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Good morning. Most of you know me, but for those who don’t, my name is Barb. I usually attend the 10:00 service. I have however been around St. Cuthbert’s since about 1985, so forty years or so.
On Wednesday, a week and a half ago I got a phone call from Rev. Monte suggesting I do something completely out of my comfort zone. My initial response, at least in my head, was “No”, but what I said was, “I’ll think about it”. That night about 3:00 in the morning when I couldn’t sleep I found I was writing this in my head, so I got up and started putting it on paper. In the end, in what I consider a fit of craziness and with considerable trepidation, I told him “yes”, and, well, here I am.
Stewardship is one way of acknowledging and giving thanks for all that I have received from God. It is way of living out my faith to care for and share with others and all of God's creation.
There are many things going on at St. Cuthbert and I am both happy and blessed to be able to take part in some of them.
On Sunday mornings you will often see me up here (during the 10:00 service), as part of the group in the altar party. I serve in different positions, sometimes as Lay Assistant leading the prayers of the people and serving the chalice, sometimes as Server helping to prepare the altar for the Eucharist, sometimes as Crucifer carrying the cross. As the head of the Servers’ Guild, I also do the training for new members and scheduling. It’s rewarding to be able to share what I know and assist people to become familiar with what we do and become comfortable doing it.
During the school year you can find me in the kitchen with a group of women as we prepare, serve and clean up for the monthly Monday luncheons. This is a simple ministry, providing a good meal to good friends.
Three times in the year many of you will have had me asking for input for the St. Cuthbert Communicator. Beth and I then work hard to produce each new edition to highlight what we are doing as individuals and as a group. This can be a help for everyone in the congregation to get to know each other a little better, and to share the good news of the accomplishments of our fellow parishioners. It’s been a gift to me too, as I get to meet people that are outside my usual sphere. Please, don’t wait to be asked. If you have something newsworthy, send it along.
For several years now I’ve been busy both before and during Summer Day Camp. I collect supplies and then work during the week with the children and other volunteers. Each year I’ve sewn a new chasuble which is then decorated by the campers, reflecting the theme of the camp. For the past two camps we have also done T shirts. This is especially rewarding, working with the kids, teaching them a bit along the way about how to do whatever craft we’re working on, and enjoying their enthusiasm.
I have also made banners that you will see hung on the walls according to the season. There are some things that happen on an annual basis. Each year I paint Christmas ornaments for the Sunday School children and youth. Val Reimer and I put our heads together to come up with a design celebrating the birth of our saviour, and then I get busy with my paint brushes. Any of you who have, or have had children in Sunday School, will have seen those. And, there are the Advent candles which just happen to be available now, because the Advent season is coming soon.
A ministry that I’m very attached to is the preparation of Christmas Child Shoeboxes, a simple way in which we can share God’s love with children in far corners of the world. I’ve done these since we first started and wouldn’t miss it. I usually include a note in the box, telling the child that when it is 11:30 pm on Christmas Eve, in Vancouver, I will be praying for them. If I happen to be the Lay Assistant at the midnight service, I include that as part of the Christmas Eve prayers.
I have a camera and I like to take pictures. Some are taken very intentionally for a specific purpose. The parish profile for instance, that went out and brought Rev. Monte to us, used several pictures I took. Others I take because I see something that I find interesting or beautiful. The beauty of God’s creation continues to astound me and I love to share that. Occasionally you see one of them when the notice is sent out each week for the upcoming Sunday service, and a few have even made it to our website.
Now a little plug here. I was on the 50th Anniversary committee, and again on the 65th Anniversary committee. My particular project for this year is to put together a binder of who we are. Each and every one of you will be in it I hope. Many people have put in a page, but there are many of you missing. Please, do a page and become part of St. Cuthbert’s recorded history. You can take a look at what we have so far. It’s on a table in the narthex.
All of these are ways in which I have been able to share my time and my talents. It is a blessing and brings me great joy. I hope that in sharing what I can, that it will encourage you to do the same. It’s a great way to learn more about the church, the people who are the church, and love of God as we celebrate the blessings we have.
The thing I have not mentioned until now is my treasure. As we share our time and talent, we also need to share our treasure. I am fortunate and consider it jointly a duty, a privilege, and in fact, another ministry, to share my treasure on a regular basis. I have a set of envelopes and have given my donation monthly for many years. In the letter from Rev. Monte which you have already received, or will shortly, you’ll see that there are many ways to do this. As St. Cuthbert rolls out the stewardship campaign and pledge cards are handed out I will be filling mine in, making a commitment for next year. I urge you to do that too, so that parish council will know there is a reliable financial base on which to provide for the ongoing ministry of St. Cuthbert’s and make plans for the future.
Barb
Lookout for the thermometer for the 'Treasure' part here and on the Notice Board in the Narthex that has started its uptick already.
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