All Saints' Anglican Church Whitby Ontario

All Saints’ Announcements - January 22^nd, 2012

If you are submitting an announcement: ensure it’s delivered to the office prior to the month in which you wish it publicized; keep it short - details can be included on a flier, which then can be posted on the church’s bulletin boards. Urgent announcements that must be publicized can be submitted during the month, but only before the Tuesday in the week they are to be publicized.

Office Hours – Monday: closed. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 9 am-1 pm. Wednesday: 11am-1pm. Jeannie’s Work Days – This week Jeannie will observe her normal day off, Friday. Next week, she will take Monday as her Sabbath day.

For overnight pastoral and other emergencies, please contact

The Reverend Canon Jeannie Loughrey - 905-706-0622.

When reading through the notices that follow, please note:

All needed contact information is listed at the end of this leaflet.

Contributing Financially

Our Faith, Our Hope – Today is All Saints’ Second Commitment Sunday

On their respective commitment Sundays, churches throughout the diocese:

• Remind worshippers of the overall aims of this diocesan financial campaign and of how the 40% of received pledges that is returned to the parish will be used
• Ask people to complete a pledge card.
• By completing a pledge card, those who’ve already indicated whether or not they will pledge, facilitate a “second check” of existing records.
• By completing a pledge card, those who’ve not yet signified whether or not they will pledge are given opportunity to make their decision clear.

On our first commitment Sunday (January 15^th), the following were collected:

31 cards confirming pledges

17 cards confirming no pledge

6 cards confirming continuing prayerful consideration

13 cards confirming new pledges, their preliminary total equalling $24,900.

Tax Reciepts by the Diocese for Contributions to Our Faith Our Hope Campaign

The Stewardship Development Department at the Diocese is working diligently to ensure that all gifts made in 2011 are accurately recorded in our database. Ordinarily, it takes approximately 3 weeks from the date the Diocese receives payment for cheques to clear the donor’s bank account. However, due to the volume of year-end donations, we are still processing donations made prior to Dec 31, 2011. We expect that all gifts will be entered in our system by January 20 and the cheques deposited by the 27^th.

Receipts will be mailed out in mid-February. In the interim, anyone who has made a gift or pledge to Our Faith Our Hope will receive a year-end statement that lists the amount of the gift or pledge, payments made toward a pledge, and balance remaining on the pledge. Please note that this is a statement only and that the official tax receipt will follow.
If you have questions, please contact Peter Misiaszek, Director of Stewardship Development at 416-363-6021 ext. 246; 1-800-668-8932 ext. 246; or pmisiaszek@toronto.anglican.ca.

The Importance of Your Financial Contribution

How do you view the local church?

Is it “something” beyond you, there to help meet your occasional or regular needs? OR, is it “a living body”, in which you are called to participate with others?

The way we regard the church can influence our financial contribution:

If we regard it as “something”, we tend to approach it as consumers. It’s there to meet our occasional and/or regular needs; we’re responsible for paying for the services we use.

If we regard it as “a living body”, we tend to consider the health of its whole and our role in keeping it strong. We give for the sake of the whole and to support the mission of Christ in which the gathered church is called to participate.

2012 Offering Envelopes

Phone calls have been made to those who’ve historically used offering envelopes but who’ve not yet picked up this year’s.

If you have made arrangements either to pick up your envelopes or have them delivered to your home this week, that’s great. If you’ve not made such arrangements, please note – All unclaimed envelopes will be returned to the church office.

2012 Auto-debit

Some parish members elect to have their financial contributions automatically deducted from their bank account each month. It makes it easier for them. It also makes it easier for the church corporation to establish and maintain the operating budget. If you wish to explore this option: speak to the warden on duty today OR call any one of the wardens throughout the week.

Penny Drive Supporting the All Saints’ Scholarship

While the penny drive is ongoing, we’re now at a critical juncture. We need to meet our current goal of $1,200 so that the 2012 scholarship program can begin.

Let’s bring in $250 within the next two weeks.

Some reminders:

1. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist an area young person graduating from high school and preparing to enter an accredited college or university program.
2. The scholarship recipient will demonstrate academic excellence, community involvement and leadership potential. He or she also will be dealing with exceptional financial challenge.
3. The scholarship program will facilitate greater exchange between church and non-church members.
4. It also will serve as a catalyst for greater cooperative effort within the church’s gathered body.

Contributing within the Gathered Body

Shared Learning, Reflection and Planned Fellowship Opportunities

Late but present! A booklet outlining opportunities throughout the course of this winter and spring is available. This morning’s sides-people will ask if you want a copy and, if you do, make sure you receive one. Additional copies will be available, Tuesday through Friday, in the church office.

Sexual Misconduct Policy Training

If you are engaged in a ministry that brings you into one-to-one contact with another OR with groups whose members include children, youth or the frail elderly, you must familiarize yourself with diocesan policy, complete training and “sign off” on it.

Those who did not complete required training in the fall are strongly encouraged to contact either Jeannie or Lewis Bryant so a second training session can be scheduled.

Scholarship Committee

Interested and able parishioners are invited to express interest in one of the following areas:

• The development and distribution of a scholarship application and information package
• Interviewing qualified scholarship applicants
• Organizing a scholarship award ceremony and reception

Please forward your expression of interest either to Maria or to Jeannie – with the awareness that the information package must be distributed by the end of March, interviews will need to take place in early May, and the scholarship award ceremony will take place in early June.

Special Guest Preacher – Sunday February 12^th

In recognition of Black History Month, the Reverend Sonia Hinds, interim priest-in-charge of St. John, Whitby, will preach at both the 8 and 10am service. She will address issues of racial and cultural diversities within the Anglican Church.

All Saints’ Newsletter – Submissions by February 5th; Available on February 12th

The success of this newsletter depends on the quality of its contributions and its easy availability.

While other submissions certainly are welcomed, the following are requested to forward e-mailed contributions, of no more than 250 words, to Keith Wagar, no later than Sunday February 05^th: corporation members; music director; nursery, church school and youth group co-ordinators; chancel guild facilitator; servers’ co-ordinator; stewardship chairman; facilitator of pastoral care.

All Saints’ Annual Vestry Meeting – Sunday February 12th

A vestry meeting is analogous to an AGM. While it is open to all who wish to observe, conversation and voting rights are restricted to those who are 16+ years of age and church members.

Several copies of the vestry list have been posted – one in the “breezeway” and one on the door of the church’s main office. If you are a member of the church who’s 18+, please check that your name is recorded. If it isn’t but should be, please contact Cathie Adair.

Those submitting vestry reports – your report is due today.

Please ensure it is emailed to the office.

All 16+ members – written vestry materials will be available

for pick up on Sunday January 29^th .

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper - Tuesday February 21^st, 5 pm

This day traditionally has been considered “Fat Tuesday”, an opportunity to finish off rich foods before embarking on the austerities of the Lenten season. For many, it’s now an opportunity to gather with others in a convivial atmosphere and share conversation and such foods.

Tickets, will be available for sale on Sunday January 29^th. Tickets are available from Rob Collins and/or the church office and at the door.

Cost: Adults $6.00,

Children $4.00 (up to 11 years)

Family $20.00 ( 2 adults, children 12years & under )

Assistance with this event is welcomed: please speak with Rob.

Sunday Hospitality, February 26 – 9 am

As a means of helping members of the 8 and 10 am congregations become better acquainted, coffee and refreshments will be served between services, at 9.

There will be several musical presentations during the hour.

If you would like to contribute your musical talents, or in any other way, please contact Rob and Denise Julian.

Contributing With Others To the Church’s Wider Life

Planning for the Area’s World Day of Prayer Service - Wednesday January 25^th, 7:00pm This gathering is open to all who are interested in working with the existent planning group. It will be held in the church’s office wing, in either the large or small meeting room. For further information, please contact Brenda Riviera.

Vital Church Planting Conference, One Day of Workshops - Saturday February 04^th, all day at St. Paul’s Bloor Street in downtown Toronto

This third day of a larger conference is intended for parish ministry teams. Workshops, focusing on church health and growth, include ones dealing with learning about your neighbourhood, building relationships with neighbours, and disciple-making within the church.

Those who have participated in the discussions “What is the Church’s Calling and Mission” and who are committed to carrying on with related work are particularly encouraged to attend. Bursaries toward the $65 registration costs are available for those requiring financial assistance.

Please register on your own. If you require bursary assistance, please register and then speak with Jeannie.

Worship in Honour of Black History Month - Sunday February 26^th, 4 pm at St. Paul’s Bloor Street, Toronto

Worship Celebrating World Day of Prayer - Friday March 02^nd, time TBA

This event is being hosted by All Saints and will be held at All Saints. Offerings received during worship will be forwarded to Mozambique and especially used to support ministry to and among women.

Ministry Day, Durham - Saturday March 03^rd, St. Peter’s Coburg

Please refer to notices on the bulletin boards for information dealing with special speakers, workshops and registration.

If you wish to attend but either have transportation difficulties or would like to carpool, please send a message (that includes your number) to the church office.

Engaging with the Larger Community

Learning about the Deacon’s Cupboard

The Deacon’s Cupboard offers a safe and welcoming space where those receiving social assistance can request and receive needed foodstuffs each Tuesday and Friday, from 10 until noon. The cupboard, hosted by various members of the gathered church community, depends on donations. For more information, contact Cathie Adair.

Supporting the “Shoe-box Ministry” of the Samaritan’s Purse

Joyce Marshall is part of a working group currently inviting All Saints’ contributions. The group is making small picture books to be included in the shoe-boxes that are distributed each Christmastide to children in need throughout the world.

Here are two ways to help:

1. Purchase a small photograph album. Fill its plastic holders with the front page of various greeting cards you’ve received. Bring your completed book either to one of our Sunday worship services or, during the week, to the church office.
2. If you cannot purchase a photo album, then cut the front page of your greeting cards away from their balance and use a paper clip to put them together. Bring them either to one of our Sunday worship services or, during the week, to the church office.

Some important suggestions

Remember that these picture books are intended for “all places and seasons”:

There is huge need for images associated with other than Christmas,

like birthday cards…

There is huge need for images that are not accompanied by written script

This week especially to

• Those who prayerfully considered their ability and willingness to participate in the diocesan “Our Faith, Our Hope – Re-imagine Church” campaign
• Those who assumed various campaign leadership roles

• Members of the cherub and junior choirs, whose singing enlivens our worship

• Youth group members who not only recently presented a visual telling of the Epiphany story BUT, with the assistance of Marilyn Campbell and Joan Smith, prepared baked goods for last week’s hospitality time, donations for which totalled $100 and will be given to FaithWorks

• Everyone who participated in the work of last Saturday’s 4^th gathering, “What is the Church’s Calling and Mission?” Your work – past, present and future – will prove of great value to our gathered community and to the larger society in which it is called to serve

• Scott Basham and Tim Ralph, whose report dealing with the addition of a solar panel at All Saints is included within the booklet of vestry reports

• Those who continue to uphold in prayer our gathered community and its members and, also, the needs of God’s greater world.

Some Notes Relating to Worship

Use of the Book of Common Prayer

• The Book of Common Prayer – unlike the Book of Alternative Services – refers to human beings using gender specific language. For example: “who for us men” as distinct from “who for us”. Regardless of how we feel about the book’s language, it is important to remember:
• The BCP is a book whose language is conditioned by understandings and practices prevalent at its inception
• There was a recent time during which people consciously chose to modify the book’s language to underscore the importance of gender inclusivity
• You are welcome to hold fast to its gendered language (as it refers to humanity). You’re also welcome to modify it, it that’s your preference.

• Parts of its services intended to be said, sung or prayed in common are marked with curious punctuation: words that do not begin sentences sometimes are capitalized.
• Capitalization declares a pause. During that pause, there’s “breathing space”, the opportunity to ensure everyone is “staying together” and the opportunity to ensure that everyone carries on with “one voice”.

Use of the Book of Alternative Services

• The Book of Alternative Services offers a number of options from which introductory responses, intercessory and Eucharistic prayers all can be selected.
• Selection should be guided by the church season and, also, by realities shaping current life.

• Intercessory prayers are “the people’s prayers”. They’ve been crafted to address all human circumstances, while allowing time for each person’s silent (or spoken) additions. Many times it is preferable to use these prayers rather than ones that, without intention, may reflect the prayer leader’s more narrow range of concerns.

• It is normative for the gathered church to offer timely prayers for more than its own members, their immediate families and friends. It also offers prayers for the church throughout the world; the society of which it is part; for those who have died, that they may rest in God’s presence; and, for those who mourn their passing from this world. When you use our prayer request book, please remember:
• The full breadth of your requests is invited. You are welcome to add a variety of requests, not just that the community remember particular individuals
• All requests should indicate the length of time for which prayer is asked. If the need for prayer extends beyond that time, you may always resubmit a request.
• Observance of the intention of our shared prayer and of the guidelines shaping our prayer request book is critical – for, when the contents of the request book become too lengthy, it is impossible to offer all requests within the context of shared worship.

Abbreviating All Saints’ Weekly Announcements

Our weekly announcement leaflet is too long! It’s length is a waste – because, given too much to read, people tend to read nothing; because its preparation consumes too much staff time; and because it represents a poor use of paper and other valuable non-human resources.

To correct this problem, which is burgeoning, the following will be put into effect at the beginning of February 2012:

1. Announcements are to be submitted to the office prior to the month they are to be publicized.
2. All announcements will be printed in a large leaflet, which will be distributed on the first Sunday of each month.
3. On subsequent Sundays during the month, further announcement leaflets will be abbreviated. For those who require additional information regarding their contents, there will be additional copies of the large-first-of-the-month leaflet available for pick-up, both at the back of the sanctuary and in the church office.
4. The large-first-of-the-month leaflet will be posted on the website for the whole of each month. Necessary week-to-week additions also will be posted.

This may prove temporarily disconcerting and inconvenient.

However, over time, it will work to everyone’s greater benefit.