Andrew Gates - St. Paul's Esquimalt

    One of my professors in college used to say that even if the words taste like ash in ones mouth keep saying them, keep on doing what you normally do, keep the routine. The hope, of course, is that faith will come back and the words and actions that used to mean something will mean something again. As our denominational church continues to move from crises to crises, my professor’s words come back to mind. The inappropriate actions of a few do not negate the faith we hold, the change, what some would call the evolution, of what we officially believe cannot destroy a relationship with God that has taken a life time to build. It will not always taste like ash.
  Having said that, there may be a time when one needs to cut back and regroup. After much soul searching this summer I wrote a letter to the Bishop in which I resigned as Regional Dean, chair of the Personnel and Compensation Committee and member of the Diocesan Finance Committee. In conscience I cannot support some of the movements in our church, I’m not leaving, I just need to find my place in this family into which I was born.
  Scripture says that God abhors a vacuum, he does! I thought I would have so much more time for parish business. I have, but have undertaken new projects which certainly fill any gaps there may have been. This is a good thing, a healthy parish is a busy parish, and as our parish becomes even more healthy so we are busier.
  My thanks go to Margaret and Adrienne for organizing our parish Prayer Vigil. This annual event, which we began when we were threatened with closure, under girds the work of God’s Spirit here.
  My thanks also go to Jill and her Sunday School team for producing an imaginative program for our young people. May I commend to you our Stewardship program, we need you to write your reflections for us to meditate upon. As we expand our ministry programs, Pastoral Care, Evangelism, Outreach, Christian Education, Worship and Parish Life, many more are getting involved and many more initiatives are underway.
  New initiatives in the choir, with Bible Study and other forms of Christian education, the Ministry Fair, these and more are indicative of renewed growth at St Paul’s. Keep an eye out for news of other events in your parish.
  In all our busy-ness, with all our success, one thing we must never become slack in is hospitality to strangers. This is God’s house, not ours, and He invites even those from the highways and byways to come in. Nothing pleases me more than to hear from a visitor that whereas they don’t feel they belong anywhere, they begin to feel at home at St Paul’s. Please continue to pray for our community of faith, that we may order our lives on the model of our Saviour.       Andrew

VISION TO SEE, FAITH TO BELIEVE, COURAGE TO DO!
WEB SITE: www.stpaulsesquimalt.com

THANK YOU!

Thanks to the generosity of parishioners and friends of the church we raised enough to complete the roof project and a little left over for some much needed repairs.

NEED A HOSTESS GIFT?,
HAVING GUESTS? ..why not give a gift
of ST. PAUL’S ANNIVERSARY TEA
Only $4.00 for 12 tea bags of our own Special Blend, a medium strong blend of tea from Northern India and Sri Lanka , (much like an English Breakfast blend). Available after church on Sunday or at the Church office.

Those Baptised:
  James Maurice Reece
  Braedan George Henry Haywood
  Katelyn Amanda Chelsea Kelly

Those Confirmed:
  Michael Raymond John Wainwright
  Glen Edward Perry

Those Married
  Anthony Robert Hogan & Maria Louise Dobbie
  Darcy Nathan Gedney & Melissa Carol Schwartz
  Ryan Russel Burrell & Kassandra Shelby Arsenault

Those Buried:
  Lawrence Alexander Dzoba
  Sylvia Anne Lynn

NOTES FROM THE ORGAN BENCH

    In August, St. Paul’s Recital Committee presented the 7th annual Organ Recital Series, with proceeds going to the Music Endowment Fund. Recitalists were Geoffrey Thornburn of St. Matthias Church; Dana Robinson and Paul Tegels, Illinois and Washington State, playing organ duets; and David Berry with soprano Carolyn Howe. Each programme was different and very entertaining, and was followed by a fine reception, as usual.
     The American organists were billeted at my house. On the Saturday evening before their performance, I treated them to dinner at Four Mile House. Several prominent organists joined us. Geoffrey Thornburn said at dinner…’it’s worth the price of admission just for the reception!’.
     A number of local organists were in attendance at each concert, which was gratifying. Several people asked to have their names listed to receive notices of future concerts. David Vuckson, “St. Paul’s Presbyterian Bellows Boy” said that the August series is the highlight of his year. He hand pumps the organ during performances to augment the windchest. (“the old lady is having trouble with her wind”). Each time David assists, he records the event on the organ chamber wall, as is done in churches and cathedrals in the U.K. David generously contributed to our roof, money to cover three squares.
     The Choir welcomes Sarah Kirsch, a volunteer conductor. She will join us soon. Presently she is working with the Victoria harbour Authority and has studied opera at a University in the U.S.A. She has a beautiful voice and will augment anthems during the Church year.
     Early July, Ruth Van Buskirk had a fall and fractured her knee, which has been a great blow as she is a very active lady in the community and in St. Paul’s in her quiet way. We wish her well, a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her back in Choir.        Jean

HOLLY BAZAAR - November 17th

       GREETINGS

   Yes, It is that time of year again., Time to put away the summer clothes, Time to tidy up the garden, Time to prepare for the Holly Bazaar. The Countdown has begun. There’s just 54 days until the Holly Bazaar. How can YOU help to make St. Paul’s major fund raising event a success?

  1. VOLUNTEER
      -Use the sign-up sheet in the church hall or Speak to one of the conveners: Georgina Tikk @ 391-1992 or Evelyn Sneddon @ 385-4112.

  2. DONATE
      -Used books for the Book Stall
      -Greens for decorating (fir, cedar, holly)
      -Jams, Jellies and Baking
      -sewing items
      -Handcrafted items
      -Gift Basket for the Silent Auction

  3. PARTICIPATE
      -Attend the Bazaar
      -Invite a friend to lunch and pick up a few Christmas gifts.

     SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17TH, 10:00AM TIL 2:00 PM

ATTIC TREASURES

We love to receive your treasures, however, this is not a White Elephant stall. The rule of thumb is: If you wouldn’t have it in YOUR living room. We probably wont be able to sell it. Make sure your item(s) are clean, and in good condition.

HELP WANTED

GREETERS
Parishioners to greet visitors and parishioners. This Welcoming Ministry is one of our MOST important.. It takes only half an hour. Training given! Contact: The Rector, the Wardens or the Office.

COFFEE HOUR
Host, hostess for coffee hour following service. There is always someone to help if you are alone or new. Contact Beth Jasper , or the Wardens if you can help. We have been in the situation where for several Sundays there has been no one scheduled and someone who does it frequently has had to step it at the last minute.

SOCIAL CONVENOR
Someone to co-ordinate and organize our Social Events. For more information contact the Wardens or the Rector.

CORN BOIL & ANTIQUES ROAD SHOW
SEPTEMBER 17TH

OUTREACH MINISTRY

September
Ministry fair, we plan to have a visual table of our many outreach projects. We hope people will pledge Time and Talent to this Ministry. TAPS, a quarterly subscription to their newsletter for information.

October
Grafton Lodge "Acts of Kindness". A potted Mum and card.

November & December
The Angel Tree and Christmas hampers for our needy families and 2 PEERS families and 1 Prison Fellowship family. Oranges and cards for Grafton Lodge.

January
Esquimalt Neighbourhood House. Helping with school supplies for needy families. On committees for Nutition in Esquimalt and Esquimalt issues, Youth and Seniors related.

February
Streethope a ministry for street kids and the shoe boxes. 41 Boxes were packed and delivered in June and 35 in September. We pack the 3rd Thursday of each month.

March
PWRDF

April
The baby shower with all of the donations going to the Mustard Seed. Grafton Lodge.

May
Threshold Housing.

June
Camp Columbia and LYC. Bunny Pool

David Berry and Carolyn Howe

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRY

    The ministry of Pastoral Care at St. Paul’s is a central ministry of the church. It includes all the work the rector does with our parishioners and others who are in need or distress. This ministry has been carefully developed to create St. Paul’s Lay Pastoral Care Team. This development process has been guided by the Rector and endorsed by Parish Council for the sole purpose of providing intentional, caring support to all the people in our parish community. Through regular contact with the people on their lists, the members of the team strive to be in touch with all our parishioners. However, in order to keep the pastoral lists current, it is vital that the Rector or the parish secretary be notified whenever there is a move, or a change of address or phone number. Also, if people are new to the parish, they need to make sure the office has their contact information so that their names can be added to the parish list and forwarded to a team member. This kind of notification does not always occur and therefore some people have yet to receive a pastoral call. This is an ongoing challenge.
    At present, we are a small but dedicated group of 10 people. Due to some attrition since the ministry began 5 years ago it was decided to have the current team members recommissioned during the morning service in May of this year. To date our team continues to be primarily a phoning group but with your co-operation and prayerful support we are hopeful we will soon be able to provide follow-up contact when we know a person is ill, in hospital, in distress, as well as to provide pastoral visits to our shut-ins, patients in hospital etc. Plans are currently underway to expand the ministry in this way but in order to do this we are in dire need of more volunteers. Please consider if this is something you might like to do and speak to the Rector or myself if you would like more information.
                                             Respectfully submitted, Margaret Anderson, Co-ordinator.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

  October 7 - Thanksgiving Service (10:30am)
  October 7 - Blessing of the Animals (2:00pm)
  October 3 - Finance Committee Meeting
  October 9 - Parish Council Meeting
  October 24 - Bridge Luncheon
  November 1 – All Saints Day
  November 11 - Remembrance Sunday
  November 13 - Parish Council Meeting
  November 16 - Bazaar Set Up
  November 17 - Holly Bazaar
  November 20 — Bishop Cowan’s Parish Visit
  November 25 - Stewardship Sunday

STEWARDSHIP

Please mark Sunday, November 25th Stewardship Sunday, on you calendar

Please pick up your copy of 'The Link’, available in the back of the church the last Sunday of each month. This monthly sheet is designed to keep you up to date on what is happening in your church.

*** END OF ISSUE NUMBER 45 - Fall 2007

[Back to Main Page]

Issue 45, Fall 2007