Annual Report January 2010

Dear Friends, 

I began as Deacon-in-Charge here at Church of Our Saviour in September 2009, and this report covers the final four months of the year. Although I have spent only four months with you, it feels longer – in a good way – because so much has happened. In these early months, my main focus has been on-the-job learning and preparation for ordination to the priesthood. It’s been an honor to learn from the Rev. Richard Reid as my sacramentalist. Richard has been a great support with his 45 years of experience in worship and liturgy. I am also thankful to clergy colleagues Billie Gordon, Alden Burhoe, and Beth Grundy for their help in making my transition in Somerset such a positive experience.

The Diocese supports clergy learning through “Fresh Start,” a mandatory, one-day-a-month program for all new clergy, which is a great learning opportunity. Also during these early months I have been learning from you, and am grateful for the time you have taken to tell me about how things work and traditions that matter here at Church of Our Saviour. Leaders of Music, the Altar Guild, VVT, the Food Bank and many other ministries have talked to me about their work, and I am most grateful for the orientation.

Beyond the joy of learning to be your priest, the primary focus in these early months at Church of Our Saviour has been our new roof. The Junior Warden will offer in his report a detailed account of this work, and the many challenges we have faced. I want to express my admiration for the hard work and perseverance the Junior and Senior Wardens have shown in overseeing this difficult project. I know that the church has needed a new roof for some time, and we will get there, God willing, but it has not been easy!

For me, two dimensions of life at Church of Our Saviour stand out: outreach to the wider community (especially through the Food Bank and Meal Ministry), and our own spiritual growth and development through opportunities for learning, prayer and reflection. I am thrilled by the work of the Food Bank, and the way the wider community in Somerset and beyond joins in this work and benefits from it. This is a terrific ministry. And, when it comes to learning, I was delighted by the October retreat to Barbara C. Harris Camp, and the way that experience drew us inward, opening our hearts to what God is saying to us as individuals and as a community. This capacity and willingness to listen for God is a deep gift. I also feel very enthusiastic about the recent four-part Advent Series, “Believe, Obey, Tell and Experience.” Each of the four evenings involved delicious soup dinners and lively faith discussions, and I look forward to many more such events in the months to come. Looking to 2010, I want to support our continued outreach to the community through the Food Bank and Meal Ministry, especially in this time of widespread unemployment and economic uncertainty. And, I am eager to work with the VVT, Church School, and Youth Group leaders to explore ongoing activities for deepening our relationship with God.
     

Peace,

Rev. Kate +

          
THE WARDEN’S WORLD
by Rita Burke
January 2010 Annual Report     
     

At last year’s annual meeting I stated that we must question ourselves as to what God is calling us to do and that God would lead us to where we needed to be. During this past year, God led us to many exciting places and people and we, as a parish family, became closer to not only God but to one another.

The Diocese appointed Rev. Billie Gordon as our interim priest to guide us as we searched for a new Rector. God then sent Rev. Richard Reid to be a supply priest, a sacramentalist and a mentor during this time. What a blessing both of these priests were to us. Rev. Billie guided me through the daily demands of the administration of a church. Rev. Reid helped to provided us with supply during those times that Rev. Billie was away and ill. What a blessing to have two great priests during this time of transition.

The Search Committee was formed, led by Tim Soderstrom, and they immediately got to work with the consultant, Jack Foster. With the help of the Diocese and God we were very fortunate to interview and call to our parish the Rev. Kate Cress who started her ministry with us in September of this past year. Wow, what a great gift and in such a short time frame. We are truly blessed by God.

As all that was happening, Family Services of Fall River was looking for a new home for their Adult Day Care Program, Countryside Adult Day Care. After several meetings and negotiations, they moved into our undercroft in July of this past year. What a wonderful way for COOS to serve the community, the elderly and disabled, and make good use of our building as we reach out to others in need. Again God led us to be good stewards of our building space and His will.

Again this year, with the committee formed by Jenn Paiva and Paula Toland, we had another weekend family retreat at the Barbara C. Harris Camp. The theme was “prayer” and what an appropriate topic to focus on. We sure had a lot to pray about and be thankful for.

Throughout the year we had numerous fund raisers which also helped to bond our parish family. The chicken barbeque, the Holiday Faire, the golf tournament, the family suppers, etc… And don’t forget the pot luck dinners for Rev. Reid’s 45^th anniversary and Rev. Kate’s ordination. Again, God created this great sense of community within our parish family.

And the roof; yes that has been a challenge but God is also leading us as we continue to complete this major project. We applied for a Stokes Loan in the middle of the summer and we were granted the money to proceed with the project. We hope to have the entire project completed by spring and again we must thank God for His guidance.

As my three year tenure as Sr. Warden comes to a close, I want to thank the entire parish for their unending support. I also want to thank all of the vestry members who were on the vestry during these three years. This job would have been impossible without them. I also want to thank the executive committee members, Darryl Forbes, Ken Nasiff and Chris Murphy. Your support was so greatly appreciated. I am truly blessed to have served as the Sr. Warden and I thank God for having had this great opportunity.

I know that the upcoming Vestry is a great one and I look forward to the years ahead. We are truly a blessed parish.