Advent pastoral letter 2013

Advent Pastoral Letter 2013 to the Parish of St. James

Advent Sunday, 2013 Dear Parish Members and Friends, We are writing at this time to share the current findings of the Parish Review. Joyful expectation characterizes Advent and also our hope for St. James’ as we look forward to initiating the Mission and Ministry Plan, which is the Parish Review in action.

OVERVIEW The April session of the Parish Council marked the beginning of this season of review. Three questions have been at the heart of this review: What is our essential and core vocation – our calling – in Christ Jesus? What is God asking us to surrender in our life? What is God calling us to initiate? These questions were designed to equip us to reflect prayerfully upon our common baptismal vocation.

Active listening and reporting has characterized the substance of the review process. The findings have then been made available to the whole Parish through regular updates, and with invitations for any parishioner to contribute. Yet there was never any blueprint or special agenda for the Parish Review. Rather, this activity has been a journey of discovery.

We would like to thank the overwhelming spirit of openness, generosity, and participation by many parishioners. We have been struck by the imaginative thinking and readiness for change which has characterized this season of review.

GOALS FOR MINISTRY AND MISSION AT ST. JAMES’ A new vision for our physical resources The first priority is to ensure that all our physical resources are well kept and fully maintained; the second is to re-envisage the use of our buildings for worship and service.

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Phase one: Develop a comprehensive maintenance plan for all our physical resources along with a financial plan for implementation.

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Phase two: Identify the options with associated costs for a Parish Mission Centre, with street front access, which will consolidate all our offices and spaces for the work of guilds and

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ministries.

Phase three: Initiate a programme of opening the Church for prayer, and also for pastoral care that will be supported by both laity and clergy.

We are committed to re-imagine the use of all our physical resources, and so to enhance our presence and engagement with the neighbourhood and beyond, and to make more accessible our catholic liturgical and sacramental tradition. Some concerns that may involve sacrifices have been clearly articulated for reflection

and action. These include the leasing of the Parish Hall with its adjoining rooms, and the renovating of the crypt.

Opportunities for growth in discipleship and service One Sunday a month (approximately), after High Mass, we are committed - and ask the Parish to join us - in providing a fellowship lunch. This time will give us an opportunity to have fun together: for example, to discuss a book, watch a film, have instruction in the faith or devotional practices, participate in a religious drama, even to dance! A rich variety of activities based around a fellowship meal is possible. We encourage the Parish to redirect some, if not all, of the energy and resources that we previously put into midweek potluck suppers towards monthly Sunday fellowship. Furthermore, because of the steady flow of enquirers and new parishioners at St. James’, we commit to restart a New Members Ministry, with the mandate of incorporating these new parishioners into fuller membership and fellowship.

Lay and ordained leadership We are committed to serve the Parish on the current model of a partnership between the Rector, Street Outreach Priest, honorary priests, and deacons. We support specialized short term positions to enrich the work of the Parish; and we give thanks for the resources given to employ a Youth Support Worker.

ADVENT AND BEYOND The Ministry and Mission Plan will be made available to the January session of the Parish Council. This plan is a fruit of the review process; and during the yearly cycle of Parish life, it will be revisited, reviewed, and revised. Many excellent ideas for ministry and mission were articulated but which cannot be acted upon at this time; however, these ideas will be recorded in the Ministry and Mission Plan for future reference. Already we are witnessing fruitful results from the Review. The Trustees are creating a comprehensive action plan for the maintenance and renewal of our physical resources; The Thurible is a renewed weekly Parish communication; the website will be overhauled within the next few months; a Youth Support Worker will be hired in the New Year.

Please speak to any one of us if you would like to know more. We give thanks to God, “whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine”. We offer this Parish Review to the Glory of God. Yours in Christ, The Trustees and Collegium of St. James Leslie Arnovick, Betty Carlson, Sr. Mary Christian Cross, Fr. Mark Greenaway-Robbins, Fr. Matthew Johnson, Joyce Locht, Graham Murchie, Brian Rocksborough-Smith, Mtr. Alexis Saunders, Paul Stanwood, Canon Douglas Williams, Reece Wrightman, and Angela Van Luven.