RECTOR’S ANNUAL REPORT - Parish Annual Meeting 2007

1 Corinthians 14.12: "Since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church"

In beginning my annual report with a biblical text it is sometimes an adventure trying to find something relevant from the day’s readings! St Paul’s words to the Corinthians were to a different church in a different context – yet they seem very appropriate. Last year I said that 2005 was a year in which we had much to be thankful for. 2006 I would describe as a year in which the church of All Saints’ was built up, and the work of the Holy Spirit obvious. It was a very significant year. And a very encouraging year.

A SIGNIFICANT YEAR

We began the year by facing 2 significant challenges. The first concerned the Day School. Established in 1947, our school had a long and proud history. However in recent years it had become a financial liability, and its future has been our concern for several years. Thus it was that All Saints’ Episcopal Day School closed its doors on June 15th. A new committee to manage the pre-school was set up under Sheila Hilliard, and I am pleased to report that enrolments have increased, and we are now receiving income from the pre-school.

The particular challenge for the Vestry was two-fold. Firstly, to find tenants for our vacant buildings. Secondly, to re-evaluate our parish mission. In both instances we have begun well, but still have the task ahead of us. With regard to the facilities, a group looking after autistic children is occupying the cottages & area to the south of the parish hall. More importantly, our pre-school has been able to expand. Both are contributing to our finances.

The Vestry accepted my proposal that the income from our properties be kept in a special account, and not used for general purposes. This will allow us to build up a fund for maintenance and significant work on our properties in the years ahead. Each tenant also contributes to the general fund for property management and staff.

We are indebted to our business administrator, Mr Jim Mickelson, for all he did in over-seeing the closure of the Day School and the facilities - not an easy job. At the same time he has been handling our finances, and in partnership with our treasurer, Sam Dreyer, and the finance committee, ushered in a new era of financial responsibility. For the first time we are in charge of our investments, and our financial statements are transparent and accountable. Perhaps the best outcome is that this year we have a balanced budget. This was the challenge I issued to the parish at our stewardship dinner, and you have responded well. Thank you!

The closure of the day school required some re-thinking of the mission of the parish. A very useful Vestry consultation was held in July, and this was one of several matters we discussed. No plan of action eventuated - but the Vestry began a process that will impact our ministry and outreach. A new Outreach Committee with Kim Evans as chairman, has initiated new outreach and publicity. I thank Jerry Kirtley & Zach Zuber, who headed up this committee in previous years. They did the ground work of making our church known in the community. Now we move on to a new phase.

AN ENCOURAGING YEAR

No sooner had the year begun than the Vestry was faced with the second challenge of the year. Advice was received from the City that the Parish Hall would be closed down unless immediate work was undertaken. The quote was $70,000 - far beyond our resources. As you know, the Vestry decided to appeal to the parishioners. And as you know, the response was amazing!

In just 2 months we had raised the money from the generous response of parishioners and friends. Not only that, it was over-subscribed, allowing us to do the planned renovation of the sanctuary floor. What a joy it was to finish all the work in time for All Saints' Day - complete with a handsome new tabernacle on the high altar. Special thanks are due to Bob Eikel and the facilities committee for over-seeing the work.

We are not a wealthy parish. The generosity of you all reveals our deep love for our spiritual home, and our commitment to this church that we love. And I know that in our giving we have been blessed by God.

Further encouragement came in the summer with more young couples and families joining our congregation. Our Sunday School has grown, we have 3 parish weddings planned this year and there have been several baptisms. Just as significant was the Sacrament of Confirmation administered to 7 adults last Sunday. Adult Confirmations are a real sign of growth, and that is certainly the case here.

GROWTH OF OUR PARISH

Finances and property are matters for annual meetings and Vestries - but growth is more important. The statistics suggest a decline, but the Services for 2005 included 15 School Masses, which are no longer part of our parish program. The figure of 10,906 communicants includes Sundays and weekdays, and these have all risen. The spiritual health of an anglocatholic parish is revealed by the commitment to the Daily Mass, and it is a joy to see good numbers attending Mass during the week.

You will be interested to know that our Bishop asked me recently why our traditional parish was growing with such a diverse congregation (my words, not his!). I replied as follows: beautiful liturgy, friendly & warm congregation & rector, & good preaching.

I hope that you agree, for this is the experience of many other anglocatholic parishes. In the Episcopal Church we have something special to offer. It is more than just being traditional - it is authentic and orthodox christianity. Our church needs this witness more than ever. Whilst some of our brethren have left the Episcopal Church this past year, our threat is that we are staying!

Numerical growth is weak without spiritual growth. Last year I initiated education about the anglocatholic tradition. Fr Neville Connell came from Australia to be our special guest in Lent, and we all learnt from him. This year our Lenten theme will develop from that, and I am looking forward to a program that develops our spiritual lives. As usual, it will require increased commitment of time and prayer.

WORSHIP

For many people, the High Mass is what makes All Saints' different. There is more to it than that, of course. But it is what makes us distinctive in both the way the liturgy is celebrated, and in what it teaches. We all have a part to play in it. One of the important parts is the music. As part of our stewardship campaign we appealed for special donations to the music fund that will allow us to have 4 paid section leaders in the choir. Of course the ideal parish choir would consist entirely of volunteers from the congregation, and we do have wonderful parishioners in our choir. Yet again parishioners responded to the challenge, and the money has been given. We will now hear even better and more interesting music at Mass. And I know that Robert MacLeod has been encouraged by this.

Our worship, of course, is not just about High Mass and music. It is the center of our life as a community. Everything we do finds its focus and purpose at the altar. So I thank all those who assist in so many ways. This year I would like to pay special tribute to 3 people.

Firstly to Ralph Gordon, our Sunday Sexton. Ralph is at church early on Sundays to open & set up. He always serves at the 8 am Mass, keeps watch on the hall during the 10 am Mass, and stays around until after midday, when everyone has left. He is in the office most days during the week – and he does all this voluntarily. Thank you, Ralph!

Secondly, to Homero Zapata, our full-time Sexton. Homero does so many odd jobs which are a great help to our staff and volunteers. With the closure of the Day School his responsibilities and schedule have changed, but he has adapted cheerfully, as always. We are in the process of giving him a new office/store room, and this will be a great improvement.

Thirdly, Dr Ed Heck. For many years he has been responsible for the altar servers, and has served our parish well. His is an important job and he has been of great assistance to me, especially when I came to the parish and had to adjust to the mysteries of the sanctuary! He is stepping down as Head Acolyte, but not, of course from continuing ministry and worship.

I pay tribute to all the acolytes, to Norma Dreyer and the altar guild, to Laura Shell and the flower guild, and to all those who 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.

PERSONAL THANKS

There are many people I would like to thank personally. Firstly to Fr Krulak. He is a wonderful assistant who is of great support to me. Thanks, Father! To the other associate priests, Fathers Edwards, Thrumston & Barta - thank you for your support and counsel.

The Wardens, Vestry and the Secretary, Clare Gates, have been worked hard by the Rector, but not without laughter at our meetings! Thank you for your response and support, and for your vision of our parish.

Although I may be a good administrator, I rely very much on the office staff. Thank you to Jean, my secretary, Jim Mickelson and all who assist in the office: George Garrison, Charles Randall, Michael Lockridge, & our army of counters. Special thanks also to Kathryn Dreyer for the magazine and George Dreyer for the website. These are both very important in our communications and publicity.

2006 has been a year when I have gradually recovered from surgery in 2005. You, the parishioners, continue to express your prayers and love, for which I am very grateful. I repeat what I said in my report last year: God has richly blessed me with a loving parish family. Thank you for the privilege of being your priest.

FAITHFUL DEPARTED

I conclude by paying tribute to those parishioners who died during the year, and those in our extended parish family:

Bernice Johnson, Tom Hazleton and Henry Hilliard.

Rest eternal grant to them O Lord: And let light perpetual shine upon them.