Vestry 2021 - February 28th, 2021 at 1pm
Greetings St Catherine’s Friend’s,
The month of January is coming to an end...
That month named after the Roman two-headed god, Janus - who looks forward and who looks back. I am aware that each of us are experiencing fatigue and impatience at the way things are with our social distance and inability to gather in person.
I want to assure you that the wardens, treasurer and all of parish council are working hard to prepare the way for this new year at Saint Catherine’s.
Many of us have been writing reports for our Vestry or Annual General Meeting at the end of February. This has been an opportunity to reflect on the many creative ways that this community came together during the pandemic of 2020.
Natasha has collated the Vestry reports with some wonderful photographs into a 2020 St Catherine’s Yearbook. These will be available electronically, or for pick up at the church or for drop off at your home the week beginning February 8th, 2021.
Please could you indicate how your family would prefer to receive the 2020 Vestry Reports by completing the form linked below or phoning/emailing Natasha in the office at 604 985 0666 or scadmin@shaw.ca. We need this information by next Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 so that we know how many to print.
Vestry reports electronic, pick up or drop off form
The 2020 Vestry report contains our 2021 budget with some commentary. Thanks to Bruce Davidson for his work on drafting this budget and for the work of the Parish Council in reviewing and amending the revenues and expenses. We have had some difficult decisions to make and there are some significant budget cuts. This budget will be discussed and voted on at Vestry.
In addition we will be voting on the Parish Council for 2021. We are grateful that St Catherine’s parishioners have put their names forward for nomination to Parish Council and for the two warden positions that will become vacant at the end of February. These nominations will be brought forward for voting at Vestry.
Unfortunately, we learned today that pre-voting by ballot is not allowable and so I would encourage each one of you to find a way to attend the meeting, which will be hosted on Zoom on February 28th, 2021 at 1pm.
As you can see there are many ways to attend a zoom meeting. You can attend by phone, you can video in with your phone, you can use an Ipad with no video to be present or you can use your laptop of desktop computer. During these next weeks, would you take the time to find a way to Zoom into Vestry. There is help for you. Please don’t hesitate to email the office or ask around. And in the written version of this message is a link to instructions on how to set up Zoom for the first time.
If you’d like to practice – join us on Sundays at noon for coffee time
or on Wednesdays for our spiritual practice group at 10 am
February also moves us into the season of Lent. So look out for notices about:
- Shrove Tuesday pancakes on Tuesday February 16th, 2021 (thanks to Monica MacDonald).
- Ash Wednesday Drive through on February 17th, 2021.
- We also await a Lenten study on the Desert Mothers with thanks to Heather Luccock and Linda Robertson.
- At the end of February, the night of February 27th, 2021, we will once again participate with the other Anglican Churches on the North Shore in the Long Long Night of Hope – a fund raiser for the LookOut shelter. Brenda and Heather will be getting more information to you about ways you can participate in this fundraiser.
Hear now this prayer:
At the ending of the day
In the quiet of the hours
At the interplay of light and dark
We wait with the earth as it rests
That we may give thanks for darkness
That we may open to nights senses
That we may remember the ground from which we come and know You
as Presence in the mystery
as Evening Breeze in our soul
as Everlasting Strength in earth’s body.
At the ending of the day we wait
That we may know You
As Lover of the night
As Lover of the night.
Amen
John Philip Newell