From the People’s Warden…
Dear Friends,
As the long winter drew towards an end this year we began to anticipate Michaelmas. Anticipation seems to be a part of our human make-up—a hope that can keep us going on, a looking-forward to something good that is coming, something better than today. As we grow older, we tend to find that the reality is not as much fun as the anticipation.
Not so with Michaelmas at S. Michael’s! Our great Parish Festival was a wonderful occasion for all. It was a delight to welcome Bishop Victoria to preside at the High Mass, and a joy to have with us so many of our friends and family, to join in our service of praise and thanksgiving.
I am particularly grateful to all who helped in so many ways to make Michaelmas such an inspiring occasion. We seem to work well in teams to contribute to the well-being of our church. On Saturday morning as the team of polishers and dusters and sweepers moved around the church, it was amazing for us to watch the flower team transforming large piles of foliage and flowers into the gracious and beautiful arrangements that decorated the church. Teams helped with the overall planning and setting up, the music, the publications, and of course, the dinner. And the cleaning up. Our co-operation was noted by one of our visitors as a strength of the S. Michael’s community, and it was a satisfying experience for all who were able to help.
I want also to thank those who are so willingly offering to keep the parish office open while our Parish Administrator, Judy Tait, is on sick leave—this assistance is much appreciated. Thank you also to those offering to form a regular roster to keep our church open during the middle hours of the weekdays—please be in touch soon if you’d like to be part of this.
As we celebrate the dedication of S. Michael’s Church I am wondering what the early parishioners anticipated. During the week I met a visitor from Denver, Colorado, who had come to find something that would connect him to his great-grandmother Jane Ann, baptised at S. Michael’s in 1870. He and his wife came straight to us from the long international flight, their visit in memory of his great-grandmother, now buried in Denver with her great-great-grandson who died at the age of two years. To see them feel at home here was a lovely connection with parishioners from the past and with the Church world-wide.
As we move into another year, strengthened by the insights of the recent parish review, I hope that we can continue to be trustworthy stewards of this place, and a blessing to each other and to the community we serve in the name of Christ.
May God bless us all.
Claire Anstice
