainly pray for
everyone.
At this point I would like to pay tribute
to 2 people who have been so very involved in All Saints’ for many years, and
who died last year: Norm & June Tuttle. What faithful servants they were,
and we have been enriched by our fellowship with them.
COMMUNITY & TEACHING
Last year we had a joyful celebration of
the sacrament of Confirmation – the 1st time teenagers have been
confirmed in many years. Preparing adults is a particular joy for me, and this
year I have another enthusiastic class. I also hope to prepare more children
for their 1st Holy Communion. Some people regard children as the
future of a church. At All Saints’, youth are an important part of our
community now! It is good to see our Sunday School alive and active. Thank you
to Lou Locke, and Charlie, for that.
Just as important, however, is the
contribution of the older parishioners. This year we found it hard to get
leaders/coordinators for groups and activities, and we do need more people for
sidesmen & the outreach committee. I am very grateful that Judy Borchert
has been prepared to organise our suppers and receptions. During the year
Charles Randall stepped down as sidesmen at 8 am Mass. Charles has served this
parish in many ways for such a long time, & I pay tribute to him. It is
good that we now have a roster for this important ministry at 8 am, including
some of our younger people. Friendly sidesmen and greeters are essential for
the growth of our parish – and to maintain our reputation as a friendly and
welcoming church.
Another important outreach is through the
internet. I thank George Dreyer for maintaining our website, and John Gray for
the wonderful photos he takes. Quite a lot of people access our website and
read my sermons online.
FACILITIES
Ruby Littler reports on the various
maintenance tasks performed by the facilities committee. This year we have more
projects, and I am looking forward to the special project to mark our church
centenary in 2012. You will be hearing more of this as the year unfolds. We are
extremely fortunate to have income from our property which gives us the money
to do necessary work on our facilities.
FINANCES
2009 was a difficult year financially – as
it was for all churches. Our income was down, and we had a deficit budget.
Never-the-less, the commitment of parishioners, both in regular giving and in
special and memorial donations, was most generous. In particular, there was an
extraordinary response to our Lent appeal for those affected by the bushfires
in Australia. It was a particular joy for me to visit the welfare center in
Bendigo that we had helped fund, and the expressions of gratitude and thanks
were wonderful. There will always be appeals, of course – Haiti is the current
need that moves our hearts.
As a parish we must not only be concerned
about our financial needs - yet we need an enormous amount of money to keep the
parish going. This year it is almost $350,000, and once again we will have a
deficit. Without the income from our property we would not be able to operate
on a deficit. There is a request from Bishop Mathes that every parish fulfill a
pledge of 10% to the diocese. Although we will give 12% of our offerings to the
diocese this year, we do not give 10% of our total income, and this should be
addressed - though how we can do it I do not know. I am, as always, grateful to
everyone for their financial commitment to our parish.
THANK YOU
It would be foolish of me to try and
acknowledge by name the many people involved in organising or helping with
various aspects and activities of our life here at All Saints’. The annual
reports contain a good overview of parish life and the people who make things
happen, and I give thanks to God for them.
I would like to make mention of the
Vestry, who have worked well in seeing that the parish is administered in a
responsible and professional way.
I am supported by a wonderful group of
“so-called” retired priests. Fr Krulak
is my reliable assistant, and the parish is very appreciative of all he does.
Thank you, Father. I also thank Fathers Edwards, Thrumston & Barta, not
least for their personal support and friendship.
Our parish office continues to be a hive
of activity, & Terry is a very professional parish administrator. Weekly
bulletins, special service books, magazines, rosters – these are all done
beautifully. Terry also has a pastoral concern, and we particularly appreciate
his ministry with the youth. Thank you, Terry. I also pay tribute to Jim
Mickelson, who keeps our finances, property & business in good order, often
beyond the 6 hours he is paid to spend in the office. Finally, I express grateful
thanks to Homero Zapata, our ever-willing custodian who does so much for us,
and always so cheerfully. Last year Homero had significant health problems
within his family, and these are ongoing. He has expressed to me his grateful
thanks to the whole parish for their prayers and concern. As a church, it is
the least we can do, of course.
FAITHFUL DEPARTED
I conclude by remembering those
parishioners who died during the year, and whom we remember with affection and
prayers.
Rest eternal grant to them O Lord: And
let light perpetual shine upon them.