The Session of St. Andrew’s met Thursday January 6th in the Greening Room at the Church with the Interim Moderator Rev. Dr Teresa Charlton .Our discussions  included the following :

Looking beyond our walls ;  We are not here to serve ourselves  but to serve Christ . While we do need to look after the finances of the building and congregational obligations  we can also practice generosity.  What are you passionate about ?   Local, National or International Mission.? Locally we have been supporting many organizations through our “Loony Jar Offering” once a month. February donations will go to the “Coldest Night” campaign. The Women’s Shelter , Search and Rescue Unit  are two which we support. Perhaps  there is some other organization or need in our community which we could have outreach to.  Perhaps the congregational vision is farther abroad.  Let us know your thoughts and passions

We need to expand our visibility – promote events and  mission though the newspaper would be one way.

UPCOMING EVENTS

*  February   12th   VALENTINE’S  GAMES NIGHT ;  7PM   Lets have an evening of Fun and Laughter with  Board or other Games.  Bring  some snack type nibbles   and invite friends and neighbours  to   join   us and dispel some of those February Blues

*  Hopefully the Guideon’s Society will be taking part in one of our Services within the next month but the date is yet to be determined

ANNUAL MEETING

In consultation with our Interim Moderator, Sunday February 28th is a good time to hold our Annual Congregational Meeting following the regular Worship Service – with Soup and Sandwich lunch of course.

Any reports which need to be included must be handed to Marlene Martens by February 7th for preparation.   These reports will be distributed to the congregation on Sunday Feb 14th

Respectfully

Rev.  Shirley Cochrane

January weather must have played a part in the attendance at the Coffee Meeting held on Thursday. Rev. Teresa Charlton meet with four people from the congregation so our conversation was very informal. However Teresa was able to share a lot about  how the Presbyterian Church polity develops on how we do things.  Unlike a Congregationalist church which governs itself, makes its own rules, policies, procedures and sometimes theology, The Presbyterian Church in Canada has procedures which are developed  through the courts of the church, namely sessions ,presbyteries, synods and General Assembly. Historically the PCC has its  roots in the Presbyterian Church in Scotland when several ministers from Scotland settled in the what became the maritime provinces. Likewise the Presbyterian form of Reformed  Theology and church government has its roots in the reformation when John Knox studied with the Reformers in Geneva , taking back Reformation theology and policies  and establishing the Church in Edinburgh Scotland.

Sometimes it feels like the “wheels grind very slowly” through our church governance   but in the long run, it allows for informed decisions which are beneficial to all.

As we as a congregation look forward to the next steps, we have a large say in what we want as  our ministry  – including what we want to support in looking beyond our walls in mission

As we continue the Challenge of Change, steps include being analytical, strategic,  creative , and seeing our potential . Consider;

Reality  – knowing where we are now ; understanding how others perceive us: having a sense of our strengths, resources , attitudes and values; reliance on facts; Courage – willingness to take initiative and risk  – looking at the Big Picture –   where do we want  to be   in the next year – three years – five years. Generosity of Spirit  – caring and sharing by respecting others- having compassion for the pain and fear  which comes with change.

No date has been set for the next Coffee Meeting but there may be time set aside at the Annual Meeting  for a discussion of what we want to create together  in the core of our congregational vision and goals