Rector's Report to Annual Vestry - Corpus Christi, Garsfontein (30 January 2011)

Introduction

Craig van Gelder, in his book the ministry of the missional church: a community led by the spirit (2007) says that there are three important questions a congregation needs to ask, “What has God done? What is God doing? What does God want to do?” The first question is another way of asking “Why are we here?” The second question is about faith and discernment. The third question is about wisdom and planning.

In light of the above, today is about telling more of our story, adding to our history. We are here to review in particular what it is that God has done in our midst during the last twelve months: we are not only to reflect on our actions, but importantly on the meaning of these activities within the broader call to serve the kingdom of God in the wider world. We are also here to apply our wisdom and give the incoming parish council some direction in their planning for 2011.

Personal

On a personal note the past year has been a challenging one, the second half in particular. I became acting archdeacon of Madibeng, a missionary area to the west of Pretoria, and was asked by the Bishop to investigate its viability for the future. It is my hope that the work I have done will enable the Bishop to appoint a full-time archdeacon during this year, and I will get back to being a Canon. During this time I was one of two candidates for Dean of Kimberly and Kuruman, and a final interviewing candidate for Dean of Cape Town. Both positions went to locally known people. In between all this Dawn and I have completed the Jesuit Institute’s Prayer Guide Course, and Dawn will go on to complete the Spiritual Director's course over the next two years. In February I will complete my post-graduate certificate in Congregational Leadership through the University of Pretoria. This certificate counts as the course-work for a Master’s Degree, which I will hopefully complete during the course of 2011/2012.

Parish

My strong impression is that 2010 has been a year in which we as a parish have caught our breath. The previous year (2009) had been a busy one, and many of us entered 2010 needing to draw breath and recollect ourselves. The impact of the Soccer World Cup, and the demands it made on us as a society, has also had its impact. This was evident in that our Patronal Festival and Christmas events were celebrated with teas, not lunches; and one of our fund-raising events was cancelled.

This said, the 2010 was not uneventful! Isobel Holden once again organised a wonderful Parish Fete that raised in the region of R30,000; our Confirmation candidates enjoyed a spiritually nourishing camp; attendance at the Men’s Fishing Weekend was its largest in its eleven year history, and the clergy spouses hosted a very successful “Ladies Spiritual Spar Day”; our Confirmation Service, with Bishop Jo present, was one of our worship highlights for the year; we managed to produce a Children’s Church Nativity play for the first time in a number of years, and its contemporary format was a definite hit with our teenagers and younger children; attendance at our occasional Youth Fusion events was up, and our Children and Teen Church numbers were high; all of which suggests we are doing something right!

Our outreach has again been a highlight of parish life. We have maintained our relationship with Louis Botha Homes, and our “Shrove Sunday” event with them was life-giving. We donated just over two-thirds of the proceeds of our fete to Tumelong, and have maintained our monthly provision of over 30 food parcels. The Tumelong Maboloka Christmas Party was well-supported, and it was great to see a larger contingent of parishioners involved on the day. Council has also committed to a monthly financial pledge to Tumelong. Irene Homes and WAR continue to get our attention, and I hope we will give better support to our Tea Table at the Irene Homes Fete this year.

Our parish facilities (hall and barn) play an increasingly important local community role: a senior-citizens exercise class takes place every Monday morning; Taekwondo classes are offered twice a week in the afternoon and Jujitsu classes twice a week in the evening; the Cake Icing Guild meets once a month in the hall, and a branch of Alcoholics’ Anonymous uses the Barn on Wednesdays and Saturdays; the local residents security association (GarsB3) uses our hall on a monthly basis for residents meetings and the barn for a committee meeting.

Money is always a difficult subject. We have done well in 2010, all things considered. The effects of the global economic crisis continued to affect our pockets last year, and this was seen in our income from Generosity Giving remaining at 2008 levels; and commitments for this year appear unchanged. There is a limit to how much we can control expenditure increases, and your cooperation is needed to reach our commitments for 2011. I realise we are all more inclined to give to people and to specific projects rather than to a general operational budget, but while our budget looks like electricity, petrol, and other consumables, it is actually focused around people: our staff, parishioners and strangers. Craig van Gelder (quoted above) notes that our financial giving reflects the degree to which we recognise our calling to be a part of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in bringing about changed lives, transformed communities, and redemptive ministry in the world.

Our parish has become increasingly intra-cultural over the last few years, something I believe we need to celebrate more often. In particular we need to find ways for our music to reflect this: music is one of the few areas of parish life where we struggle to find ourselves on the same page; we are a little out of tune with each other in this aspect of our worship, and we need to discover a melody that reflects our diversity more fully.

There is need, too, to review our Parish vision and our sense of purpose. This need was noted at our November Council meeting, and some time was spent at the Council Planning Day last week reflecting on leadership, the changes taking place in our society, and a possible model to help take us forward. Craig van Gelder (quoted above) offers a useful model that the incoming Council has agreed to interact with. It is a model that offers an open-systems perspective on congregational life, taking our religious heritage (Biblical and Confessional values), our denominational history (core ministry values), our facilities and location into account. Being an open-systems perspective it acknowledges that the church’s boundaries are porous, that the world affects us and that we impact on the world. In essence, van Gelder’s model asks us to focus on Scripture in defining our purpose (mission) and on our context in discerning our vision. Our core practices (worship, evangelism, education, social responsibility, pastoral care and community needs) become the primary manner in which we carry out our purpose and minister meaningfully in our context. The model also takes sincerely the need for strategic structures, and our programs, people, communication, facilities and finances are all taken seriously. It is a holistic model that recognises the importance of the Church being a transforming community, with the Holy Spirit being the prime guiding agent. At the heart of this model is the understanding that the Church is called, gathered, and sent into the world to participate fully in God’s mission.

Archdeaconry, Diocese and Province

My appointment as acting Archdeacon of Madibeng necessitated the handing over of responsibility for St Anne (Equestria) and St Agnes (Stanza Bopape) to other clergy in the Archdeaconry. Excitingly, the new home for St Anne in Equestria has been completed and dedicated. Frustratingly, it is taking some time to get the water connected, and the community is still worshipping at Willow Ridge High School. There is good a good possibility that St Anne should be able to take full occupation of the new Church in time for Lent. This will mark a new step in their journey, and our child has flown the nest. Thank you to all here who in some form have contributed to seeing this vision of a new Anglican Community in the East take root.

The Bishop is calling the 83^rd session of Diocesan Synod to meet in September this year. This will bring to an end the present Diocesan theme focused on family life. I was encouraged by how many parishioners here at Corpus Christi noted in response to the survey we held last year that it is the strong sense of family that drew them to join this parish, and remains one of the major reasons they stay.

The Anglican Church of Southern Africa adopted a new mission and vision statement, along with eight priority areas for focus, at the Provincial Synod last year: a call for us to ACT, to be Anchored in the love of Christ, Committed to God’s mission, and Transformed by the Holy Spirit. This is a pivotal step that the Province has taken, and it is important that we find ways at Diocesan, Archdeaconry and Parish level to incorporate these principles into our common life.

Society and Nation Building

We live in a broken and hurting world. As God’s people we are called to be a light to the nations. Leonard Sweet, in his book So Beautiful: Divine Design for Life and the Church, says, “When it comes to culture, we are to be in-but-not-of-but-not-out-of-it-either.” He goes on to say that, “to live in the twenty-first century you have to come to terms with paradox, whether you are a disciple or not.” I believe we often experience these challenges as we seek to live out our lives in the midst of family, work, community involvement, as well as in our friendship circles.

Our national life seems to remain chaotic, and Government continues to give the impression of incompetence and corruption at many levels. We need to remain positive, and highlight positives when we find them, and support those who do live out their values in our often compromised social, economic and political society. There are a number of our parishioners working at various levels of Government, and we need to hear the success stories from you, and also hear how we can better support you.

Walking through Woolworths in La Lucia Mall while on leave I was struck by posters up in the store: one read, “We’re destined for great things: the future is SA” and another, “I’m so looking forward to tomorrow: the future is SA.” South Africa remains a land of great opportunity and possibility, and the success of the Soccer World Cup last year demonstrated this in many ways. What I particularly enjoyed is that we shared a common language for the duration, and suddenly had something to talk about whether it was to the petrol attendant or till worker, CEO or shop-floor assistant. It was a wonderful time of unity, and we need more of these moments in our national life. Our future lies in our hands, and we must not be afraid to stand up and claim it.

Conclusion

In my earlier reports to Vestry as Rector I note that I thanked various groups and people for their support and leadership. It is testimony to our growth that I am no longer sure where to start with such a list. I hope it will suffice to say thank you to you all for all that you have contributed this past year. Big or small, your actions and contributions have made a meaningful difference to our parish life. My special thanks to my wife, Dawn, for her ongoing support and love in what has been a challenging year for us personally. Cheryl Rogers has proved a power-house in the office and my sincere thanks to her for what she has done both in and beyond the call of duty. To our outgoing Churchwardens and active members of Council: thank you for your support and contribution to the leadership of the parish. To the Ministry Team and supportive ministries, thank you for your dedication in keeping our worship and pastoral care alive and well.

Bless you!

MARK R D LONG

Rector

Rector's Report to Annual Vestry 2010 - Corpus Christi, Garsfontein (31 Jan 2010)

Introduction

Our Annual Vestry Meeting is an important opportunity to stop and reflect on what God has been doing in our lives and community, and specifically where we are in our journey of Faith. We are asked to give “bodily form” to that which is largely intangible, and certainly difficult to define outside of material instruments. In our meeting we will table parish Councillors’ attendance at Council meetings, assess our finances, and hear reports on various actions and activities. I hope we will leave with a sense that it is good to be here, that it is good to belong to the Anglican community in this part of Pretoria.

Through all our deliberations we need to be asking more fundamental questions: is God with us; are we growing into greater maturity in our relationship with God, both as individuals and as a Christian community; are we impacting positively on the world beyond the boundaries of this building in terms of Christian values, morality and ethical behaviour? What is the nature of the Good News we share with God’s creation: do our lives, our relationships reflect the inclusive nature of God’s love? And this despite our brokenness, our human fragility, the shattered nature of our daily existence.

In Ephesians 2:6-7 (TNIV) Paul says, “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” This reflects an ultimate Christian outcome, and leads us to ask, “How are we creating Heaven within the realm of daily life, struggle and existence?”

Personal

The past year has been a difficult one for me: standing as a candidate for Episcopal election in the Diocese of the Highveld, believing that I have the gifting and call to fulfil the role, and then not being elected left me in a dislocated place. Knowing that I was an outsider, understanding that the Diocese may have other priorities and may well elect someone they are already in relationship with, didn’t make the outcome any easier to deal with. Standing for election makes one visible, and I was subsequently approached by one of the larger parishes in Johannesburg. Dawn, too, has been through a difficult time in terms of her career, and while God has been good in providing opportunities for her to consult in the Motor Industry, she has a deep desire to find a professional direction of deeper meaning and purpose. I remain uncertain as to the present nature of God’s call on my life, but do know that it is good to be here at Corpus Christi, and appreciate the deepening relationship that I share with many of you. Being priest, pastor and teacher in your midst remains a fulfilling existence … and my sense right now is “Long may it last!”

I have registered for an introductory course to Spiritual Direction through the Jesuit Institute in Johannesburg, as well as a formal academic course towards a Masters Degree in Contextual Congregational Leadership through Tukkies. So, 2010 promises to be full and stimulating.

Parish

I look back over five years and suspect that we are a different community to that which we were in 2005. I experience a deeper ownership of parish life by most who attend Worship on a regular basis. The “us & them” mentality that noticeably marked parish life when I was first appointed has lessened, and is almost invisible. Challenges remain, and at our Council Planning Day for 2010 last week concern was expressed that we find ways to get the various ministry communities to be more representative: we noted that the catering community has only one “pale African” and that the Children’s Church Teachers are largely “Whities”. On one level this may seem a nit-picky issue in the light of far greater challenges that face our wider society, but they do speak to what it means to be family and friends in Christ. My thanks to all who continue to work hard to reach across the boundaries that mark our different cultural and international identities – you make a valuable difference.

Our financial position suggests that most of us have weathered the economic downturn quite well, and I appreciate that for many committed parishioners your regular financial contribution has become more sacrificial in recent months. I was humbled recently by a most substantial “thanksgiving donation” received from one of our parish families as they celebrated God’s sustaining presence in their midst in recent very difficult circumstances.

All our lives are increasingly busy and not unaffected by the massive amounts of time many of us spend in the chaotic Gauteng traffic that steals significant time from our family and community commitments. I appreciate the time that many of you give beyond the call of Worship, and your willingness to involve yourselves in organising, or just attending, our various parish activities. We have had some wonderful times together in the last year – our Cultural Event stands out with everything from Zulu dancers to Jenny Moser masquerading as the late Queen Mother!

Many of us set Sunday morning aside for Church, and outside of winter and various holiday periods, our Worship attendance has grown, an encouraging sign. I am hugely encouraged by the youth that gather each week for Children’s and Teen Church. We continue to find it difficult to get youth to support activities outside of Sundays, although we had a great turnout for our 2009 end-of-year event organised via Facebook.

Spiritual growth has taken place through our Baptism and Confirmation preparation classes, our Lent Course which focused on transformation, and through our post-winter course on the Baptismal Creed. There are various focus groups that meet where fellowship and spiritual nourishment are received: from the Monday night Cell Group to the Thursday afternoon Bible Study, to the monthly Friday afternoon Women’s group and the monthly Saturday afternoon Comfort Group where the bereaved and divorced meet for fellowship. The Men went fishing (again!) and celebrated 10 years of fellowship and fishing-frustration, and excitingly the Women had a Spiritually-focused weekend away that I hope will also become an annual tradition. Relational counselling has taken up a great deal of my time over the last year, both in preparing couples for marriage and in trying to keep other couples married!

Our main challenge for 2010, apart for praying for miracles from Bafana-Bafana, is to become a community that arrives early for Worship. Towards the end of last year I became aware of a conversation taking place in various contexts of people’s frustration with those who arrive late. No matter how quietly late-comers seek to enter our Worship space, their movement creates distraction. We are not a community that struggles to find transport, and so late-coming, while distracting, is also perceived to be disrespectful both to God and to those already gathered; and so my focus this year is to encourage us to be a community that values arriving early. I’m specifically encouraging parish leaders to be present at least half-an-hour before our Worship begins, and realise that for some there are major challenges in getting children and spouses to join this journey. I am attempting to set this example myself, although being at Church by 06:30 on a Sunday morning is admittedly a challenge!

Vision

At our recent Council Planning Day we revisited our parish “Statement of Purpose” and a good deal of the discussion focused on our second core purpose of building the Kingdom of God in the wider community through outreach and service. We have visibility in the wider Diocesan areas of outreach (Irene Homes, Tumelong) and in the wider Pretoria (Louis Botha Homes and Women Against Rape). The question was raised as to whether we are visible in our more local geographical environment of Garsfontein, Constantia Park, Moreleta Park and Faerie Glen. This was more difficult to define.

Outreach is a powerful form of Christian service, and if we are to truly serve we need to be confident in our calling (vision), our identity (who we are), we need to know where we have come from and where we are going. To this end our “Statement of Purpose” is critical to our confidence in serving both God and the world: our core purpose of being a place where others meet Christ, of building the Kingdom of God in the wider community, and of sustaining traditional Anglican practices needs to guide us; our core values of dignified worship, opportunity, friendship, and broad-based parishioner involvement need to motivate us; our Scriptural imperative “…go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19) must impel us. The focus of many of my Sunday sermons has been aimed at equipping us for our role in the world.

Mission

The focus of our mission as a parish over the last few years has been the encouragement of a new Anglican community in Equestria, and this has been a combined project with Archdeaconry and Diocesan support. Our contribution, apart from the facilitation that I have provided as Rector, has been our partial support of a clergy person-in-training who has been charged with the day-to-day pastoral care and worship coordination of the Equestria community. At the beginning of 2009 the small congregation of Willow Glen combined with the shrinking parish of Silverton to form the mission parish of St Anne’s, Equestria. The Worshipping community has grown from just under thirty regular attendants before Easter to regularly around fifty people by December 2009. Their financial commitment has grown accordingly, and their budget for 2010 is healthy, but not yet at the point where they can, even with our help, provide for a full-time clergy person. The building of the new Church facility for Equestria in Stellenberg Road has begun, and our plan is that it will be completed before mid-year. The construction is largely being funded by the sale of the Silverton Church facilities (R1,800,000), although the agreed cost of R2,500,000 will require ongoing fundraising to meet the shortfall; in this regard, my thanks to all who supported the Welsh Male Voice Choir Fundraising event last year.

We have been fortunate to have had Vernon Foster (now Rector of Lynnwood) and more recently Alan O’Brien as the clergy presence in Equestria during their training, and together with the Equestria community we are most thankful for the Diocesan support in covering their stipends and medical aid while we have met their allowances and other costs. The Bishop, due to the pressure to fill vacancies in parishes that are able to meet the full cost of a clergy person, has made the decision to remove Alan as of 1 February 2010 and place him in one of these parishes for his year of post-ordination training as a Priest. While I remain their Rector I will not be able to offer the same level of presence that Alan has been free to do. There is no doubt that Anglican communities find security, and therefore growth, when a dedicated clergy person is easily accessible and present. The formation of this new Mission Parish remains at a critical point.

Our other area of mission focus has been to support the Louis Botha Homes, as well as Irene Homes, Tumelong and Women against Rape. We have a new, enlarged parish organising community in place for Tumelong, and our Christmas Party for the children of Maboloka Haven attests to their efficiency as well as to the generosity of our Parish community. We continue to collect food-parcels, although the number of parcels contributed by parishioners has decreased significantly in recent months, which is a concern. We also give out many tins of food from the Office during the week to the hungry and destitute.

Diocese

Our Diocesan theme “Equipping and strengthening families: turning houses into homes” remains our focus of mission and ministry until Diocesan Synod in 2011. During 2009 we had “Family Life” as a dedicated Council portfolio, which was largely unproductive with the Parenting Seminars getting very little support from parents. In 2010 all Council portfolio holders have been asked to let the Diocesan theme inform their plans and actions. I was encouraged that three of our Councillors for 2010 expressed a concern for Pastoral Care, and I look forward to this portfolio in particular helping to take us forward in family issues. There are many levels of being family, and perhaps most critically at one level for us as a collective is to explore in the coming year what it means to be God’s family, the family of Christ; and at the other end of the scale finding support as parents balancing children and highly demanding careers in an increasingly hostile environment.

The Diocesan Standing Committee took a courageous decision in November 2009 to move Clergy onto a “cost-to-church” (cost-to-company) package in 2010. This will not have a big impact on us, as we were already largely following this model. There will, doubtless, be a learning curve here as we move forward, but it is an encouraging and exciting development.

I remain a member of the Cathedral Chapter (an advisory board to the Diocesan Bishop) with the portfolio of Canon Chancellor, which includes mentorship of the Diocesan School Chaplains and facilitation of the integration of the Diocesan theme and other Diocesan ministry imperatives in these institutions.

Society and Nation Building

We live in challenging times as a nation. We hear very little from our State President, Jacob Zuma, and too much from the President of the ANC Youth League, Julius Malema. There can be no doubt that our leaders set an example that many in the nation follow. Malema’s example is one of disrespect for one’s elders and the ANC’s silence on his behaviour only exacerbates the situation. The ANC’s unwillingness to allow other members of the Tripartite Alliance space to influence Government policy is of concern. Stories of money for social development paid out to contractors being divided before payment to other “interested” parties, along with excessive packages paid to Parastatal executives, highlights the degree of corruption and immoral behaviour that pervades our society.

As Christians we have the responsibility to live a moral and ethical lifestyle, despite the immorality and unethical practices that surround us in both Government and Civil Society. While we cannot impose Christian values on others, we can impose them on ourselves and on the manner in which we interact with the various institutions and representatives of Government and Business. We need to persevere, even when under severe pressure to conform to the immoral behaviour that society increasingly appears to accept as normal. It is the Christian call on our lives as individuals and as a community; it is also our duty. Our actions may seem insignificant and ineffectual in the tide that threatens our nation, but Jesus’ message was always about the apparently insignificant being the source of transformation and abundant life.

Conclusion

You will doubtless have noted that I have mentioned few by name, and thanked no-one specifically. This is purposeful, firstly because someone “important” is often overlooked, and secondly because we do not do what we do for human accolade. God knows our hearts and actions, and will judge us all accordingly. You know what you have contributed, and my thanks goes to everyone who has contributed in some way, great or small, towards the growth of our parish over the last year. Special thanks to those who have supported me in various leadership and caring capacities, and those who have enabled our corporate worship and fellowship events. Know that your efforts are highly valued and greatly appreciated: you have made a difference, and for that I am most thankful.

Bless you!

MARK R D LONG

Rector

Rector's Report to Annual Vestry 2009

A audio version of this report is available at http://share.ovi.com/media/markrdlong.sermons/markrdlong.10131 

Dear Friends, it is my privilege to present to you my fourth Rector’s report to Annual Vestry. Easter 2009 will mark the fourth anniversary of my appointment as Rector, and November 2009 will mark the twentieth anniversary of my priesting.

Reflection

We meet today to reflect on the past year and God’s graciousness to us, and to look forward into all that 2009 will be for us. 2008 has been a tumultuous year, and 2009 threatens to be no less challenging. In the midst of global economic chaos, political uncertainty in the Southern African environment, and the disarray of our own personal lives, we have, nonetheless, experienced God’s grace as a Christian community here at Corpus Christi. Perhaps today’s psalm speaks to the focus that has been ours in the midst of all the darkness that the world has thrust, and continues to thrust, into our lives:

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.

On God rests my deliverance and my honour; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;

God is a refuge for us. (Psalm 62:5-8; NRSV)

In my report last year I challenged the Euro-centric nature of our parish life, which sparked some honest, but hurtful, responses in the subsequent discussion. The value of that interaction is that some of us have done some soul-searching, and I sense a greater openness to the dreams and hopes of all who call Corpus Christi home. Dawn, as only a wife can, in the midst of my own frustrations and reflection reminded me that I have walked a different path from many and that my experiences in ministry, from my emersion in Township culture in the late 1980’s to my exposure to different cultural expressions of Anglicanism in my varied parish appointments, has given me a perspective on relationships and a vision for the  potential of worship in a suburban, inter-cultural parish – such as ours – that can at times be deeply disturbing to others. There are two motivating factors that have driven my vocation: a desire to make God in Jesus Christ known to others, and a deep desire to overcome the obstacles to relationship created by Apartheid in the Southern African context. A Euro-centric outlook, while comfortable for many of us, is not helpful in this ongoing process of transition that affects us as much within the context of the Church as it does in our wider society. It may be that my role is to express the need, and that together we commit to explore the possibilities and walk the journey.

Highlights

Looking back over the last year: a personal highlight was representing the Diocese at the enthronement of the new Archbishop of the Sudan, his Grace Daniel Deng Bul, and helping define our companion Diocesan link relationship with the Diocese of Juba in Southern Sudan; a diocesan highlight was our Diocesan Synod where it was acknowledged that over the last ten years we have, as a Diocese, moved substantially from maintenance to mission, and a new focus on family life, with the catch phrase “turning houses into homes”, was adopted. There have been a number of parish highlights, much of which will be enumerated in the other reports received by Annual Vestry.

One such highlight has been our finances, and the phrase “Abundant Generosity” comes to mind. This may not seem to be very spiritual, but I generally find that the financial strength of a parish is directly proportional to its spiritual depth. Our Generosity Giving income was regularly over-budget resulting in us not needing to dig into funds deposited to cover an expected, but unrealised, deficit in our budget for 2008. Additionally in December we were able to clear the capital amount on our Diocesan Loan taken out to cover the cost of the extension of the church, enabling us to begin 2009 debt free. Further substantial donations were received that have made possible the renovation and extension to our Garden of Remembrance.

Outreach

Our involvement in outreach and mission during 2008 has also been considerable. We participated once again in the Irene Homes Fete and our stall made the highest contribution of the day to the Fete income. We have continued to provide food parcels via Tumelong to vulnerable homes in Maboloko, and with the rising cost in food last year the cash value of this outreach is sizeable. We again hosted a Christmas Party for the Maboloko Haven children and your response to this in gifts and food was inspirational: the children looked quite lost as they received gift after gift. Our involvement with Louis Botha Homes has continued and our “Shrove Sunday” celebration with the children of the house we support has become a Corpus Christi tradition. Our support of Woman Against Rape has also continued in a low-key, but ongoing, generous contribution of the “necessities” for our rape survivors.

Mission

The Gospel reading this morning reminds us of Jesus calling Simon Peter and his brother Andrew into ministry and mission: And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1:17; NRSV). These words remind us of the greatest highlight of 2008, our involvement in the development of a new Anglican presence in the Willows area of Pretoria East. Diocesan Synod acknowledged the growth of this work of mission by declaring the Mission Parish of Equestria. Our ongoing support of this mission effort will be needed for some years to come, and we will contribute a further R40,000 in 2009 towards the support of the Missionary Deacon, the Revd Alan O’Brien, who has taken the Revd Vernon Foster’s place. The formation of the Mission parish of Equestria has meant the closing down of the Anglican Church in Silverton, and the amalgamation of Silverton with what we have called Willow Glen. This process has been a difficult one that has taken up much of my time and energy since June 2008, and I look forward to it bearing fruit under Alan’s leadership in the year ahead. The focus of ministry between now and Easter will be the consolidation of the new Mission Parish, and beyond Easter on growth into the community. This is, perhaps, the opportunity to wish Vernon God’s richest blessings in his new appointment as Rector of Trinity Anglican Church in Lynnwood, and thank him for his dedication in so many varied ways to the formation of what is now the Anglican Church in Equestria; and also to welcome Alan onto the team.

It was agreed at our Council Planning day for 2009 that we need to encourage Equestria to become fully self-supporting by 2012, so that we can begin to throw our energies into developing an Anglican presence in Mooikloof and beyond. The Diocese is in the process of registering a property at the intersection of Garsfontein Road (M30) and the R25. It was agreed at our Council meeting in November that now that we have cleared our loan debt, it is time to take up the challenge of the Special Vestry meeting that approved the extensions to our Church to now raise funds for a building in Equestria; and so this will be the focus of all fundraising in 2009 and perhaps beyond.

Looking ahead

At our Council Planning day earlier this month it was a sobering realisation that no-one who served on Council in 2005 remains. Each year we have had a good balance of new blood infiltrating the ranks of seasoned campaigners. It is with sadness and much appreciation that the Parish bids Mary Verryn and Jeanne Jackson farewell as experienced champions of Parish life at Council level. Their contributions over the years have been considerable, and we trust that they will remain involved in other areas of parish life and ministry.

And so, at least at Council level, it seems we enter a new era. Over the last four years we have worked hard to define who we are, our purpose and our values as an Anglican Christian Community in this part of Pretoria. The challenge that lies ahead is to define our future: Jim Collins speaks of the importance of a BHAG, a big hairy audacious goal; Stephen Covey speaks of a WIG, a wildly important goal. What is our BHAG, our WIG? Certainly, building new Anglican Communities in the East of Pretoria may be a part of this, but only a part. We need something that drives us as a Community and impacts on the communities in which we are placed here in Garsfontein and the surrounding suburbs. I am very sure that God wants us to explore this, yet – as I said to our new Council at the planning day – I am personally struggling to give this definition. I have mentioned before in other settings, and continue to believe that, despite the effort we have put in over the last eight years to improve our facilities here in Garsfontein, from a strategic mission perspective we need to explore centring ourselves on the other side of Hans Strijdom Drive, perhaps purchasing the old NG Kerk facilities at the top of Rubenstein Drive in Moreletapark. 

Family Life

One of the important briefs of the incoming Council will be to take up the challenge of the Bishop and Diocesan Synod to involve ourselves in “turning houses into homes”. To this end a portfolio has specifically been set up to focus on areas of parish life that impact on family experience. A number of parenting seminars are being organised focusing on helping parents with drug awareness, self-esteem, discipline and stress. We will be attempting to organise events designed to help us be family together. We also recognise that the impact of the global economic recession touches us all, and are looking at support for those who may be struggling to meet high levels of debt.

Broad-based parishioner involvement remains a key parish value. Are you involved? If not, why not – what is the cause? It is my expectation that you will participate in parish life, no matter how insignificant your contribution may be. Are you over-involved? Why? It is my expectation that you will constantly and consistently invite others to walk with you in the Parish responsibilities you carry. Proactive face-to-face conversations are the best way forward, and will challenge the perception, shared frequently at 2008 Council meetings, that those involved in leadership are over-stretched and over-committed.

Young People

Children’s Church and Teen Church, which have formed the centre around which our ministry to young people has focused during 2008, sees some change this year. Olga Nel and Belinda Holden have resigned in order to focus on their own families, and we need to extend to them both our huge debt of gratitude for the major contribution they have made to our young people and children through this ministry. We welcome Barbara Primmer and Wonder Mutanha, along with others, as they step into Olga and Belinda’s shoes. In addition, our ministry to Teenagers outside of Sunday’s has been given a major injection with the resurrection of “Youth Fusion” – Hilary Davis has acknowledged her passion for this ministry and has gathered others around her to give this ministry new life. Our young people’s response is most encouraging.

The Future

I need to request your most sincere prayers: I have allowed my name to go forward for consideration by the Elective Assembly of the Diocese of the Highveld for election as Bishop. The election will take place on 12 February 2009, and depending on the outcome, could significantly alter all our lives. I covert your prayerful support, both for myself and my family, as well as for the Diocese of the Highveld, and for ourselves as a Parish community. Whatever the outcome, there will be consequences that will affect our future.

Thanks

My specific thanks to our outgoing Council for all you have contributed in giving direction to our Parish life during 2008, and to those who in stepping down have created space for new blood.

Thank you to you all! Our parish life would be diminished without your contribution of time talent and resource, however great or small, significant or insignificant; or just by your presence in our midst. The Kingdom of God is built not by the efforts of the individual, but by the collective multiplication of individual actions. I value you all and I thank you.

MARK R D LONG (Canon)

Rector

Rector's Report to Annual Vestry 2008

We live in a Western-orientated world that Eddie Gibbs, former professor of church growth at Fuller Theological Seminary, describes in his book Church Next as unpredictable and filled with discontinuous change, a plan-do environment in which management, particularly in the realm of the Spirit, is a discerned art rather than hard science. South Africa, with its developing nation status and multi-cultural environment, interesting political developments and economic uncertainties, adds to this chaotic wider context within which we meet to review the year that has passed, and prepare for the year that lies before us. While we need to measure our performance, perhaps more important is the need to evaluate how we have grown in knowing God, and whether our lives and service reflect such intimacy (cf Gibbs: 105, 111, 121).

In today’s Psalm we hear the important reminder of faith: “The Lord protects my life. So why should I be afraid?” (Ps 27:1b; NCV). These words are a reminder that no matter the chaos of the present or the uncertainties of the future, our hope as people of faith lies in our relationship with the Divine. Isaiah’s words, “They lived in a dark land, but light has shined on them.” (Is 9:2b; NCV), remind us that even Eskom cannot inhibit the purposes of God! What then should we fear? The challenge of our Christian faith is not to focus on events around us, but on God. This is not to ignore reality, but to infuse reality with Life.

As Christians we give concrete reality to our faith through our actions. The growth in our social responsibility commitments during 2007 is one such act, and is visible in our ongoing commitment to Irene Homes and Tumelong, Louis Botha Homes and Women against Rape (WAR). Although our Audited Accounts show a meagre R10,000 commitment to Outreach, we need to add the substantial cash value of the approximate 375 food parcels contributed to Tumelong, and the ongoing monthly collections of items for WAR. In addition, we have given away monthly Sunday collections to various causes from the Bishop’s Training Fund to Mosquito-nets for Mozambique, bringing the cash value of our outward giving during 2007 to around R60,000. In addition, admittedly through one extremely generous donation, in partnership with the Diocese we have funded the Missionary Development in Willow Glen in the person of Vernon Foster. Also, a substantial portion of our Diocesan Assessment contributes to the mission of the Church within the Diocese. We can hold our heads high when it comes to our participation in, and our support of, mission.

While we have given outwardly, we have not neglected ourselves, and this is visible in the major extension and refurbishment we have undertaken of our Church building, and we owe a huge dept of gratitude to Peter Davies for driving this project. Thanks to many of you contributing over and above your normal giving, along with various fundraising efforts, a project that has cost us in the region of R250,000 has left us with a loan debt to the Diocese of only R120,000 and has not inhibited us meeting our other financial obligations.

Our dream of establishing a new congregation in Willow Glen has excitingly come to fruition, and our support for our Missionary Deacon, now Priest – Vernon Foster – has been a catalyst for this process. The Bishop’s decision to leave Vernon with us for the foreseeable future, despite pressing needs in other parts of the Diocese for clergy, speaks of the wider support this vision has within our Archdeaconry and Diocese. Seventeen families have made a firm commitment to membership of the Willow Glen initiative, and will carry a substantial portion of Vernon’s running costs during 2008. We are hugely appreciative of the Willow Haven Retirement Centre’s willingness to provide space for the new Willow Glen community to be birthed during 2007, and for their ongoing support in providing nurturing space during 2008. We are thankful for Willowridge High School’s willingness to provide space at minimal cost for Willow Glen to enjoy regular weekly Sunday Morning services during 2008.

In terms of spiritual growth within our parish I am encouraged by the large group of parishioners who have made themselves available to serve on Council in the coming year. This willingness to put aside time in the midst of very busy lives speaks of a deepening commitment to both Christ and the Church. The Planning Day earlier this month demonstrated a motivated and energised Council for 2008. The day itself birthed a number of new ideas and plans for the year ahead, of which we will hear more in the coming months. No large projects are planned for the year, but the focus will be on consolidating the mission at Willow Glen, and attempting to raise enough money to pay off our Diocesan loan for our building extension and refurbishments.

I remain concerned by the seeming lack of interest in small group involvement and the small attendance at our Lent Course last year, which I think is likely to be repeated this year. Perhaps this perceived lack of interest is a sign of the busyness of our lives, rather than a lack of commitment, and I remain thankful that on the whole Sunday attendance is good.

I am encouraged that there is a fuller participation by parishioners in the life of the parish and that the power base in the parish appears to be broadening beyond the small group that maintained control on my arrival here three years ago. We need to continuously be aware of the need to involve others, and I specifically wish to encourage those of you who remain on the periphery to be proactive in finding room to be more involved. I am hugely appreciative of the work put in by our new catering committee around our Patronal Festival last year with the focus on our cultural diversity: the Cultural Dinner opened our eyes in new ways to each others lives.

Our sense of identity continues to evolve. Our Statement of Purpose continues to play an important role in this process. At our recent Council Planning Day it was agreed that our core purpose is threefold:

Priority 1: To be a place where others meet Christ

Priority 2: To build the Kingdom of God in the wider community through outreach and service

Priority 3: To sustain traditional Anglican practices

This marks an important development in our self-awareness, and a move in our thinking from maintenance to mission. Three years ago the priority was to maintain (at all costs?) a traditional Anglican environment. While sustaining traditional Anglican practices remains a priority, our first priority now is to be a place where others meet Christ, and this is exciting!

In terms of parish “issues” the only one that we have been unable to resolve during 2007 is the ongoing concern around our music. During 2006 we purchased the Songs of Fellowship Hymn book. Concern has been expressed that apart from the family service we rarely use or learn some of the more contemporary music it contains. Also, despite our growing cultural diversity in the parish, we have not managed to move beyond an older traditional Eurocentric style in our music. This is despite one of our core values stating that while our worship should be dignified, it should also be inclusive, flexible and reverent. I think the use of the words “dignified” and “reverent” are incorrectly interpreted to maintain an outdated status quo by those whose comfort zone is severely challenged by contemporary and African cultural musical expression.

My vision for worship includes encouraging the use of solid traditional Anglican Liturgy infused with “treasures old and new”. An Anglican Prayer Book allows for such rich liturgy. It is time for those who seek to maintain a comfortable Eurocentric mind-set in this parish to relinquish control and allow the rainbow cultures of Africa to infuse our worship. In this regard, there are plans afoot to invite one of the Mamelodi Parish Choir’s to come and expose us to a different experience. Isaiah says, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:18-19; TNIV). Without losing the value of the past, we need to explore the variety of experience offered in our Diocese, and reflective of whom we are becoming. This takes courage, perseverance and commitment from all quarters of our increasingly diverse community here at Corpus Christi.

On a Diocesan level 2007 was an unsettling year as we waited with baited breath to see the outcome of the archiepiscopal election in which our Bishop was a candidate. I was certainly among a number in this Diocese who felt shattered at the result. I was in no doubt that Bishop Jo was the best candidate for the position, believing that his experience, gifting and skills base exactly fitted the redesigned job description. It seems the mind of the electorate was not where I believed the mind of the Spirit of God to be. This said, many speak well of our new Archbishop-elect, Thabo Makgoba, and he brings youthful energy to the position. It is important that we continue to keep Bishop Jo in our prayers as he re-engages with the Diocese as we enter into a new phase, one driven largely by the Diocesan 3 Year programme for Mission, Ministry and Evangelism.

The wider Anglican Communion remains in crisis around issues of sexuality, specifically a Christian response to homosexuality. The decadal Lambeth Conference of Bishops meets this year, and it is clear from recent press releases that a massive amount of energy is being focused on building and sustaining positive relationships around the globe. We are a church that seeks to build unity in the midst of diversity … some would have us shun diversity in order to push a specific agenda. We need to hold Archbishop Rowan Williams embedded in prayer as his ministry is a fulcrum in our global life.

In the past I have listed specific thanks. Today I wish to be more general: we have all contributed to the life of the parish in the past year to a lesser or greater extent, whether you have just attended services or renovated and extended our building, whether you have been house-bound and allowed us to visit you or led aspects of our worship, whether you have enabled fellowship or enjoyed fellowship, and everything in between and beyond these activities; thank you for being a contributor, and thank you that you have played a creative part in allowing us to be, to continue to become, all that God desires for us.

I do pray for God’s rich blessing on us as a Christian community in all the challenges that 2008 will hold!

I thank you.

MARK R D LONG (Canon)
Rector

Rector's Report to Annual Vestry January 2007

Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9-10)

These words from today’s Old Testament reading are a part of God’s word to me as I struggled a few years ago with a ministry “midlife crisis”. I am intrigued that they are repeated today. A reminder, perhaps, to me as I reflect on my ministry in your midst, and to us all as we reflect on our ministry together as God’s people in this place, this parish, that God is a creative God, and that “destruction” as much as “building” is part of the creative process. Personally, these words define a key aspect of my purpose and mission, and in reflection I realise also define how I put God’s call on my life into practice.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus, having declared the words from Isaiah to define his purpose and mission had the courage to declare,

“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

I, too, like Jesus, need to declare concerning the words from Jeremiah that these words are fulfilled in your hearing. I know many of you speak well of me, and perhaps – on occasion – are amazed at “the gracious words that come from my lips” (Luke 4:22). I hope, most sincerely, that none of you are of mind to drive me out of town and find a convenient cliff from which to hurl me (Luke 4:29). Yes, I joke, but humour often reflects the burden of deep truth that we can only hear when we laugh. I am aware that just by being myself in your midst I bring change and challenge to your lives. Find comfort that these changes – whether consequential or seemingly insignificant – are not brought about without thought or prayer, and mostly they are purposeful. Often I seek to apologise for change, or attempt to give it a different name to make it more palatable for those of you who struggle with it, but I am realising that change, be it sudden and destructive, be it a gentle process of adaptation, is – none-the-less – change. I believe sincerely in a transforming Church, a Church actively seeking to instil God’s values in the world. There is nothing gentle about transformation.

This time last year I named four priorities on our agenda for the year that is now behind us:

* The further development of structures to give priority to young people in this parish, including more regular Youth Fusion meetings, and the development of support groups for young adults and young married couples.

* The further creation and development of Home Fellowship and Support Groups to provide a fuller environment in which pastoral support, caring, fellowship, worship, and study are encouraged.

* A greater integration in our worship to reflect the multi-cultural nature of our community and more youth-friendly music.

* An intentional focus, along with other parishes in the Archdeaconry, to lay the foundation for at least two new Anglican parishes in the fast expanding East of Pretoria.

None of the above has seen exponential growth, but significant steps have been taken on which we will continue to build in the year ahead.

In terms of Young people, Youth Fusion has continued to struggle as we seek to find meaningful ways to minister to our Teens outside of Sunday worship, but plans are afoot to work in tandem with Scripture Union in this regard. The Young Adults have begun to meet under Vernon Foster’s mentorship. An attempt will be made this year to draw our young married couples together as there are a number of couples on our parish roll who have married in the last three years. Excitingly, perhaps for the first time in our history, we have elected a 21 year-old onto our Council for 2007 – this is deeply significant.

We have three more Home Fellowship groups up and running: an afternoon and evening group in Garsfontein and an additional evening group in Faerie Glen. Meeting outside of Sunday Worship is not something Anglicans easily adapt to, and the groups remain small, leaving the facilitators occasionally despondent and somewhat non-plussed as to why many of those who indicated interest never arrived, despite email and sms communications. We take courage from the Scriptures where we are reminded that “where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20). It is encouraging to see the monthly Comfort Group drawing together those who have been bereaved, and although not officially a Home Fellowship Group, important pastoral support and caring is shared.

I was informed on my arrival in the parish that, “We are an English-speaking congregation!” and was left in no doubt that we should remain so! However, it is Diocesan policy that no service in the Diocese should be of only one language, and it seems that my “gentle adaptation” of the greeting in four of our eleven national languages has not created too much upheaval. My recent inclusion of more substantial paragraphs in Setswana and Afrikaans may not be as comfortable to some, but I have appreciated positive comments in this regard. This is all part of greater integration: English remains the main form of communication in the Parish, but acknowledgement of other language and cultural perspectives that may and do exist in our midst is very important in order for all to feel welcome and at home. Another aspect of integration relates to our music, and both Council and I were amazed at your response to the purchase of a new Hymn book, and it will become a growing asset to our worship. As the Choir becomes more comfortable with this book, we will, hopefully, begin to increasingly use some of the more modern music it contains.

We are in process of laying the foundation for a new parish in the East of Pretoria: land has been purchased in Willow Glen, and Vernon Foster appointed by the Bishop as a Mission Deacon under our care to head up this important development. The plan is to have a viable Chapelry up and running by June this year. As we speak, the Diocesan wheels are being put into motion and a plot of land beyond Mooikloof (about 15 km’s east of the Pretoria East Hospital) has been identified with the view to beginning parish development there in four to five years time, once Willow Glen is fully up and running.

In each of these four areas of challenge that I laid before you, we have seen progress. To these we need to add the Diocesan priority for Mission and Ministry, and the three year programme presented two Sunday’s ago. I await in expectation to see whether you will take up the challenge to bring a family member or friend who has not been to church for sometime to our services next Sunday.

Finance should never take centre stage, but it is a good indication of spiritual health. I hold close to my heart the concept that finance follows ministry, and I thank you all for your huge financial generosity in the past year – for many of you given in addition to massive contributions of time and energy! We have not only been able to pay off our loan on the Hall, but also able to do some much needed property development, and give money away to those in need. Our financial report does not show that which has been given in kind, but the food-parcels for Tumelong alone conservatively add R30,000 to our Outreach budget, not to mention the substantial value of the paving stones donated for the parking area upgrade. Staff changes in the office and complex Excel Spreadsheet programming have added substantial stress to those who have prepared our Audited Accounts for today, but I am confident that these substantially reflect our financial health. We are in process of moving onto Pastel Express (Accounting package) in order to conform to Diocesan needs for reporting to the South African Revenue Services, so life in the office remains interesting, and Gwen is without doubt learning to swim in the deep-end!

One of our values as a parish is broad-based parishioner involvement. As in any organisation it is often 20% of the people who do 80% of the work. But as we reflect and report on the year that lies behind us I am aware that those who stand out do so only because of the many who stand behind them in support and action. My appreciation and thanks to you all.

In trepidation of not mentioning some who may be very involved (I had a “flea in the ear” from the Servers last year), I need to express our thanks as a parish community to the following:

- Bonita Brukman for her sterling work in centralising the Parish Administration on the Parish Office over the past few years. We wish her and Trevor and their growing family well in their relocation to Port Elizabeth.

- A special welcome onto our parish Staff to our new Missionary Deacon, Vernon Foster, and our new Administrator, Gwen Heathfield.

- Mary Verryn, Peter Davies and Kevin MacGregor who all stepped in “fresh” to the responsibilities of Churchwarden – I have valued their sincere council and willingness to add action, effort, and time to their word (and to remain on board for the year ahead).

- Our outgoing councillors for their time and contribution over the last year.

- Olga Nel, Belinda Holden, Steve Verryn and Shane Smith and their willing helpers who have shown continued dedication and commitment to our ongoing Children’s & Teen Church and Youth activities.

- Gillian Sole and her team of Sacristans who somehow always manage to have everything just right around the altar, and do so in quiet dedication.

- Jeanne Jackson and Sabine Verryn, our Choir and Music Group members and musicians who give leadership to our music and singing Sunday-by-Sunday.

- The Lay-ministers and Lay-ministers-in training (formerly Cup-bearers) who have contributed to our common life out of their own spirituality and relationship with God in leading our worship from week to week.

- Peter Vieyra and Collette Martin and our wonderful team of Servers at our 9am Services, and to parents for getting them here, mostly in time!

- Our Healing Group, Prayer Chain, and Wednesday morning Prayer Group for their gentle ministry of healing and prayer in our midst, and to Margaret Acres for the huge amount of effort in contacting every parishioner for pastoral prayer.

- Our Sidespeople who welcome us service by service, see that we have a pew leaflet and a seat, and conscientiously count and record the collections.

- Our flower-arrangers who weekly remind us of God’s creative beauty.

- Our readers who keep God’s Word in Scripture before us.

- Our tea makers and snack providers who give sustenance to our bodies after the rigours of our worship.

- Those who facilitate and those who attend our various Home Fellowship Groups.

- Nan Muir and those who work with her in visiting the sick and housebound, keeping tabs on those in need in our community.

- Lex Jackson and Margaret Acres who are hugely faithful in getting Communion to the hospitalised and housebound.

- Mary Verryn for her vision and action in motivating and maintaining the practical helps ministry of the Good Samaritans, and the Samaritans themselves.

- Penny Craven for keeping our sponsorship of Louis Botha Homes always before us, and to her and Ed for their caring involvement in Miriam’s life (our sponsor child).

- Trevor Wilson and his team for organising a very successful and enjoyable 25th Anniversary Dinner.

- Lettie Harris for her coordination and selflessness in organising and providing food for various functions this year, and we wish her well in her retirement from this responsibility.

- Deacon Steve Verryn for his ongoing commitment to the preparation of Baptism and Confirmation candidates.

- Dawn Long for her leadership of our monthly parish Quiet Days, and help in preparing our Confirmation candidates.

- Father Robin Heath and Father June de Klerk for their availability to preside over our worship every third Sunday, allowing me to be with our Chapelry in Stanza Bopape.

- Father Danny Adonis and Steve Njiro for being available to Diocesan needs at Ekangala and St Wilfred’s respectively.

- Jeanne Jackson for compiling our monthly newsletter and keeping us in touch with the ongoing life of the parish, as well as her coordination of the Comfort Group.

- Jenny Moser and all who contribute so generously to the monthly Food Parcels for Tumelong.

- Peter Davies and Trevor Wilson, for their incredible dedication and commitment to improving our property, from watering systems to parking, and the ongoing oversight of our site and gardens.

- Our Parish Cleaner, Cynthia, and parish Gardener, Gilbert, for their efforts in making sure our worship and fellowship environment is clean and neat, and Patrick and David who came in to help with the site renovation.

- Our Treasurer, Colette Martin, for her dedication in overseeing our finances, together with Bonita Brukman, and recently Gwen Heathfield, who took on the challenges of doing the book-keeping and Lex Jackson who has continued to oversee our generosity giving and hall pledge schemes. My special thanks to Lex, as our previous Treasurer over many years, for being willing early in 2006 to make way for an extended Finance Team and “young blood”.

- Our parish Administrator, Bonita Brukman, and recently Gwen Heathfield, for their positive attitude in keeping our administration in order and our Rector mostly under control.

- To our incoming Churchwardens and Council for availing themselves for these responsibilities, and for the work and ministry they will perform in our midst.

- To my wife, Dawn, and my children for their ongoing support of my ministry, and their willingness to share me, especially of many an evening and weekend, with the Church community.

- And finally, to all who labour without demand for recognition or reward for the growth of God’s Kingdom through this parish.

I thank you.

MARK R D LONG (Canon)
Rector