This week’s newsletter is all about buildings. Our newly reformed Property Management Committee have been hard at work, and the report reflects huge progress as we renew and revitalize our buildings for the future. We are asset rich and take seriously our responsibility to maintain and use the gifts we have been given. 

November 10th kicks off our Stewardship campaign. Please plan to attend and learn what stewardship means and why it is important to the health of our community. I am grateful to Walter and John and their team for the thoughtfulness they have and continue to put into this campaign. 

The Christmas Bazaar team are hard at work planning and more - see item below.  Please mark the date in your calendar.

Several of us will be attending Synod this weekend - click here for more info.  As your Synod Representative I look forward to reporting on Synod in future newsletters.

Ruth Pickett Seltner, Bishop's Warden

As Ruth noted, a “Property Management Committee” was revitalized this fall under the overall guidance of the Parish Council to address urgent matters related to our four parish buildings.  Here is an update on progress on a few of the most important projects:

All Saints Kitchen Renovation

As many of you know Margaret Spencer bequeathed funds sufficient to renovate our All Saints kitchen.  A preliminary project plan was developed and approved by both Parish and Diocesan Councils in 2023.  A “kitchen committee” comprising Ruth Pepin, Marjie Radford, Mollie Cunningham, Bill Morrison and myself, on the advice of the Diocese, visited the “commercial kitchen” at St Paul’s church in Nanaimo in September.  We came back with many good ideas now incorporated in our final design.

We are now moving forward to procure the appliances, cabinets and other kitchen components before the end of the year, and plan to carry out the physical renovation work in January to April 2025.

All Saints Main Entry Ramp Repair

Don van Akker, working this fall with a local structural engineer finalized designs and construction drawings for the repair of the ramp.  Parish Council approved the Project Brief and budget, which have been submitted to the Diocese for approval, including the application for a CRD building permit.  Implementation is now pending budget availability, approval by Diocesan Council and the building permit approval.

St Mary’s Update

Simon Wheeler is continuing to guide remediation work at St Mary’s focussing on:

• Installation of a heat pump to replace the antiquated oil furnace is expected to proceed later this month including an upgrade to the electrical service to ensure safe supply for this and future demands.
• The washroom wall and window were badly damaged by a roof leak. Much of the wood structure will need to be replaced – a temporary cover is now in place. Prior to engaging a contractor to do repairs, the Diocese has asked us to carry out mold testing now planned to take place on November 7th.
• Safe and reliable potable water supply continues to be an issue as the well ran dry early in the summer. We are examining a cost-effective solution through installation of a water tank filled as needed by the Salt Spring Water Company.

Our aim is to get St Mary's ready for use by mid-December pending outcome of tests and completion of the remediation work.

St Mark’s Update

Walter Stewart, with the support of the Diocese, is continuing to guide what has evolved into a lengthy process of sorting out property boundary and right of way issues – perhaps not surprising for a property consecrated some 130 years ago - to enable the building and property deconsecrated in 2022 to be listed for sale.  He expects these issues to be resolved in the near future.  We will keep you updated.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to talk to any of the committee members:  Bill Morrison, Colin Lawler, Don van Akker, Don Cunningham, Ruth Pepin, Simon Wheeler, Walter Stewart, and myself.

John Metzger, Chair, Property Management Committee

 Our parish Christmas bazaar is approaching quickly.  This year it will be held on Saturday, November 23rd. from 10am—2pm.

We are planning once again to have baking, crafts and needlework, jewelry preserves and treasures.  

A delicious lunch will be served.  We will have more information about dropping off baking in the next few weeks.  Thanks for your support for this festive and fun parish event.

If you have any questions or would like to help please speak to Dovene Steele and/or Judy Tyson.

The Living Compass theme for the 2024 Advent season is Practicing Peace with All Your Heart, Soul, Strength, and Mind - an apropos subject in these time!

As a parish, we have been using the Living Compass discussion guides for several years as weekly group meetings, in person, on zoom, or as a personal daily devotional guide, helping us to prepare for the coming of Christmas.

If you are interested in hosting or participating in a face-to-face or zoom group – please contact Claire Pickering or John Metzger and we’ll see what can be arranged.

The guide is available as a free pdf download – please click the button below.  Alternatively, if you have an e-reader, you can purchase and download the kindle edition for a cost of $1.34 (US$0.99) by clicking here.

An new option is to have the daily readings sent to you by email each morning.  You will receive twenty-five daily emails, one for each day of Advent, plus Christmas. The emails will begin on Sunday, December 1, 2024. To enroll in this program click here and scroll down to where you can submit your email address.

If you prefer a printed and bound copy of the devotional guide (minimal cost by donation), please let Claire Pickering and signup by Sunday November 10th, and we’ll place an order to have them delivered before the beginning of Advent.