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a new rector, and to consider all the positive possibilities available as well as the difficulties that can arise for both clergy and lay with change in a parish. I continue to schedule lay readers, administrants, intercessors, and anointing ministers. I attend Vestry meetings, pastoral meetings, deanery meetings, ministerial meetings, Network of Deacons meetings, Diaconal Working Group meetings, and attend a book study which meets on Wednesday evenings. I have been asked to be part of a small group who will be planning worship for the upcoming Diocesan Synod which be held in October. It will be a challenge and a privilege to plan the services that begin with the opening at the Cathedral on Thursday, Oct. 18 th , as well as the services that occur throughout the sessions on Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 19 th , and 20 th It is an honour to serve and be part of the parish of St. Mary Magdalene. Blessings, Dayle+ Wardens’ Annual Report for 2011 At the beginning of the year the Rev. Preston Parsons announced his resignation as rector effective 31 July. The wardens met immediately to discuss the process for finding a new rector. We worked at developing a parish profile (a required document used in hiring an incumbent.) The process involved responses to questions from the Bishop, feedback from parishioners as well as from outside the parish. We had approximately 100 parishioner inputs. The profile was completed and approved by the Bishop and the position advertised in mid-April for seven weeks. After short listing the candidates the Canonical Committee comprising the wardens and Synod delegates (Bill Regehr, Tannis Webster and Lissa Wray-Beal) completed a set of interview questions, prepared for the interviews and provided an opportunity for some key parish leaders to meet with the candidates. The interviews took place in June. The Rev. Mary Lysecki was the unanimous choice and the Bishop was pleased to appoint Mary as our parish priest. It was a joy to welcome Mary to our parish family at the beginning of September. She wasted no time in becoming familiar with the Fall schedule and the many activities going on in the parish and our building. She has been working hard to meet and get to know parishioners individually. Mary would also be pleased to have you call and make an appointment to meet together. A very moving “Commissioning of New Ministries” service for Mary was held on September 18. It was attended by over 200 people from all over the diocese. An elder, Barbara Shmooski invoked a blessing, our choir was joined by St. Peter’s choir and the Asian Christian Fellowship choir provided hymns sung in Urdu. The Service was followed by a wonderful potluck supper and warm words of welcome from Bishop Donald Phillips. A farewell dinner was held for Preston and Karen on 17 June attended by well over 100 people. Gifts were presented including a purse of money to help with the expense of attending Cambridge University in England, a print and an icon of St. Mary Magdalene and a beautiful chasuble made by Gail Forrest. Bill Regehr and Pam Parisian organized a delicious sit down dinner and the choir provided some fun musical entertainment. The parish was pleased to support this send-off accompanied with words and prayers of encouragement for Preston and Karen’s future endeavours. The Wardens have been meeting with Mary on a regular basis to attend to the affairs of the parish and to assist her in working towards a vision of the future. We have been invited to stand ‘in solidarity’ with Mary at the end of the Sunday Service to greet worshippers as they go to the outer hall for coffee and socialization. So far this is an idea that seems to be well received. The parish has been participating in “Fresh Start”, a program for clergy and lay readers at the beginning of new incumbencies. The Parish is represented by Mary (who is one of the program leaders), Dayle Michaud, the Wardens, Margaret Jones, Gail and Alan Forrest. The third of four sessions was held in our building on 24 January. 7
A big thank you goes to The Rev. Dr. Jane Barter-Moulaison who conducted Confirmation classes and prepared candidates for taking their place in the church. The Confirmation ceremony took place on Sunday 17 May with the Bishop presiding. Six young persons were confirmed and one other received into the Anglican Church. We are grateful to Jane, for her work with the Sunday school and the leadership provided by Carey Isaac and Barbara Bater in taking turns working with the youth. St. Mary Magdalene was well represented at Faith Horizons in October. The Rev. Dr. Jane Barter- Moulaison and The Rev. Mary Lysecki were part of the planning/leadership committee for the event. Barbara Bater hosted a display table which showcased various items unique to our parish. These included Altar linens and photographs of robes made by Gail Forrest, a prayer shawl made by Pat Darlington, seasonal banners by Lianne Marsh and plates of cookies baked by Pam Parisian for the visitors who stopped by our table. Tannis Webster and Mary assisted in the worship services. Jennifer Nembhard led a workshop which focused on music in keeping with the theme of the conference which was the Arts in the life of the Church. On Sunday 16 October we had Simon Chambers, the Communication Coordinator for PWRDF visit with us. He gave the sermon and gave a video presentation after about the work of PWRDF. Closer to home we continue to support the inner city ministry of St. Matthew’s-Maryland. Our liaison is provided by Margaret Jones and Barbara Bater. The parish is assisting St. Vital Youville Clinic provide a school lunch program and continue to host a seniors kitchen wisdom meal preparation program. A shortened version of Consecration Sunday was held on the Feast of Christ the King, Nov 20 followed by a hot lunch prepared by men of the parish. This condensed version was held in order to return to holding the event in the fall, since one was held earlier in March of the year. The Parish members rejoiced in the successful outcome of the “Out of Africa” project which reunited three Hambira children with their parents. A big “well done” and thanks to all who were involved from our congregation especially David Newman who travelled back from South Africa to Canada. The Rotary Club of Charleswood were and still are the lead sponsors. The family worshipped with us on 4 December and presented an altar cloth from Zimbabwe. Thanks to Nancy and John Chan’s continued leadership with two very successful Garage Sale events held in the Spring and Fall of the year. These events provide fellowship and a valuable connection with our surrounding community. We are pleased to have the Asian Christian Fellowship worshipping in the building monthly on Sunday evenings. The turnout is well over 50 persons. The majority of this congregation is Urdu speaking. Qaiser Bhatti is one of the leaders and a lay reader in our congregation. With the approval of Vestry we have signed a document which cements the relationship as one that falls under the authority of the parish priest and as a consequence is a part of the fabric of the parish and diocese. A special thanks to the ACF for their participation in the welcome service held for Mary back in September. The Corporation has negotiated an arrangement with a group of French speaking Presbyterians to hold services and other church related activities in our building. Known as L’Eglise Viens et Vois, they are small group just getting started and draw on folks living in the St. Vital and St. Boniface areas. We will continue to do what we can to make this a success. Please welcome The Rev. Charles Kahumbu as he leads services, bible studies and counseling sessions. Judy Asker, office administrator, now works in the office four afternoons a week. This arrangement started in September as Judy accepted a similar position but in the mornings at St. Luke’s parish on Nassau. This arrangement is working well for all concerned. Improvements with security were necessitated by concern for the safety of persons working alone in the building and the loss of items. A camera intercom system was installed in November. A second phase, a buzzer door unlock mechanism will be undertaken so that Mary and Judy will be able to unlock the door from their offices. A third part of the security is to install an overnight alarm system. It seems that these steps have already been or are being undertaken in a number of churches. At the same time the 10 year old phone system was upgraded and a separate line added for the rector. We are blessed to have many parishioners exercise outreach ministries in various ways. Of note is the pastoral care team that now includes, Mary Lysecki, Barbara Crow, Gerry Brown, Mary Valentine, June Freeth, 8
Page 1 and 2: The Parish of St. Mary Magdalene Di
Page 3 and 4: Agenda Annual General Meeting ST. M
Page 5 and 6: The People’s Warden was unanimous
Page 7: Our first parish conference, “Unv
Page 11 and 12: � A Provincial Community Places G
Page 13 and 14: Lay Readers Annual Report 2011 The
Page 15 and 16: efforts in other jurisdictions. PWR
Page 17 and 18: Prayer Partners Annual Report 2011
Page 19 and 20: Secondly, let us seek to co-operate
Page 21 and 22: Weekly Parish Rentals and Events MO
Page 26 and 27: Financial Review 25
Page 28: Nominating Report 2011 We are pleas

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