Rector's Report from Rev. Tony Harvey Year 2007 Two things I want to say above all others as we review 2007 and go into 2008. First God is faithful (1 John 1.9) In so many ways God has proved faithful to us over the last year. His constant presence with us as we have worshipped him together has been an inspiration to me. He has healed us (myself included), forgiven us all our sins, strengthened us day-by-day in what has been for many of us, the struggle of life, and filled us with joy and peace time and time again. He has given us wisdom from above in our meetings and patience to listen to each other. He has raised up for us a gifted and committed Musical Director, a worthy successor to James Armstrong. I go into the New Year with all its challenges and decisions confident that God will continue to be faithful to us and to his promises through them all. Second I see the fruit of the spirit of faithfulness (Galatians 5.22) in so many of your lives. I see the hard work of our faithful Corporation, our Wardens and our Treasurer and our Parish Council. I see such faithfulness in those who work so hard to ensure that Spirit-filled worship takes place each Sunday our Sunday School teachers, our Youth Group leaders, our Praise Team members, our Choir, our Servers, our Lay-Assistants and Servers and Acolytes, our Altar-Guild members. I see faithfulness in our Secretary, our Heads of Ministries, and in our Service groups, including our Outreach group and Pastoral Care group. And I see faithfulness in you, our congregation, who so regularly attend worship services week-by-week. I see so many of you, who by your daily acts of service and devotion prove to be the salt of the earth and lights in the world. On behalf of our Lord, may I say to you all well done, good and faithful servants! And what does our faithful God require of us as we go into 2008 no less than faithfulness as Moses was faithful in all God's house (Hebrews 2.3) and in 2 areas in particular. Paul told Timothy, his son in the faith, "Watch your life and doctrine closely" (1 Timothy 4.16) This applies to us at St. Mike's and to the Anglican Church of Canada. By voting so strongly against the blessing of same-sex relationships we have decided that the Anglican Church of Canada and the Diocese of Montreal were not being faithful in matters of doctrine entrusted to them by the word of God and the traditions of the church, as pertains to the doctrine of marriage. We need to listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches very carefully in this new year if we are to continue to be faithful to the doctrines of the church entrusted to us. But in watching our doctrines, let us not forget to watch our lives that we do not become smug about ourselves and lacking in compassion particularly towards others of different opinions. May the faithful God continue to find us faithful when Jesus returns to judge our lives (Luke 18.8) Yours in Christ, Tony Harvey |
