 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
From the MinisterI was in Toronto a week ago Wednesday evening to attend the annual graduation ceremonies for Knox College, which are always held next door at the magnificent Convocation Hall. Our Field Education student Bruce McAnsh was there to see many of his friends graduate, and Jennifer Lyon from our congregation (who had been to Toronto that day to visit a family member) was also in attendance. I must admit that Knox's annual graduation ceremonies are an annual highlight for me. It's not only a chance to be reacquainted with old friends and classmates who are still in the area but, more importantly, it is a celebration of the church's work to prepare women and men for ministries in our denomination. This year, as a Field Education Supervisor, I was invited to bring my academic gown and hood and sit with the governing Board members and Faculty of the college. In fact, they even asked me to lead the procession! It was fun to be so closely connected again to a wonderful experience for the church and for its graduating ministers, who are so eager to leave the classroom and begin the work of daily congregational ministry. It reminded me of my own experience in that same place just twenty-six years ago. And I especially remember wondering what the future might hold for me as I ventured forth into the world of pastoral ministry in The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and more specifically, whether I was truly up to the task! It's funny what switching seats can do for you. Sitting up there with Faculty and officials, there wasn't a nervous twitch or concern in my body. I was loving the view and the unfolding events of the evening. In contrast, there were a dozen or so graduating ministers sitting out in front of us who definitely had the look of a “deer caught in the headlights.” I wished I could somehow put my hand on all their shoulders and say, “Be at peace, you are not alone in this venture; God's Spirit is at work in you and in the lives of Christ's followers who are even now surrounding you in prayer and loving support.” That's the difference that a perspective of time can give us. We discover that whoever we are and whatever our calling may be in this life, we are blessed and sustained by that same Holy Spirit who has directed and strengthened God's people since that first Day of Pentecost. In fact, it is uniquely the Spirit who sees us through the present and into the future which God has planned for all of us. May this season of Pentecost remind each and every one of us that we do not follow Christ without God's assistance. Lead on, O Spirit!
Your minister and friend, Rev. Dr. Rick Horst
Campaign Update
The AAA Campaign Team is very pleased to report that since the Easter Awareness was sent out in March 2010,additional $50,000.00 has been raised toward the AAA Campaign. As of May 13, 2010, a total of $267,444.00been received for the Endowment Fund. The Board of Managers is presently looking at Phase II of our development program: "Renewal of the Structure." Your continued support of the AAA Campaign and the Endowment Fund is crucial as we move forward to address the structural and other issues surrounding our St. Andrew’s facilities. The Team would like to thank everyone for their ongoing contributions to this important work of restoring our place of worship to good health. Wally Smith, AAA Campaign Chair
Focus on: Stewardship
Think about “IT” Pray about “IT” Do something about “IT”
“IT” is what you give each week in time, talents and treasures to the work and mission of St. Andrew’s.
“IT” could be how much time you devote to prayer for others in the church family and the work they do.
“IT” could be the time you give to the countless activities and areas of service that are being performed at and through St. Andrew’s seven days a week.
“IT” could be how much money you put in your offering envelope each week.
“IT” could be the amount you give through monthly Pre-authorized Remittance (PAR).
“IT” could be that you’re doing all you can do at this time; and make no mistake, we are very thankful for the many “ITs” that you do now. All we ask is that you think about “IT”, pray about “IT” and if you have more time, talents or treasures to share that you do something about “IT”.
Stewardship … It’s who we are. It’s what we do.
Board of ManagersSo far this year we are on budget. On Saturday, April 24, we scheduled a volunteer work party for a spring cleanup of the building exterior. It was well attended. The parking lot was re-graded and raked. The entire property was cleaned up and raked. We purchased 10 yards of triple mix topsoil and spread it on the lawns and flowerbeds. Many thanks to the volunteers who came out and spent the morning working. Also thanks to Comco , which loaned us a Bobcat to grade the parking lot. The accessibility project is complete with the exception of the ramp heating. We have a long-range plan in place for the building, having set priorities as identified by the recent engineering study. In addition, at its last regular meeting the Board did a visual inspection of the building to review our repairs and renewal priorities for the next few years. Included on this list are: · Replacement of the tension ties attached to the apse wall; · Replacement of the rear flat roof membrane; · Brick repair on the building exterior; · Replacement of the south side door; · Fixing the ice buildup problem on the Sanctuary roof (could require extensive engineering and redesign); · Maintenance on the large front stained glass window frames; · Repair and possible rebuilding of the buttress caps, upper front turrets and the cupola which holds the roof ridge cross; · An overhaul of the kitchen; · Parking lot paving; · On-going maintenance of the rental houses; · Some interior decorating and plaster maintenance; · Completion of the ramp heating; · Shelving and storage.
These and other matters will be attended to as budgeting allows. We have budgeted for maintenance, but these items are mostly beyond the typical maintenance requirements. Vic Hood, Board of Managers
Church School and Beyond We can’t do it without you!! As the school year comes to a close, I want to offer my thanks and appreciation to all those who help in our children and youth ministries. Thank you to Donna Mayes, Carolyn Frid, Carolyn Boyer, Jennifer Lyon, Alana Rowell, Shannon Rankka, Brenda Westbrook, Margo Renwick, James Kell, Jocelyn Kell, Kim Garcia, Belinda Boonstra, and to all of you who support these teachers and helpers with your prayers. A special thanks to Kathryn Boonstra for regularly preparing delicious meals for our youth group. Also, I would like to thank the members of the Education Team for their continued encouragement and support. This group of creative people is a valuable asset to St. Andrew’s.
Looking Ahead
June 5th— Yard Sale / Silent Auction / BBQ 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
If, after spring cleaning, you have any extra items please bring them to the church for our yard sale. We are also looking for new items and gift certificates for the silent auction. Come out and support the youth of our congregation!
June 18th— “Super Fantastical Coffee House of Awesomeness” 7:00 p.m., Westminster Church.
The youth group of St. Andrew’s/Westminster will be hosting another coffee house this year. Come out for an evening of music, poetry, and other talents. If you have a special talent you would like to share at the coffee house, contact Tobey Boyer.
June 20th—Church School Participation Sunday
June 27th—Congregational Picnic After worship, St. Vincent Park
July 4th— Summer Church School begins, Kindergarten to Grade 3
Please consider helping out for one Sunday during the summer. Each week’s lesson will be pre-planned and boxed with everything you will need. The theme for the summer is “Sharing the Good News.”
July 19th – 23rd Vacation Bible School—Baobab Blast
This fun-filled week will be held at St. Andrew’s. We will need volunteers during this week to lead activity sites, guide groups of children, prepare and serve snacks, and help make decorations. Please think about how you can help with this ministry. Sign up sheets will be available soon. You may register your children for this event by clicking on the VBS link on our church website : www.standrewsbarrie.ca.
Upcoming Events
May 30: Reception of New Members
Jun. 6: Communion Service
Jun. 20: Church School participation, Father’s Day
Jul. 4: Summer Church School Begins, Kindergarten to Grade 3
Sept. 12: Choir and Church School resume
Sept. 19: Welcome Back Sunday
Grocery Cards As of May 9, 2010 the total amount of cards sold was $52,175, and St. Andrew’s share is $2,608.75. BBQ and ice-cream season is on the way – make sure you have extra grocery cards on hand!
Membership April and May have been wonderful months at St. Andrew’s. We had the opportunity to celebrate Holy week and Easter with glorious music and worship. At our 161st Anniversary service on May 2nd we sang our 150th Anniversary Hymn, had the Rev. Corey Ball as our guest preacher, and recognized our long time members with certificates.
Don Miller (55 yrs), Walter and Audrey Carruthers, (60 yrs), Doug Boldt and Bill Newton (65 yrs), and Jack McCaw, (70 yrs). As we approach the summer, we thank you for saying “yes!” when Marlene calls to ask you to usher and greet, as many of our regulars will be away. Special thanks to Marlene for making sure that we have host and ushers each Sunday. Thank you to those who supported our Every Home plan for the Presbyterian Record. You can still support our Every Home Plan by designating a gift on the last line of your envelope. Remember to check out our web site: www.standrewsbarrie.ca. You can find out about coming events, check the order of worship for Sunday on Friday, and follow the links to PWS&D, The Presbyterian Church in Canada, and Camp Cairns web sites. Have a look at the pictures on the easel at coffee hour. You may see yourself or see someone you know!! A big thank you to Ellen Millar and her helpers for all the time and effort they give to making the Awareness such a success. Ruth Millar, For the Membership Team
Women’s Missionary Society St. Andrew’s W.M.S. observed Mission Awareness Sunday on April 18th. We would like to thank the congregation for their generous support toward our mission allocation, it is very much appreciated. Our speaker this year was Barb Summers from Presbyterian World Service and Development. She spoke enthusiastically about their work, illustrated with pictures she had taken on her visits to Guatemala, India and Malawi. So convincing was her presentation that a member of the congregation remarked, "If I had a million dollars I would give it to you!" We were pleased to give Mary Helen Garvin a monetary gift toward her current trip to Malawi. Thanks to Tanner and the knitting group at Tollendale Village, Mary Helen also took 72 bonnets and 20 pairs of booties to give to babies in the villages she visits. In June we will host a Pot Luck luncheon at which we will entertain retired ministers and their wives, and church staff and helpers. Our regular meetings will begin again on September 13th and we will continue our interesting study on "Refugees." Did you know that in 1974 St. Andrew's sponsored two families of "boat people" from Vietnam? After a family re-settled in Toronto but the other one still resides in Barrie. You'll be warmly welcomed at our meetings, and for now we hope you will enjoy a good summer. Gladys McKillican, Secretary
St. Paul in Scripture Saint Paul is undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the history of the Western world. Famously converted on the road to Damascus, he travelled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean spreading the word of Jesus. Dr. Mark Goodacre, Senior Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Birmingham, explores the biblical references to Paul in a series written for the BBC. “However one explains the phenomenon, there is little doubt that the events of the first Easter, sometime in the early 30s of the first century, made a powerful impact on the first followers of Jesus. Yet the utterly bizarre nature of the claims that they were making is easy to miss after two thousand years of familiarity with Christianity. Let us pause to consider for a moment what it was that they were saying. God had acted decisively, once and for all, by sending his beloved Son to his own people, Israel. This Jesus, whom some acknowledged as Christ, was subjected to an appalling and humiliating death. Everyone in the Roman Empire knew about crucifixion and the fact that Jesus died in this way was not something one would expect anyone to have been proud of. That God's Anointed One could have been so publicly humiliated seemed outrageous. But for these early Jesus people, the public humiliation was conquered through resurrection, God's vindication of Jesus, and this convinced them that Jesus was not a criminal who had died for his own sins; he had died for the sins of others. This was the message that St. Paul carried to the known world of his time.” Submitted by Dr. McKillican. From a series on St. Paul from BBC, Religions: St. Paul http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/history/paul_1.shtml
Greetings from Malawi Dear friends at St. Andrew's. I am writing from Malawi, "The warm heart of Africa." My first two weeks here have had a slow start due to the Manual not being ready (and it won't be for another week). So I am having to change my plans for the workshops, but if I have learned nothing else in my journey with the Lord, I have learned that He brings good out of all things for His children. The book will be ready at the end of next week, but I am heading out on Monday (May 17th) to start a series of 15 three-hour workshops in the villages in the next three weeks. Being without a vehicle has been awkward and limiting, but that too has its purpose, I'm sure. My hosts, Helen and Paul Jones are wonderful folk, and very helpful and supportive. I have met with James Kajawo several times, and he is looking forward to graduating and being able to work and help with his family's needs. A piece of good news is that he is engaged to a young woman named Violet. He says they will not marry for a long time because he has many family responsibilities, but an engagement gives them time to get to know each other better. He is delighted with the computer that Jane Brown sent, and finds it very helpful in his studies. I miss you all, and will see you again in late June. Blessings, and thank-you for your prayers. Mary Helen
Meetings and Events
May 30: Pastoral Care meeting
Jun. 5: Yard Sale, Silent Auction & BBQ 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Jun. 6: General Assembly begins; Gifts for Barrie Food Bank
Jun. 7: W.M.S. Pot Luck Lunch
Jun. 18: “Super Fantastical Coffee House of Awesomeness” 7:00 p.m., Westminster Church.
Jun. 27: Congregational Picnic, after worship, St. Vincent Park
Jul. 4: Gifts for Barrie Food Bank
Jul. 19-23: Vacation Bible School, “Baobab Blast”
Aug. 1: Gifts for Barrie Food Bank
Sept. 12: Choir and Church School resume
Sept. 18: St. Andrew’s Annual Golf Tournament
Sept. 19: Doors Open Barrie at St. Andrew’s, 12:00—5:00 p.m.
Sept. 21: World Day of Prayer for Peace
Sept. 26: Presbyterians Sharing Sunday
Pastoral Care Our team continues to visit parishioners by request and to keep in touch by telephone and/or mail. Long-time member Jean MacGillivray has retired and we note and appreciate all she did to contact and visit people during her many years of volunteering. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact me. Ellen Heikkila, Chair
Givings Update
Summer Hours Office Hours—July Tues.—Fri., 9:30a.m.—1:30 p.m. Office Hours—August Mon—Fri, 9:30 a.m.—1:30 p.m.
Rev. Dr. Horst’s Vacation August 9—September 7
Worship & Memorial As summer approaches, I would like to thank those people who help to keep our services running smoothly, and joyously throughout the year.A big thank you to Chris Bohdanowicz and the choir for their gift of music; to Maria and Frank, our custodians, for their vigilance; and to our "bulletin ladies," for their time each Friday. Iris Barclay,
Ellen Millar, Awareness Editor awareness@standrewsbarrie.ca
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
47 Owen St. Barrie, ON L4M 3G9 705-728-3991
| Site Map |