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TIME FOR RENEWAL – a summertime
message from the Rector, the Rev’d.
Eleanor
Recently I was reminded of the
importance of taking time for renewal.
Although each of us knows the importance
of time off from our usual duties so
that we can rest and relax, what many of
us experience is the challenge to take
the time needed. And I think no truer
words are spoken in the church … be it
about the clergy person or the laity who
give so generously of their time.
I think we can all agree we need to take
time off from our usual duties. But what
is it we are taking the time for? Is it
to finish off the “Honey Do List”? Or to
get through the many projects around the
house that have been waiting patiently
for our attention? Or is it to read a
good book, sit by the water or visit
with loved ones?
Perhaps the time is well spent finishing
off those lists and projects – it might
relieve the stress we feel because we
haven’t been able to get these things
done. But is this renewal? Refreshing?
Or is it rushing to get all our work
done so that when we return to our usual
responsibilities we need a vacation, but
haven’t time for one because we used it
to get the work done? Sounds like a
vicious circle doesn’t it!!
Well it is! I mustn’t be surprised that
we mere mortals find ourselves caught up
in this dilemma. Jesus himself knew the
need to withdraw and would do so by
heading for the mountains or the lake
(two of my favourite locations to escape
to.) But it wasn’t without feeling
called to stay and do His ministry to
those in need. They would follow Him to
the shores of the lake or into the hills
(see Matthew 14:13-21) and feeling
compassion for them, Jesus would from
time to time come away from His time of
rest and renewal. |
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Even though it was hard to get away,
Jesus did not stop trying. Whether it
was to escape up the mountain (Matthew
14:23) or to spend time with His friends
Lazarus, Mary and Martha (Luke
10:38-42), Jesus made every effort to
get time away from his usual ministries.
(Not that he didn’t talk “shop” while
with his friends - there’s always a
teaching moment not to be missed.) We do
know from His visits with the sisters,
Jesus valued time spent with his friends
over fussing in the kitchen. Perhaps not
practical - but it definitely was
life-giving to spend time with friends.
So I guess a teaching we have from the
life of Jesus is:
“Getting away from the regular routine
might be hard to do, but is absolutely
necessary. It is worthy of our
committing as much energy to this
life-giving endeavour as we do to our
working life.” |
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as you plan your vacations or time off
this summer, may you remain committed to
the benefits of time off – refreshment
and renewal. Have a safe and happy
summer! |
PASTORAL CARE -
Dianne Bradshaw
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Pastoral care
is a large and multi-faceted ministry
that is one of the basic tenets of the
Anglican Church. Throughout Scripture,
again and again, we are enjoined to
nurture those both within, and without,
our community. In the worldwide church,
pastoral care is provided according to
the unique needs of the communities it
serves.
The National
Cathedral in Washington, D.C. purchases
and distributes thousands of tube socks.
Located at the edge of an area where
there is a concentration of homeless
people, their pastoral care program is a
practical one. Dry feet is a critical
part of good health. Christ the King
Anglican church in the Bahamas feeds the
poor every week. At “The Lord’s Table”
in Ottawa an entire counseling centre is
devoted to providing therapy and
education in the field of mental health.
The Australian Anglican church reaches
out to the aboriginal community.
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Here in the Diocese of Montreal there
are amazing in-the-trenches outreach
programs including assistance to new
immigrants, showers and meals for the
homeless, support for prisoners, and
counseling. The list of ways in which we
provide help to those in need is
endless, and the needs are infinite.
Here in the caring community of St.
James’, we have a long history of
supporting the mission and life of the
church through compassionate outreach of
various kinds – most of it informal and
discreetly provided. [Our dear Alison
Royle provided a platinum example of the
finest in pastoral care.] With God’s
guidance, and a bit of research, the
recently resurrected pastoral care
initiative will seek to identify the
ways in which we can serve the needs of
our community, in the true spirit of the
Shepherd. We will need your help. |
Parish of Vaudreuil Summer Day Camp – Week of July 26-30,
2010
The camp will be a place of welcome to
children from across the area during the
week of July 26th to 30th, 2010. As Camp
Director, Wanda Smith shares her creativity
and energy in making this a memorable
experience for young people from across our
community. This year we will welcome James
Armstrong and Bill Riley who will share
their musical gifts with our campers.
This exciting yearly event relies on the
support of members of the Parish. How you
might get involved:
• Provide billets for the youth leaders of
the Camp
• Help over the lunch hours
• Join us as Camp Director in Training
Do you have questions? Want more
information? Please contact
Rev’d Eleanor at 450-458-5897.
Bishop’s Pilgrimage -- Footsteps of St. Paul
Bishop Barry will lead another pilgrimage
this year - The Footsteps of St. Paul
through Greece and Turkey, November 2-13.
Limited space is available for this trip
which includes 7 nights on a cruise ship,
daily excursions to the places of St. Paul’s
ministry (costs included). The basic rate
is $2,429 for an inside cabin on board ship,
hotels, and flights. All breakfast, dinner
and entrance fees are also included. The
return flight connects in Paris, France, and
it is possible for an extra $100 to book a
stopover (extra nights’ costs not
included). For more information or to
request a brochure, contact Archdeacon Janet
Griffith 514-843-6577 or to book contact
Ari Bauer
in Toronto, 1-800-267-9994, ext. 415. The
registration form and further information
can be found at
http://www.montreal.anglican.ca/pilgrimage
Office Hours for the Parish Priest - Change
of Day Off
Rev'd Eleanor's day off
is now on a Friday. She will be in the
Parish office Monday to Thursday from 9:00
a.m. until noon, (except when she attends
Clericus on the first Tuesday of the month
or is called out on a pastoral emergency).
Are you on PAR?
PAR, or Pre-Authorized
Remittance, is a “direct debit” program that
allows people to support the mission and
ministries of the Church through an
automatic monthly withdrawal from their bank
account. At this time of year when we are
planning the annual budget, we encourage you
to consider getting on PAR. The benefits are
great – convenient, easy to set up or
change, and ensures missions and ministries
are supported throughout the year (even when
you are on holidays.) To get more
information about this convenient way of
giving, please contact the Parish Office at
450-458-5897.
Chancel Guild
The St. James’ Chancel
Guild is looking for a few new members. The
Chancel Guild works in a series of teams
each responsible for a week per month. The
responsibility begins on the Saturday
preceding the week of duty and includes
setting up the altar for Sunday and any
special services during that week. Anyone
who is interested may contact Joy Forster
through the
Church Office.
St. James’ Buildings Restoration
Campaign
For
many months now Alan MacLeod has been
reporting on the status of restoration work
on our buildings. When next at church we
suggest that you walk around and take in the
beautiful improvements that have been made
in the last two years. We’re confident that
you will be very impressed.
Last year…
we launched the buildings restoration
campaign and we were delighted by the
generosity of many of our congregation.
Unfortunately we are all aware of the
difficult economic time we have found
ourselves in and for this reason the funding
program was tailored back. We know that
times continue to be difficult for some.
However, it is also recognized that the
economy has improved significantly since
this spring.
Much still to be done…
Our reality is that there is much still to
be done in order to improve the
serviceability of our buildings. Just take a
look at the condition of the roofs.
Replacement of some must be effected before
the end of 2010 and must include not only
replacement of the outer shell but also
improvements to the envelope in order to
improve energy efficiency. The energy audit
completed earlier this year suggests
replacement of furnaces and the addition of
heat pumps in order reduce costs and reduce
our carbon footprint. These improvements are
a few of the major projects, however there
is much other work that must be done in
order to keep our buildings beautiful, safe
and efficient.
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Have You Made a Pledge to be Part of this
Campaign? |
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The Buildings
Restoration Campaign saw the launch of a
second phase of fund raising during the
month of October last year. At December
31st, 2009 we were at $370,000 against our
target of $500,000 having increased the
funding by $60,000 during the second phase.
Currently we are approaching all members of
the church who have not yet donated or
ledged. We invite you to join in the
campaign. If you have any questions about
how you can support our parish campaign,
please speak with a member of the Campaign
Committee:
George Cockburn,
Graham Campbell,
John Zacharias,
Marcus Owen,
or
Tom Pound.
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Note from the Choir
We
are actively seeking to add new members to our choir,
particularly those of the tenor and bass persuasions,
but also sopranos and altos. If you are interested, or
know of anyone who might be, please contact
James Armstrong or
Graham Campbell
or contact the
Church Office. Our
rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 7:15 and at
10:15 before the Sunday morning services.
James
also announces that our Friday evening worship team will
meet once a month, the THIRD Friday of the month, to
rehearse for the contemporary Choral Eucharist/Special
Music service on the 4th Sunday. Singers and
instrumentalists are also invited to join the team and
should contact James for more information.
New Year’s Resolutions 2010
… from
the Rev. Eleanor can be found by
clicking here.
