ONE YEAR ON

Earlier  this year we celebrated the anniversary of the rebirth of St.Mary’s, Nanoose Bay.   We looked back on a crowded year – lots of activities, but also much needed opportunities for contemplation and prayer as we strive to discern God’s purpose for this beautiful church.   We began with a handful of faithful worshippers, and now under Rev. Ron Macluskie’s leadership we have 70 signed up members, and a regular, healthy congregation at our Sunday Services.

 Worship has been our focus, with regular mid-week services, weekly bible study and celebration of the great feasts of the church.   Easter, and our Christmas services,  provided opportunities to worship together and with friends and neighbours from our community – the church was packed for Carols by Candlelight with 160 people singing their hearts out, and then enjoying hot mince pies and fruit punch before wending their way home.   Music is an important ingredient in our worship; we have regular opportunities for meeting together to sing old favourites and practice new hymns.   The theme of music and worship was maintained in December by a performance of The Messiah for Young Voices.  Now we have a programme of occasional concerts to be enjoyed in our beautiful church.

 Pastoral care.   Much time has been given to issues of Pastoral Care.   As in any community we have had our sadnesses and concerns, and we have sought to provide support, love and practical help to those in need – churched and unchurched.   We have grown closer in  meeting our own challenges throughout the year, and have been able to attract those needing spiritual help and fellowship.

 Outreach is an important mission.   In addition to regular support for two overseas children, we have supported Operation Christmas Child, raised funds for Haitian Relief and remain a collecting point for contributions to the Nanoose Bay Community Cupboard, our local food bank.   Interestingly, we are also the focus for various non-church groups who wish to provide support to those in need.   Some local groups channeled their food bank contributions through St. Mary’s, and generous local support for Haitian Earthquake survivors came via the church.

 This underlines our role as a community church – open and welcoming to all who come, for whatever reason, and sharing our love and faith.  During 2009 we celebrated five weddings and seven celebrations of life.

 Community events have helped in defining this wider role – active involvement in our local Teddy Bear Picnic, a Christmas Fete with tea and music where people could sit and catch up with old friends, and we have hosted a course on how to manage chronic pain.    A service of Blessing of the Animals to celebrate the feast day of St. Francis provided fun and shared enjoyment.   A number of local groups regularly use our facilities for their meetings, and have shown a growing interest in the development of our church life.

The Diocese has provided greatly valued support and we have in turn been able to host a number of diocesan and regional events, including a visit from our friends in Myanmar.   Our relationship with other Anglican churches has grown with increasing contact, and generous practical help.    Altar furnishings and hymnbooks have also been generously provided by the churches of St. James, Nanaimo, St. Paul’s, Nanaimo and Trinity, Port Alberni.   Church members from St. Paul’s  Nanaimo provided a kitchen crew to serve and clear away when we had our parish Thanksgiving Supper.   In the same spirit of serving one another, a team from St. Mary’s helped serve a retirement dinner at St. Paul’s.   This year, Thanksgiving had a special, deep resonance as we reflected on how we have worked, and grown, together.

 One Sunday in July – not a special day, just another Sunday.   But that day, after several weeks of congregations in the  twenties, we were 59 – many of them children visiting their grandparents locally.   Hearts lifted as the church  grew less empty and more noisy!

Management and Finance have needed close attention.   Thanks to generous unexpected donations we have been able to clear our church building loan and face 2010 mortgage free, with a reduced loan left on the hall building fund.

 We remain humble and grateful for all that has been achieved, and face the challenges of 2010 and beyond, confident that with God’s grace we will be able to continue His work here in lovely Nanoose Bay.

 Pauline Bibby

Vestry Secretary

 12^th May 2010