"Living God's Word in the World God Loves ", our vision statement, represents both the challenges and the opportunities facing a Christian community in our time. It means making God's Word real in our lives and through our lives making God's Word real for others as well. Christian authenticity in individuals and in communities continues to be a powerful force which attracts others to Christ and to His Church. The arena in which we function as disciples and apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ is the World God Loves. It begins within our walls and extends out from the doorstep of the Church into a rapidly changing community with emerging needs.
2009 had many highlights to celebrate. In January Braeside House welcomed its eight residents from the former Rideau Regional Hospital. The first year has been both successful and eventful. At Pentecost we celebrated the official opening of Braeside House with the residents of all three homes operated by St. Stephen's Residences Incorporated, the staff the residents' families and many guests present.
On Trinity Sunday we rejoiced with a large crowd of fellow celebrants on November 4 when we celebrated The Yen. William Wright's 65 years of faithful ministry On the Sunday after Easter our Bishop presided at the confirmation and reception of a large group of people. A good time was had by all!
It has been encouraging to see the growth in our Outreach ministries throughout the year. Two creative new initiatives, Baraka and Project Starfish, reach out with much needed funds to people around the world who can benefit from a hand up.
This fall we hosted a "Fresh Expressions" event to assist parishes to explore and reach out to a broader range of people. Approximately 100 people from 30 parishes attended this event. Under the leadership of Deborah McMullen we have initiated a "Fresh Expression" group. We call it "Messy Church" and it is a monthly event designed for families with young children. So far it is receiving rave reviews from an enthusiastic group of young families. Well done, Deborah and team! As I considered the various expressions of church we now have, I realized that we are a community of communities with at least 13 different worshipping communities as well as many, many other groups which also meet for a variety of worthy and useful purposes.
It continues to be a great joy (and a challenge) to serve God as the Incumbent of this parish. This is God's Church and we are privileged to be God's people. We must continue to make real the ministry of Jesus Christ in this community according to the Anglican tradition, and through the power of God's Holy Spirit working through us as we accept God's call to be his disciples and apostles.
In Christ's love and service.
The Rev. William R. Byers