St. Martins

Annual Reports 2018

3704 37th Street SWCalgary, Alberta T3E 3C3Phone: 403-249-3014 Fax: 403-217-7181E-Mail: stmartins@telus.net

Web: www.stmartinsclagary.ca

St. Martins Anglican Church

Annual Meeting Agenda

February 25, 2018

1. Opening Prayer

2. Appointment of Recording Secretary

3. Acceptance of Last Years Minutes: Annual meeting of February 12, 2017(pg. 3-5)

4. Annual Reports 2017 (pg. 6-28)

a. Motion to accept the 2017 Annual Reports

b. 2017 Preliminary unaudited results & discussion

c. Motion to accept the Financial Reports for 2017

d. 2018 Budget proposal & discussion

e. Motion to adopt 2018 Budget

5. Elections/Nominations Report: (pg. 28)

Assistant Peoples Warden: Kate Newburn

Parish Council Members

Synod delegates Michael Black & Angela Barlow

Alternate Delegates Tom Martin & Kate Newburn.

6. Other Business

Update on new space and negotiations

Update on the Refugee Resettlement Project

7. Closing Prayer:Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.

Glory to God from generation to generation,

in the Church, and in Christ Jesus,

for ever and ever. Amen.

MINUTESSt. Martins Annual Meeting of Parishioners

February 12, 2017 | 11:40 am| Meeting called to order by The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison

In Attendance

See attached Sheet

Opening Prayer and Pause for RemembranceThe Rev. Natasha Brubaker GarrisonGerald Gene Reynar, Ryan James McIntosh, David Wayne TowerAppointment of Recording Secretary:The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison

Motion to appoint Michelle Cojocariu : Natasha Brubaker Garrison

Second: Motion Appointed

2016 Annual Meeting of Parishioners MinutesThe Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison

Motion to accept Minutes of 2016 AMP : Mollie Cole

Second: Carol HayesMotion Accepted

Annual ReportsThe Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison

Motion to accept the 2016 Annual Reports: Heather Shantz

Second: Kathy SimbirskiMotionAccepted

Financial Reports

Tom Martin calls for questions/comments on the financial statements.

Tom Martin notes Church is running at a deficit, projecting an additional $10,000 this year, the budget is balanced for 2017, regarding increasing revenue either people need to donate more or grow the Church population by bringing friends into the community.

Discussion ensued involving Kenneth Delong, Tom Martin and The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison regarding what specific efforts are being made to grow the congregation? A lot of time has been spent focusing on the land and the building efforts. Parish Council/Vestry needs to be challenged to focus on growing the community. There is not a specific plan yet, but there is the intention to make a plan. It was noted that the community grew by ten members in 2106. More events will be held to connect with people and the committee under Heather Shantzs leadership will expand on that. It is noted that we will have another great Parish Council/Vestry for 2017.

Discussion ensued regarding why under Operating Expenses, regarding Congregational/Administration/Diocesan Commitment budgeted for two to three thousand less.

The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison clarifies that Congregational Expense is more in line with the actual $3,265, the Diocesan Commitment goes down as they were asked if apportionment could be kept at the level of 2016 therefore our apportionment actually went down. Also storage fees, under Facilities, came out of Operating though moving forward it will come out of Capital.

Motion to accept the Financial Reports for 2016: Carol Hayes

Second: Mollie Cole Motion Accepted

The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison calls for questions/comments regarding the Budget for 2017.

Discussion ensued involving Mollie Cole, Ken Noland, Tom Martin and The Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison regarding $300,000 being budgeted for 2017 regarding Capital Scope and Pre Design Phase expense. It is noted that for now the architect is on hold, currently dealing with the lawyer and the City. The offer is going back and forth to move forward with the land purchase, how much will be spent depends on how fast things move, expenses will include the architect, the civil engineer (Aplin & Martin), Urban Systems and legal costs.

Motion to adopt the 2017 Budget: Caroline BrownSecond: Martha Corcoran Motion Accepted

ElectionsNatasha Brubaker Garrison, RectorWardensSee attached sheet Nominations Report

The following person has been appointed and nominated by the Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison as Wardens in the following areas:

Angela Barlow: Assistant Peoples Warden

Parish Council

Thanks to those completing service this year: Claire Greenwood, Kit Bekkers (Koon), Ralph Tibbles

Also to those continuing: Ken Noland, Chinwe Ahimie

Nominations for Parish Council: Kate Newburn, Pamella Manning

Treasurer: Ken Noland taking on role of Treasurer

Synod Delegates

Mike Black, Cindy Geisbrecht

Motion to accept the slate of nominations:

Second:Motion Passed

Other Business

Closing Prayer

Glory to God, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine. Glory to God from generation to generation, in the Church, and in Christ Jesus, for ever and ever. Amen.

Meeting adjourned

12:18 pm

St. Martins Anglican Church, Calgary

Annual Reports for 2017

Page

Rector's Report7

Wardens' Report8

Building/Steering Committee Report9

Community Building Committee Report11

Community Outreach Report12

Music Ministry Report13

Newcomers Ministry16

Icross Dolls Report16

Wentworth Manor 17

Altar Guild Report17

Bundle Bags Report17

Refugee Resettlement Committee Report18

Interfaith Food Bank Report19

Confirmation Report 20

Youth Ministry Report20

Sunday School Report 21

Pastoral Care Report22

2017 Financial Reports23

Rectors Report for 2017

It seems like only yesterday that I began my service at St. Martins, but this year will be the start of my seventh year as your Incumbent: a position which I am most grateful and joyful to fulfill as best I can. One of the Biblical meanings for the number seven is that of completeness, completion. We continue to work for the final subdivision of our land and the opportunities that it will open up. My heartfelt prayer for us this year is for that completion to occur and for us to strengthen our bonds as a community within.

This report is intended to be not a list of accomplishments, but recognition of the incredible ministries of the people of our parish. The Corporation and Parish Council have served us with tenacity and dedication this past year. Sunday worship, the heartbeat of our common life, has been rich and varied this past year, but never happens without the time and talents of so manyindeed allof us.

Thank you to our altar guild, sides teams, readers, intercessors, chalice bearers, liturgical assistants, greeters, Sunday School teachers and assistants, Youth leader, musicians, sound techs, envelope secretary, and hospitality teams for creating such a blessed and holy space each and every Sunday. The Steering Committee has worked tirelessly to help us resolve the sale of our land. It has been frustrating work at times, and I am deeply grateful to all of them for their perseverance, wisdom and love for our parish. To all those who serve in pastoral, outreach and formation ministries you are blessing to us all. Please see the reports from other ministry teams as they recap the year and all they do in the service of Christ. We will continue to make our presence known in the community and trust that in so doing people will find in us a place to share their faith journeys and for us to enrich one another.

Christian Formation this year included a variety of programs: confirmation for seven of our youth; a spring course on human sexuality and the history of marriage; a fall course done in conjunction with St. Laurence called Gifts from the Darkwood Brew: Nine Blessings for Soulful Skeptics; a fall course done in conjunction with Knox Presbyterian called How to Read the Bible; the Indigenous Spirituality in Residence weekend; and the screening of Elder in the Making.

This year also saw two new staff members join our parish. Paisley Newburn is our youth leader and brings wonderful energy and creativity to the position. And at long last I feel confident in saying that we have found a new long-term parish administrator in Michelle Cojocariu. She has dived in and taken on the role with grace, humour and skill (and thank you to Kate for answering with patience the occasional question about how or where things are!). Welcome Paisley and Michelle!

Last, but by no means least, a tremendous thank you to Dennis Simbirski for serving as our parish treasurer since November 2011. We are deeply appreciative of your time and skills to keep our finances in order. Ken Noland has agreed to serve as our new treasurer. Welcome and thank you, Ken!

Looking forward to what God holds in store for us this year and grateful every day for the joy of being in this community.

In Christ,

Natasha Brubaker Garrison+

Rector

Wardens Report 2017

Life at St Martins during 2017 was dominated by the sale of the excess land to Wells and Associates. It was a much more prolonged and difficult process than ever was envisioned. By the completion of the sale, we had faced every curveball that could possibly be thrown at a seller! Many thanks to the members of the Steering Committee, past and present, for seeing the sale through. We recognize that there were many times where the urge to walk away was strong but your perseverance resulted in the sale of the land and the congregations ability to move into the next phase leading to the building of a new church home.

Part of the next phase is to determine the fund-raising capacity of the congregation. The church engaged Ross Marsh to complete this work. His report to the congregation is due at the beginning of March 2018. Our architect is working on re-configuring his original vision to align more closely with the financial capacity of the parish. His revised design will be presented later in 2018.

Life in a gym means that many hands are required to facilitate worship each and every Sunday. One of the greatest strengths of our congregation is the astounding number of people who make worship happen every week. Sides, readers, music, altar guild and intercessors among many others are a necessity. A heartfelt thank you to all you make worship the wonderful experience it is!

In a time when the provincial economy is not as strong as it once was, St Martins finished the year with a slight deficit but not large enough to cause grievous concern. Thank you for your financial support essential to show the Diocese of Calgary that we are truly a financially viable parish.

The social life of the community is often the best indicator of the health of the parish. Thanks to the contribution of many and our unique partnership with Knox Presbyterian Church, the congregation has hosted or participated in multiple events. They are well attended and demonstrates the commitment of the congregation beyond Sunday worship.

We continue to be thankful for the spiritual and liturgical leadership that Natasha provides to St Martins. Whether Faith Education programs, Worship in the World, In Residence or Sunday morning, her guidance is shared with all. Of particular note is Natashas commitment to Lay Leadership within the parish. There are many opportunities open to those who want to try something new (and sometimes challenging). Each of these allow members of the St Martins family to grow in faith and as a leader within the parish community. We look forward Natashas leadership and sharing of her gifts and faith for many years to come!

Sincerely,

Us

Mike Black

Tom Martin

Angela Barlow

Cindy Giesbrecht

(The Four Horsemen of St Martins)

REPORT FROM THE BUILDING STEERING COMMITTEE

2017 has been a watershed year for St Martins and our dream for a new home. After many years of

attempting to find an equitable solution with our minority partner for the development of the property, we finally agreed with them that the best solution was to sell them the excess land and we would each go our own way in the development of our own parcel.

Your committee issued an update of the property and building status in November. Since this status was issued we have been working with our architect to refine our budget and the design parameters so that we can have a building that we can afford. We are also working with our fundraiser to get a sense of the magnitude and appetite the congregation has for moving forward with this project. These processes will continue and we will update the congregation as the program develops.

We would like to thank everyone for their prayers and support as we worked our way through this

complex issue and would like to extend a special thank you to Murray Tait who used his legal experience from years of real estate development as he made certain that the interests of both St Martins and the Diocese were properly dealt with.

The following is the report that your committee issued in November:

Now that the land issue is finalized, and we have our own piece of land free and clear of any partners or

other encumbrances other than the standard city ones, it is time to start thinking in earnest about moving ahead with the actual building and the fund raising that will be required to make this a reality.

As of mid November, the following is an update of the status of the building and the funding based on estimates and information as it is available. There will still be a number of approvals required from both the City of Calgary and the Diocese of Calgary before we will be able to break ground on our new facility.

PROJECT COSTS:

meetings have been held with our architect and he has been advised that the maximum that we could afford would be $4.0 million dollars for a 16,000 square foot facility.

with this building cost, the overall cost of the new facility is estimated to be approximately $6.8 million, which is made up of the $4.0 million building cost and $2.8 million of other costs such as the installation of utilities, landscaping civil works, permits, professional fees, building permits, etc. This $6.8 million is inclusive of contingency and the appropriate GST.

PROJECT ASSETS:

On the asset side, we have approximately $3.6 million available to us made up of the following:

approximately $2.6 million in cash which includes amounts remaining in the capital account plus the proceeds from the sale of the land.

a gift of $1.0 million from the Diocese of Calgary.

We also have an offer from the Diocese of Calgary to rent space to locate their offices in our facility. For this they would pay us $100,000 per year for ten years for a total of $1.0 million dollars. With this revenue stream, we hope to be able to obtain a mortgage of $1.0 million.

In Summary:

Project Cost$6.8 Million

Current Assets$3.6 Million

Potential Mortgage$1.0 Million

Shortfall$2.2 Million

Finally, a couple of the things the Diocese will be looking for before they give their approval for us to go ahead will be our ability to operate and maintain the new facility. We will also have to demonstrate to them that we have the funding in place to pay for the new facility.

Community Building Committee Report

The Community Building Committee continued to gather and plan events for the parish this past year. Convened by the rector, the committee members are Heather Shantz, Laura Wieler, Chinwe Ahimie, Clara Ikuku, Jeff Davidson, Martha Corcoran, Kate Newburn and Angela Barlow.

The Committee organized the following events in 2017:

Felting project in January where an Epiphany banner was made under the guidance of Cindy Giesbrecht;

Shrove Tuesday pancake supper in conjunction with Knox Presbyterian Church;

Parish Stampede breakfast, which sadly had to be cancelled at the last moment, but which will hopefully happen in 2018;

Shakespeare by the Bow in August;

A series of weekday hikes led by Cindy Giesbrecht in the summer;

The Patronal Feasta wonderful celebration made possible by the wonderful efforts of the whole committee;

Fall event called Creating Dementia Friendly Congregations led by Mollie Cole and attended by 30+ people from a variety of churches in Calgary; it also garnered an article in The Anglican Journal;

In the spirit of this committees mission, a special thank you to Tom Martin, Mike Black and Murray Tait for providing two after-worship lunchesthe Fathers Day sub sandwich lunch and the pulled pork sandwiches on Christ the King;

Once again, some of our members joined with Knox Presbyterian to have a Christmas Day brunch.

We look forward to offering many of these events again this year, along with new ones. If you have any suggestions for events, please do reach out to one of us.

Respectfully submitted,

Natasha+

Community Outreach 2017

I am very thankful for the opportunity I had to work on behalf of St. Martins in the role of Community Outreach Coordinator. It was an honour to support and facilitate St. Martins work in the community for the past five years. St. Martins has been a leader in community outreach and our efforts have helped, and continue to help, many people in our community, both the participants who are newcomers to Canada and the volunteers who participate. I am thankful for Martha Corcoran who has volunteered to continue to coordinate the English Conversation Caf each week and for the volunteers who attend.

Cooking With Friends was held once each week in partnership with Knox Presbyterian Church and Immigrant Services Calgary. This community cooking program for newcomers ran until June 2017. For our spring session, we had 4-8 participants each week and one or two volunteers from Knox Presbyterian. We shared and made our favorite recipes and enjoyed many delicious meals and conversation together. It was a fun, community class that St. Martins organized and facilitated through the part-time Community Outreach position. This program may continue again in the future with the support of a part-time Community Outreach Coordinator. It is a large time commitment for a volunteer and unfortunately a volunteer wasnt found to continue this program for the fall of 2017.

Coldest Night of the Year St. Martins and Knox Presbyterian joined efforts as the Dynamic Duo in February of 2017 to walk 5 K and raise money for Calgary charities Feed the Hungry and Kairos. Thanks to the generous donations of our community and friends our team has raised over $7,800 since 2014 for the Coldest Night charities. We are walking again this year and look forward to another great fundraiser in support of people in need in our community.

It is an honour and a joy to work together to serve our Calgary community through the outreach initiatives and support of St. Martins Anglican Church community.

Thank you,

Laura Wieler

St. Martins English As a Second Language Conversation Caf which has been run very capably for the past 5 years by Laura Wieler, has been taken over by Martha Corcoran. It continues to grow and serve newcomers in our community on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 11 am at the SCA Community Centre in Strathcona thanks to our wonderful volunteers. We have approximately 5 volunteers from St. Martins and about 6 volunteers from the community. The participants come from many different countries and we have both regular people and ones that come occasionally. On average we have about 13 new English speakers on Tuesdays. Each week we have a listening/reading activity followed by conversation in small groups about everyday topics. The caf provides English language conversation practice for newcomers, cultural awareness, friendship and a valuable sense of community to all participants. The board of the SCA community association works in partnership with St. Martins providing the space and weekly coffee.

Martha Corcoran

St. Martins Music Ministry Report

Our music group, formed mostly by vocalists, continues having this year a dual leadership that comes from Ariana Rodriguez (artistic or musical side), and Alex Koddo (technical aspects).

The group continues to have quite a few steady (and multitalented) members that one way or the other commit to this activity on a weekly basis.

On the technical side, we are grateful to have Leon Demers in control of the soundboard and sound equipment in general. Alex filled in when Leon was away, and continues providing every Sunday a steady set up situation for us. Special thanks to Mark Perrin for filling in with the soundboard when Alex was not available.

Special thanks to Heather Shantz and Kenneth DeLong for most generously playing the keyboard during the time I have been away.

On a regular basis, this years membership consisted of:

(Permanent members)

Temporary members

Sopranos

Mollie Cole (Djembe)

Carol Hayes (minor percussion, Solo soprano)

Jonquil Koddo (Solo soprano)

Clara Ikuku

Altos

Statia Demers

Heather Shantz (minor percussion, and fill in keyboard)

Ariana Rodriguez (keyboard, choral and instrumental arranger, composer)

Kit Koon (mezzo & alto) (till September)

Danielle Wahl

Marie Woolsey

Tenors

Kenneth DeLong (fill in keyboard, choral arranger)

Bryan Hayes (tenor, djembe, guitar)

Josh Thon

Baritones Basses

Alex Koddo (guitar, mandolin & whistle)

David Stauft

Mark Perrin (guitar)

Happily, we have been also blessed by the presence of nice guest musicians this year that have come to join us for specific services. Musicians from a varied spectrum between the world of classical and folk music, some of them coming from our own congregation, some from the citys professional musicians community.

Our group has continued extending its work to the wider community:

On October 7th, as in the past, St. Martins partnered with the Calgary Humane Society and the Pet Loss Support Group at the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer to host the 19th Annual St. Francis Blessing of the Animals service.

A few services on 2017 should be mentioned here due to, lets say, their less ordinary nature. Among them: the Bluegrass-Gospel service leaded by our Alex Koddo, on May 14th (with guest musicians), and the Blessing of the Wheels service on June 11th.

On the administration side, our prayers for an industrious (yet flexible in mind) volunteer librarian continue open: we need a music librarian!

Our main purpose is still to lead the congregation in our singing and praises to God. By working on this ministry we give each other pleasure, as well as spiritual satisfaction. Working together as a group helps us to connect with each others souls through our musical gifts. Through breathing, singing, and feeling the music in unison, we create and invite the whole community into the unique experience of becoming one.

An important aspect of our work for the year 2017 is to be able to grow from within our own community. In order to make our work accessible to all, we continue planning our work under three different levels of commitment:

1) As a full time member: committed for the whole year program.

2) As a part time member: committed for only specific times, or specific weeks of the year.

3) As a short time member: a person willing to try, or to just experience what it means to be a member of the music group.

Among the most wanted music skills are:

Singers: female singers (altos or sopranos).

Singers: male singers (tenors or basses). Please, notice we have only 1 tenor, and now 3 basse singers.

Players: string or wind instrument players.

Percussionists: drummers.

A librarian!

Music practices are held on Thursdays from 7:30 to 9:00 pm at Knox Presbyterian. Our practices are fun, socially engaging, and spiritual. Music learning happens between laughter, emotional support for each other, thoughtful insights about our parish life, and the most delicious ever tea made lovingly by Mollie. We gather twice a year for social Potluck events that are really nice and well attended. Parishioners who feel called to take up this ministry at any of the three levels of commitment will be welcomed and appreciated.

Singing a joyful song to the Lord, this report is submitted by:

Ariana Rodriguez

Newcomers Ministry

Our committee is made up of Martha Corcoran, Molly Cole, Laura Weiler, Clara Ikuku and David Stauft. We make new people to St. Martins feel welcome and included. To that end we connect new people to people and resources. This year of 2017 our committee hosted a wine and cheese party on June 2 to welcome some of the people who had joined the church in the last few years. In attendance were six newcomers, most of our committee and some members of vestry. It was a good chance to get to know some new people with more time to talk than the usual few minutes after church. We have had a family of five who are regular attenders and whose older child participates in Sunday school. There has also been a woman whose primary church is the cathedral downtown but who lives near St Martins and who comes occasionally. Our committee members continue to welcome new people even if they do not end up making St. Martins their new church.

Respectfully submitted by Martha Corcoran

Icross Dolls Ministry

St. Martins Knitters continue their dedicated work. The annual Blessing Of The Dolls Service saw approximately 1000 dolls blessed, and sent to Icross.

We were delighted that the service was also attended by Don Ethel, and his wife Linda.

Respectfully,

Fiona Tower

Wentworth Manor

On the second Tuesday of each month a hymn-sing, led by Natasha, Marina and Ila is held in the Memory Ward at the Manor. On a quarterly basis this ministry team leads a short communion service in the lovely chapel on the second floor of the Manor. Carol Hayes accompanies the services when she is available. We believe these services are appreciated by the people who live in Wentworth.

Marina Gathercole

Ila Payette

Altar Guild

As one year closes and another begins, the Altar Guild members continue to provide the necessary supplies for communion and other services.

We set up the Altar for Holy Communion, clean up, and wash utensils and linens after the service.

We purchase wine and wafers (in summer) when bread is not made by the parishioners.

We provide the extra supplies and decorations needed for special services such as Lent, Easter, Thanksgiving and Advent and Christmas.

Most of our funding for the year comes from the congregation signing up for flowers, on the flower calendar.

We are a small, dedicated group who would welcome new members to help with this rewarding and dedicated service.

Yours in Christ,

Leslie Goodale

Bundle Bags

Once again the women of St. Martins provided the necessary items in the 12 backpacks for postpartum moms delivered to C.U.P.S. in early Dec. 2017. The backpacks contain the basic needs for each mom after the delivery of their baby. All moms must attend both pre and postnatal clinics during their pregnancy to ensure a healthy baby.

A number of ladies attended a wine and cheese evening at Leslies home to pack the backpacks and enjoy the camaraderie.

Thank you to all who donated supplies and money to make this mission possible.

See you next year.

Yours in Christ,

Leslie Goodale

Refugee Resettlement Project

The Refugee Resettlement Project (RRSP) was created through common motions of Good Shepherd, Knox, St. Laurence and St. Martins at the beginning of 2016 for the express purpose of sharing Gods abundant love through a joint ministry that would sponsor, welcome and care for refugees. In mid- 2016 RRSP began its sponsorship of the Syrian Khatab family.

It has been our pleasure and privilege to work with the Khatabs over the past year and a half. Through their determination and Gods Grace they have made tremendous progress and have adapted well to their new home in Calgary. While we always intend to befriend them, we recognize that they have reached the point of substantial independence and are now quite capable of functioning on their own as need be.

Over the course of 2017, Knox became aware of another refugee family in Calgary in dire need of assistance. Knox immediately stepped up and offered that family their assistance. RRSPs strong financial position enabled it to provide substantial financial support in the amount of $29,900.

RRSP remains grateful to all those who have supported our efforts with donations, time and prayer over the past two years. In and through your support we have seen infinitely more than we could have asked or imagined.

RRSPs activities will conclude with a final meeting in February 2018.

RRSP Financial Summary

RRSP has made detailed reports on a quarterly basis to our partner churches. In summary, we have received donations over the life of RRSP in excess of $86,000. Various government supports contributed an additional $31,000 for the benefit of the Khatabs. After combined support expenses we are projecting a final surplus of $10,000-$15,000.

In keeping with our fund raising commitments and our stated objectives, RRSP will use surplus funds first to establish an educational fund for use by the Khatabs over the next five years. Any remaining funds after that time will be donated to the Primates World Relief and Development Fund for use in its refugee ministry.

Respectfully Submitted by

The Coordinating Committee of The Refugee Resettlement Project

Interfaith Food Bank Report

As to the food bank group, it is not as robust as it used to be. There are about a dozen people on the list and it was usually the same 4-6 people that would come when we were requested. We used to be given several dates from the food bank then I would coordinate when we could get the most people. We decided to change that to just get one date (that process was much less complicated than what we were doing before) and see who could make it. There were not many opportunities for a time but then just before Christmas there was a general call out from the food bank for volunteers. After that email was forwarded to the group, there was only one response. Earlier in the year, I had asked Natasha to put a notice in the bulletin for more volunteers but there was no response. So unfortunately not much has happened in the last while. I will work with the food bank and the group and see if can get anything else going this year, and if not, then I would respectfully resign as coordinator.

Respectfully submitted by Trudy Brodner

Confirmation Report

In 2017, St. Martins, Christ Church, Holy Nativity, and St. Peters did a joint confirmation program using the Confirm, not Conform curriculum. Members of our parish served as mentors to our confirmands, and the rector shared in teaching duties. There were four confirmands from St. Martins and it was a joy to celebrate this sacrament with them in June. We look forward to running this again in the near future.

Respectfully submitted,

Natasha+

Youth Ministry Report

What an eventful year it has been for the youth group here at St. Martins! We finished out the school year of 2017 by following lectionary-based lessons and activities. Over the May long weekend, several youthlings and myself travelled to the Sorrento Centre to participate in the Young Sojourners program. The theme of the weekend was photography, and we all enjoyed games, great weather, worship and educational sessions. After returning to Calgary, we finished off the school year with a Sunday breakfast and looked forward to an awesome summer.

In the fall of 2017, we began a new curriculum called Echo: The Story for our Sunday sessions. This program follows the bible on a story-by-story basis, and invites the youth to reconsider and reflect on stories that they have heard in church for years. We continued our events with St. Peters into the Fall, including a memorable trip to the Calgary Corn Maze! As a youth group we have continued with our sandwich-making initiative for the Mustard Seed on a monthly basis and look forward to continuing with this through the new year.

One of the highlights of the winter for us was coming together with the Sunday School and the rest of the congregation for the Christmas Pageant. The youthlings did a great job playing various roles in the play and helping to guide some of the smallest actors and actresses! All in all it was a great success and I look forward to this time each year.

Going forward, the youthlings will be making another trip to Sorrento Centre over May long weekend, along with youth groups from across Calgary and Red Deer. We are also hard at work preparing for an upcoming intergenerational service on the Ten Commandments in March. I am so thankful for the enthusiasm and great community of this group and look forward to another great year with them!

Respectfully submitted,

Paisley Newburn

Sunday School Report

We continued to have one multi-age class through out 2017. There was an average attendance of 3 students per class. We continue to use the Whirl curriculum.

We welcomed a new student this year, Isabella. Tommy and Xavier shared their wisdom and kindness with everyone.

Each Sunday we watch the video lesson and take turns reading the bible story. The curriculum includes activities which allows each student to explore and express their creativity. We joined forces with the youth group to perform a Nativity Pageant at Christmas.

Thank you to the volunteers and helpers who assisted over the past year; Kate Newburn, Alice Prichard & Ben Fong and Rev. Natasha Brubaker Garrison. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn so much from the little teachers who attend every Sunday morning.

Kindly submitted by

Cindy Giesbrecht

Pastoral Care Report

A gifted and committed group of people within our parish continue to share their pastoral presence through a variety of ministries within and outside our church.

Once per month, St. Martins provides two worship services at Wentworth Manor. Ila Payette, Marina Gathercole, Carol Hayes and the rector make up this team to provide music and worship. In addition, the rector does a hymn sing once per month at Signal Pointe in a secure unit for those with dementia, a once a month worship service at Amica, and a worship service once a month at a different building in the Wentworth Manor complex.

The prayer circle ministry, which is composed of a group of people who commit to prayer through a list of prayer requests weekly, continues to provide spiritual support for people in need of support, guidance and healing.

Gill Innes, Carol Hayes, Jeff Davidson, Kate Newburn, Marie Woolsey and Audrey Martin assist the rector in offering pastoral visits and support including taking Holy Communion to our members who are not able to attend worship and/or in need of a listening heart. Thank you to you all for gracious presence and compassion.

Under the leadership of Audrey Martin and Kathy Simbirski, the parish provides meals to those who may need a ready-to-go meal and also organize receptions at parish funerals. Ministry members include: Phyllis Reynar, Leslie Goodale, Esther Jackson, Shirley Lloyd, Laurie McIntosh, Win Louden, Gwen Smith, Marina Gathercole, Daine Tait and Ila Payette.

Beyond these groups, the parish reaches out to each other in many ways: weekly coffee groups, lunch groups, sending cards, making calls, and offering kind words and help when needed. Thank you for living out the love of Christ by your care for one another.

Respectfully submitted,

Natasha+

Report of Nominations 2018

WARDENS (2 year term)Area of Responsibility

Heartfelt thanks to Cindy Giesbrecht who has completed her two-year term as Peoples Warden

Michael BlackRectors Warden

Tom MartinAsst. Rectors Warden

Continuing into 6th year for continuity with Steering Committee work

Angela BarlowPeoples Warden

Continuing into 2nd year of 2 year term

Kate NewburnAsst. Peoples Warden

Nominated for election this year to begin two-year term

PARISH COUNCIL (2 year term)

Our heartiest thanks to those completing their service to the parish on vestry:

Chinwe Ahimie

Continuing members of vestry for second year:

Ken Noland

Pamella Manning

Those who have accepted nomination to serve 2017/2018:

Marilyn Nesbitt

Ben Fong

Tim Young

Ken Delong

SYNOD DELEGATES

Delegates (2)

Michael Black

Angela Barlow

Alternate Delegates:

These positions are not elected at this time however, if needed Parish Council, and Corporation, will appoint one, or both, of the following as needed;

Kate Newburn

Tom Martin

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