Pastoral Letter: Summertime & Finances
Dear Friends,
This is a pastoral letter to you about two things: summertime and parish finances.
First, I want to thank and commend you for your commitment and diligence. There has been a noticeable increase in the regularity and amount of the committed givings. We asked you to consider giving $3.00 more per week and many of you have responded. Thanks be to God. It has helped us to keep on an even keel in the post-winter season. A marvel and a miracle!
It never ends, of course. We have been making a concerted effort to stay on top of both operational and maintenance costs. We have at least one major roofing concern that needs to be taken care of, in the short term, we hope. It is the reshingling of the roof of the large part of the Church on the Parish Hall side – the last of the major roofing matters. There are, as well, material concerns about the pointing of the chimney and the repair to the corner foundation of the Hall, not to mention some interior work with respect to the plaster. All maintenance issues, as it were. I want you simply to know about these things because they go to the core of our being here faithfully and with a sense of purpose and joy.
There are so many, many things about which to be grateful. I look forward to another year of activity and witness to the Gospel of Christ by our Parish in our life and work together. It is astounding to think about how many things as a Parish we do. For that may God be praised.
This brings me to the summer. I know, it is a kind of miracle in the Maritimes to arrive at summer! June 23rd is the first Sunday of the Summer, following upon the summer solstice which is always very close to the Feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24th), the one whose birth points us to Christ and to his holy birth and sacrifice, birth and death, we might say. But the summer is often a difficult time for Parishes, such as ours. There was a time, perhaps in relatively recent memory, when at least a certain portion of the town of Windsor decamped (I use the term advisedly) to Martin’s River and the Chester area, sometimes called the Windsor Shore, for the summer months. The result in terms of the Parish was pretty slim collections.
We have promoted and encouraged the programme of special summer offerings, recognizing that people’s lives are complicated and that travel and extended families make for very different summer habits. My request is that you realize that the Church carries on and that we need your support during the summer months as well.
I encourage you to take this into account and to contribute as generously as possible towards the special summer envelope. This will help us both in terms of the summer and in terms of the Fall and Winter.
On a personal note, a very personal note, Marilyn and I are very happy to announce that Elizabeth, our eldest child, is to be married this summer on August 17th. She and her fiancé, Evan King, have many friends in Halifax and so the wedding will take place at St. George’s, Halifax.
Looking ahead to the next year, there are a couple of events that are in the works. First, 2013 marks the 225th anniversary of the School, King’s-Edgehill. The connection between the School and the Parish is not only historical but real and significant. The actual anniversary is November 1st, 2013. There will be a special commemorative service at 4:00pm on that day and with special dignitaries in attendance. It signals, yet again, the larger dimensions of the Parish’s life and mission.
I am also pleased to announce that on Friday, December 20th, 2013, Capella Regalis will be back as part of our Christ Church Concert Series, To Bethlehem with Kings! An outstanding programme last year, it will be so again. So take note of the date and spread the word.
I would also remind you of the last concert in this season’s series, Ensemble Seraphina on Saturday, July 20th at 7:30pm here at Christ Church.
“THE ROAD TO THE ISLES” – Chamber & Folk Music from the Isles – Ensemble Seraphina: Susan Toman harpsichord/Celtic harp, Dawn Bailey soprano, Andrew Pickett counter-tenor; Composers: Thomas Moore, John Playford, Robert Burns, Henry Purcell, others TBA). Admission: $ 10.00.
These are but a few of the things that belong to our life and witness. They require, of course, your support and commitment. I thank you for all you help and service.
The Trinity Season, now before us, provides with wonderful reminders of the nature of our life in Christ. It is always about being clothed in humility and ultimately about being clothed in Christ. “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ.” His life defines us and it is all our joy and all our blessedness.
Do not lose heart but rejoice in Christ and in his Church.
Many blessings upon all of you for your commitment and service and, again, many, many thanks.
May His Holy Name be praised.
In Christ,
(Fr.) David Curry
