Committee with Kim Evans as chairman, has initiated new outreach and publicity. I thank Jerry Kirtley and Zach Zuber, who headed up this committee in previous years. They did the ground work of making our church known in the community. Now we move on to a new phase.
AN ENCOURAGING YEAR
No sooner had the year begun than the Vestry was faced with the second challenge of the year. Advice was received from the City that the Parish Hall would be closed down unless immediate work was undertaken. The quote was $70,000 - far beyond our resources. As you know, the Vestry decided to appeal to the parishioners. And as you know, the response was amazing! In just 2 months we had raised the money from the generous response of parishioners and friends. Not only that, it was over-subscribed, allowing us to do the planned renovation of the sanctuary floor. What a joy it was to finish all the work in time for All Saints' Day - complete with a handsome new tabernacle on the high altar. Special thanks are due to Bob Eikel and the facilities committee for over-seeing the work.
We are not a wealthy parish. The generosity of you all reveals our deep love for our spiritual home, and our commitment to this church that we love. And I know that in our giving we have been blessed by God.
Further encouragement came in the summer with more young couples and families joining our congregation. Our Sunday School has grown, we have 3 parish weddings planned this year and there have been several baptisms. Just as significant was the Sacrament of Confirmation administered to 7 adults last Sunday. Adult Confirmations are a real sign of growth, and that is certainly the case here.