THE VAUDREUIL PARISH PULSE

January 28th, 2005 (2005-01)

Dear Friends:
A new year, annual meetings, new budgets, and an air of optimism.

I am privileged to be your priest. As we begin this year of 2005, it’s hard to believe that it is the beginning of my fourth year with you. As I write, St Mary’s just had their annual meeting.

At St Mary’s have new wardens this year. I am delighted that Elizabeth McCrudden agreed to be the new Rector's Warden. We welcome David Lister as the new People's Warden. Elizabeth McCrudden and Mary Whittall are the new Synod delegate and alternate. We owe an enormous debt to Gay and Don. I remember the enthusiastic reaction when I announced that Gay had agreed to be Warden. Gay has been an anchor. A number of challenges have been given us as a Corporation, and Gay has been able to handle them with tact and a sure hand. Thank you, Gay. Don was part of the team in place when I arrived. He knew enough to reassure me from time to time. His work for St Mary’s has been untiring. He has offered to help our new warden for the first while. Thanks, Don. A thanks also to Tracy for your steady reliable presence and all you have done in this last year.

A church congregation is a family. Like all families, we need to be able to talk together openly and frankly. Advisory Board, and other committee and group meetings are opportunities. There are many other informal ones. Although at Vestry we appoint wardens who with the rector form Corporation with legal responsibilities; when we meet together during the year we are a community of brothers and sisters in Christ. This is our Anglican genius - an organization based on trust.

Wilf works hard all year for St Mary’s as Treasurer. I was impressed when he told me that the books were ready for the Annual Vestry Meeting. This was at a time when Stephen was gravely ill in hospital in Ottawa, and Wilf and Bernice were with him there. Wilf’s hard work comes out of his love for the church, and for other people. Thank you, Wilf.

Our Sunday School is a vital part of who we are. Without our children we would be greatly impoverished. Than you Wanda, , Hugh, Pat, and others who make this happen at St Mary’s.

Chancel Guild and Ladies’ Sewing Circle are always there. They are, of course, a foundation of St Mary’s. Attending the meetings is to be in the presence of an effective church.

At the parish level - our public profile is good, our outreach to our parish list is improving, and our sense of common identity as Anglicans and members of our parish is quite strong.

Make sure I use my time well! Let me know of those who may appreciate a pastoral visit. Reach me at 458-5372, or jbradley@parishofvaudreuil.com .

God be with you. John +

CONFIRMATION CLASS: Anyone who will be 13 by next November is welcome to join us in learning more about our faith. Hope to start classes in February. For more information or to register, please call Fr. John at 458-5372 or the Parish Office 458-5897.

MONTREAL DIOCESAN SYNOD – 2004:

Mark Drake was St. James’s delegate to synod again this year. His full report is available at the parish office, or web page: www.parishofvaudreuil.com or direct from him at corsley@sympatico.ca or 458-5107. He says that at 3 pages it is a little long to include in full in Parish Pulse, but he has prepared this brief abstract (hopefully to whet your appetite for more, as it is good to see what is going on our diocese).

“The main opening event at the 104th synod of the diocese of Montreal was the consecration of (and warm welcome given to) Barry Clarke, the new Bishop. The following day he gave us the “Bishop’s charge”, highlighting our challenging times, the need for faith and unity, the requirement that we proclaim the good news, respond to human need, reform an unjust society and look after the earth. He noted some of the many good things that were happening in the diocese.

The business sessions dealt with many issues including the environment, same-sex relationships, finances, budget for 2005, and a report from last summer’s General Synod.

On environment an “ecology and environmental working group” was set up, and on same sex relationships a motion was passed requesting the bishop to ensure [further] study and dialogue. The issue will be reviewed again in Synod 2006

Montreal diocesan finances have been running deficits for many years (compounded this year by the residential schools settlement), and synod agreed that more work was needed to get things back on track. In spite of its lack of clarity the 2005 budget was approved.

The report from General Synod (GS) noted that the work in the North and grass roots consultations with Canadians would continue. Discussions at GS covered inter alia congregational development (target is plus 15%), training in fund-raising, coordination of appeals and planned giving. A decision on the blessing of same sex unions was referred to General Synod 2007. Stephen Lewis’ work on AIDS was recognized, as was the urgent need for further education and treatment.

The Synod youth group gave a lively and upbeat presentation, and is clearly flourishing. After the general members’ forum, the new members of diocesan council were elected. Full proceedings of synod can be found on the Montreal diocesan web site: www.podm.com. Mark Drake

CHANCEL GUILD:

Sometime ago the tradition of not having memorial flowers during Lent was revived. However, it is possible to remember loved ones during that time; John, our Rector, will place a candle on the altar in their memory. Please sign up on the flower chart at the entrance for the Sunday of your choice. Donations are very much appreciated by the Chancel Guild.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH

Please come to St. Mary's Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 8th, for a very enjoyable evening for the whole family. It will take place at 5:30 PM at St. Mary's Parish Hall. RSVP Elizabeth 458-4380 or Elsie 458-5226.

mark your calendar: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH

The Pastoral Committee is pleased to invite families for fellowship and supper! "Lent, Love and Lasagna" will be held at St Mary's Hall, on Sunday 13 February at 4.30pm. A short service followed by supper and a chance to chat over tea or coffee while the children watch a video. Adults $5.00, Children $2.50, Maximum per Family $20.00. Please RSVP at 458-2361, or 458-7355.

PARISH FAMILY: Milestones of recent weeks

Baptisms: William James, son of Heather and Paul Brierley was baptized at St. James' Church on January 16th, 2005

Deaths: Eric Hugh Campbell died on December 30th, 2004 and his Memorial Service was held at St. James' Church on January 15th, 2005.

“PULSE” CONTACT INFORMATION:

The Parish Pulse Editorial Team is actively looking for your articles. Please feel free to contact any of them with your ideas or suggestions for an article. (Patti Ann Gannon, 613-674-1376, pattiann@sympatico.ca; Paul Brierley, 450-458-1750, paul.brierley@future.ca; Wilf Hall, 450-458-7913, wghall@sympatico.ca). The deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, February 16th, 2005. The publication will be Friday, February 25th, 2005. Submissions should be directed to Patti Ann Gannon through:

pattiann@sympatico.ca, parishvaudreuil@ca.inter.net, drop off at the Parish Office, fax to the Parish Office at 450-458-8802, or mail to The Parish of Vaudreuil, 642 Main Road, Hudson Heights, Quebec, J0P 1J0.

WEB LINKS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDITORS:

http://www.montreal.anglican.org/index-01.shtml

http://www.alphacanada.org/

http://www.podm.net/po_how.htm

SCHEDULE FOR FEBRUARY

Monday, January 31st: St. James Church Women, dinner followed by Annual General Meeting

Sunday, February 6th – 5th after Epiphany

7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary’s

9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer St. Mary’s

10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer & Praise Evergreen, St. Lazare

11:00 a.m. Holy Communion & Baptism St. James

Readings: Isaiah 58:1-9a(9b-12); 1 Corinthians 2:1-12; (Matthew 5:13-20)

Tuesday, February 8th – Pancake Supper at St. Mary’s Hall 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 9th – Ash Wednesday, St. James’ 7:30 p.m.

Readings: Joel 2:1-2, 12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20B-6:10; Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21

Sunday, February 13th – 1st in Lent

7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James

9:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary’s

10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Evergreen, St. Lazare

11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer St. James

Readings: Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

Sunday, February 13th – Lent, Love & Lasagna, St. Mary’s Hall, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, February 17th – St. James’ Pot Luck Supper followed by Vestry Meeting

Sunday, February 20th – 2nd in Lent

7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James

9:00 a.m. Family Service St. Mary’s

10:00 a.m. Family Service Evergreen, St. Lazare

11:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. James

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17

Sunday, February 27th – 3rd in Lent

7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James

9:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary’s

10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Evergreen, St. Lazare

11:00 a.m. Family Service St. James

Readings: Exodus 17: 1-7; Romans 5: 1-11; John 4: 5-42