preparation by a very diverse group of people. We welcome them into full membership of the church, and rejoice with them. The Mass readings for Epiphany 3 were incredibly appropriate that day.

ANNUAL MEETING
The following Sunday was the Parish Annual Meeting. Once again it was a happy and short meeting! In my annual report I said that 2006 was a significant year in the life of our parish. My report is re-printed on pages 15-21. I pay tribute to the 4 retiring members of the Vestry, and welcome those elected at the annual meeting.

The most significant thing about the annual meeting was the financial report. For the first time in many years the income, expenditure, assets and endowments of the parish were clear and transparent. Most importantly, we accepted a balanced budget. This is a tribute to the way the people of All Saints' have responded to my stewardship challenge last year. I am thrilled, because I have never been Rector of a church that had a balanced budget! Our Business Administrator, Jim Mickelson, has done a marvellous job in getting our finances in order. 2 years ago he had the unenviable job of sorting out our finances after Irene Eastham suddenly took ill. Last year he supervised the closing of the school and the changes this brought to our administration and finances. He has done the task set him so well that he can now work reduced hours. Please refer to the note on page 10.

ACOLYTES
After many years of service to our parish as head Acolyte, Dr Ed Heck has stepped down. I have appointed Jerry Kirtley to this position. One of the issues Jerry raised with me was having female acolytes. This was discussed at 2 subsequent Vestry meetings. We are one of the few parishes in the world that