THE RECTOR'S VISION - TALK GIVEN AT ALL SAINTS' PARISH DINNER - NOVEMBER 18th

OUR HISTORY

During my recent convalesence I watched the video of our 100^th anniversary Mass. This was 8 years ago! Number of things struck me:

1. Pride in the history & tradition of All Saints’. It was an occasion for congratulations.

2. I have changed a few things in the liturgy!

3. The music has improved!!

4. The atmosphere was different

- there was a sense of a parish marking time rather than looking ahead.

- the sermon had a certain negativity. Anglocatholicism was defined as what it was against, rather than looking forward.

I have to say that, although the 100th was a great event in the life of the parish, the video did not convey to me a sense that this was a dynamic parish rejoicing in its tradition, & on the move.

I say that not to be critical - but because what we have now is indeed a dynamic parish rejoicing in its tradition, and on the move! This is due to the fact that whatever "marking time" the parish did back then, gave you a greater sense of community and of being the church. The people I found here 2 years ago were a dynamic community - waiting expectantly and looking forward to new direction and growth, without leaving the past behind. And in the last 2 years we have moved forward. As indeed you all hoped that we would - no matter who was the new Rector.

A NEW RECTOR

There was, of course, some adjusting to do on my part - and on yours. You quickly learnt that the Aussie Rector had an enthusiasm for the cathoIic faith - and a bigger understanding of what it is about. Many have commented favorably that I am teaching you things you never heard before – or not in a long time. And I have had to learn some American ways....& I thank you for your patience with me!

The past 2 years I have tried to get on with the job of being your pastor and priest, as well as giving direction and leadership. It has been time of observing, learning and making mistakes on my part. There has been growth in many areas of our parish life, not least in new people attending. There have also been worries. Obviously the biggest frustration and worry is the school.

There have also been frustrations that one should expect in a parish with a long tradition - it often generates an atmosphere that "we have always done things this way"! One of the 1st criticisms I received, that makes me smile now, was that I changed the bulletin!

PARISH GROWTH

The buzz words in most Episcopal parishes these days are growth & programs. Tonight I want to present my vision for our life as a parish and its growth.

1. PROGRAMS. I have none!

I could spend a lot of money organising progams & seminars. And there is a lot of literature on church growth.

BUT - Jesus did not establish programs - He established relationships and sacraments.

This parish is firmly based on these 2 foundations, and that is what people are looking for. Church growth materials will tell you otherwise - but from my own experience, what people are looking for in a church is an encounter with God and his people. They want to feel the presence of God as can only be found in the Eucharist & sacramental life. And they want to be welcomed & accepted by the people who make up that community.

I think you know that people find it here at All Saints'.

Does that need an organised program? NO. Am I content with it? NO.

A WELCOMING CHURCH

We need to be better at making new people feel part of our parish, and at having fellowship and social events for them. So I am pleased to announce that the Cursillo group is looking at doing something about this. That's a program I am happy about!

It is interesting that church growth experts maintain that churches most likely to thrive and prosper are those that emphasize their distinctiveness in relation to secular culture - & challenge their members to the highest possible level of committed participation.

That being the case - then we are going to outstrip all the other Episcopal Churches!!

You see, our Anglocatholic identity and tradition are our most powerful resource for growth. Attending Anglocatholic celebration of the Mass is virtually counter-cultural!

Yet many see it as just about doing liturgy nicely. You know that it is about what we believe and the way we live. It follows that growth in attendance and membership will follow on growth in faith, understanding and commitment to the catholic tradition.

OUR TOOL FOR GROWTH

The biggest tool we have in this area is our celebration of the Eucharist. At Mass in All Saints' people experience something not seen in many other churches. This is a treasure! It is both a communal experience as we come together, and that deeply personal experience of Jesus in Holy Communion. However this parish has had such a long tradition of doing the liturgy in a catholic way, that many of its meanings and symbolisms are a mystery.

Our greatest tool for growth, outreach and evangelism is also the biggest mystery!

So, during my convalescence I have been working on a book that will explain High Mass & its ceremonies. This book will teach us about this great treasure we have, and also assist our growth.

Following on this, I want to do some better teaching about our Anglocatholic tradition. I propose to do this in 2 ways. Firstly, through printed material about the tradition. I have a booklet about the history of the Anglocatholic tradition that I am going to distributed to all parishioners. Secondly, I want to bring a priest to All Saints' to be our special preacher in Lent next year. He can preach the faith to us on Sundays & conduct seminars during the week.

Anglocatholics are nothing if we are not lovers of the Lord Jesus! We love his church, we love his sacraments and we love his word. So I am proposing something different in the way of a Lenten study book for 2006. Next year at Mass we will hear from St Mark's Gospel. There is an excellent study book on St Mark, divided up into the 40 days of Lent. At the end of each week in Lent there are questions for study. I would like everyone in the parish to have this book for Lent, and it would be the basis for our weekly study group. Imagine everyone one in the parish studying St Mark's gospel at the same time!

I NOW WANT TO TURN TO SPECIFIC PROJECTS FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

When I was interviewed for the position of Rector I expressed surprise that the church was not open in the day. I was told it was because of the school.

At the time I said that the best and easiest way to reach out into the community was by having an open church during the day. It is also what one expects with an Anglocatholic church. We have this beautiful church, a house of prayer where people can come and encounter Jesus. And an open church does assist growth.

I said then that I would not be content until this was part of our ministry. Tonight I present to you a project to make this happen.

I want to keep the Lady Chapel open during the day. We have staff present every day, so it is possible. We would need to remove things that can be stolen. We will also need to have a table with literature in the porch. A VCR camera will deter those who do not come to pray.

SPECIAL PROJECT

I want to follow up that idea with a 2nd project.

We need a columbarium at All Saints'! In my 2 years as Rector I have conducted the funerals of 15 parishioners. But we had no-where to leave their ashes!

My proposal is that we will get rid of 2 very unattractive eye-sores south of the parish hall - the 6th Ave fence & St Martin's House. We could then erect a lovely wall along 6th Ave, with a beautiful garden behind it.

CHURCH IMPROVEMENTS

As we are a Trinitarian church, I finish with a 3rd project! This concerns the interior of our church.

We have all been aware of the damaged carpet. I have not wanted to rush into replacing it, so that we could all think about alternatives. The facilities committee has been discussing this for some time.

I propose that all the carpet be removed from the sanctuary and chancel. The wooden flooring will have to be renovated, stained & polished - but the finished article will be excellent. The trend to fill churches with carpet is a hang-over from the 1960's lounge-room look, and kills music. Music is so important at All Saints', and this will be better for it.

We also need to have better lighting. This will be expensive - but it is necessary. As is also a PA system with hearing aid loops.

So there is a wide-ranging plan to keep us busy for a few years! It will involve a commitment from all of us of our time, efforts and money.

But what better commitment could I offer you than to our church of All Saints'??