stjohnchurch 
The Epsitle: Summer Edition	02 July 2006
News and Notices From the Parish of St. John the Evangelist
 stained glass with dove and cross
Contents / Quick Links

Wardens' Summer Update and Appeal
PARISH NEWS & NOTICES
Worship Schedule Summer Schedule Regular Schedule
Sunday School How Can We Help You? Vacation Bible Camp
Holy Baptism Rector's Vacation The Prayer Chain
Welcome Weekend Youth News Diocesan Youth Conference 2006
Confirmation Preparation Mothers' Union News Altar Guild
Pastoral Ministry Committee Beacon House Beacon House
Property Committee Cemetery Pewter Ornament
Finance UPdate FINANCE & ADMINSITRATION COMMITTEE Pre-Authorized Giving
Holy Conversations Shared Ministries
Please Remember Contact Information


Wardens' Summer Update and Appeal

Dear Friends of St. John's

As we have done for a number of years now, the wardens would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on how things are proceeding here at St. John's. In addition to the normal duties associated with their positions, the wardens and parish council have been actively involved in a number of different areas:

During the Bishop's visit earlier this year, we had an opportunity to meet to discuss various issues in our parish, as well as, the Diocese as a whole. The Bishop expressed great pleasure in knowing we are concerned about how to address the issue of our debts to the Diocese. During this session the Bishop recommended that we strike a task group and invite the Diocesan Parish Relations Committee to meet with us on the matter. Your parish council has passed a motion to form this committee and will attempt to meet with them in the fall. We are aware that a number of parishioners wish us to use investment funds to pay off the diocesan debts. Your past and present councils (since 2003) have rejected this option. For a number of years now, our parish budget has run a deficit of over $20,000.00 each year (discrepancy between contributions of parishioners, rentals and other fund raising activities vs. on-going expenses to run the parish). The reason we have been able to balance the books for 3 years running is due to the income generated from the investments held in trust for the parish. Using the investment funds to pay off our current debts will reduce our ability to meet our budgetary needs. For the future there is another concern. As the rate of inflation continues to rise, the income from the investments held in trust will likely not meet our needs and we will be forced to run a real deficit unless contributions increase. This necessary revenue may come from individual contributions from existing parishioners or an overall increase in the number of contributing parishioners, or both

We are working to strengthen ties with our sister parish of Saint Francis by the Lakes. Our Mothers' Union and Men's Fellowships have met together frequently over the years. Both parishes have experienced trouble in bringing enough young parishioners together to form a viable youth group and discussions have taken place to consider a joint youth group. There is even a possibility that a youth band may be formed. These are very exciting possibilities as the youth of today will become active members of the parish councils of the future someday.

After much deliberation, the council has decided to attempt a revised Sunday service schedule starting in the fall. Service schedules have been moved around in various formats for numerous years in an attempt to strike the right balance. While the 10 am service has been successful in bringing together the 9:15 and 11 am families, the church building is often too crowded for comfort. The parish council has recognised that this does not provide an attractive or comfortable environment for new members. In addition, there have been concerns raised in recent years regarding access to the church due to the grade of the driveway, access to washrooms while in church, children not being able to participate more in the service, dangers of children walking to the hall in poor weather, parking lot capacity restrictions, etc. Therefore, after the welcome weekend in September, there will be three services, two of which will be held in the church. The new 9:15 service, to take place in the hall, is expected to:



Now, on a different note, as some you are aware, sections of the vent sills and surrounds of the bell tower had become so rotten that pigeons were able to gain access to the inside of the tower and had created many problems (nesting, bird droppings, etc). Council felt it had little alternative other than to pass a motion to begin repairs on the tower and to paint certain portions of the church building where excessive blistering was identified. While completing these repairs, it was noticed that some other areas of the church exterior required attention. These included replacement of some corner and fascia boards, new downspout and re-painting of the bell tower. The really good part of this situation was that the work on the tower required contractors to gain access to the bell that had been inoperable for two years. They were able to repair and service the hanging mechanism. (The Stewardship committee had identified that not having a working bell was a visibility issue so we are really pleased to have it operational once again.) We are pleased to report that the bell and bell tower and supporting structures are now in an excellent state of repair and should not require any attention for many years.

Unfortunately, none this work was foreseen when the budget was approved and we, your wardens, are appealing to all parishioners to contribute to this special project. The final bill has not yet been received but will surely top $8000.00 and maybe as high as $9000.00. It has been our practice for the past number of years to include a special appeal envelope along with the summer letter. Alternatively, you can use the monthly building fund envelope and mark it "Bell Tower Appeal". At this time we would like to thank Susan Morris and the folks at Payzant's Home Hardware for providing the best prices possible for the construction materials required.

We wish you a great summer and a joyful and safe vacation to all that are travelling near and far. If you have any questions or concerns, we would be pleased to offer our assistance.

Yours in Christ, 


Bill Gardner			Jeff Reid			Peter Simpkin
The Wardens


PARISH NEWS & NOTICES

Worship Schedule

Summer Schedule

Sunday morning we continue at 8:30 and 10am. up to September 10th. Wednesday evening services take place at 7:00pm., except during the month of July.

Regular Schedule

Starting on September 17th the Sunday morning schedule will be: 8:00am., 9:15am. and 11:00am. The 8:00am. and 11:00am. Services will take place at the church building. The 9:15am. Service will take place at the Parish Hall in conjunction with the Sunday school. The decision to change back to having three services on Sunday morning was taken after a considerable amount of reflection by the Parish Council, and with a desire to respond to several needs expressed by members of the congregation. We have committed to using this schedule from September to the end of December, at which time we will review how things are going.

Sunday School

The Sunday School program is now on summer recess. We want to extend our thanks to the teachers and the superintendents for all the time and energy they have given to the program this year. Sunday School will resume on Welcome Sunday, September 10th. Sunday School will take place at 10am. that day, and thereafter will take place at 9:15am each week. We are in need of one teacher for the fall (adult) along with class assistants (teens). If you are interested, please contact the superintendents: Kathy Lockhart or Jean Woodend.

How Can We Help You?

Please let either Mrs. Pat Huntley or the Parish Office (864-3154) know, if you have a pastoral need that we can help with. If you wish to receive Holy Communion at home, please contact the Parish Office.

Vacation Bible Camp

This year we are actually going to camp! V.B.C. will take place from August 11th -13th at Barrett's Fun Forest Camp in Beaver Bank. The theme of this year's Camp is Heroes and Kings we have room for 18 children ages 7-12 years old and 4 Junior Leaders ages 13+. Cost: $25/ child, $10/ Junior Leader. The Camp will start on August 11th (Friday) with parents dropping their children off at the Camp for 7:00pm. The kids will enjoy a fun-packed weekend with lots of activities, crafts, etc... and will be ready for pick-up at 2:00pm. on Sunday afternoon. Due to limited space, we will be operating on a first come first served basis. Your child's spot is reserved by registration only. A great team of volunteers have signed on to teach the program, work in the kitchen and supervise the children. For information on registration, please contact Colette Lawrence. If you plan to have your child attend, please contact me as soon as possible because we have 3 spaces left for children and 1 space for a Junior Leader.

Holy Baptism

Holy Baptism will be celebrated at the 10am. Service on August 6th, and the 11am. Service on September 24th. For information on Baptismal Preparation, please call the parish office.

Rector's Vacation

Archdeacon Cutler will be on vacation from June 28th - July 26th. If pastoral assistance is needed during this time please, contact Rev. Gloria.

The Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain is a group of people who pray daily, at home, for individuals and concerns within the parish. If you have a need for prayer for a particular situation, please contact the co-ordinator (Marsha Park) who then passes the information along to the links in the chain.

Welcome Weekend

Welcome Weekend will take place September 9 -10.

Youth News



Diocesan Youth Conference 2006

Diocesan Youth Conference 2006 will take place from October 28-30 at the Atlantic School of Theology in Halifax. The theme this year is Leadership. The conference is designed to empower the youth of our diocese to continue an active life as Christians in our church. The conference is for youth in grades 7-12. We can send 2 delegates and the deadline for registration is September 1. If you are interested, please contact Archdeacon Cutler.

Confirmation Preparation

Confirmation is a sacramental rite where church members have an opportunity to re-affirm their baptismal vows. The bishop's guidelines recommend that the age for confirmation be 15 years or higher, in that Confirmation is a life commitment for which the individual should be well and carefully prepared. We will be offering a confirmation preparation program in the fall. For more information or to register, please contact the Parish Office by the end of August.

Mothers' Union News

Meetings for this year ended with a supper on June 4th. Mothers' Union meetings take place on the 4th Monday of each month. The next meeting will take place on September 25th. For more information on Mothers' Union call Geraldine Connors

Altar Guild

Altar Guild will meet on September 6th, 8:00pm. at the Church basement.

Pastoral Ministry Committee

Held an Afternoon Tea for Senior and "Shut in" members of our congregation on June 17th. It was a lovely afternoon of fellowship and conversation.

Beacon House

During this time of year, please remember your support for our community food bank and clothing depot. Suggested donations: Canned Soup & Stew, Macaroni and cheese, Canned Meat & Fish, Canned Beans, Dried Pasta, Noodles & Rice, Pasta Sauce, Peanut Butter, Canned Vegetables & Fruit, Canned/ Powdered Milk, Breakfast Cereal, Baking Supplies. For more information on activities at Beacon House and volunteer opportunities, contact our board member, Tom Hill.

The Men's Fellowship Club

The Men's Fellowship Club met for the third annual John Lee Memorial Cup at Pin-Hi Golf Course in Hammonds Plains on Monday, June 19th. (On the third try, after being postponed twice, due to rain) The weather threatened again but the nine hardy souls who showed up managed to get the round in, although no one seems to know who won. Members then adjourned to the home of Peter Simpkin for a B.B.Q.

Property Committee

On June 19 work began to repair the bell tower of the church.
We have been unable to ring the bell for the past two years because it had fallen from its mounting. Further investigation showed that the louvers around the bell were so rotten that they were falling apart, providing an opportunity for the pigeons to roost in the belfry. The eight louver sections have been taken down, rebuilt and replaced. Some other rotten boards were also discovered during this work and have also been replaced.
Work to replace a section of rot on the exterior of the Parish Hall will be done in July.
Refinishing the Sunday School classrooms and including installation of ceilings in the rooms will be done before Sunday School begins in September.

Cemetery

Repairs and Restoration of the Richard John Uniacke Family Burial Plot
The Sackville Heritage Society reports that the wall and ironwork repairs, as well as, the repair and installation of the gates at site one has now been completed. We are now proceeding with the repairs of the ironwork and stone walls at the second burial plot. Once this area is complete we plan to clean the existing monuments and with the permission of the cemetery committee, install interpretive plaques inside the plots.
The total funding for this project is $20,100.00 which includes the most recent donation of $500.00 from the Charitable Irish Society of Nova Scotia. To date the balance remaining is $10,468.78 which will hopefully complete the project.

Pewter Ornament

we have a new order of the beautiful pewter ornament of the church. A sample can be found at the back of the church. Cost is $8.00. To order please sign-up on the sheet in the church or call Ruth Townsend

Finance Update

A Copy of the most recent full financial statement is posted on the bulletin board at the back of the Church.

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE

The Administration & Finance Committee has set up a task group to meet with the Diocese concerning our outstanding parish allotment.

Pre-Authorized Giving

If you have automatic debits going from your bank account to pay for insurance, cable TV, taxes, fuel or mortgage then you understand the PAG principle. PAG is a program by which your regular donations to St. John's are automatically withdrawn from your account at your financial institution. St. John's now offers this convenience.
To start giving by PAG: Decide on the amount of your monthly offering. Fill in the authorization form (available at the back of the church) and attach a sample cheque marked 'void'. Return to the treasurer in the envelope provided by placing on the offering plate. If you have questions contact Mrs. Colette Lawrence, our treasurer.

Holy Conversations

Fort Sackville Region Parishes Preparing For Growth
Eight Anglican parishes in our region are embarking on an 18 month project to think creatively about the challenges and opportunities that the demographic changes within the region present to the parishes. The purpose is to prepare us as leaders and parishes to respond; building healthy, growing ministries that share Christ's gospel through our action and witness.

The focus of the project will be a Learning Group comprised of members of the eight parishes, who will meet with our facilitator 9 times over the 18 month time frame. They will examine issues such as: Demographics and population change, Generational values and attitudes, The seeker and the search, Anglican identity- gift and challenge, Capacities and resources of our parishes, Congregational health, Church size and new member ministry, Theology of hospitality and inclusion, Core activities and attitudes of growing churches, Leadership skills and styles.

We need 5 members of the parish who are: interested in this work, prepared to attend the learning group meetings and prepared to work with our Parish Council and committees as we use this new information in this parish. The first Learning Group meeting will take place in October. If you are interested, please contact Archdeacon Cutler.

Shared Ministries

As our Stewardship Committee has begun a review of our ministry and vision for the future, two things have become quite clear: We don't minister in a vacuum, and we are not the only Anglican Parish in Sackville. This led the Council to hold a joint meeting with the Parish Council of the parish of St. Francis by the Lakes to begin to explore areas of ministry where the two parishes can share resources. Later in the summer we will do some joint advertising, and in September members from both parishes will be meeting with the Diocesan Youth Coordinator to explore a shared youth ministry in Sackville. This is in addition to the shared programming that the Mothers' Union branches and the Men's Fellowship have already done.



Please Remember That 'No Scents Makes Good Sense' Strong perfumes and colognes and other similar products can cause serious health problems for some of our members. Please respect the health concerns of others when you are attending worship at St. John's.



Parish Office: 934 Old Sackville Road. (902) 864-3154

Mailing Address: P.O.Box 567, Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, B4C 3J1

Rector: Archdeacon Ron Cutler
Associate Priest: The Rev. Gloria Lee
Wardens: Mr. Bill Gardner, Mr. Jeff Reid

e-mail: sjecrevs @chebucto.ns.ca
Website: http//www.stjohnevangelist.chebucto.org
How can we help you?
(Please detach this form and give it to the greeters at a worship service or mail to the Parish address above.)
__ Sickness
__ Would like clergy visit
__ Would like more information about volunteer opportunities, groups or organizations
__ Offering envelopes requested
__ Change of address
__ Newcomer, Please add my/our name(s) to the parish list

Name: _________________________________________________________________________

Address & Phone #______________________________________________________________