RECTOR’S ANNUAL
REPORT - Parish Annual Meeting 2006
"Almighty God,
whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that thy
people, illumined by thy Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of
Christ's glory".
I usually begin my
annual report with a biblical text to illustrate my thoughts and concerns about
our parish. This year I use the beginning of today's collect. These words are
not only our prayer for today, but my hope and vision for the parish. Indeed,
the purpose of our parish worship and ministry is that we and others will be
illumined by God's Word and Sacraments, and will shine with the radiance of
Christ's glory. This prayer surely sums up our parish, and a year in which we
have much to be thankful for.
A YEAR OF CHALLENGE
I concluded my report
last year by speaking of the challenges that lay ahead of us. In particular I
referred to our growth and the school. These particular matters have concerned
the Vestry all through the year. I pay tribute to them for the way they have
discerned and tackled these 2 issues. It has been a challenging and exciting
year for the Vestry.
One of their
achievements was the parish dinner in November, attended by 100 parishioners.
This was a new way of doing our annual stewardship appeal, and its focus was on
the mission and future of the parish. I presented my vision for the parish,
focussing on our Anglocatholic tradition and 3 particular projects. There was a
marvellous atmosphere at the dinner, and the results speak for themselves. Each
project has been promised some financial support, and people are engaged about
our tradition. More significantly, the pledging results have exceeded
expectations, and we may even have a balanced budget!
GROWTH OF OUR PARISH
We suffer growing pains!
Firstly we do not have enough parking on Sundays. Secondly, as we attract new
people there is more that we must do to keep them. This is my third year as
Rector, and we still do not have a youth program. We also need something more
for young adults. We had hoped that
having an assistant who was also chaplain of the school would meet these needs,
but it has not.
Thirdly, when newcomers
arrive they find a traditional Anglocatholic church. Whilst many come looking
for that, for others this is the first time they have encountered it. After 2
years you know that I try to teach this tradition through my sermons. We need
to do more teaching and proclaiming of this. Otherwise people will move on
merely thinking it is about chanting and vestments!
STATISTICS
Despite the fact that we
are a growing parish, the statistics for the year show that attendances dropped
by 2,000. You are probably wondering how this can be when you can see new faces
all the time? There are 3 particular reasons. Firstly, our School Mass has
changed from being fortnightly to monthly, and with the decline in enrolments
the attendance is now 50 instead of over 100. Also we have not had a Monday
Mass since Fr George left. Most significantly, although the 8 am Mass is
attended by a faithful and growing congregation, the attendance at High Mass
has dropped considerably. I brought this to the attention of the Vestry during
the year. High Mass is beautiful and the hallmark of Anglocatholic parishes -
but it was taking too long! 90 minutes became the norm rather than the
exception. I subsequently introduced changes, including cuts in the music.
Numbers started to increase again, and we are now back to where we were in
2004.
WORSHIP
Our worship, of course,
is not about statistics, nor is it about how we feel. It is about giving God
the best we have to offer. When I came to the parish I said that we were to be
a center of excellence in worship and parish life. Many people work to ensure
this is so. It is fatal for a Rector to name all those who help, for fear of
omitting someone. However when I say excellence I immediately think of Bob
MacLeod and the choir, Ed Heck and the altar servers, Norma Dreyer and the
altar guild, and the flower guild. I also thank those who gave lovely new
vestments and frontals during the year. Countless others help in so many ways:
readers, sidesmen, greeters, coffee hour hosts, etc. There is also our
stewardship committee, fund-raising committee, outreach committee and other
specific groups. So many people are involved in the worship and life of our
parish. Thank you everyone.
THE SCHOOL
12 months ago I advised the parish that
the school deficit was $200,000. Immediate steps were taken to cut costs,
including combining grades. This school year we have operated with a deficit of
$90,000. I am grateful to the parishioners who have supported the school, and
to Jim Mickelson, who has worked hard to promote the school. However enrolments
have continued to decline in the day school. The Vestry and I have made every
effort for the school to continue. When we considered the new budget last week
we faced an estimated deficit of $157,000. It is beyond the means of the parish
to sustain this huge expense any longer. Accordingly the Vestry decided that
the Day School will cease operations in June. The pre-school will continue to
operate from the school site.
This decision was not easy. For 58 years
the school has served this parish and community well. We give thanks for all
the school has accomplished, and for the dedication of staff and parents.
Christine has done all she could as Principal, and been the ultimate
professional. I pay tribute to all who have worked for the school over the
years, and regret the disruption this will cause to the lives of staff and
students. No longer will there be an All Saints' Episcopal Day School. However
this parish will continue to reach out into the community and attract new
members. The Vestry will have challenges before it this year, as we enter a new
chapter in the ministry of our parish.
PERSONAL THANKS
There are many people I would like to
thank personally. Firstly to Fr Krulak. He has been a wonderful support and
colleague to me, and has now stepped up to be my Assistant. Thanks, Father! To
the other associate priests, Fathers Edwards, Thrumston & Barta - thank you
for your support, counsel and presence amongst us. The Wardens and Vestry have
been led on a merry dance by their Rector, and they have not blinked! Jim
Mickelson has been a rock. Both Vestry and Finance Committee receive monthly financial
statements, and Jim brings to our attention many things affecting the parish
and its administration.
Who would want to work for such a
taskmaster as your Rector? So special thanks to my secretary, Jean, and all who
assist in the office: George Garrison, Charles Randall, Michael Lockridge,
& our army of counters. You know that communication is high on my list of
priorities. Special thanks to Kathryn Dreyer for the magazine and George Dreyer
for the website. You would be surprised at the number of people who look at the
website and read my sermons.
2005 was a significant year for me
personally, with the 25th anniversary of my ordination in February and my
surgery in October. On both occasions you all sustained me with your prayers
and love. God has richly blessed me - not just with his wonderful healing
graces, but with a loving parish family. I have joined the ranks of people in
this parish who know the power of prayer and God's love in this place. Thank
you for the privilege of being your priest.
FAITHFUL DEPARTED
I conclude by paying tribute to those
parishioners who died during the year. They were all long time faithful
parishioners whom we loved, and we will miss them:
Lena Johnson, Mary Stables, Margaret
Slockbower and Donald Landale.
Rest eternal grant to them O Lord: And
let light perpetual shine upon them.