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From the Rector's Desk

Our Matron Saint, Mary, has had many titles ascribed through history to acknowledge and pay tribute to her crucial role in Christian salvation history. One lesser used name in Anglican circles is “Stella Maris” (Latin for “Star of the Sea”) - an allegorical reference to Mary guiding the faithful through the “storm tossed waves of life” to Christ. Perhaps that was inspired by the story of Jesus protecting the disciples in their fishing boat during a storm on the Sea of Galilee; and at another time, inviting Peter to walk on the water with him.

Our church’s name is an affirmation of our “Stella Maris” call to point to Christ in Nanoose Bay!

A boat on the ocean was one of the symbols for the church in earlier times, while the wider church was imagined as a fleet with Christ as Commander of the Fleet.  In fact during times of extreme persecution some Christians used the image of a boat with a mast that looks like a cross, to secretly show their faith. That imagery is reflected in church architecture and terminology. The main part of a church is often referred to as “the nave” (from the Latin word navis for ship.) To this day it is a Scandinavian custom to place a model boat in a church and in the past pulpits have sometimes been shaped like the prow of a boat. Imagine this one placed in our church!

An important part of the voyage of any ship on the sea, stormy or calm, is its crew and this week marks a small change in crew for the good ship St. Mary, Nanoose Bay. I say “small” because the vast majority of the crew remains unchanged. And of course the Commander of the Fleet remains firmly in place. The change is that we begin the next phase in our voyage of faith and ministry in this corner of the ocean, with a new pastor and leader in this particular boat.  We welcome Kirsten on board and give thanks that as we continue working together in faith, our crew has been strengthened with her call and her gifts.  In God’s grace there is good sailing ahead.  All hands on deck!

With every blessing,
Alan  

 

EXCITING NEWS…

Bishop Anna Greenwood-Lee has appointed Kirsten Evenden to be our Deacon-in-Charge, effective September 1st. Kirsten will be ordained as a deacon on Wednesday, September 14th at Christchurch Cathedral, Victoria at 7:00 p.m. For those who cannot attend this important event the service will be livestreamed online at https://bc.anglican.ca/live.

Kirsten’s first Sunday with us will be September 4th.  She will be away the following week for a pre-ordination retreat and the ordination itself, and back with us on Sunday September 18th.   Barry Foster, Archdeacon of Columbia and Executive Officer writes “Kirsten is very fortunate to begin her life in holy orders in a congregation like St. Mary’s and I believe you will develop a fruitful ministry relationship.”     WELCOME KIRSTEN!  

AND MORE GOOD NEWS…

KAT has had her hip surgery and is at home recuperating.  She will be off on medical leave until Tuesday October 4 tentatively (approximately 6 weeks.)  Office coverage will be intermittent – please leave a message on the phone or email admin@stmarynb.ca and we will get back to you as soon as possible.  Many thanks for your prayers and good wishes.          

 

OUR PARKING LOT IS COMPLETE!  

The upgrading of our parking lot with asphalt millings is complete. Because of unfortunate circumstances involving vandalism to our property (mainly the parking lot) we have made the difficult decision to put a chain gate across our entrance and some new signage. The chain is not locked and can be easily unfastened by the first person entering the property and replaced by the last person to leave.

The parking lot surface should harden almost like pavement over time and so we hope to eventually do away with the nuisance of this chain gate. In the meantime please bear with us and I thank you for your understanding and cooperation at this time. - Don N.

Treasurer’s Note:
These costs will be considered a capital expense and will reduce St. Mary’s Diocesan Assessment for the year 2024. With parish resources and some donations already received, plus funds contributed in memory of the late David Russell, we will be short approximately $4,000.00.  We are reaching out to you, our Parishioners, to consider a special donation in addition to your annual givings to help with the cost of these much-needed improvements.  Special donations should be marked “Driveway resurfacing” and will be added to your annual charitable tax receipt. Thank you!          

  SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS

Sept. 10     Pat N
Sept. 13     Carol T
Sept. 14     Cheryl T
Sept. 16     Marianna W
Sept. 17     Kat K
Sept. 23     Greg McD
Sept. 26     John  C
Sept.30      Clive O

O God our heavenly Father, we ask you to accept our gifts and receive our prayers for those whose birthdays, anniversaries or other events we celebrate this day. For the children we support overseas we pray that you will keep them in your loving care and that they may grow in grace and in the knowledge and presence of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen             

     

  OUR NEW READERS ROSTER is in need of YOUR HELP AGAIN

Please sign up on the NEW roster at the entrance of the church.  Or you can also put your name on the READERS ROSTER WHITEBOARD located by rector’s office in the hall.

 

 

We Together 2022 is our diocesan biennial family reunion at St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Nanaimo. It's an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and a time to make new ones. Together we will learn about, pray about and share what God is up to in our lives, strengthening ourselves, as the diocese of Islands and Inlets, for the journey God is calling us to. The theme of this year’s conference will be “Here in This Place” where we will be exploring questions of what faithfulness looks like in these islands and inlets.

To learn more about this event and register, please visit the diocesan website     

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