OUTREACH MINISTRY

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Updated April 3rd, 2011 Outreach budget for 2010 was $10,000, of which $2,000 was for P.W.R.D.F. and $1,000 for Refugee fund, which was donated to St. Helens, Surrey for their Karen refugee support. 2010 saw all new Outreach “special” projects for Local, National and International accepted by Vestry in February. Each will be a three year commitment. Locally, we supported Camp Artaban with $2,000 and “Gather and Give’ $500 and a collection of  home essentials for those in need.    Nationally , through “Council of the North” a request for help to fund a retreat in the village of Cartwright, Labrador was received. $2,000 was sent to support a motivational speaker .Our Lenten offering of $500 from the Church school was added to cover the cost of the children’s program. International: Haiti being in need of both emergency and recovery support,$2,000 was donated through P.W.R.D.F. to assure the wisest distribution of aid.   In 2011 we again have $10,000. Our refugee funds will support the United Church and the North Shore deanery in sponsorship of a Palestinian refugee family.  Council of the North project for 2011 is “On Eagle’s Wings”- an ecumenical Christian ministry  in the North, providing pastoral care , Christian education programs  and other services to individuals, families and groups living in remote northern communities. The Lenten offering from the Church school will assist with their summer Bible Camps.

The 2010 Spring Issue of St. Catherine's Mission Matters is available online. Click HERE to view / download / print

 

KAIROS - "faithful action for justice"

KAIROS, pronounced ky’-ros, means “a moment of grace and opportunity. A favourable time in which God issues a challenge to decisive action. A God-given occasion for conversion and hope. A moment of truth.

KAIROS is a coalition of eleven Canadian churches, church based agencies and religious organizations dedicated to offering a faithful, decisive response to God’s call for respect of the earth and justice for its people.

The organization's three year education and advocacy campaign focuses on a just and sustainable energy policy for Canada. The name for the campaign is "Re-energize:Time for a Carbon Sabbath". To find out more about this campaign to reduce our "carbon habit" go to the campaign specific web-site www.re-energize.org

Internationally KAIROS works with human rights groups in the "third world" as partners. This aspect of their work has been very badly affected by the Canadian Government's arbitrary decision to cut all funding to KAIROS through CIDA after years of unqualified support. This has been KAIROS' main source of financial support so has badly affected their ability to support groups abroad.

If you are interested in more information about this group please go to their website at www.kairoscanada.org

On the St. Catherine's website:

News Stories: (click link below to view)
May 12, 2010 - World Week for Peace in Israel Palestine

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Funding for 2010 included:

Outreach budget for 2010 was $10,000, of which $2,000 was for P.W.R.D.F. and $1,000 for Refugee fund, which was donated to St. Helens, Surrey for their Karen refugee support.

2010 saw all new Outreach “special” projects for Local, National and International accepted by Vestry in February. Each will be a three year commitment.

Locally, we supported Camp Artaban with $2,000 and “Gather and Give’ $500 and a collection of  home essentials for those in need.   

Nationally , through “Council of the North” a request for help to fund a retreat in the village of Cartwright, Labrador was received. $2,000 was sent to support a motivational speaker .Our Lenten offering of $500 from the Church school was added to cover the cost of the children’s program.

International: Haiti being in need of both emergency and recovery support,$2,000 was donated through P.W.R.D.F. to assure the wisest distribution of aid. 

In 2011 we again have $10,000. Our refugee funds will support the United Church and the North Shore deanery in sponsorship of a Palestinian refugee family. 

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Council of the North project for 2011 is “On Eagle’s Wings”- an ecumenical Christian ministry  in the North, providing pastoral care , Christian education programs  and other services to individuals, families and groups living in remote northern communities. The Lenten offering from the Church school will assist with their summer Bible Camps.

Phyllis Mittlestead

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Deanery Refugee Committee

It has been an exciting year on several fronts. Joining forces with other churches in North Vancouver has been a very positive experience. The influx of new ideas, energy and enthusiasm has been a treat.

The two Karen families that the Deanery churches and Highland United Church sponsored arrived last July. There are three in each family: Kler Paw, Eh Moo Si and their son Eh Tah Nay. The other family consists of Lu Wah, Pac Gay and Laura Wah. The children were the same age of 15 months when they arrived. They are settled into apartments in Surrey. This is the first time that we have not had the people we sponsor close to us, however, the cost of renting on the North Shore is much too high for them to maintain once the sponsorship ends next July. It has meant, of course, that we have had to travel out to Surrey. This we did daily when they first arrived but now they get a visit two or three times a week. The men attend school in the day time while the women take care of the children. Then the men are the caregivers when the women attend school at night. We had put pressure on Kler Paw and Lu Wah to not work for the first six months. We felt that getting their English to a higher level was critical to obtaining reasonable jobs. We are now casting around to see where to find employment for them.

The speaker for the Karen people at their New Year’s gathering spoke for about ten minutes and said many times how grateful they were to the Canadian government for taking them in. They felt safe, had places to live and food to eat. The Canadian people have been so generous and kind. This view has been expressed by our own families many times.

The head of Immigration Services when speaking later at the same event made the comment that of all the people he has worked with over the years the Karen people have been the most compelling.

The Refugee Committee pledged as our part of the sponsorship $5000. There has been wonderful support from some of our people; however, we are still short of our goal by about $1000. We are confident that when the parishioners are aware that we are not quite there yet more people will step up to the plate.

Our families are very eager to learn English, find jobs, settle and become good Canadians.

It has been a joy to work with them to achieve their goals.

Chris Trendell
Co-Chair Deanery Refugee Committee

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Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund

The PWRDF works in partnership with organizations in Canada and throughout the world to support people-centred development that improves the quality of daily life for vulnerable populations, promotes self-reliance, and addresses root causes of poverty and injustice. PWRDF is active in approximately 30 countries, and also accompanies Uprooted People – including victims of disasters, refugees, internally displaced people, and migrant workers. PWRDF partners are drawn from Anglican churches, ecumenical organizations and community-based groups. Partners address the root causes of problems and accompany communities as they move beyond survival into sustainable development. Below are just a few of the initiatives carried out by PWRDF.

Canada
Despite their rich cultures and identities, the economic, social and human indicators of quality of life and development are consistently lower among Indigenous people than other Canadians. PWRDF supports a variety of Indigenous initiatives that promote women’s and youth empowerment, Indigenous languages and cultural revitalization, the promotion and preservation of traditional knowledge, along with health and wellness.

Africa
Through its partner organizations, PWRDF has a presence in Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, East Africa, Mozambique, and South Africa. Much of the work in these areas are in the fields of education and simple tools for sustainable development

Asia/Pacific
Through its partner organizations, PWRDF has a presence in Hong Kong, Sri Lanka,Bangladesh, and the Phillipines. Much of the work here involves ministering to needs of Street Children.

Latin America
Through its partner organizations, PWRDF has a presence in Cuba, Peru, Brazil, Nicaragua, Haiti, and El Salvador. Much of the work in these countries involves education opportunities for women & children, with an emphasis on good health practices.

Note: As I sat down tto write this annual report , news began flooding in about the devastating earthquake in Haiti. Once again, the developed world is being asked to demonstrate compassion by coming the the aid of people in this poor country. Action by Churches Together, the arm of the PWRDF, along with other agencies, is mobilizing to get help to those in great need.

Here, at St. Catherine’s you have always supported the PWRDF generously and I know that you will continue to do so. It is a privilege to be this Parish’s representative to the Diocesan Committee of the Primate’s World Relief & Development Fund.

John Luccock

• Senior Youth Group
• Junior Youth Group
• Common Ground Youth Group
• Childcare Society

Senior Youth Group

The Senior Youth group has been running every second Friday since September. We have a good group who come and enjoy games and snacks and hanging out together. Any teens and their friends are welcome to join us from 8-10pm. A special “thank you” to Fiona Zuk who helped on many occasions, but has now left for England.

Paul Clark

Junior Youth Group

009 brought another year of fun and fellowship, and marked the 16th anniversary for the grade 5, 6 and 7 Junior Youth Group at St. Catherine’s. We continue to meet every second Friday evening, from January to June, and September to December, usually gathering in the gym at St. Catherine’s, but also venturing out into the community and to the mountains & parks for some of our activities. All youth in the Parish in grades 5, 6 and 7 can join us, and are welcome to invite a friend to Youth Group if they wish.

This year included a night hike in the snow to Hollyburn Ridge, our popular year end wrap up party, lots of bowling (Heather’s favourite), swimming, “capture the flag”, basketball, floor hockey, California kickball, volleyball, dodge ball and other gym games, and baking our own snacks. Our youth were blessed once again with the opportunity to join others to help serve the popular Thanksgiving dinner in the Gower Hall, and our last gathering before Christmas was the annual gingerbread house construction and decorating party.

Our meeting attendance has varied from as few as 10 to as many as 20 kids, many from St Catherine’s and others from elsewhere in the community.

In 2009 the group was once again led by Billy Garton and Heather Peacock, with Rhonda Garton helping with organization and snack provisions.

We thank Christine and the Parish Council for their continued support, and the many parents who have helped with driving, crafts and clean up.

Billy and Rhonda Garton

Common Ground Youth Group

While St. Catherine youth showed keen interest in Common Ground, our high school meeting group, we were not successful in achieving a good enough attendance to warrant the continuation of the group on an ongoing basis.

However, one earlier highlight this year was using the funds we raised from the sale of homemade ecological dishwasher powder (50% washing soda, 50% borax!) to make a microcredit loan to an entrepreneur via Kiva.org.

We chose to support a Samoan pancake seller (since it was around Shrove Tuesday!), who used the funding to buy cooking supplies and utensils. She makes regular repayments, and to date about 90% of the original $100US loan has been returned to our Kiva account and will shortly be re-loaned to another entrepreneur.

With the North Vancouver deanery churches looking at ways to work together, perhaps a jointly sponsored youth group is in our future. I encourage all our parish families to support any such venture, to ensure our teens have meeting place where they can get to know and learn from other Christians on the North Shore.

Peggy Trendell-Jensen

St. Catherine’s Childcare Society

December 2009 marks the completion of the nineteen year of St. Catherine’s Childcare Society. Each and every year has given all involved in this amazing ministry, opportunities for learning, growth and deepened relationships. It is the relationships for which we are most grateful. This ministry is not only a program of learning and developing for children from age two to five, but it is a ministry of care and support for, and connectedness to, all the families whose children are enrolled in our classes.

We are committed to providing the best Christian-based experience for the children but it is the larger picture that is the complete ministry. The Board and the staff, on behalf of the Church, are also focused on providing the best Christian-based experience for the entire family. St. Catherine’s Parish gives us the strength and support to carry out that aspect of the Society’s ministry. We are grateful to Christine for her dedication to the Preschool and all the families.

As we have said many times, change is the one constant. Change keeps us paying attention! After a stellar six month job as interim Coordinator, Vibha Sisodraker returned to the classroom of the two-year-olds in September. Vibha stepped into this role of Coordinator with incredible efficiency and even saw us through the entire 2009-2010 registration process with ease. In June, we hired Tina Spencer. Tina has much experience and has fit into the team well. She is extremely knowledgeable in the community and we are thrilled to welcome her to St. Catherine’s.

We were very sad to say good-bye to three team members in June 2009. Christine Cooper has retired and moved to Vancouver Island after many, many years with the school. Jan Keefe, our Music Teacher, and her husband purchased their own business so we said farewell to Jan in June as well. Stella Lees also left in June for new challenges. We miss them all very much; however Stella has almost worked full time for us since September filling in for sick leaves!

With sad good-byes there is also warm welcomes! We have hired new staff, Shelley Peters, Jackie Smiley and Gabrielle Alcaraz. We have been so fortunate with our exceptional staff - everyone seems to add something different to the mix and yet each has such a commitment to the team. Cheryl Hebb is certainly not new to St. Catherine’s Preschool but this year she has left the classroom for the Music Room. Cheryl has taken over from Jan Keefe and is our Music/Drama Teacher and the Christmas Service was proof that she is exactly where she should be! Bravo, Cheryl!

With all the staff changes there is always sadness along with the good-byes and excitement with the welcomes. This year, however, we experienced a huge sadness with the loss of Phoebe Stenson who died in January. Phoebe was dedicated to this Ministry for all nineteen years. She was Registrar for many years and was still our Bookkeeper and Treasurer when she died. The Board and Staff have felt a loss but there is no doubt of Phoebe’s presence in all we do.

There must be a word of thanks to the St. Catherine’s Childcare Society Board. The Board consists of parish members, preschoolers’ parents and community members. All these people believe in what we do in this place. They work hard and are committed to the school and we owe them all a debt of gratitude.

It continues to be a privilege to assist families who struggle financially and children who require extra support in the classroom. We are proud of the contribution the parish makes through the Martha Fund and the support we receive from Parish Council, particularly Phyllis Mittlestead and the Wardens, Robb and Eileen. Our Rector, Christine is a big fan and we are so appreciative of all her work especially with the Preschool Christmas and Easter services.

Lastly, this school is a place of playing, learning and loving. We are good at all those things, mostly due to a group of sixteen professional, gifted staff members. They are caring, unique individuals who together are an unbeatable team. We offer them a huge thank you and a - Good Job!
We hope you will wander down to the classrooms if you are in the church during the week. It will be fun! . . . and maybe you will learn something!

Gillian Holland
Brenda Stenson
Co chairpersons

 

 

 

Service Groups

• Building & Grounds
• Altar Guild
• Liturgical Arts
• Library
• Prayer Chain
• Information Table
• Receptionists
• Parish Guild
• St. Catherine's Website

Building & Grounds Group

The Building & Grounds Group is a sub committee of Administration & Finance. It tries to look after the fabric of the Church Buildings & Rectory in a responsible manner. The work is coordinated with our Parish Administrator. Where possible, volunteers are used in order to save on the cost of labour. The following is a list of items covered in 2009.

RECTORY - In the late Spring, considerable work had to be done at the Rectory in order to put it into acceptable shape for a public rental. Many of these jobs should have been done earlier, but were put off due to lack of money.

1. Cedar Siding replaced on the East Exterior Wall & other places where it was rotting
2. House was Power Washed then the Exterior was painted
3. Bathroom sink replaced
4. The bedrooms, main floor of the house, and parts of the basement were all painted.
5. A major clean up of the interior of the house undertaken, after painting. This included furnace & pipes cleaned, closet doors rehung, cleaning & replacing of venetian blinds, fixing window frames, cleaning windows inside & out.
6. New Dishwasher purchased (paid for by Women’s Guild)
7. The outside yard was cleaned up. Fence was stained.

CHURCH BUILDINGS - numerous items were dealt with over the year.

1. Interior of Church - pillars in church all varathened & window panes sections painted - pews were oiled - varathene applied to all the walls in the Narthex.
2, Exterior of Church - covered walkway braced with new posts - painted exterior doors - re cemented stair at the front of the church
3, Church Kitchen - painted & cupboards lowered for easier access. (paid for by Women’s Guild)
4. Lobby entrance had all walls varathened
5. Preschool rooms & lower hallways painted (paid for by Preschool Society)
6. Play area at north side of Gym repaired (paid for by Preschool Society)
7. Exterior trees & gardens were pruned and looked after.
8. Roofs & Eves are cleaned twice per year.
9. Replaced the Hydro line that serves the whole Church complex
10. Dealt with break in and vandalism problems (2 this past year)
11. Boiler Maintenance (heat) & electrical items
12, Gym floor resurfaced & hallway floors rewaxed

While many of the small jobs were done by volunteers, the other items required expert paid contractors. I would like to thank the following people who spent much time and effort on behalf of St. Catherine’s Church.

Kendra Appleby - was one of two students hired by the Parish for 8 weeks in the summer with the assistance of a Federal Government Grant. Many of the jobs accomplished over the summer months were performed by Kendra. She was, indeed, a dedicated person who worked at so many items and performed all tasks both willingly and at a high level.

Kirsty Milligan - who not only took on the responsibility of looking after the exterior components of the complex, by weeding, watering, pruning, and planting; but also found time to do some interior painting as well.

Gordon Luccock - who will at a moment’s notice drop what he is doing and come and assist with those ongoing small plumbing & electrical jobs that are always urgent.

I would like to thank others who volunteered their time in so many ways, especially when we were trying to get the Rectory ready to rent.

LeMare Report & Hiebert Report

In 2009 the Parish had two engineering building assessments completed. The LeMare Report was commissioned by our Parish in the Fall of 2008. The Hiebert Report was commissioned by the Diocese on behalf of the ongoing Deanery Ministry Assessment Process (MAP).

We have been using the LeMare Report as a blueprint to carry on simple necessary repairs to keep the buildings functional. Both Reports made some common observations as to long term use of the buildings. Briefly, they are the following:

Rectory:
a) single pane windows through out, with minimal insulation resulting in inefficient heating of house,
b) roof needs to be replaced,
c) carpeting throughout house needs to be replaced

Church Buildings
a) single pane windows through out, with minimal insulation resulting in inefficient heating of church buildings
b) Heating (Boiler) & Plumbing are showing signs of problems
c) Flat roofs & Chimneys need ongoing care & maintenance
d) Parking Lot needs a major repaving program

The above items will have to be dealt with, when the recommendations of the Deanery Ministry Assessment Process are known.

John Luccock, Coordinator

Altar Guild

There has been an Altar Guild at St. Catherine's since the earliest days of the parish.

We work in accordance with the Rector's instruction and our ministry is to prepare the altar for Sunday and mid-week Eucharists, arrange flowers and care for the altar vessels, linens and vestments.

One aim for 2010 is to purchase a new fair linen cloth for the altar.

Contact: Molly Koning 604 987 3827

Liturgical Arts

The Liturgical Arts Guild continues to actively strive to find
ways to use their work to glorify God and add to the worship and life
of this parish

There is continued frustration with the aging, broken rigging in the
Church but still we struggle to use some of them.

The Guild is starting a pathway venturing out into more fabric-dying,
Manipulation and surface design. At present, this is focused on making church vestments.

Our group is small but filled with the desire to further this work. We would love to welcome any interested people to join us on a Monday afternoon. Major skills are not necessary, only interest and commitment.

Gaye McCance

Library

At the request of the Rector, The Library moved from the Mary Pellatt room to its new location in the narthex in the Spring with the help of husband and son...Tam and Tam London.

To avoid any pretentiousness, we decided to call it “The Book Nook” – as befits its small, intimate space.

It operates on the 3R system...Read it, Return it, and Recommend it. We have been blessed with many donations from faithful readers. When we discovered that a budget of $150.00 was available for the purchase of new books, there was even more excitement.

We encourage everyone to drop in and browse. There are some interesting books to enjoy.

Bev London

Prayer Chain

The Prayer Chain is continuing with 7 members who hold people up in prayer each day. Thirty-five people were prayed for in2009. The names are given by the Rector, and are added and taken off as the situation warrants. The Prayer Chain is entirely confidential.

Maggie Kerr-Wilson
Coordinator

Information Table

The Information Table has become an integral part of coffee hour following the 10 am service, being used to sign up for parish events, for special reports, surveys, as well as helping newcomers; it is a good way to talk to and to get to know people in the parish. Please call me if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Many thanks to the ladies who faithfully look after this ministry and ensure that the table is staffed each and every week.

Ann Stickney

RECEPTIONISTS

This is a particularly enjoyable 'job' as volunteers are in a position to make a "first impression" and welcome visitors who come to St. Catherine's during the week. We take instruction from the Rector and Parish Administrator and our duties include answering the telephone, assembling Sunday bulletins and phoning reminders to those who have responsibilities for the Sunday services.

Contact: Elizabeth Lee 604 985 9203

The Parish Guild

The Guild began its ministry in 1957 with 112 members.

Our mission is to provide necessities for the Mary Pellatt Room and kitchen. In 2009 we purchased a dishwasher for the rectory and paint for the rectory renovation. In addition we furnished the church rotunda with much-needed new chairs and a couch.

We meet at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month.

Contact: Barbara Widdifield 604 922 3357

St. Catherine's Website

St. Catherine’s began “broadcasting” on the internet at www.saint-catherines.org on May 3rd, 2003. The website is designed for St. Catherine’s parishioners, newcomers and anyone seeking a church with the concepts and ideals of St. Catherine’s.

Our purpose is to:

• Encapsulate the essence of St. Catherine’s, following the model of our Welcome Package.
• Provide current news and bulletins.
• Provide a link to St. Catherine’s for those who cannot attend our Services or activities
• Provide links to other Christian websites.

We occasionally send out emails to parishioners who wish to be notified about news articles recently added to the website. Links in these emails make it easy to click-and-view.

Stories and photographs from parishioners, particularly of recent church events and projects, are always welcome.

Contact: John Whalen webmaster@saint-catherines.org

 

 

HOSPITALITY

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None of us can remember just when our committee was first formed at St. Catherine's but like others, our ministry has evolved and expanded since we began.

We welcome new parishioners and keep everyone informed of parish events. Members man the Hospitality table and others are responsible for purchasing and serving tea and coffee at the social hour following the Sunday 10 o'clock service. In 2009 we purchased a new coffee-making system.

We have two younger members of the congregation to help on Sundays and would welcome more!

Contact: Ann Stickney 604 986 0004

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Friendship Circle

Our mission is best described in these words:

Don't walk in front of me - I may not follow

Don't walk behind me - I may not lead

Walk beside me and just be my friend

Formed in 1984, the original mandate was to visit parishioners at home or in care facilities who were unable to attend church services.

On behalf of the parish, the Friendship Circle sends appropriate cards to parishioners who are sick, bereaved or simply in need of contact with their friends at church and in conjunction with the Altar Guild we give flowers from the Sunday services to members of the parish.

A major part of our ministry are the teas we host three times a year. Originally they were a social event for our seniors who found it difficult to participate in evening or larger daytime gatherings but for the past decade anyone wishing to attend is welcomed. Always happy occasions, the teas are another opportunity to keep in touch with friends and meet others. Not just a "ladies only" event, we are very happy that a number of men attend! In 2009 we added an afternoon Eucharist that precedes the tea.
Members of the Friendship Circle meet three times a year.

Contact: Heather Luccock 604 985 6570

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Supper Club

The mission of the Supper Club is to enjoy pleasant pot-luck dinners, at the same time broadening and enriching friendships with other members of the parish.

Maggie Kerr-Wilson and Barbara Tarr initiated the first Supper Club in 1976. The first pot-luck meal was in a parishioner's home, attended by nearly 40 people and subsequent suppers were spread between two and often three homes.

In 2009 the fall season began in September with a no-host dinner in Gower Hall. In March, April, May and October pot-luck dinners were hosted in parishioners' homes and the Mary Pellatt Room. This year there have been pot-luck suppers in March, April and May. In September there will be another all-inclusive, no-host dinner in Gower Hall. Watch St. Catherine's website for supper plans for the rest of 2010!

Contact: Jill Denison - jaykaydee3@yahoo.ca or 604 904 3878

Stewardship

In 2009 Billy and Rhonda Garton headed up our Stewardship campaign. It focused on the following quote:

"There are but two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots, the other, wings."

The Reverend Henry Ward Beecher

Their passionate leadership gave us all a boost and the results, looking to 2010, are truly wonderful. May I take this opportunity to thank Rhonda and Billy for their hard work and guidance. And a big thank you to everyone who has responded with such generosity and commitment both to ministry in this place and to the many and various outreach initiatives we support.

One result of Stewardship in 20009 was that Parish Council agreed to the establishment of a working group on Membership. The initial purpose of the group was to reach out to those members on our parish roll that we are not in touch with on a regular basis. The working group invited 12 volunteers from the congregation to phone these people simply to reconnect with them.

The working group also helped initiate the “Back to Church Sunday” event held on September 20th. Informative flyers were sent out to everyone on the parish roll. The congregation was encouraged to invite someone different to church that Sunday and many did. The various groups in the parish put up displays and had information available. It was a very successful and enjoyable occasion. The working group followed up with coloured flyers sent out by mail to everyone, outlining the Advent and Christmas events and services. On top of this, beautiful bookmarks were made and given out on “Back to Church Sunday” and at the Christmas lessons and Carol Service. A big thank you to Heather Luccock, Derek Barratt and Elaine Van Horn for their enthusiasm and great ideas.

Christine Rowe