On the Sunday of our Annual Congregational Meeting, January 20th, I used my sermon time to present my report and vision for our mission at St. Philip's.  The Collect and Scripture lessons  for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany were amazingly pertinent guides for the occasion.  They renewed our call to mission.  They reminded us that we have among us the grace and gifts to bring light to our community and our world.  I want now to share my sense of where we'll be going in the coming months.

Looking back over the past year, at our congregation and ministries, I testify to you that St. Philip's is a reasonably happy and healthy congregation in mission
Children and youth are prominent among us  They are welcomed and cherished,  The Good News is shared with them all in Sunday School, worship, youth programs, and through their enriched family life.
Worship and Music , always important elements of our life and mission, are of good quality and still developing. I anticipate even more creativity this coming year in music, liturgical art, and worship services.
Spiritual Growth and Service are central.  Highlights this past year include the first run of our new Alpha course, our several Bible Study opportunities, our new Spiritual Growth Task Group, our continuing participation in the Interfaith Satellite Shelter Program, and our  making available the use of our facility by a range of community service groups.   
Facility use and maintenance :  We've made several improvements the past year, including a new Parish Hall floor and new heating system.  We are thrilled that Dennis Potts has stepped forward to lead and coordinate our stewardship of buildings and grounds.
Financial Responsibility   With new Treasurers Steve and Debby Dodds, our Finance Team moves forward.  We've re-financed our main mortgage (saving 1.5% on the interest rate).  Our budget for 2002 is sound, though tight, with real numbers all around.
So it is that we as a church have been living out our mission:  Through these ministries and programs we illuminate our world, sharing God's love through Jesus Christ-.

Looking ahead: In this coming year I pray that we will continue to develop and broaden our leadership.  Broader leadership can already be seen in the task groups of our Bishop's Committee, in our Finance Team, in our extensive Sunday School (led by Julie O'Brien and a large number of dedicated teachers).  Broadening leadership is also evident through specific projects such as the hanging of our new Church Bell, and the musical fund-raiser: "Amahl and the Night Visitors".
This year, I will be taking a three month sabbatical, to begin after Easter (which comes on March 31st) and to extend through the months of April, May and June.  I am eager for this opportunity for all of us - for you as a congregation as well as for myself as your Vicar - to grow and develop in leadership and mission. 
I am calling now for the establishment or strengthening of three task groups:  Pastoral Leadership, Youth Ministry, and Worship and Music.  These three committees, along with our Financial Team and just forming Facility Team, will take shape in February and March, and lead our congregation while I am away.   We shall be forming a Pastoral Leadership task group to work in my absence with the priest or clergy team which the Bishop's Committee and I will be arranging  for this period.  (Money is in the budget for these three month's arrangements.)

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