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St. Martin’s Cemetery Board

Bank Balance January 1, 2011	$7,917.27
Sale of two double plots, to include Markers and inscriptions	$4,400.00
Total	$12,317.27
Expenses
Paid to Oshawa Monument for three Markers and inscriptions	$3,859.53
Pickering Rent-All for equipment	$209.40
Total Expenses	$4,068.93
Bank Balance December 31, 2011	$8,248.34

A very special thank you once again to Betty Vella and Kay MacKay for all their hard work in the gardens.  If anyone who enjoys gardening, would be interested in helping these two ladies, please speak to either one.  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

While I intend to remain a member of the Board, I feel the time has come for me to step aside as Chair.  It is time for fresh ideas and leadership.  If the new Chair agrees, I will continue to meet with families at their time of need, and work with Oshawa Monument to design the markers.  I have spoken to John Loftus and he has agreed to have his name put forward at Vestry for the position, along with any others submitted by the nomination committee.  I must truly thank the members of the Board, John Loftus, Selwyn Newton, Bruce Powell, Ross Strickland and Stuart Suckling for all their help and support over the years.  They have always turned out, in all kinds of weather when asked, and I look forward to working with them in the future.

Respectfully submitted,
David Bowen

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Acolytes and Youth

Our young people continue to be involved with parish life and provide ministry in a variety of ways. Most predominantly our sixteen acolytes participate weekly with worship supporting Rev. Millie during the service.  Although many are quite young, they approach their responsibilities with reverence and respect. 

Regular group activities have proved difficult to plan as so many are quite busy.  However, they do attend the many social functions held at the church and several assist with other events such as the Holly Bazaar and the Spring Sale.  The pancake supper held early in the year was another great success.  Helped by a number of parents, the evening was a great time of fellowship and realized a profit of over $330.  Funds raised were then utilized by Settlement Services of Community Development Council Durham to assist 2 new local immigrant families with fresh fruit and vegetables during the year. 

In August, Leigh and Caitlyn attended the Diocesan Girls Choir School Camp at Trafalgar Castle.  The two week residential “camp” culminated in an evensong recital at St. James Cathedral.  This is a wonderful experience for the girls as not only do they learn a great deal and improve their singing, but they also benefit from being in such a positive environment with great role models.  The congregation has helped significantly with personal financial donations and these are greatly appreciated.  Special thanks to Helen Locke for sharing her passion for music and young people.  In October, Avery, Ruby and Sarah attended the Diocesan annual Outreach and Social Justice Conference and spent the day learning and talking about social justice issues and networking with other Anglican youth.  This was an incredible day and we look forward to participating again in 2012.

Our hope this coming year is to have more youth oriented social activities as well as some that are more purpose driven. 

Respectfully submitted,

Rob Mackay

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Altar Guild Report - 2011

Preparing the sanctuary for Sunday worship is a wonderful time of fellowship and I hope you’ll pray about offering your heart and hands to this work which is so important in the life of the parish.  New members are always welcome.

We have 4 teams and we rotate on a weekly basis.  Our members include Phyllis Bowen, Ellen Corbin, Betty Baker., Joan Wilson, Michelle Loftus, Marg Wade, Marlene McGlynn, Adelaide Pieterse, Gail Suckling, Janis Lynch, Linda Dyall, Betty Vella, Debbie May, Michelle Ready, Jean Cann and Kay McKay.  Enid Bourner has retired from the weekend duty but offered to assist on Wednesdays.  We are grateful for her years of service to this ministry.

A heartfelt thanks to all of the above for your never ending dedication. Thanks also to Millie for her support and guidance and for covering up our mistakes...

The generosity of those who donate money for flowers ensures that we are able to enjoy flowers in the sanctuary every Sunday, except during Lent and Advent of course.  Any unused funds at year-end are transferred to the church’s general operating fund.

If you want to take on another small, rewarding task at the church then please speak to Rev. Millie or myself and we’ll get you on a team.

PS: In case you wonder what we do:

A typical setup on Saturday involves dusting and cleaning the sanctuary, cleaning the silver and brass, setting up the credence table, changing the red hanging candles and making sure the correct books and frontals are on the altar for the services. On Sunday there is the change over between services where the chalice is washed and the credence table is reset after the 9:00 am service.  Following communion at 10:30, the vessels are washed again and the credence table reset for the Wednesday Eucharist.

Respectfully submitted,

Anne Davidson

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Greeters

Our cheerful "Good Morning" as you enter the sanctuary, is the beginning of an enjoyable, friendly worship service.

We provide you with the bulletin and service books that you will need to follow and participate in upcoming activities. The bulletin is a valuable resource to take home for planning both social and spiritual activities.

We assist to make the entire Sunday worship service experience from entry to exit  to be worthwhile time spent in God's' House.

If you would like to assist us in our ministry, please contact me or Rev. Millie.

Respectfully submitted,

Ron Algate

♪   Choir  ♪

The year 2011 proved to be a musically active one at St. Martin’s.  The choir happily welcomed two new members - Carol Park (soprano) and Andy Lynn (tenor).  Andy sang with us as his busy university schedule would allow.  In February, 5 members of the choir and I attended a choral workshop led by Mark Vuorinen at Pickering Village United Church.  We all felt it was an enlightening day and we sang some anthems which we could use at St. Martin’s.  In March, the choir sang at the Memorial Service for Father John McNab.  We were joined by some former choir members as well as a few singers from other churches and the large choir greatly enhanced the celebration of Father John’s life.  In the Holy Week and Easter Services, the choir worked extra hard in presenting the considerable amount of extra music.  In May and June, we enjoyed solos from Roberta Bell, Duncan Miller, Selwyn Newton and Roger Wade as the choir began its summer break.  In October, the choir and I attended a choral retreat for a day at the home of Dianne Hunchak.  New anthems for the coming year were introduced and we enjoyed the fellowship, a pot-luck lunch and Dianne’s wonderful hospitality.  Thanks, Dianne!  In November, the choir presented the music at the Lessons and Carols Service.  A new large and challenging anthem, ‘The Canticle of the Turning’, was particularly moving with Jon Lepage’s cello playing and Vanessa Thacker’s beautiful soprano solo work.  At the Christmas Pot-Luck, the choir performed ‘Brother Heinrich’s Christmas’ with John Bignell who did a fantastic job as narrator.  Thanks to John and Cliff Hope for conducting and to Alan May who helped us out in the bass section.  Cliff Hope and Eric MacKeracher sang wonderfully at the Renewing Our Hope Service on December 19^th.  Their music added greatly to the spirituality of that beautiful service.  Christmas Eve saw the choir singing particularly well as they presented two new anthems.  On Christmas Day, the choir had a holiday while Enid Bourner, Cliff Hope, Barbara Wotton and Stephanie Wotton formed an excellent “mini-choir” to lead in the singing.

During the year, several guest instrumentalists enhanced the worship services at St. Martin’s.  They included Kathy Beatty (keyboard), Donovan Fuller (trumpet), Jon Lepage (cello), Mark Lynn (percussion), Paul Otway (trumpet), Melissa Warner (oboe) and Stephanie Wotton (flute).

The Junior Choir and Sunday School Children under the direction of Helen Locke played the bells and sang on Easter Day, Back to Church Sunday, during Advent, at the Christmas Pageant and other services throughout the year.  Thank you, Helen, for sharing your gifts and for so enthusiastically teaching music to our young people.  You enrich their lives and the music you teach greatly enhances what they learn at Sunday School.   Two young girls, Caitlyn Mackay and Leigh Kalenborn-Pask attended the Diocesan Choir Camp in August again in 2011.

As ever, Cliff Hope proved to be a valuable asset to the choir.  He was a great help both as a terrific singer as well as a good conductor.  Without his help, the choir and I would not have been able to sing some of the anthems that we did during the year.  It was a special treat to have him and Vanessa Thacker sing duets and solos at several of the 9:00 am services.  I thank them for singing so beautifully, especially at the early hour!

Lastly, I would like to thank the choir for their diligence and their dedication in presenting the music the very best that they can.  I appreciate their dedication and their desire to do a really “good job” with the music from Sunday to Sunday.  Thank you, choir, for all your care and time!  Also thanks to Roberta Bell and Marty Royle who serve as our librarians and to Don Henderson for all the reports he makes to the Advisory Board as our Choir Representative.

It is my honour to work with Reverend Millie and to serve as Music Director at St. Martin’s.

Respectfully submitted,

Elizabeth Lambert

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ENVELOPE SECRETARY’S REPORT

The chart below shows the envelope usage data for the last ten years.

	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Envelope sets issued	142	149	145	147	150	148	168	171	174	173
Envelopes used at least once during year  [1]	132	140	136	141	139	141	163	164	163	156
% used at least once	93	94	94	96	93	95	97	96	94	90
Regular Users  [2]	102	111	124	111	119	118	135	140	144	131
Average weekly donation  [3] $0.00  -  $3.00	27	27	33	29	31	30	7	29	30	26
$3.01  -  $5.00	11	13	19	13	9	11	15	18	18	20
$5.01  -  $10.00	36	32	28	31	30	28	22	30	34	23
$10.01  -  $20.00	33	32	28	30	33	32	38	37	32	38
$20.01  -  $30.00	13	14	15	18	21	21	27	25	22	27
>$30.00	12	22	22	19	17	19	26	25	26	22
% of regular users on PAR	13	13	15	19	21	27	27	26	26	30

Notes:

Figures do not include donations to FaithWorks as these have minimal effect on parish finances.

[1] In calculating the number of envelope users, a person to whom envelopes have been issued, but who has donated only through a special envelope such as Easter or Christmas, is counted as an envelope user, even though they did not use the weekly envelopes at other times.

[2] Regular users are defined as those who use their envelopes a minimum of eight times per year.  Thus those who make monthly donations, but who may be away for a month or two, are included in the Regular User category

[3]  It includes all envelope holders who have used their envelopes at least once, even if they only used envelopes for festivals (Easter, Christmas). 

PAR (Pre Authorized Remittance) usage has increased to 30% of regular donors.  This is encouraging and of benefit to both the parish and the donors.

During 2011 the parish supported, in an outstanding way, the diocesan Our Faith – Our Hope capital campaign.  As donations to that campaign are handled by the diocese, the figures above do not include any donations to Our Faith – Our Hope.   

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Davidson

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On Saturday May 28^th, St. Martin's hosted our annual Spring Craft and Plant Sale.  The bazaar featured perennial plants, bird houses, crafts, books, jewelry, homemade chocolate, a bake table and tea room.  The homemade coffee cakes and butter tarts were amazing!  Books were a new addition to the sale and they did very well.  It is a little unnerving hosting an event like this so early in the year because the weather is so unpredictable, but we had an awesome day and a good turnout.  Final tally on the profits brought in by the sale was $2,031.05.  A huge THANK YOU to Joan Vermeersch and Rose Benson for heading up the bazaar this year.  A job well done!

The Holly Bazaar was held on Saturday November 19^th.  We opened our doors to the community at 9 am and they “flooded in”.  It was apparent that our advertising had reached many families as we had a steady stream of shoppers right through to when we closed our doors at 1 pm.  Our shoppers enjoyed visiting many booths which included Antiques and Gifts, craft tables, preserves & jams, jewelry, beaded designs, toys, baked goods, homemade chocolates and sweets.  They even saved their toonies for the bottle boutique.  Our Café by the Bay catered to many hungry and tired shoppers.  We received so much positive feedback from parishioners and shoppers alike.  It is truly a blessing when the community can experience God's love through all of us!   Thank you so much to everyone who had a hand in our sale.  Total earned at the bazaar this year was $4,913.00

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Riley, People's Warden

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Our Faith, Our Hope:  Re-Imagine Church

In 2011 our Parish of St. Martin’s participated in “Our Faith-Our Hope: Re-Imagine Church ” Ministry.  This Ministry initiated by the Diocese of Toronto and led by Archbishop Colin is working towards the goal of raising $50,000,000.00 over five years to fulfill the vision of renewing, re-imagining and revitalizing the church of tomorrow.

The goal set for our Parish was to raise $170,000.00.   An executive committee of eight, comprised of Marie Barber, John & Rene Bignell, Don & Gail Henderson, Rev Millie Hope, Janis Lynch & Josh Xiong (a representative from the Campaign) along with several parish volunteers met on a weekly basis from February to May.  By the power of the Holy Spirit, our generosity and our prayers, we not only met our target but exceeded it by $104,100.00 for a total of $274,100.00

Forty percent of the funds contributed up to our goal will be returned to us.  In addition seventy-five percent of the funds raised over our goal will also be returned.  This equals a total of $146,075.00 which will be used for the following specific needs:    

* new front doors, awning and light

*  replacement of the remaining skylights

*  an informative and inviting Church sign

This is yet another example that with God’s power working in us, we can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine.

On behalf of the executive committee of Our Faith, Our Hope, thank you for your generosity and support.

Respectfully submitted,

Rene Bignell

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St. Martin's Prayer Chain and Prayer Group

The members of these groups are always ready to lift to God in prayer all requests for the sick and needy in our parish and friends of parishioners.  Please let Enid Bourner, Rene Bignell or a member of the group know your prayer request and all members will be contacted in a prompt and confidential manner.  The prayer group meets at 10:00 a.m. On the 1^st and 3^rd Friday of each month, during which time we pray for the needs presented to us for the world, the community, and the church.

Respectfully submitted,

Enid B. Bourner.

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St. Martin's Centre Bible Study

Presently 7 of us meet the 4^th Tuesday afternoon of each month at 2:00 pm in the reception area of the Centre.  In 2011 we studied The Psalms.  Our meetings open and close with prayer, we spend time in fellowship and sharing our faith journey.  We would welcome new members, so why not drop in and join us one Tuesday.

Respectfully submitted,

Enid B. Bourner

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Outreach 2011

Girls Choir School Summer 2011

St Martin's Outreach projects are self supporting through contributions to the Loon Bank, specially marked envelope donations and by 15% of the funds designated to FaithWorks. Through your generosity, the following projects were undertaken in the year 2011:

 

-    World Vision - sponsored child - Marvin José

-    Christian Blind Mission International

-    Mooreland's Camp – summer fun for underprivileged children

-    Immigrant Settlement Services (we support 3 families through the Newcomer Settlement Program in the Durham Region with a one Year commitment to provide each family with $75.00 per month)

-    Operation Christmas Child (a project of Samaritan's Purse) - 107 boxes were delivered to

      Carruthers Creek Community Church for disbursement in Canada and around the world.

-    St. Paul's-on-the-Hill Food Bank – donations of food, financial support and volunteer hours.

-    Helping Hands – financial support for purchasing fabric and supplies needed for this ministry

-    Project Next Step – financial support for families in housing crisis.

-    Canadian Bible Society – funds to help distribute God’s Word

-    Yensomu Mission, Ghana – Lindis and Ellen delivered financial support for Youth initiatives 

-    Diocesan Choir School – subsidies for two girls who attended this musical enrichment   

         program

-    St Vincent's Kitchen – contribution toward meals for street people in Oshawa – given in thanksgiving for Ted Glover’s moderating of our Social Justice Forum on Poverty

 

Thank you to each one who gave to make these ministries possible.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Betty Baker (Outreach Chair)

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St. Martin’s Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry

The Prayer Shawl Plus Ministry (PSP), consisting of approximately 20 ladies, has continued to produce Prayer Shawls, baby blankets, pneumonia prevention vests and toques throughout 2011. We have distributed 23 shawls or baby blankets during the year and have also sent a large number of toques, pneumonia vests and small blankets to distant places like Yensomu , Ghana and Guatamala.  We are encouraged by the many cards and words of appreciation that we have received, and feel confident that the gifts are providing comfort to the recipients.

Our meetings continue to be held at the church two Thursdays a month on the weeks opposite to Helping Hands (since many of our ladies are members of both groups).  This ministry will continue with prayerful knitting in 2012; we encourage anyone with an interest, to come out to one of our meetings and give our group a try.

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Strickland

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Social Justice Committee 2011

The Social Justice Committee currently has 7 members and operates without a budget.

2011 was a busy year for SJ.  We’ve communicated with both provincial and federal governments in support of poverty reduction and justice efforts on behalf of St. Martin’s and the Diocese.

Since the beginning of 2011, we have taken the following actions:

-           Attended a Put Food in the Budget Rally at Queen’s Park 

Members of the SJ committee attended a diocesan rally in front of the Ministry of Finance office to highlight this desperate need of people on social assistance.

-           Urged adoption of Poverty Reduction Study

            A letter was sent to the federal government urging them to adopt the HUMA Report recommendations which highlighted ways to reduce poverty in Canada.

-           Home Safe Housing presentation

       A DVD presentation was held at St. Martin’s to enlighten parishioners of the affordable housing crisis in Ontario.

-           Attended a Poverty Forum in Ajax

       Members of SJ attended an all-party poverty forum ahead of the federal election in March that was arranged by Family Service Toronto.

-           Organized a Poverty Forum in Pickering

       The SJ committee organized our own all-party poverty forum at the East Shore Community Center in anticipation of the provincial election last August.  47 were in attendance for the event.

I would like to express my gratitude to the SJ committee members for their hard work and support.  I would also like to express on behalf of the SJ committee, our sincere gratitude to the congregation for their continued support.

In 2012, we hope to make our voices heard even more as we continue to grow as a committee.

Respectfully submitted,  

Scott Riley

Sunday School Report

St Martin's is truly a blessed parish. We have a group of people who dedicated their time and experience to work in the church school each week to help our greatest resources, our children.

We continue to welcome new children with the Seasons of the Spirit Curriculum. The activities continue to be varied to keep the children interested in attending each week. The younger children look forward to the standard routine of setting up the altar, the friendship circle for prayer and specific activities and crafts related to the bible reading.

In the past year, we have accomplished many things including singing and playing the bells at Steam Up Sunday and the Advent Candle Lighting, to our presentation of the Christmas pageant at the Christmas Eve Family Service which the children and adults were delighted to present. 

If you want to take on a rewarding task at the church, come join us. 

Respectfully submitted,

Janis Lynch  

                                               

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Social Committee

2011 was another busy and successful year for the Social Committee. This hardworking, caring group of people worked to create and host fun and varied events for the congregation of St. Martin's as well as their friends and families.  The members of our committee pride themselves on being able to enhance the social experience of the good people of our Church and promote camaraderie, inclusion, fellowship and social activity.  The gratitude our group receives for our efforts is the best reward we can ask for. Our committee continues to grow and attract talented people who want to join our efforts. Our numbers have grown to 12 official members who all enjoy the work that we do and have fun working together to do it. We just want to provide exciting activities for as many people as possible where there are no barriers to attendance. We appreciate receiving feedback and ideas from anyone at St. Martin's regarding new and existing events that we host.

During 2011, the Social Committee hosted the following 11 events: Robbie Burns evening, 5 family movie nights, 2 pot luck card and game nights, Parish picnic, Steam-up/Back to Church Sunday and the Christmas Pot Luck & Tree Trimming and carol sing.   All of the preceding were very well attended and we received much appreciation for our efforts.  Our committee is currently hard at work creating a fun calendar of events for 2012 that we hope will appeal to as many people as possible.  I am very proud to work with this great group of people who freely offer their time, creativity and talent to make the social life at St. Martin's the best that it can be.  I know their efforts will produce another successful year in 2012.

Respectfully submitted,

Brent Levy

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St. Martin ’s Anglican Church

2010 Vestry Meeting

Sunday January 30^th 2011

Algate, R.	Davidson, P	Loftus, J	Pieterse, A
Atkinson, V	Davis, D	Loftus, M	Powell, B
Baker, B	Ferrara, A	Lucas, E	Power, D
Baker, C	Forde, F	Lynch, J	Riley, S
Benson, R	Foster, D	Lynn, M	Riley, K
Bevan, G	Henderson , D	Lynn , L	Rodgers, M
Bignell, J	Henderson , G	Mackay, R	Royle, M
Bignell, R	Hewitt, F	Mann, E	Suckling, M
Bourner, E	Hewitt , D	Martin, F	Suckling, S
Brandford, H	Hope, C	May, A	Vella, B
Camm, N	Hope, M	May, D	Wade, R
Collier, F	King, C	McGlynn, M	Wade, Marg
Collier, T	Lambert, E	McKay, K	Wade, Marlene
Coutts, A	Lapper, B	McNab, J	Zabik, K
Cutler, R	Lapper, D	Newton , S	Davidson, A
Levy, B	Pask, S

    

        Minutes                       

              

Rev. Millie Hope opened the meeting with prayer at 11:55am, read a letter from our Area Bishop Linda Nicholls and appointed Rene Bignell as Vestry Clerk.

 

Rev. Millie spoke about her report and gave thanks for the strength of St. Martin’s, known for its generosity through Outreach and FaithWorks.  She gave thanks for all the volunteers involved in many ministries working together as one family in Christ, united in purpose.  Rev. Millie mentioned the NCD (Natural Church Development) Survey results which the 30 volunteers will be looking at in the near future. We will work together to change some areas in order to strengthen others as we continue to seek God’s will for us. 

The diocesan fund raising initiative “Our Faith - Our Hope:  Re-Imagine Church” was mentioned, with more details to come in March during Lent, a perfect time for sacrificial giving.

It was moved by Ron Algate and seconded by Don Henderson that the minutes of Vestry 2010 be approved.     Carried.

The financial reports were presented by Treasurer Janis Lynch .   

Bruce Powell questioned why the figure under Insurance was $0.00.  Janis explained that the 2011 insurance premium was paid in December 2010.

Janis moved that the reports be accepted, seconded by Alan May.    Carried

The Budget for 2011 was presented by Janis Lynch . 

Kerrolyne Zabik questioned that the utility costs were increased but the rental (Day Care) was decreased.  Millie explained that the numbers in the Day Care were down and the Corporation felt that the rental should be capped at $3,000.00 per month.  It was explained that if the rent was increased forcing the Day Care to leave, we would be unable to rent the space to another Day Care because the natural lighting in the basement doesn’t meet Regional Ministry requirements.

Alan May expressed his delight with the financial results and thanked Rev. Millie and all involved.

Janis moved that the Budget for 2011 be accepted, seconded by Roger Wade.   Carried

Rev. Millie presented the Nominations and Appointments report.  Stuart Suckling moved that the nominations be accepted as presented – seconded by Don Hewitt.   Carried.

Rev. Millie asked that all the 2010 reports for vestry be accepted.   Moved by Enid Bourner – seconded by Felicity Martin.

General Business:

Felicity Martin presented the following vestry motion regarding Poverty Reduction.

The vestry of St. Martin ’s Anglican Church, urges the Government of Ontario to immediately introduce a $100 per month Healthy Food Supplement for all adults on social assistance so that they can afford more nutritious food and live a life of greater dignity.

Moved by:  Felicity Martin – Seconded by:  Scott Riley.    Carried.