2010 WARDEN’S REPORT

2010 was a significant year that many British Columbians will recall with very fond memories.  The Olympic and Paralympic Games were held in Vancouver during the months of February and March, and whether we witnessed a little bit of this history through the magic of television or ventured into the wilds of downtown Vancouver, it will be an experience not soon forgotten.

2010 at Holy Trinity was a year filled with many wonderful memories as well.  We had two amazing fundraising events: our Strawberry Tea and our Christmas Bazaar.  We completed a Parish Ministry Review with staff from the Diocese.  The Holy Trinity Choir and friends provided us with two wonderful musical services during the year – Good Friday and our December Carols Service.  We studied with Neil during his Lenten and Advent educational series.  We were witness to the wisdom of our youth.  We arranged flowers, delivered flowers and took communion to our shut-ins throughout the year.  We lovingly tended the memorial garden.  We laughed together over tea and coffee.  We were intentional about our care of the Earth.  We prayerfully conducted the business matters of the church.  We reached out and explored potential outreach opportunities with our brothers and sisters at St. Marks.  We knit and touched people’s lives through the simplicity of a prayer shawl.  We welcomed friends and visitors and each week we shared in the sacrament.  A parish can’t pack much more than that into a year, but we did!

We also invested much love and care into this place of worship – not only through the worship and ministries that go on here but also in the physical maintenance of our building.

A generous gift from a parishioner allowed us to paint and re-carpet the Rector’s office which was quite overdue for some maintenance.  The church doors were also sanded down and refinished in 2010 and the office computer was replaced late in the year. At the Rectory, the dishwasher was replaced the eaves troughs repaired and the bark mulch renewed on the grounds and in the gardens.

Most significantly, however, we addressed the two most urgent problems identified in our MAP building review conducted by Bruce Heibert: moisture outside the flower room and water leaking onto the flat roof above the sacristy.  Both of these issues were efficiently and effectively resolved during the year and we will continue to benefit from this outcome of MAP as we tackle our building “To Do List” over the next few years as the funds become available.

We continue to make good progress on the new outdoor signage that has been made possible by the legacy gift of Marie Andrews.  Permits from the local authorities have now been obtained and we hope that this project will be completed early in 2011.  The benefits that this new sign offers is greater visibility and the flexibility to add text lettering to advertise events or courses held here at the church.

The Clergy, Wardens and Treasurer all had an opportunity to participate in the Parish Ministry Review conducted by staff of the Diocese.  The PMR is an external assessment of a parish to establish its ability to be and provide viable, sustainable ministry; in other words, how great a difference we make in the life of this community.  One of the most satisfying things that came out of this process was the knowledge that the assessment by our priests and those of the wardens were almost identical; a significant achievement and another benefit of working through MAP – we’re all on the same page!  Looking forward we will continue our work on a community assessment in collaboration with St. Mark's, to identify how we can better serve our community.

2010 was also a time of transition in our parish office.  Our long-serving and dedicated parish secretary, Barb Cederlund, retired in October of this year.  Barb’s kind and efficient presence in the office has been a real gift to the parish for many years and she is now enjoying a well-earned retirement.  We have so much to thank you for Barb!

Barb’s retirement created the opportunity for us to welcome Jann Callaghan Cullen to our staff team.  Both Jann and Barb’s competent and professional manner allowed for a seamless transition within the office and the Wardens are extremely grateful to both of these women for their dedication to our parish.  Jann has done a tremendous job at integrating herself into the workings of the parish office in a very short period of time.  Thanks Jann for your skill and quick-thinking leadership in the office.

No annual report would be complete without mention of our Organist and Choir Director, Ülo Valdma, whose musical expertise and quiet pastoral personality enhances the life and worship of our parish.  Nor could we continue without first mentioning the loving care that Caretaker Joan MacLeod tends the building with.  Thank you both for your work and dedication this year.

And finally, our thoughts of this 2010 report turn to our Shepherds.  The sheep had an opportunity to care for the “head” shepherd early in the year when the health of Neil’s father took a turn and he eventually passed away. We are proud of the way that we as a parish stood behind and supported Neil, encouraging him to take the time that he needed to first, fly home for a visit with his dad, and then return to England for the funeral.  Our commitment to compassion and care of our beloved clergy is also evident in the choice to do what we can to support Janice as she transitions from her joint ministry with Holy Trinity and St. Andrews Langley to a new and, yet to be revealed, wonderful opportunity where her ministry will continue to flourish.  We are truly blessed to bask in the light and care of these two very talented priests and are deeply grateful for the gifts of ministry that you share with us throughout the year.  Thank you!

Looking ahead in 2011, Janice’s eventual move to a new parish and our work with MAP will give us the opportunity to make well-planned and intentional choices (while leaving space for the Holy Spirit to move among us) as we continue to be a vibrant and sustainable parish in service to this community.  As with each new year, new leaders will emerge and new opportunities will come before us but what will always stay the same is that we, as a parish, have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.

Respectfully submitted,
Peter Johnson, Linda Ingham and Kathy Irwin

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