DEANERY OF KENT
COUNCIL MEETING
ST. PAUL’S, CHATHAM
TUESDAY, 18TH NOVEMBER 2014
MINUTES
WECOME: Harvey German
REFLECTION :
Sherri Burke “Why I Am A Christian?”
MINUTES OF 16TH
SEPTEMBER 2014:
Moved by: Sherri Burke – Seconded: Dave
Fuller. Passed
TREASURER’S
REPORT: Wayne Garrett (absent)
Bank Balance -
$2834.50
Expenses Since Last
Report- Bank Service Charge $3.90
Lay Reader Workshop 199.46
Chatham-Kent
Hospice Donation 1200.00
1403.36
Moved by: Gail
Baldwin Seconded: Len Myers Passed
Total donations
to Chatham-Kent Hospice from Deanery and Anglican churches in Kent Deanery –
approximately $9700.00
DIOCESAN BUDGET
PRESENTATION BY JOHN SIZELAND – consult Diocese of Huron web-site
BROTHERHOOD OF
ANGLICAN CHURCHMEN – Sheldon Parsons – Existing chapters in Wallaceburg and
Blenheim. What We do: Witness, Unite, Grow, Lead and Extend. Why is it important? Our churches are made stronger by our involvement. Typically, BAC hold pancake suppers, church
breakfasts, support, through service and resources, other programs in the
church and across the Diocese. A chapter
can be as busy as they choose to be.
There is no minimum number needed to establish or reestablish a
chapter. Many churches have men’s groups
that are active in the life of the church.
These groups can affiliate with the BAC across the Diocese and assist
with many of our programs and projects.
BAC Conference
2014 – Saturday, April 25th, 2015 – St. James, Ingersoll
BAC “BE at
Camp” – Clean up Day at Huron Church Camp – 9 to 5, June 20th, 2015
BREAK
VISIONING
PRESENTATION – Shirley Sewell & Jane Cartier
“Dream … Plan … Engage”
RENEW REPORT –
Sheldon Parsons
DIOCESAN
COUNCIL UPDATE – Harvey German
ARCHDEACON’S
REPORT – Deanery commission, parish cemeteries &
Re-organization of two-point charges
NEW BUSINESS –
none
LAY READER
WORKSHOP REPORT – Sat., 18 October 2014 – Rev. David Fuller
DEANERY
ROUNDUP:
St. Matthew’s, Florence – see attached
Church of the Advent, Ridgetown (Parish of the
Transfiguration)
On September 28th the Cathedral
Choir from London came and sang a Choral Evensong. This was a wonderful event which was shared
by many of our parishioners and the people of Ridgetown. Afterwards, a light pot luck supper was
served.
We continue our
work with the Soup Kitchen. This takes
place every Thursday with eight other churches from Ridgetown and surround area
taking their turn. There is anywhere
from a dozen to twenty people attending.
The Soup Kitchen committee is having a December 11th at 5:30
PM a traditional Christmas dinner this is in our Parish Hall.
We replaced six
of the bushes in front of the church with help from the Ridgetown Horticultual
Society. The old bushes had been in
about thirty-five years and needed to be replaced.
Several
parishioners took part in the planting in the Hay Bales Garden. This is a joint Parish of the Transfiguration
project. The vegetables were given to
the local food banks. We also planted
five maple trees with more to be planted over the next few years.
We had a
fashion show in October with fashions from Value Village with both Revs. John
and Gary taking part as models. We
raised over $600.00.
On November 21st
we will be having a Lasagna dinner and silent auction. We have done this before and they have always
been successful and we hope this will be the case this year.
It is our turn
to host the Posada this year and it will be on November 29th
starting at our church. And then going
around town we will end at our church with a pot luck supper. This is a Mexican tradition. Last year it was held in Dresden. This concludes our report.
NEXT MEETING: 24 FEBRUARY, 2015 – Holy Trinity, Chatham
7 PM (changed because of Pancake day on Feb 17th)
REFRESHMENTS
FOR 24 FEBRUARY: Trinity, Blenheim & Christ Church,
Dresden
DEANERY
ROUND-UP (Attachment)
St. Matthew’s
Report 2014
St. Matthew's has once again
had a busy and productive year! We have tried to tie our priorities to those of
the Diocese therefore we have attempted to follow the Marks of Mission as well
as the Renew initiative.
To proclaim
the kingdom of God – We have often discussed the importance of a
church presence in our small community. Although Anglicans do not proclaim
their belief on the street corners we have had a presence at:
Ø Village Stitchers
Ø selling Meat Pies to the community
Ø House Concerts
Ø Pancake Supper
Ø Board of Education lunches
Ø FAC Turkey Supper
Ø Grand Old Days Church Service
Ø Social Justice Thanksgiving Service
To teach, baptize and nurture new (peripheral)
believers- our
monthly Sunday
School Sunday continues to bring in children ( and their parents ). Many
community members take part in the weekly Village Stitchers’ initiative as
well.
To respond to human need by loving service- We have attempted to volunteer our help in the community and abroad
with:
Ø Donations from our “dessert table” at the House
Concerts
Ø Remembrance Day Service refreshments
Ø Florence Stitchers - donated time and materials to
knit hats, gloves,scares etc.and to sew
children’s clothing (and ugly sleeping bags)
Ø Foodbank – donations ( special service designated for
focus on this need )
Ø Christmas Shoebox Program – donations ( 55 boxes were
filled )
Ø Cards/Flowers/Food/Gift Cards - given for
sicknesses/special occasions to all members of the
community
Ø Social justice box ( donations for fair trade coffee,
seeds for the bale garden, donations for maple tree project )
Our cemetery at St. Matthews
was in dire need of funds for maintenance. A decoration day was organized where
enough funds were collected to maintain the grounds for a few years. Many
reconnections were made with family members and an annual celebration is now
planned. This year our annual letter began a Legacy Circle of
memorials.
The stained glass windows are a
real attribute of our church. Three windows have been refurbished. It is our
hope to continue to enhance the sustainability of these pieces of art by
gradually having all repairs completed.
Social activities provided enjoyment and enabled
us to be one group working together to meet our relational needs.
Ø FAC Breakfast
Ø FAC Ladies' Night
Ø Harvest Evensong
Ø Book Club
Ø Christmas Gift Grab
To challenge and transform unjust structures
which break the human spirit- once again we haven’t
waved banners but we have reminded parishioners in our weekly prayers of the
people, about the injustice in the world and our need to continually offer our
prayers for those who experience the injustice as well as those who inflict it.
Our annual social justice themed service which focused on The Alvinston
Foodbank is also an attempt to bring awareness about our need to remember those
less fortunate than ourselves.
To care for the planet we will pass along to
future generations-we have made a concerted effort to reduce, reuse
and recycle this year. Doing many dishes has provided time for discussion and
solving of world issues!
To work for peace, conflict transformation and
reconciliation – once again we have addressed this area somewhat
in our prayer offerings. We also attempt through our participation in regional
council to bring our six churches into a collegial God focused body.
... then we will do our part to birth Christ into our time and space. We,
at St. Matthew's, are proud of our accomplishments! Thanks to our church family
for being there to generously provide assistance, food and advice when needed.
As we look forward to 2015, we know there are still challenges to face as we
prepare to work as a six point parish.
With some new faces in our congregation, some projects like the stained
glass windows and meat pies already underway and willing parishoners working
together, 2015 can be just as or even more successful! May God be with us! Maureen
McCutcheon Evelyn Bilton (wardens) Shirley Sewell (deputy war
