Anglican Church of Canada Website www.anglican.ca Diocese of Niagara http://www.niagara.anglican.ca The Right Reverend Michael A. Bird

Christ Church   Coat of Arms Granted 2006

     
 
       

Meet our Team Bishop Michael Bird has announced the name of our New Priest.  He will begin his tenure March 1, 2012 (see the Bishop's letter below) Bishop of Niagara: The Right Reverend Michael A. Bird Rector: Interim: The Reverend John Ripley Pastoral Assistant: Canon Elaine Hooker Honorary Priest: Canon Jim Powell Sexton: Nancy Pellerin Music Director & Organist: Tom Skinner Deputy Organist: Lynda Fairbairn People's Warden: Shirley Lamb (905) 356-5563 Rector's Warden: Tom Ridgway (905) 357-0546 Deputy People's Warden: John Harris Deputy Rector's Warden: Dalton Lindsay Property Team Coordinator: Jim Johnson (905) 262-1577 Administrative Assistant: Enid Jones (905) 358 9712 Sunday School Supervisor: Nancy Pellerin Nursery: Kathy Whalley

John's Jottings #45       February 5th, 2012  The Diocesan Vision…Part 4          Last week I shared a third of the elements of the diocesan vision.  That petal was "Life Changing Worship Experience."     This week we will look at another element of The Vision -- Outstanding Leadership for Ministry.           The Strategic Direction for this petal says:  By 2012 we (the Anglican Church in Niagara) will be known across Canada as a magnet employer for innovative and creative clergy working within a covenanting ministry with their bishop and congregation.           A significant part of the diocesan vision is a more active relationship between the bishop and the parish.  Bishop Michael wants to be more actively engaged with the clergy and people of a congregation as they enter into a covenant relationship.  The thrust of this relationship will emphasize the partnership that is essential between all parts of the ministry mandate. The Bishop will become a partner in the ministry of a parish by being in a covenant relationship with the clergy and the people of the parish.           Basic to the covenant relationship will be the Baptismal Covenant.  All of us are engaged on a personal and institutional level through our living out of the baptismal promises (see BAS p. 159).  When we walk the talk as articulated in these five fundamental tenets of our faith then we will be serving God as a vibrant faith community.           This petal also gives emphasis to the quality of ministry in a parish.  New initiatives and parish creativity will be one of the hallmarks of vibrant ministry.  This underlines the Bishop's oft repeated phrase -- "the status quo is no more."  What this might look like will of course be dependent on the preparedness of the parish ministry team, both clergy and laity, to explore new possibilities. If a parish is to engage with the community there must be a willingness to step out of the traditional approaches and move into creative space -- when that happens the parish will be valued in the community as a prime example of God being alive and active.  Our ultimate mandate is to reach out.           The vision recognizes that the effectiveness of a parish rest not on who we are, but, what we are.  In truth if we really knew who we were than our actions would bear testament to that in what we do.  Jesus was active in his outreach, one might say he was pretty "hands on".  Being "hands on" reflects the depth of our commitment to the faith.  Our actions reveal who we are.           You are ideally positioned for this petal to come to fruition.  Anticipating a new rector the leadership team can fully engage with Bishop in a covenant relationship that gives emphasis to innovative and creative ministry. Peace John+

 

December 16, 2011  TO THE PEOPLE OF CHRIST CHURCH, NIAGARA FALLS  TO BE READ AT ALL SERVICES ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2011 I am pleased to announce that the Reverend Paul Maynard has accepted the incumbency of Christ Church, Niagara Falls, beginning March 1, 2012.    The Reverend Paul Maynard was ordained in May 2007, and has ministered at St.John the Evangelist, Niagara Falls, and St.John’s, Ancaster.  He is a graduate from Trinity College, Toronto, obtaining his Master of Divinity degree.  Prior to ordination, Paul was Director of Music at Ridley College, St.Catharines and at Queen Margaret’s School in Duncan, British Columbia.  In the summer of 2009, Paul submitted a request for leave from this diocese and left for the Western Arctic to join his wife, Cynthia, who was living and teaching there.  Since arriving there, he accepted a teaching position and ministered as an Associate Priest in the MacKenzie Delta Deanery and served as an advocate for survivors in the Residential Schools Supplementary Claims process as well.    I know you will plan a warm welcome for Rev. Paul Maynard and his wife, Cynthia, as they prepare for the long journey back to Ontario from Inuvik.  Please remember to keep them in your prayers.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Reverend John Ripley for his ministry as your Interim Pastor at Christ Church, and to acknowledge the assistance that Canon Elaine Hooker contributed.    My best wishes to you during this Advent Season.  Faithfully Bishop of Niagara /ad  Copies to:        The Reverend Paul Maynard                           The Churchwardens                           The Reverend John Ripley, Interim Pastor                            The Venerable Lynne Marchant, Archdeacon of Brock