Annual Reports 2016

To be presented to Vestry Sunday, February 26, 2017

Please bring this booklet with you. We encourage all members of St. Matthew’s church over the age of 16 to be present at this meeting. Those who are in leadership positions should encourage as many members of your group as possible to attend.

217 First Avenue, Ottawa ON K1S 2G5 Tel: (613) 234-4024 Fax: (613) 234-4790

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2016 Vestry Report

VISION STATEMENT

St. Matthew’s is a welcoming Christian community committed to growing in Faith,

offering joyous Worship and

reaching out in loving Service

Parish Council, not all members present. Bottom row, left to right: Leonard Surges, Paul Tweedale, Gregor Sneddon, Valerie Needham, Virginia Lindsay. Top row, left to right: Judy Maxwell, Walt Draper, Christopher Wilkie, John Proudfoot, David Bournes, Mary Glen, Tony Maxwell.

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2016 Vestry Report

Table of Contents Statistics............................................................................................................................................ 5

Minutes of Annual Vestry March 1, 2016 .................................................................................... 6-8

Annual Reports ................................................................................................................................. 9

The Rector .................................................................................................................................... 9

The Wardens ........................................................................................................................ 10-11

The Strategic Plan 2012-2016 ............................................................................................... 11-12

Spiritual Core ..................................................................................................................................12

Worship and Prayer ....................................................................................................................12

Altar Guild ......................................................................................................................... 12-13

Servers’ Guild ..........................................................................................................................13

Prayer Chain ...........................................................................................................................14

Healing Prayer Team ........................................................................................................ 14-15

Sidespersons and Greeters ............................................................................................... 15-16

Christian Education.........................................................................................................................16

Christian Education for Adults .......................................................................................... 16-17

Children and Youth ........................................................................................................... 17-18

Music .............................................................................................................................................18

Music Committee ................................................................................................................. 18-19

Music Ministry ...................................................................................................................... 19-20

Community .....................................................................................................................................20

Community Activities .................................................................................................................20

Coffee Hour .......................................................................................................................... 20-21

Open Doors ........................................................................................................................... 21-22

Marmalade .................................................................................................................................23

Outreach .................................................................................................................................. 24--26

Cornerstone Meal a Month ....................................................................................................24

Angels with Backpacks ............................................................................................................24

Out of the Cold Suppers .........................................................................................................25

CCSAC / Centretown Emergency Food Centre .......................................................................25

Harmony House ......................................................................................................................25

Annual Report on 2016 Activities at St. Matthew’s

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2016 Vestry Report

FACES ................................................................................................................................ 25-26

Parish Stewardship ................................................................................................................... 26-27

Stewardship Committee .............................................................................................................27

Finance Committee ....................................................................................................................26

The Role of Finance Committee .............................................................................................27

Counters .................................................................................................................................28

Contributions Coordinators ....................................................................................................28

2015 Parish Financial Results and 2015 Budget .....................................................................28

Fundraising Committee ........................................................................................................ 28-29

Nominating Committee ..............................................................................................................29

Communications Committee ................................................................................................ 30-31

Property Committee ............................................................................................................. 31-32

Roof Replacement Project .................................................................................................... 32-33

Annexes ..........................................................................................................................................34

Budget ............................................................................................................................................

Financial Statements ......................................................................................................................

Acknowledgements: Thanks to all the authors who contributed to the Annual Report , and to our pho-tographers: Gord Metcalfe, Ian Glen, and Steve Reid. And thanks to the publishing team: Joan Law-rence, Steve Reid, Judith Maxwell and Jean McCarthy

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2016 Vestry Report

Statistics for 2016

Marriages So they are no longer two, but the one flesh.

Matthew 19:6

Jillian Bardsley & Shawn Chhabra Eveline Callupe & James Oulton

Baptisms Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father

and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19

Ruairi Lennox

Funerals and Memorial Services For the trumpet shall sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51

Robert Armstrong

Joan Harrison

Muriel Brown

Yfke Wefers-Bettink

Frank Ferris

Mary Henderson

Wesley Nicol

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2016 Vestry Report

Minutes of Annual Vestry of St. Matthew’s Anglican Church

11:45 a.m., Sunday, February 28, 2016

1. Opening Prayer:

Territorial Archdeacon Peter Crosby was presiding in the absence of an incumbent for St. Matthews. Arch-

deacon Crosby explained the process of vestry, mentioned he was pleased to be at St Matthew’s and opened vestry

with a prayer. The agenda, list of appointments and elections, and copies of the minutes of the November 2015

Special Vestry were handed out. Attendance book was passed around.

2. Announcements:

Archdeacon Crosby announced that Jean McCarthy had been appointed as Vestry Clerk. Claudia Sanmartin

and Walt Draper were appointed scrutineers should a ballot be required on a vote. To vote at Vestry, one must be

at least 16 years of age, support the Parish, be a regular worshipper and not vote at any other Parish Vestry meet-

ing. Rules of a motion are that a person may speak once on a motion and when speaking to be concise.

Archdeacon Crosby commented on the fabulous work of the church which is noted in the annual report.

3. Adoption of 2015 Vestry Minutes (pages 6-9):

Motion: Leonard Surges/Peter MacKenize: to adopt the minutes of the Annual Vestry Meeting held on

March 1, 2015.

Carried

4. Adoption of 2015 Special Vestry (pages 55-56 or handout)

Motion: Rick Trites/Tony Maxwell: to adopt the Minutes of the Special Vestry Meeting held on Novem-

ber 15, 2015.

Carried

5. 2015 Business:

a) Reception of Annual Reports (pages10-48):

Motion: Don Wilson/ Janice Sonnen: to receive the Annual Reports for 2014.

Carried

Comments:

Refugee family has landed and the husband of the family will be starting English language classes. Work

is proceeding to unite more of their family.

Quality of the report presents well the work of the church with much appreciation for the work. Encour-

age new people to come and work on various committees.

Please keep up the givings.

b) Adoption of 2015 Reviewed Financial Statements (pages 49-54):

Motion: Peter Mackenize/Mike McDermott: to adopt the Reviewed 2015 Financial Statements.

Carried

Finance Committee Chair Jim Lynes made a PowerPoint presentation outlining the financial results for

2015.

At its 2015 meeting, Vestry voted unanimously to support stewardship initiatives to raise an additional

$40,000 in annual undesignated offerings in order to overcome a projected budget deficit. Although St. Mat-

thew’s fell a little short of the $40,000 target for increased undesignated offerings, the Church had higher than ex-

pected income in every other category. There were also reductions in expenses in such areas as music, Christian

education and capital expenses. The year finished with a surplus of $14,000.

2015 saw large expenditures on the roof replacement. $150,000 was withdrawn from the Consolidated

Trust Fund to offset some of the costs. A major new outreach program, FACES, raised funds for refugee support

bringing in $85,000.

By year end, available operating reserves stood at $44,000, more than twice as much as at the end of

2014, but still far less than the $140,000 that would be desirable.

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2016 Vestry Report

6. 2016 Financial Plan

a) 2016 Budget Presentation, (page 47)

Motion: Colin Lay/Leonard Surges: to adopt the 2016 Budget as presented.

Carried

While things have improved from last year, the forecast is still for a deficit of $7,000, (or $17,000 after

considering an anticipated unrealized loss on our investments). The budget assumes that offerings will increase by

2% over and above the amounts received in 2015, which includes the amounts raised in our 2015 Stewardship

campaign. Total income is estimated at $567,000, which includes an auction to raise money for the roof and to

support refugees.

On the expense side, there will be the completion of the roof restoration project, a new and simpler con-

cert program and major refugee sponsorships using new donations and funds donated in 2015. Total operating

expenses are estimated at $583,000.

Jim was cautiously optimistic about the financial situation for 2016 but noted that expenses still have to

be managed carefully and, if necessary, take steps to meet the target of a 2% increase in offerings.

b) Appointment of accountants for review

Motion: Colin Lay/Leonard Surges: to appoint Parker Prins Lebano as the accountants to review

St. Matthew’s financial affairs for the fiscal year 2016 at a fee approved by the Corporation.

Carried

c) Spending authority before a new budget

Motion: Colin Lay/Leonard Surges: to authorize the Corporation to approve spending in 2017,

pending approval of the 2017 Budget at the 2017 meeting of Vestry.

Carried

7. Appointments and Elections

Motion: Judy Maxwell/Aindrea Proudfoot: to approve appointments and Elections

Carried

Judy Maxwell noted two more members are needed for the Strategic Plan Task Force. The plan is also a

good way for a potential incumbent to get to know the Parish. Chair of the Outreach Committee is still vacant as

the current chair’s term is up. Vestry recognized Judy Maxwell for her work for the nominating committee.

8. Designation of Signing Officers

Motion: Jim Lynes/Bruce Miller: to authorize the following as signing officers for St. Matthew’s:

Treasurer, Rector’s Warden, People’s Warden, Deputy Warden, Lay Delegate.

Carried

Signing officers are: Sarah Martin, Val Needham, Leonard Surges, Paul Tweedale, John Proudfoot, Lay

Delegate

9. Other Business: Parish Committee Update

John Proudfoot discussed the timeline of appointing a new incumbent to the position. Timeline follows:

The Parish profile should be finished by April 30. Hopefully the new incumbent will be in place by Au-

gust or September.

Comments:

Who will be on the appointment panel? It consists of Archdeacon Peter Crosby, Peter John Hobbs,

Bishop John and 3 lay people. Panel looks at clergy and suggests names of those thought to be qualified. Also

look at qualities of those who have expressed interest in the position. St. Matthew’s should also feel free to sug-

gest names of clergy they think might be a good fit for the church. After panel discussions, the only names that go

forward are those that the Bishop would be willing to appoint. St. Matthew’s will interview three possible clergy.

Sometimes the process can be extended if the three names don’t suit.

Does a potential appointment do a service? No because the process is confidential.

How available are the interviewees and is the timeframe long enough to for the process? The time frame

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2016 Vestry Report

is realistic and the process should work so that there will be someone in place by September.

Will there be a member of St. Matthew’s on the panel? Panel membership is set by the Bishop, however,

Peter John Hobbs is a member of St. Matthew’s.

A thank you was given to everyone for all the positive work.

10. Closing Prayers and Adjournment

(All page numbers above refer to the document “St. Matthew’s Annual Reports 2015”)

Respectfully submitted,

Jean McCarthy

March 7, 2016

Appointments and Elections Vestry, March 1, 2016

Appointment by Rector

Rector’s Warden

Val Needham 1 year term

Elections

The following nominees have agreed to let their names

stand for election.

People’s Warden

Leonard Surges 1 year term

Deputy People’s Warden

Paul Tweedale 1 year term

Synod Members

John Proudfoot 1 year term

Val Needham 2year term

Walter Draper 2 year term

Dawn Gregory 1 year term

Alternate Synod Members

Heather Sheehy 1 year term

Helen Griffin 1 year term

Congregational Representatives to Parish Council

David Bournes 2 year term

Chris Wilkie 2 year term

Leslie Jones 1 year term

Frances Berkman 2 year term

Nominating Committee

Helen Griffin, Chair 2 year term

Strategic Plan Task Force

Mary Glen, Chair

(Two members have volunteered: Daphne Ducharme

and Claudia Sanmartin, two more are needed)

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2016 Vestry Report

ANNUAL REPORTS The Rector “Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything.

People kill one another over idols. Wonder makes us fall to

our knees.” -Gregory of Nyssa

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the

whole staircase.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.

It has been a great privilege to be with you these

past four months. We Sneddons have enjoyed

feasting at the banquet of worship and Christian

community that St. Matthew’s has laid before us. In

particular, working with Kirk and our choirs has

been a great inspiration. Our Administrator, Joan

Lawrence, leaders and volunteers across the com-

munity have been pouring themselves into the life

of this parish with heart and dedication. Our war-

dens have been outstanding and committed lead-

ers, and I would particularly like to thank Valerie

Needham, whose term as the Rector’s Warden is

drawing to a close at this Vestry . Valerie has far

exceeded the call of duty, and I know we are all

going to miss her as she takes a well-deserved

break.

September already seems like a distant dream.

Thank you for your patience in allowing your Rec-

tor’s particular cocktail of eccentricities, tastes,

leadership style and personality to “land” among

you. There have been a number of changes, and I

thank you for dancing with me as we find our way

into an exciting future.

As you will be discovering, I am passionate about

lifting up the dignity and sacredness of the baptized

and seeking experience for all in our liturgy, prayer,

music and formation. We have expanded our staff-

ing to include a Children’s Ministry Coordinator,

Canon Christine Piper, and a Youth Ministries Coor-

dinator, Becky McCoy. Finding opportunities to en-

gage in our liturgy, formation and ministry across

generations is always the mark of healthy Christian

community. Another important quality is nurturing

a posture of wonder, inquiry and awe as we attend

to the mysteries of creation, of our own person-

hood and love: crucified love. I am committed to

deepening our questions, rather than building our

certainties. How are we to yield to the divine invita-

tion, and what space do we need to make in our

hearts to do so? We have introduced Christianity

101 for all, and the beginnings of the catechu-

menate in welcoming those to be baptized into the

People of God. I hope to continue to encourage our

entire community to welcome the newcomer, build

new relationships, and choose a path of formation

and Christian discipleship. New opportunities of

service are on the horizon, and I am excited to take

this journey with you.

The Holy Spirit is moving among us, and we, along

with all our fellow Anglicans, are finding a new way

to be the Church in a new world. These are un-

charted waters. Thank you to the strategic planning

project team for their outstanding work and dedi-

cation to reach out to the parish and beyond. The

foundation they have built with your input is set-

ting a new direction for the future, and in 2017 we

will chart a course for the next five years. Your par-

ticipation in the process has been invaluable, and I

encourage you to remain engaged.

So I invite you as we journey together to encourage

one another. Choose hope. Lift up our leaders and

trust, even if you cannot see the staircase. Make

room in your hearts and minds for wonder and pos-

sibility. These are exciting times for the Church as

we listen again to God’s call. What does it mean to

be the baptized in 2017, and to claim the glorious

future we are promised?

Gregor +

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2016 Vestry Report

The Wardens

“And all shall be well. And all shall be well.

And all manner of things shall be exceeding well.”

Julian of Norwich

As we reflect on the year that has passed, we are

amazed at all that has been done and accomplished

at St. Matthew’s during 2016. Last year at this time,

we were preparing to bid Canon Pat Johnston fare-

well after ministering to us for nearly nine years,

saying goodbye at a Parish luncheon on February

14 and at a Diocesan-wide gathering on March 31.

Bishops John Baycroft, Peter Coffin and John Chap-

man joined us to reflect on Pat’s 30 years of minis-

try. Bishop Baycroft brought chuckles when he said

that now Canon Pat would be working just as hard

as ever for the Bishop, but for free! And this predic-

tion has come to pass, with the Venerable Pat

Johnston being appointed Archdeacon of the Dean-

ery of Lanark/Arnprior. We wish her well in her

very busy retirement. The Reverend Jim Beall

joined us for three weeks at the beginning of Lent.

His warmth and wisdom and kindness supported us

as we became accustomed to Canon Pat's absence

and moved on to discern a new rector.

On March 13, 2016, we welcomed the Reverend

Rhonda Waters, appointed by Bishop Chapman as

Interim-Priest-in-Charge. How we appreciated her

ministry with us. How we learned from her ser-

mons, trusted her guidance, loved her laughter. On

Sunday, August 28, 2016, we worshipped together,

presented her with gifts and shared a cake as we

said goodbye and wished her well as the newly ap-

pointed Incumbent at the Church of the Ascension.

Throughout this period, the Parish Committee com-

posed of Chair John Proudfoot and members Dawn

Gregory, Walt Draper and Val Needham, joined

after Vestry by People’s Warden Leonard Surges,

worked unceasingly to develop the Parish Profile

and the one-page synopsis that presented St. Mat-

thew’s to the wider Anglican community as we dis-

cerned the call of a new Rector. Inputs to these

documents came from the parish meeting of March

6, ably facilitated by Mary Glen, written submis-

sions from St. Matthew’s many Committees and

the Annual Reports to Vestry. On June 16,

2016, Parish Committee members, along with Arch-

deacon David Seltzer and lay representative to the

Diocesan Appointments Panel Keith Keyes, met

with the Reverend Gregor Sneddon for an inter-

view, and came to the decision to recommend the

appointment of Rev. Sneddon Incumbent of St.

Matthew’s. And thus, Bishop Chapman appointed

Rev. Sneddon to St. Matthew’s, effective Septem-

ber 1, 2016.

Reverend Gregor, his wife Amanda and their chil-

dren William and Eliza bring energy and joy to us.

Gregor is a man of creativity whose ideas will un-

doubtedly change the shape of St. Matthew’s. He is

active on many committees and brings his interest

in communication and social media to this work. He

is committed to nurturing us as a community of the

baptized and will offer a ‘Christianity 101’ opportu-

nity during Lent, something that had been dreamed

about in the Parish Profile.

This report would not be complete without our

extending, on behalf of the Parish, our profound

appreciation to Leonard Surges for his expertise in

managing the large, complex and demanding roof

project for St. Matthew’s. For over five years, from

beginning to completion, he has met with the ar-

chitects and contractors, managed the budget,

overseen the work as it progressed, performed

troubleshooting as needed and provided wise

counsel to members of ECPC and Corporation when

decisions were required. Thank you, Leonard!

Throughout this year of transition, the Wardens

also wish to thank Joan Lawrence, our Parish Ad-

ministrator, for her willing assistance and unflappa-

ble presence in the office, Kirkland Adsett our

gifted Director of Music and Organist for his dedi-

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2016 Vestry Report

cated skill and creativity, and our Committee Chairs

and the host of volunteers for their indefatigable

and joyful service. We are deeply grateful for the

participation of our Honorary Assistants, Canon

Allen Box, Archbishop Barry Curtis, Father Kevin

Flynn and the Venerable Dr. Peter John Hobbs for

leading worship with grace and depth and for shar-

ing so deeply in the life of the community.

We commend to you the committee reports that

follow in this Vestry Report, which capture the es-

sence, the energy and faith-filled service of St. Mat-

thew’s. We look forward to the report of the Stra-

tegic Plan Project Team to be presented at Vestry

that will offer a vision for the future of St. Mat-

thew’s to 2032. And so, with all that is past and all

that is to come, we can confidently say with Julian

of Norwich, “All manner of things shall be exceed-

ing well.”

Respectfully submitted, The Wardens

Val Needham, Rector’s Warden

Leonard Surges, People’s Warden

Paul Tweedale, Deputy Warden

The Strategic Plan Project (SPP):

Activities in 2016

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the

Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Strategic planning was introduced formally at St.

Matthew’s in 2007. Since then, two Strategic Plans

(2008-11 and 2012-16) have set out the vision, di-

rection, goals and activities of the parish in a docu-

ment intended to guide its forward progress. In

February 2016, the final year of the current Plan,

Vestry requested the development of the parish’s

next five year Plan (2017-21), to be presented for

approval at Vestry 2017.

The planning environment was unusual. With the

(planned) departure of our then-serving Rector

shortly before Vestry 2016; the interim leadership

of a succession of two priests-in-charge prior to the

appointment of our new Rector in September

2016; the attendant focus on attracting a strong

priestly leadership match; and the subsequent set-

tling in of Rev Gregor Sneddon commencing Sep-

tember 1, the SPP team needed to pace its work so

that it could both support and challenge the parish

through a time of disruption and adaptation. The

parish responded with enthusiasm and thoughtful-

ness.

A team of five worked with its mandate from Ves-

try and, in the course of the Project’s research

phase, assessed the medium and longer term fu-

ture for the parish and the wider Church and con-

cluded that the Parish must look past a five-year

and aim instead for a fifteen-year planning horizon.

We posed the question: “What does God see at St.

Matthew’s in 2032?” Corporation agreed that a The Wardens, left to right: Leonard Surges, Valerie Needham, Paul Tweedale

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2016 Vestry Report

report to Vestry on that 15-year vision would be

the first order of business after which the team will

guide the development of a five-year plan (by June

2017) setting out necessary first steps toward that

vision.

The team further developed the elements of the

Project and formally launched its work with the

Parish on October 16. A Backgrounder and a Case

for Change set the context for a series of initiatives

to both inform and engage all parishioners. A Par-

ish Survey; opportunities for parish-wide learning

and discussion including a Chapel Chat (“Widening

the Horizon” with Rev Sneddon), a Visioning Day

(introducing a new way to look at the process of

change), a second Chapel Chat (Embracing God’s

Future and St. Matthew’s, with Rev P J Hobbs); ex-

tensive consultation conversations (inside the Par-

ish, with churches in our neighbourhood, and with

secular community groups); and a continuously

enlarged array of relevant documents on the web-

site http://www.stmatthewsottawa.ca/index.php/

files-resources/strategic-plan, have given

effect to our commitment to a process that is open,

transparent and collaborative. We have sought

participation and expression of views throughout

the Parish, striving to include voices from all cor-

ners.

Our work continues in 2017. Guided by the Holy

Spirit, the team believes it is positioned to offer a

considered and inspired report to Vestry on the 15-

year Vision at its meeting in February 2017 and

then guide the work of developing Strategic Plan

2017-21.

“May he give you the desire of your heart

and make all your plans succeed.”

Psalm 20:4

Respectfully submitted by Mary Glen on behalf of

Rob Coleman, Daphne Ducharme, Charles Nixon

and Claudia Sanmartin.

SPIRITUAL CORE

Worship and Prayer ALTAR GUILD

Over the past year, the altar guild has experienced

many changes. Each new rector and interim rector

brings their wisdom and the depth of their under-

standing to the liturgy. This wisdom and under-

standing can be reflected in different ways of doing

things. Many of the altar guild members have been

preparing the vessels and linens for the commun-

ion services for many, many years. This year our

ways were challenged. We had to learn new ways

of preparing, new places for some of the furniture,

new icons and hangings were received and have

been placed and stored. Some things have been

put away for a time. Wonderful new and grand

celebrations have sent us scouring the church,

looking for water containers for the blessing of the

water on the day of the blessing of the Lord; extra

candles were ordered to bring light out of the dark-

ness during Advent, and this year on Christmas Eve

as well.

Our altar guild teams have been reformed slightly.

Some members have withdrawn, some returned,

and we have also welcomed new members. Overall

our numbers have decreased, and we hope that

new members will be drawn to join us this year.

SPP, left to right: Charles Nixon, Claudia Sanmartin, Mary Glen, Daphné Ducharme, Robert Coleman

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2016 Vestry Report

We continue to prepare the communion trays for

the weekly services, fill the oil candles in the

church, and replace the wax candles that are

burned at the icon table and in the chapel, polish

the brass, water and arrange the flowers and keep

the chapel and sanctuary dirt- and dust-free. Many

of our linens were no longer useable and have been

replaced this year. Many thanks to the family of

long-time altar guild member, Mary Henderson, for

the donation of a new nave altar cloth in memory

of Mary.

And a huge thank you to everyone who has con-

tributed to the work of the altar guild this year.

Volunteers are Frances Montgomery, Jan Robar,

Ann McCormack, Marianne Goodfellow, Mavis Hill,

Debbie Mallalieu, Judy Billingsley, Marolynne

Capstick, Jane Oulton, Wendy Pullan, Cathy Simons,

Dawna Moore, Janice Sonnen, Dale McKenzie, Ruth

Frayne, John and Cynthia McBride — all of whom

make up this great team.

Respectfully submitted, Elizabeth MacMillan and

Robina Bulleid, Altar Guild Co-Chairs

Servers’ Guild

The Servers Guild is an active, dedicated, small

group of parishioners who assist the clergy at all of

the Sunday services (8:00am Said Eucharist,

10:00am Choral Eucharist and 4:00pm Choral Even-

song) throughout the year, as well as additional

services. Sometimes servers may be asked to

serve at weddings and funerals. The roster of serv-

ers grew in 2016 with several new servers joining

—welcome to Noah Hofstatter, Megan Hofstatter,

Rebecca Laffin, Tyler Laffin, Leslie Jones, and Becky

McCoy. They join Patrick Martin, Rick Trites, Amy

Heron, Bruce Miller, Wande Ogundare, Rachel

Hobbs, John Merritt, and Cathy Simons. Dennis

Cole is nearing the end of an extended 18-month

work assignment, and we look forward to his re-

turn in early 2017. There are some servers who

have taken extended leave: Sylvia Logan, Karin

Lindsay, Kevin Atkins, Hazel Atkins, and Howard

Banks. We have a saying "once a server, always a

server" and that is evident as server alumni help

out from time to time. I would like to thank Peter

Mackenzie and Jan Robar for their assistance and

support in the past.

Looking forward to 2017, there will be an induction

service to officially welcome the new servers, and

we continue to welcome and train new members

to the Servers’ Guild. The time commitment for

this ministry is the length of the liturgy plus 20 min-

utes prior and 20 minutes after. This ministry can

complement many other worship volunteer oppor-

tunities. Training is ongoing throughout the year.

Please contact Fr. Gregor through the office or

Cathy Simons (613-237- 7652, cfys@rogers.com) or

the office for further information.

I would like to express a sincere "thank you" to the

clergy for their support of the Servers’ Guild. I

would also like to thank the members of the Serv-

ers’ Guild for their dedication, support and commit-

ment throughout the year.

Respectfully submitted,

Cathy Simons, Head Server

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2016 Vestry Report

Prayer Chain

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all

circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ

Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18)

Through 2016, the St. Matthew’s Prayer Chain has

continued to be one of the Parish’s focal points for

prayer ministry. It directly supports the Parish Stra-

tegic Plan’s Spiritual Core goal, “to strengthen our

faith as we grow and welcome other seekers to this

spiritual home”. In its offering of prayer on behalf

of our parish community for the needs of individu-

als and those they love, the Prayer Chain contrib-

utes to one of the Spiritual Core goal’s objectives,

“nurture, grow and share our faith with others”.

Consisting of a dozen individuals, the Chain contin-

ued to daily offer petitions to God based on a list of

requests for prayer received from parishioners and

others. The list, still numbering between 50 and 70

petitions at any given time, is updated quarterly to

ensure petitioners are consulted on the substance

of each prayer. Between full updates, new re-

quests are added as received. Confidentiality and

complete discretion firmly govern our work and

new members are always warmly received.

Requests are submitted through the Rector, the

Coordinator, or a member of the Chain and by

means of written requests placed in the prayer

boxes at the two entrances to the church. Every-

one is welcome to submit requests for oneself or

others in the knowledge these will be fulfilled

through prayer for as long as the requestor indi-

cates.

During 2016 we continued to link the work of the

Prayer Chain to other ministries, activities and

needs in the parish, for example, the Anglican

Church of Canada’s Suicide Prevention Program,

the relationship with the Parish of St. Thomas,

Moose Factory, the work of Parish Council and its

leadership recruitment team, and the needs of our

clergy.

We were saddened in 2016 by the death of Mary

Henderson, a valued Prayer Chain member of many

years’ standing whose contribution will be missed.

Mindful of our praying responsibilities, we give

thanks to God for the following members of the

Chain and as always, pray for the addition of new

ones in the year ahead. Please consider joining us.

The members are divided into three groups, rotat-

ing each semester and this year, they included:

Marjorie Lay, Mary Henderson, Janet Carson,

Wendy Pullen, Randi Godard, Janice Sonnen, Cathy

Simons, Ruby Daley, Judith Caron-Sabourin, Ange-

lina Cacciato, Dennis Cole, and Susan Harris. The

latter was appointed as Coordinator in April, re-

placing Mary Glen who has so ably and faithfully

steered both prayer ministries for ten years.

Healing Prayer

Healing Prayer ministry has been part of St. Mat-

thew’s worship services for more than 10 years.

During 2016, the Healing Prayer Team carried out

its weekly ministry (except during the summer

months), supporting the Spiritual Core goal in the

Parish Strategic Plan through witness, example and

encouragement. That goal, “to strengthen our

faith as we grow and welcome other seekers to this

spiritual home” and the related objective “to nur-

ture, grow and share our faith with others” inspires

our team members as they pray each week for and

with others in affirmation of our community of

faith.

Susan Harris, Marjorie Lay, Janice Sonnen, Cathy Simmons, Barbara Gray, Rick Trites, Verna Wilson

15

2016 Vestry Report

The group has been trained and guided by the pre-

vious Rector, who steadily supported the healing

prayer ministry, mentoring the team and encourag-

ing potential recruits to discern their call to serve in

this way. Reverend Sneddon’s commitment to this

ministry is evidenced by his willingness, very soon

after his appointment to St. Matthew’s, to lead an

evening of fellowship and prayerful inspiration for

the prayer and pastoral care teams.

We continued to work in pairs at the 10:00 a.m.

service, welcoming any who seek the comfort of

communal prayer as they feel so moved. We locate

ourselves in the transept near the pulpit, an area

that is private and particularly peaceful, and where,

following their communion at the Eucharist, people

come to join with us, asking God for whatever they

need, be it for themselves or a loved one. Some

come to offer prayers of thanksgiving for prayers

answered. During 2016, a small number of people

availed themselves of the Healing Prayer ministry.

We keep no records, knowing that the very act of

bringing a need before God in community provides

a measure of relief and release, enabling the peti-

tioner to move ahead with renewed strength.

Should they so wish, we bring their needs to the

attention of the Rector; regardless, we commit all

to God in complete confidence.

As we look to the year ahead, we pray for growing

numbers to be guided by the Holy Spirit to come

forward and avail themselves of this uplifting minis-

try. We pray that others will feel called to offer

this ministry and will speak to the Rector or to one

of us. And we respectfully ask all parishioners to

offer suggestions and to include the work of this

team in their own prayers.

We give thanks to God for the faithful participation

of Barbara Gray, Janet Carson, Janice Sonnen, Judy

Maxwell, Lois Rumsey, Mary Glen, Rick Trites,

Susan Harris, and Verna Wilson.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Harris, Coordinator

Sidespersons, Greeters and Hospitality “…so; you said you are new with us here at St. Mat-

thew’s?…We all want that you should feel wel-

come. Is there anything we can do to help make

you feel more at home, to feel more comfortable?

May I fetch you a coffee or a tea? Would you like

to see around the church? May I offer you a tour?

…”

An informal group of parishioners is at work before

the 10:00am service, and again afterwards during

coffee hour. They look after newcomers. They

learn their names and try to get to know them.

They support each other and the rector by helping

new folks feel at home, and being ready next Sun-

day to greet them by name when we see them

again. New faces with us all the time. Janice Son-

nen, Randi and Michael Goddard, Margaret Terrett,

Virginia Lindsay, Cathy Simons and I make up this

team. To mention these few is to leave out so

many more of you who meet and become friends

with new faces.

Greeters may be the first faces a newcomer meets

on a Sunday morning, and they are a wonderful

welcoming presence! In 2016 our greeters were:

Edith Assigbe, John and Everett Bernard, Marianne

and David Bournes, Frank Chandler, Donata, Simon,

and Rupert Creasy, Bronya, Matt, and Tavian

Gregg, Ann Hannan, Susan Harris, Mark Harrison,

Heather and Norm Lewis, Virginia Lindsay, Eliza-

beth MacMillan, Tony Maxwell, Deirdre Nicholds,

Megill and Bill Megill, Neville Nankivell, Susan

Rayner, Janice Sonnen, and Errol Whittier. We lost

our dear friend Joan Harrison in 2016. We miss her

energy and enthusiasm in Parish life and as a

greeter.

Sidespersons operate lights, coordinate volunteers

for the Offertory procession, and look after many

behind-the-scenes details. They are: David Bour-

nes, Randi and Michael Goddard, Ian Guthrie, Leslie

Jones and Paul Tweedale, Denis Martel, Carolyn

16

2016 Vestry Report

Christian Education

Adults

The adult Christian Education program supports St.

Matthew’s Strategic Plan “Spiritual Core” goal, in

particular under the objective “Nurture, Grow and

Share our Faith with Others” where there is a spe-

cific task for St. Matthew’s to strive for excellence

in Christian Education.

The year 2016 was an active one for Christian Edu-

cation at St. Matthew’s. A wide variety of adult

education opportunities were offered. The focus is

on offering different events, formats, and times of

the events so that the widest number of parishion-

ers (and non-parishioners) can participate. We are

always interested in hearing from parishioners on

ideas for new Christian Education events.

The following education events were held in 2016:

“Conversations” with Archbishop Barry Curtis: This

popular program takes place at 9:00am on select

Sunday mornings throughout the year. In 2016, we

held a 10+ week series running through October/

November/December and finishing early in January

2017. Attendance ranges from 12 to 20 people

from both the 8am and the 10am congregations.

Participants enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while ex-

ploring with Archbishop Curtis the lectionary read-

ings of the day. The discussions relate the bible

passages to our own lives and experiences.

Chapel Chats: This successful and topical program

looks at issues of importance to the congrega-

tion. When a topic is being presented the Chapel

Chat takes place on Sundays after the 10:00 Eucha-

rist. One Chapel Chat was held in May and three

were held in the Autumn. In September, Shea

Kieley, from St. Luke’s Table, came to talk about the

Diocesan Community Ministries. In October, we

held two Chapel Chats focussed on the strategic

planning that St. Matthew’s has underway.

McMaster, Judith Sabourin and Margaret Terrett,

Errol Whittier and myself. Troy Messam has faith-

fully served as a greeter and sidesperson for over

ten years. With a busy family, Troy has decided to

step down from the active roster (the term for this

is “graduation” in sidespersons’ and greeters’ cir-

cles). We sincerely thank you, Troy, for all you have

done and all that you do. We are delighted to have

Mark Harrison and Andy Billingsley join the roster

and look forward to working with them in the new

year.

Many thanks to each one of you for your dedica-

tion and service. A warm thank you also to the in-

defatigable Joan Lawrence, who creates and man-

ages our schedules throughout the year.

Imagine walking up the steps to St. Matthews’ for

the first time. What is it like to be in a place and

not know a single person? How does it feel? Now

imagine being for a newcomer that presence you

would find most comforting if you were in the Nar-

thex for the first time, or found yourself standing

near the baptismal font not knowing a single per-

son. Gregor’s vision for us as a presence for new

faces is big, bold, and full of new and exciting

things. You may have noticed the pot of hot fresh

coffee the Coffee Hour team prepares before the

10:00am service. Do you see someone new? Why

not offer them a cup of coffee? Young children

have been invited to be Offertory Crucifer, collec-

tion takers and oblation bearers, roles they have

embraced with alacrity. These are just to name a

few. Borrowing an image about joy from a prayer

we heard in Advent, isn’t hospitality also like a

muscle? Doesn’t it need to be exercised too?

Maybe even stretched? Let’s talk! Let’s hear your

ideas and your experience, your story. Let’s roll up

our sleeves to support newcomers and each other

in this journey together.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Frayne

17

2016 Vestry Report

Lenten Bible Study: These normally take place on

Tuesday mornings and evenings in Lent, given a

sufficient number of participants for each. In 2016,

as Canon Pat retired at the beginning of Lent, we

had a five-week study led by three different indi-

viduals. The first session was led by Canon Pat –

“Favourite Bible Passages”, weeks 2–4 by Canon

Beall – “The Three Temptations of Christ” and week

5 by the Rev. Rhonda Waters - “Consider Pilate”.

This made for a wonderfully varied bible study.

Molding the Anglican Tradition: In 2016 we did not

hold a “Molding the Anglican Tradition” series but

hope to in 2017. In past years we have held one or

two series during the year. Each series is held on

three successive Tuesday evenings and begins with

supper followed by a talk. Past series have been on

famous people and on poets / prose writers who

have influenced the Anglican tradition. Other series

have looked at the evolution of church music and

the influence of church movements, such as the

Oxford movement, on the Anglican tradition. The

last series was dedicated to exploring the church

sacraments. The series are well attended and often

include people from outside our parish. Each talk

attracts 12–30 attendees, with time for fellowship

during supper and a thought-provoking presenta-

tion after.

Trinity Institute: In 2016, St. Matthew’s had again

planned to be a partner site for the Trinity Institute,

with live feed from Trinity Wall Street in New York

City. The 2016 Trinity Institute was titled “Listen for

a Change: Sacred Conversations for Racial Justice”.

Unfortunately, we did not have sufficient registra-

tion to proceed, so cancelled our participation. In

2017, the Trinity Institute will take place March 22–

24 and is titled “Water Justice” with speakers such

as Canada’s Maude Barlow and Jeffrey D. Sachs. To

determine if there is sufficient interest to be a part-

ner site in 2017, St. Matthew’s surveyed previous

participants. We received sufficient indication of

interest that we are proceeding with our planning.

The Trinity Institute is an education event that at-

tracts many participants from other churches in

Ottawa as well as from St. Matthew’s.

In 2017, we will be focussed on recruiting new vol-

unteers to help deliver the Christian Education pro-

gram and looking for new education program and

format opportunities. With Rev. Sneddon, we have

been exploring new education opportunities and

will be offering in 2017 a new “Christianity 101”

program during Lent.

We would like to thank all those who volunteered

their time during 2016 to lead, speak, help organ-

ize, and generally support our events. Christian

Education is a growing ministry at St. Matthew’s,

and we welcome any suggestions parishioners may

have for new programs, or volunteers to help or-

ganize events.

Respectfully submitted,

Helen Griffin

Children and Youth

Children’s Sunday School

Sunday School is offered year round at St. Mat-

thew’s. From September to May, the Augsburg

Fortress Spark curriculum materials are used, as

well as the lesson plans. The children respond well

to the colourful leaflets and the activities. In the

summer, teachers prepare a lesson based on the

weekly lectionary readings. The children enjoyed

preparing for the annual Children’s Christmas pag-

eant held on Christmas Eve.

Attendance at the Sunday School is often sporadic,

depending on weather and the participation of chil-

dren in many of their other outside activities.

There have been as many as thirty children on rare

occasions, and as few as one.

Classes are divided by age, with the youngest chil-

dren, generally four years old, in one group, the pre

- to early readers in a second class, and children in

18

2016 Vestry Report

MUSIC

Music Committee

The Music Ministry had an exciting year in 2016

under the talented and imaginative direction of

Kirkland Adsett. Several initiatives involving the

Music and Concert Committees but also the exem-

plary support of choir members, choir parents and

other parishioners increased the strength, vitality,

and visibility of the choirs.

Attracting boys and girls to join the choirs remains

a huge challenge. New publicity strategies pro-

moted open rehearsals in June and the choir camp

in August to the local community and schools and

will be expanded in 2017. In addition, some chil-

dren from within the parish joined the choirs, and

this number could grow with our population of

younger families.

Using the enhanced sound system funded by GIFT,

services and special musical events are being regu-

larly recorded so that choral and organ music selec-

tions are now available on the parish website, Face-

book page, and on YouTube. Margret Brady Nankiv-

ell and Neville Nankivell wrote articles for the par-

ish website, the Pulse of the Parish, Crosstalk, The

Oscar, The Glebe Report, and The Ottawa Citizen.

Alek Delja kept an active photo record of choir ac-

tivities, and offered pictures for articles and public-

ity. Leonard Surges continued to maintain a Face-

book page for St. Matthew’s Choirs with weekly

updates and links to the St. Matthew’s website and

Facebook page and to other related websites:

www.facebook.com/stmatthewschoirottawa.

Three musical productions in 2016 were hugely

successful in reaching out to the community be-

yond St. Matthew’s. It was decided that all the

year’s concerts would be presented on a free-will

offering basis in order to reach a more diverse and

younger audience.

grades 3 and over in a third class. The children get

along well together and really seem to benefit from

the friendships they are making at St. Matthew’s.

From January to August of 2016, Aindrea Proudfoot

was Sunday School coordinator, and her team of

teachers included Lisa Sheehey, Steve Robar,

Wesley Chick, Mary Glen, Meghan Wilkinson, Kathi

Racine, and Heather Sheehey.

From September to December, Kathi Racine acted

as interim coordinator. The Sunday School is seek-

ing new teachers as it is faced with the loss of

three talented folks to other commitments. In De-

cember 2016, Christine Piper was selected as the

new part-time Sunday School coordinator. The

Sunday School looks forward to working under her

leadership.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathi Racine

Getting ready for Christmas Pageant .

19

2016 Vestry Report

On January 31, the Swedish silent film, The Parson’s

Widow was screened, accompanied by the Boys’

and Girls’ Choirs and by Kirkland Adsett on the or-

gan. The event drew an audience of over 250, in-

cluding many from the Ottawa Scandinavian com-

munity. The program for spring concert on May 15,

Sing We Merrily, featured selections from 1,000

years of church music, with an attendance of over

250. In keeping with our goal of reaching a

broader community, St. Matthew’s presented an

abbreviated family-friendly version of Handel’s

Messiah on November 19 with favourite choruses

and arias. The Rev. Prof. Kevin Flynn, as special

narrator, gave some interesting background about

Handel and his music. Kirkland Adsett appeared in

a beautiful period costume like Handel would have

worn, made by the talented Kathi Racine, and the

soloists, Michael Ruddy and Holly Ralph Ormsby,

generously donated their considerable talents.

Designed to appeal to children and adults alike, the

presentation drew an audience of over 300 includ-

ing 65 children. Thanks go to principals of First

Avenue, Mutchmor, Glashan and Hopewell schools

who promoted the concert within their school

populations.

Many individuals under the able leadership of

Peggy Nankivell, chair of the Concert Committee,

were responsible for concert tasks such as budget-

ing, publicity, free-will offerings, programs, musi-

cian contracts, and ushers. They include: Andrew

Campbell, Ian Glen, Joan Lawrence, Virginia Lind-

say, Jean McCarthy, Neville Nankivell, Margaret

Terrett, Kathi Racine, and Leonard Surges. Each of

them, in turn, was assisted by many other parish-

ioners.

A one-week choir camp was held in August for the

choir boys and girls and prospective choristers.

Together, they developed their musical skills and

repertoire working with Kirk and also enjoyed a

variety of crafts and activities ably planned and

supervised by Kathi Racine.

There is a strong feeling of community within the

choirs. A year-end party following the final Even-

song in June and a Christmas party following the

Lessons and Carols service offered choir members

and their families a chance to celebrate their

shared ministry and to become better acquainted

with one another. Boys and girls received recogni-

tion and promotion at the final joint choral morning

service in June.

I would like to thank all the members of the Music

Committee for their thoughtful and active support

of the Music Ministry throughout the past year.

They are Robyn Ryan Bell, Elizabeth MacMillan,

Penelope Nicolaiczuk, and Nicholas Ralph.

Respectfully submitted,

Virginia Lindsay

Music Ministry

I would like to share with the parish my thoughts

about the general feeling within the music ministry

at St Matthew’s and the challenges I see us facing

in 2017. From my perspective, the only real chal-

lenge facing the music program at St Matthew’s is

the continuing need to recruit volunteer singers,

most particularly, boys. I have drawn attention to

this dilemma in every vestry report since coming to

St Matthew’s in 2010. As we know, St Matthew’s

Men and Boys’ Choir is one of only two remaining

choirs of its type in the whole of Canada. Apart

St Matthew’s Choirs

20

2016 Vestry Report

from telling us that this choir is both rare and pre-

cious this fact also reminds us that most choirs of

this type have folded. A much reduced church at-

tendance amongst the younger generations, a

great change in the culture over the past 20 years

and an over-abundance of after-school activities

are the chief reasons for the demise of the boy

choir tradition in North America.

The music committee has been tackling this issue in

a number of creative and carefully targeted ways

over the past few years. We have advertised widely

offering “open rehearsals” to potentially interested

choristers at year end and start-up time in Septem-

ber. We have introduced advertisements outlining

our children’s choirs in the programs at every con-

cert at St Matthew’s as well as at outside perform-

ances. We have also made some programing

changes to our concerts in the hope of being more

family-friendly and thusly hoping to garner interest

in choir participation that way. Music colleagues

have advised us that word-of-mouth “advertising”

is the most fruitful in encouraging more boys to

join the choir. In the past, I have encouraged choir

members, choir parents and parishioners to ask

neighbours and contacts with children to check out

our programs. Many of you have told me you have

done this and we appreciate your efforts very

much. Looking to the future, there is a new crop of

potential choristers in the Sunday School. Plans are

being made to start a young children’s choir (ages 4

-7) again in the hope of getting future singers for

the boys’ and girls’ choirs. Other ideas are only in

the developmental stages at this time but would

open up the music ministry to the wider commu-

nity again in the hope of attracting singers for our

parish choirs.

Despite having fewer numbers within some of the

choirs at St Matthew’s, I am very pleased by a num-

ber of improvements in key elements of the music

ministry. I continually hear favourable comments

from colleagues and parishioners about the choirs’

blended and nuanced singing. I am reminded of the

story of Healey Willan taking his very fine choir to a

small town in Western Ontario. After the successful

concert, Willan overheard two elderly women say-

ing that the choir was alright but that their parish

choir could sing much louder! Any choir can sing

loudly. We are aiming for a beautiful and well-

balanced sound and quite often, the choir achieves

it. In recent months, however, I have been most

pleased by the palpable sense within the ensem-

bles that they are there for the right reasons,

namely to be of service to the liturgy and to func-

tion as a team in that mission. There seems to be a

more coherent sense within the group that we are

a “family”. This may be partly due to the fact that

most of our members are now parishioners. I

would like to encourage this sense of togetherness

because my belief is that this will only add to what

we offer musically and spiritually to the church’s

liturgies.

I would like to thank the many dedicated people

who through their hard work and initiative make

our music ministry possible. Virginia Lindsay has

again served the parish admirably as music commit-

tee chairperson. Personally, I am very grateful to

Virginia for her friendship and excellent counsel.

Elizabeth MacMillan and Pein-Pein Huang, likewise

have again this past year acted courageously as

choir librarians much to my and the choir's appre-

ciativeness. I acknowledge the great commitment

in time and energy on the part of choir parents and

I remain indebted to our parish singers for their

musical gifts which they share with us on Sundays

in the praise of our Creator. While we have only

worked together a short time, I am similarly grati-

fied by Reverend Sneddon's support and encour-

agement of the music ministry at St Matthew's.

Respectfully submitted,

Kirkland Adsett

21

2016 Vestry Report

Rev.Gregor Sneddon, sherry at Evensong, and the

Contemplative Prayer Day.

We added Souper Sundays to our community cele-

brations and hope to continue the new tradition, a

suggestion of Rebecca and Tyler Laffin. It was

something they wanted to bring from St Matthias.

It is a great addition to our hospitality calendar.

Many thanks to everyone who contributes sand-

wiches, squares, salads, cakes, and cookies for

community events. Thank you to everyone who

helps to set up and take down the tables and

chairs, to serve and clean up. A special thank you to

the Seniors' lunch team, Elizabeth Kent, Virginia

Lindsay, Kathi Racine and Jane Rider.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Terrett

Coffee Hour

The custom of gathering after the 10 am Sunday

service to socialize and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee

and a cookie is a cherished aspect of life at St. Mat-

thew’s. A significant part of our efforts to be “a

welcoming Christian community,” coffee hour pro-

vides an opportunity for many of the congregation

to catch up on the events of the week, welcome

newcomers, and exchange greetings. On several

occasions the venue for Coffee Hour was moved to

the Parish Hall because of a special event. Such

transfers are kept to a minimum so as not to dis-

rupt the accustomed routine of volunteers and pa-

rishioners alike.

One innovation for this year, instituted at the re-

quest of the rector, is the provision of coffee before

the service. A small 12-cup percolator has been

purchased to allow for the rapid brewing of a lim-

ited number of servings for those interested. So far

demand has been limited, but those needing their

morning fix seem to appreciate the opportunity to

have a quick cuppa.

COMMUNITY

Community Activities

We had a very active year in the "feeding folks"

department.

Twelve seniors' lunches, held the second Wednes-

day of each month, provided a nourishing lunch

and time to chat with friends for an average of 20

people each month. Our usual events: Pancake

Supper, Maundy Thursday meal, Parish Picnic,

Newcomers Lunch and St. Nicholas Party are stan-

dard tradition. These events give parishioners a

chance to socialize over a meal, and the children to

enjoy time together. Our events, thanks to the free

-will offerings and the food donations, made a

small profit.

In February we had a parish "thank you and good

bye" party for the Rev. Canon Pat Johnston, where

we fêted her with an amazing spread of food, in-

cluding sandwiches made by parishioners, and cake

by Ava Hammond. It was a splendid party. In

March we celebrated Canon Pat's retirement with

the wider Anglican community with a marvellous

cocktail party.

We welcomed the The Rev.

Rhonda Waters and said goodbye

to her with cakes and special cof-

fee hours after the 10:00 a.m.

service. Other events to which

we contributed were: the Vestry

lunch, Parish Council meetings, a

welcome reception for the

Pat Johnston

22

2016 Vestry Report

As with most activities at St. Matthew’s, Coffee

Hour would be impossible without the co-

operation and support of volunteers. They arrive

early to set things up, then maintain the flow of tea

and cookies while people are gathered, and stay

late to tidy up. The volunteers for the fall, winter

and spring of 2016-2017 are Anita Biguzs, John

Budden, Sheila Campbell, Gwyn & Bill Cornfield,

Jenny Curtis, Lenore Fahrig, Joy Hitsman, Leslie

Jones, Karen Junke, Marjorie & Colin Lay, Ann Luce,

Pam and Peter Mackenzie, Sarah & Tom Martin,

Jean & Jim McCarthy, Dianne McCauley, Loretta &

Ed McDonald, Carolyn McMaster, Peggy & Neville

Nankivell, Charles Nixon, Kathi Racine, Susan

Rayner; Mary & Steve Reid, Jane & Peter Rider,

Claire & John Schofield, Leonard Surges, Margaret

Terrett, and Paul Tweedale. Thanks to all for a job

well done.

This year a number of volunteers have stepped

down, while some new volunteers have come for-

ward. To the former, a hearty thank-you is due for

your loyal service, and to the latter, an equally

warm welcome and thanks for taking on this task.

Although there is a substantial number of hosts for

Coffee Hour, there aren't enough at present to

cover the longer season and all holidays. A small

number of additional volunteers would ensure that

some Sundays are not left uncovered. Anyone

wishing to help is asked to contact one of the un-

dersigned

co-ordinators.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane & Peter Rider

Open Doors

Each weekday between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. a

faithful group of parishioners takes turns unlocking

the front doors of the church to welcome the com-

munity into St. Matthew’s. By opening our doors

and being present, we make St. Matthew’s accessi-

ble to our neighbours, not just Sunday morning, but

throughout the week as well.

During 2016 we welcomed 149 visitors. Some

came to sit quietly, while others came to pray.

Some were just interested in seeing the inside of

the church, and a number stayed to chat with our

volunteers. Many followed our self-directed tour

pamphlet and viewed the outstanding points of

interest in the church. We were able to answer

questions for the curious and to provide informa-

tion about St. Matthew’s to those seeking to know

us better.

During this time our volunteers also performed

many small but necessary weekly tasks, such as

gathering expired bulletins and tidying books in the

pews, replenishing pew envelopes and pamphlets

and generally putting things in order near the en-

trance to the church. We also had CDs of St. Mat-

thew’s Church choirs for sale.

In addition, on June 4th and 5th 2016, St. Matthew’s

once again participated in Doors Open Ottawa,

joining many other Ottawa groups opening their

architecturally significant buildings to the public.

We welcomed 77 visitors over the two days.

Greeting for Open Doors, left to right: Judy Sabourin, Elizabeth Ann Luce

Coffee Hour

23

2016 Vestry Report

We are very grateful to the following parishioners

and friends who have shown great dedication in

the past year and who have made it possible to

have “Open Doors”:

Doug Biehler, Andy Billingsley, Frank Chandler, Jean

Esperance, Ruth Frayne, Ian Glen, Tom Grace,

Mavis Hill, Jill Hyde-Clarke, Michael Jarvis, Elizabeth

Kent, Madonna Larbi, Ann Luce, Elizabeth MacMil-

lan, Ian MacMillan, Sheila McCaffrey, Janice

McRae, Bruce Miller, Neville Nankivell, Florence

Plint, Peter Rider, Judith Sabourin, Janice Sonnen,

George Taillefer, and Marg Terrett.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Oulton, Coordinator, Open Doors

Marmalade

The 2016 Marmalade Project ran for two weeks

between Monday, January 18 and Friday, January

29. Approximately 20 volunteers assisted with the

work. This number was up from the previous year,

in part reflecting a decision to work one Saturday,

thereby allowing wider participation. Production

was good, with 530 small jars and 82 large jars of

marmalade being produced, most of which was

reserved in advance. The rest sold out very quickly.

The net revenue from the project was virtually the

same as last year, $3,487, divided equally between

the Syrian Refugee Response programme of the

Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and

The Centretown Emergency Food Centre.

As in previous years, Boushey’s Fruit Market on

Elgin Street ordered the Seville oranges and the

lemons for us, and Redpath Sugar Limited of To-

ronto donated the sugar. Peter Hodge, son of the

late parishioners, Jack and Dora Hodge, made the

arrangements with Andrew Judge, the Customer

and Logistics Manager at Redpath, and delivered

the sugar to us at no cost. Our thanks to all of

them. This co-operation was a huge help and maxi-

mized the amount of money available for the chari-

ties. Later in the year, Boushey's announced the

store's closure, and a new supplier of oranges and

lemons had to be found. Produce Depot on Carling

Avenue has taken on the task.

This project drew together many people from St.

Matthew’s in an effort designed to support com-

munity outreach. It benefited greatly from the gen-

erosity of members of the parish who donated jars

and other supplies and who purchased the marma-

lade. Without the enthusiasm and support of the

volunteers who peeled, cut and stirred as well as

performed the many other varied tasks involved

with the project, nothing would have been

achieved. Their involvement and commitment are

deeply appreciated.

The project loomed large around St. Matthew’s

during its two-week lifespan. The understanding of

all who shared the facilities was graciously ex-

tended and gratefully received. Many thanks to

Canon Pat and Joan Lawrence for their assistance

and support. Joan, moreover, not only received

payments and generally troubleshot on behalf of

the project, but in addition led the team during the

Saturday bottling session. A big thanks also to Ava

Hammond who captained the kitchen during the

project's second week.

Various individuals assumed leadership roles in the

project. Overall co-ordination was undertaken by a

small steering group, the members of which in

2016 were Frank Chandler, Ruth Frayne, Ina Grif-

fiths, Karen Junke, Loretta McDonald, Jane Oulton

and Peter Rider.

Respectfully submitted,

Peter Rider

24

2016 Vestry Report

breaks down to a little over $160.00 for each

meal.

Currently, four teams comprise this ministry. The

workload is distributed so each team is responsi-

ble for planning, preparing, and serving a meal

three times a year. Approximately 40 parishioners

are involved in the monthly meal ministry. Des-

serts are provided by Jennifer Henry's baking

team. Thank you, Jennifer and your team, for the

much appreciated, delicious and wonderful des-

serts you provide.

The women staying at the Cornerstone Women's

Shelter continually need toiletries. In 2016, St.

Matthew's parishioners have generously donated

shampoo, conditioner, body wash lotion, sun-

screen, feminine hygiene products, hair brushes,

and combs. Every two to three weeks we were

able to deliver the much-needed donations to the

shelter.

Leadership In 2016: Pam Mackenzie is the Chair

for the St. Matthew's Cornerstone Program. Pein

Pein Huang, Catherine Draper, Claudia Sanmartin,

and Pam Mackenzie lead the Cornerstone teams.

Thank you to each person who has volunteered or

donated. Your continued support has contributed

to the success of the Meal-a-Month program. We

are always looking for new volunteers; interested

parishioners are invited to e-mail Pam Mackenzie

(pamela@mackenzie.org) for additional informa-

tion on the Cornerstone program.

Angels with Backpacks

Angels with Backpacks is a partnership between

St. Matthew’s Anglican Church and the Youth Ser-

vices Bureau of Ottawa that began in 2004. The

2016 Angels with Backpacks project lost the coor-

dinator of the federal government employee par-

ticipants. However, our colleagues at Ashbury

College came through for the YSB youth, and they

OUTREACH

St. Matthew’s defines outreach as those projects,

activities, and commitments that provide loving

service to those in our community who are vulner-

able, marginalized, or in need. The Outreach Co

mmittee in 2016 was supported by dedicated mem-

bers, including our Rector, and our Rector’s War-

den, Val Needham. Backing up this team of project

leads, there are over 90 volunteers across the Out-

reach projects and initiatives. This year, Outreach

focused on supporting its core programs; efforts to

further expand the group’s mandate to broader

social justice issues were put on hold as the Strate-

gic Planning process unfolds. The actual expendi-

ture in 2016 was $22,040, spending for refugees

was an additional $62,539 for a total of $84,579.

There were many Outreach accomplishments in

2016. The following provides selected highlights

from our local initiatives. St. Matthew’s also con-

tinues to support national and international initia-

tives including the Suicide Prevention Program and

the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund

(PWRDF) including $3,487 from the proceeds of

marmalade sales.

Cornerstone

Beginning in July 2009, on the third Saturday of

each month, a group of four to six St. Matthew’s

parishioners prepares, delivers, and serves a nutri-

tious lunch to the 50-60 women living at the Cor-

nerstone Emergency Women’s Shelter in Centre-

town.

Cornerstone is a Community Ministry of the Angli-

can diocese of Ottawa and provides emergency

shelter and supportive housing for a diversity of

women. Cornerstone has an environment that pro-

motes dignity and a sense of hope.

The meals we prepare and serve help, in a direct

and practical way, women who are at vulnerable

points in their lives and who cannot take the rou-

tine comforts of daily life for granted. St. Mat-

thew's has an annual budget of $2000.00, which

25

2016 Vestry Report

filled 120 backpacks!

St. Matthew’s parishioners and friends filled 65,

and Roberta Bondar Elementary School filled 10.

The grand total was 195 plus donations from pa-

rishioners who were not able to fill a backpack. We

also collected bags full of extra items for YSB to

have on hand over the winter months. Thanks to

Joy Hitsman and Dianne McCauley for leading us in

another successful year!

Out of the Cold Suppers

St. Matthew's, other churches, and local groups

take turns providing suppers to needy people dur-

ing the winter season. This program is led by South-

minster United Church in Old Ottawa South, and

the project offers a welcoming environment, a hot

meal, and cheerful fellowship for between 60 and

80 people. Suppers are organized each Saturday

from late October to the end of March.

St. Matthew’s usually hosts two suppers annually,

at which about 25 parishioners and friends host,

cook, serve, and clean up after the meal. Some pa-

rishioners participate on other Saturdays as well.

St. Matthew's has supported this program with an

annual donation of $1,000.00

Thank you to all the volunteers who together make

these meals possible. Anita Biguzs has kindly taken

over the role of coordinator of this program.

Please contact her if you are interested in partici-

pating.

CCSAC/Centretown Emergency Food Centre

The Centretown Emergency Food Centre is once

again looking forward to an effective and robust

year for 2017. Year 2016 was a year of financial

strain for them. They struggled with a $20,000 defi-

cit from 2015 and to meet ongoing food needs with

an increase of 25% in clientele from January 2016.

The financial needs inspired a successful new initia-

tive, a Walk-a-thon on October 16, 2016, which was

part of the solution, along with two successful

Christmas charity concerts and two food drives in

November/December 2016. The funds totaled

$22,625. In 2016, CEFC served 10,126 people, an

increase of 336 persons in 2016. We are all very

thankful as we look ahead to 2017. Thanks to Eliza-

beth Kent for representing St. Matthews and taking

such a lead role as our CCSAC representative.

Harmony House

In 2016, Harmony House continued to provide af-

fordable housing for women and children escaping

domestic abuse. Residents received individual and

group support to ultimately enable their successful

transition back into the community.

The parish’s ongoing support of the shelter makes a

difference. This year, St. Matthew’s funded a well-

received series of workshops for the women of

Harmony House called “Building Spirits, Changing

Lives.” Through the workshops, women developed

skills related to conflict resolution, communication,

self-esteem and community building, and each

week they were challenged to practice a skill set

discussed at the workshop.

Harmony House residents also welcomed the tradi-

tional Jesse Tree gift-giving program. St. Matthew’s

donations filled an entire minivan with toys, gift

cards, and much-needed household items.

Thanks to Meghan Watkinson and Katie Rider, St.

Matthew’s representatives on the Harmony House

Board of Directors.

FACES – First Avenue Churches and Community

Embracing Sponsorship

St. Matthew’s, St. Giles Presbyterian Church, and

Glebe-St. James United Church have formed a part-

nership with the aim of sponsoring and supporting

refugee individuals or families. A volunteer com-

munity-based group has also joined forces with the

faith-based group to generously share its re-

sources, personnel, and expertise. Together, these

groups form FACES – First Avenue Churches and

Community Embracing Sponsorship.

FACES has welcomed and supported several refu-

gee families, including the El Sellum family, who

26

2016 Vestry Report

arrived in February 2016. The family welcomed a

new baby girl in September, and Faiz is trying out

various working opportunities. Our financial sup-

port for the family must end in January 2017. We

will be completing a financial and family report to

the Diocese in the coming month. Several of our

team members have established friendships with

the family that will no doubt continue

The group also welcomed the Hakim family, who

arrived in September 2016. They are adapting to

life in Ottawa fairly quickly because of their family

connections and the ability to speak English. We

will be assisting the Hakims until August 2017.

FACES is also supporting four government-assisted

refugee (GAR) families. This support is helping with

the backlog in sponsorship applications. Support

and assistance began before Christmas for the fol-

lowing families: Al Hewiws (5); El Huseyins (8);

Umurerwas (6); Omar and Elham (4); and the

Musanis (4). We are using our funds to buy and

supplement the sometimes meagre assistance they

are receiving. We also help with visits to schools,

health and social services.

Thanks to Tom Martin, Rick Trites, Susan Thomson

(Steering Committee members), and all those who

have supported FACES.

Thanks to all who have supported Outreach activi-

ties this year. We are always looking to include

more parishioners in whatever capacity they feel

they can best serve. Please contact me if you are

interested in participating.

Respectfully submitted,

Claudia Sanmartin (campbell22@sympatico.ca)

PARISH STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Committee

The primary role of the Stewardship Committee is

to promote regular financial giving, and to support

and promote general (time & talent) stewardship

opportunities and initiatives. However, the financial

giving picture tends to dominate our meeting agen-

das while general stewardship pretty much takes

care of itself through the amazing efforts and skills

of the nearly 50 groups & committees, all self-

starters, who do everything from property mainte-

nance to preparation of Cornerstone meals.

As 2016 began, our expectations for financial giv-

ings were modest. We knew that a number of pa-

rishioners were still fulfilling their GIFT (Growing in

Faith Together) campaign pledges, thus reducing

their ability to increase regular givings. What we

didn’t know was that we would be transitioning to

a new rector which typically (we understand) leads

to some drop off in givings, at least temporarily, as

the congregation gets to know the new rector.

In early November-December, faced with a growing

operating deficit, we asked parishioners to consider

making their December offerings double what their

average monthly offerings had been during the first

eleven months of the year. The response was very

gratifying, with December General Use donations

more than double (up 223%) the prior eleven-

month average. The result was that although Gen-

eral Use donations for the full year still fell margin-

ally below budget, the operating deficit was wiped

out. Our profound thanks to all those who re-

sponded so generously. It gives us a great confi-

dence-boost as we start 2017.

27

2016 Vestry Report

While the overall picture is encouraging, the sub-

stantial number of parishioners who decreased

their non-PAR givings in 2016 (including twenty

who ceased giving altogether) is a concern.

St. Matthew’s received $74,144 in GIFT funds in

2016, thanks to the continuing generosity of parish-

ioners who pledged what now must seem like

many years ago. The good news is that we are into

the last year, with less than $100,000 of pledges

still outstanding. With the roof mostly paid for, the

remaining GIFT proceeds will be applied to a num-

ber of ministries projects that are discussed else-

where in the Vestry report. Thank you all for your

loyalty and perseverance as we bring GIFT to a

close.

As I write, the 2017 budget is still preliminary but

indications are that it will once again challenge us

to be generous in our givings. We look forward to

working together to meet this challenge. In closing I

would like to thank Karen Junke, Jim Ryan and Val

Needham for their support, and to thank each and

every one of you who practiced good stewardship,

at St. Matthew’s and in your daily lives, during the

past year. Keep it up!

Respectfully submitted

Tony Maxwell, Stewardship Committee

Finance Committee

The Role of Finance Committee

The Finance Committee oversees the financial

management of the parish including preparing

budgets, maintaining books and records and re-

porting on financial results. It works with the Con-

tributions Coordinators in recording The Finance

Committee oversees the overall financial manage-

ment of the parish including preparing budgets,

maintaining books and records and reporting on

financial results. In addition, the committee ad-

dresses any other finance-related issues that are

referred to it by the Corporation. The committee

also assists and oversees the work of the Treasurer,

Year PAR* Non-PAR Combined

Total Givings 2016 $261,401 $129,988 $391,389

2015 $244,918 $140,346 $385,264

Increase $16,483 -$10,358 $6,125

No. of Givers 2016 100 108 208

2015 97 103 200

Avg. Givings 2016 $2,614 $1,204 $1,882

2015 $2,525 $1,363 $1,926

No. of 2016 Givers who Increased 55 50 105

Decreased** 27 66 93

No change 19 7 26

* Pre-Authorized Remittance (monthly automatic debit)

** including those who did not give in 2016

Summary of Parish Givings, 2015 and 2016

28

2016 Vestry Report

the Envelope Secretaries, the Bookkeeper and the

Counters. It works in cooperation with the Adminis-

trator, the Fundraising Committee and the Stew-

ardship Committee on issues of a financial nature.

Finance Committee met eight times during the year

and provided monthly financial statements to Cor-

poration and Executive Committee. In terms of

special projects, Finance Committee:

1. Continued to advise on the financing of the

Roof Replacement Project and managed the

process for borrowing funds from our invest-

ments in the Consolidated Trust Fund;

2. Modified our QuickBooks accounting system

to provide automated reports; and

3. Created new reports to track income and

expenses by Fund (e.g. GIFT, Refugees,

Music).

The Finance Committee in 2015 will continue to

look for ways to improve the management and de-

livery of its on-going responsibilities. It will focus

its attention on two initiatives:

1. Provide advice and strategies to support the

management of special funds and to support the

work of the Strategic Plan; and 2. Improve our

process for managing accounts receivable.

Counters

St. Matthew’s has four teams of counters with

three to four counters per team. Every week, they

volunteer their time and talent to counting, proc-

essing, balancing and depositing all cash and

cheques received by the Church. They also handle

receipts from such events as the Great Glebe Ga-

rage Sale, other fundraising activities and concerts.

Strict procedures are in place to ensure the secure

handling and deposit of cash and cheques.

Contributions Coordinators

Lisa Sheehy and Mary Reid are responsible for

tracking all identifiable donations received by St.

Matthew’s, issuing tax receipts and for administer-

ing the Pre-Authorized Remittance (PAR) Program

whereby parishioners sign up to make monthly of-

ferings which are withdrawn automatically from

their bank accounts. At year end there were 100

parishioners enrolled in PAR donating a total of

over $19,000 every month. Donation information

is kept strictly confidential.

2016 Parish Financial Results and 2017 Budget

The 2016 financial results and 2017 Budget will be

reviewed in detail at Vestry. Documentation is in-

cluded in the Vestry materials.

Committee Membership

Finance Committee welcomed four new members

in 2016: Walt Draper, Bill Megill, Cathy Simons and

Chris Wilke. They joined a long serving group of

dedicated and wise committee members - Sarah

Martin, Tony Maxwell, Carolyn McMaster, Kevan

Pipe, Lisa Sheehy, Mary Reid and Don Wilson – as

well as Rev. Gregor and Paul Tweedale represent-

ing Corporation. There were other changes: Kevan

resigned from the committee in the fall and I re-

signed as Chair of the Committee, but will continue

as a member. Walt Draper was appointed by Cor-

poration to succeed me.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Finance

Committee, Jim Lynes

Fundraising Committee

The fundraising committee’s mandate is to raise

funds supporting the strategic goals of St. Mat-

thew’s and the church’s mission statement to be a

welcoming community of faith.

Collaborating with other committees, we support

outreach objectives and the music program by so-

liciting sponsorships and advertising. We also maxi-

mize sales at the annual Great Glebe Garage Sale

by organizing a premium boutique table. Through

these events and the tri-annual auction, we raise

the profile of St. Matthew’s within the local com-

munity and beyond.

29

2016 Vestry Report

The highlight for 2016 was the Treasures Auction

held on Saturday, October 29, 2016. The auction

netted close to $60,000, with $15,500 of these pro-

ceeds supporting the FACES refugee program, and

the balance directed to St. Matthew’s commitment

to Growing in Faith Together (GIFT). This

“payment” to GIFT completes St. Matthew’s total

five-year fundraising contribution of close to

$100,000. The auction is a demonstration of a

community in action, involving the work of 135 vol-

unteers. Some remaining items will be sold in

2017.

The successful results achieved by the Fundraising

Committee require the ongoing support of parish-

ioners and the larger community. Committee

members are greatly appreciative of this effort and

commitment. The committee members are Anita

Biguzs, Craig Kamcke, Peggy Nankivell, Janice

Sonnen, Val Needham, Claire Schofield, and Janet

O’Meara. The 2017 Auction included additional

and very capable lead support from Karen Junke,

Pam Mackenzie, Marg Terrett, Sue Rayner, Jane

Oulton, Jane Metcalfe, Kathi Racine, and Tom

Martin. In 2017, the committee will be chaired by

Peggy Nankivell.

Respectfully submitted, Walt Draper

Nominating Committee

The mandate of the Nominating Committee is to

recruit, develop and support the leadership of the

parish community and to encourage more parish

members to take up the opportunities for ministry.

Our main task each year is to prepare the roster of

nominations and elections for wardens, committee

chairs, and parish officers to be voted on at the

annual Vestry meeting (on February 26). These po-

sitions demand a lot of time and energy, so it is

sometimes quite challenging to find new leaders. In

certain years, we also recruit for specific projects,

such as establishing a team in 2016 to refresh the

Strategic Plan. We are blessed with very fine candi-

dates, as you will see at Vestry.

At the other end of the spectrum, we recruit new

volunteers to take up entry-level positions, where

they can learn how the parish functions and begin

to build relationships with others. One route for

Claire, Madighan, Georgia, and Peggy Nankivell

Excellent attendance for Auction 2016. Thank you!

Event Date Income

Marmalade sales (*) Jan/$4,019

Great Glebe Garage Sale May $10,586

Auction Oct $58,835

Other fundraising, such

as gold bits

Dec $1,216

(*) The Marmalade and

Music Committees issue

separate reports.

Total

$74,656

30

2016 Vestry Report

becoming more active is to join a committee or

group doing things that match your interests. An-

other is to be elected to be one of the four Congre-

gational Representatives to Parish Council (which

meets three times a year). These four people are

also invited to attend the meetings of the Executive

Committee of Parish Council, where they can ex-

perience the full sweep of the issues facing the par-

ish.

The parish has a wealth of talent. In 2014, when we

did our last survey of volunteers, 203 individuals

volunteered for at least one ministry. And the core

of the volunteer cadre involved 96 people who are

involved in two or more ministries. (Six people vol-

unteered for eight or more ministries.) All in all,

parishioners volunteered for 573 ministry activities.

About half of those activities involved the spiritual

core (worship, prayer, and music), and the other

half involved people working on committees, out-

reach, or community-centred activities.

A key part of our work is succession planning. Dur-

ing 2016, the Nominating Committee worked with

the Lead Counters to recruit new Counters for the

teams. We are working to recruit a new Out of the

Cold suppers co-ordinator, as well as to work with

several committees, including Stewardship and

Education, to refresh their membership. We are

also continuing to try to get to know newcomers to

understand where their interests might lie. Please

don’t hesitate to talk to Janice Sonnen or me about

your volunteer interests.

As volunteers, it is hard to grasp the full sweep of

the parish “human resource” challenge—

developing leaders, helping newcomers to inte-

grate into the parish, finding the match between

the work to be done and the people available to do

it. If we try to formalize these functions, we fall into

bureaucracy that cannot be sustained. If we go

with the flow, gaps begin to occur, and people start

to burn out. Still we do what we can, giving thanks

for the time and talent of all the people who get

involved in the work of this parish. Together, we

serve our God and our community.

As Chair of the Nominating Committee, I would like

to thank Judy Maxwell, who stepped down as Chair

at Vestry 2016, for the guidance provided during

the year. And the Nominating Committee (Janice

Sonnen and I) would like to thank Mike McDer-

mott, a long-time member of the Committee who

has ‘retired’, for all his wonderful work over the

years.

Respectfully submitted,

Helen Griffin, Chair, Nominating Committee

Communications Committee

Spurred by the energy of our new Rector, the Com-

munications team began a small revolution in 2016.

Our goal is to better support our ministries and

invite more newcomers to join us. We will do this

through a higher volume of advertising and new

tools: advertising on Facebook and Google; more

intensive use of local media; and investment in

graphics.

We also plan to work with key ministries such as

Music, Outreach and Fundraising to help them to

plan their communications with more graphics,

wider media selection, and coordination across our

many forms of communication. Upcoming cam-

paigns will include recruiting choristers, the Even-

song series, and the Christianity 101 program

planned for Lent.

All of this activity is designed to bring new people

into our beautiful church. Our core communication

assets – the website, the Pulse of the Parish, and

the parish e-letter – will continue to keep parish-

ioners informed. However, it will take more money

and more paid help (for graphic design and coordi-

nation) to implement the plans for 2017.

In the meantime, we are seeing a realignment in

human resources. Two of our key volunteers have

31

2016 Vestry Report

“retired” after long years of service – Neville

Nankivell and Kevin Atkins. We will miss them

both. Neville has promised occasional articles for

the Pulse of the Parish. Kevin (and Hazel) have

taken the Pulse of the Parish magazine to new

heights and are now investing in their young chil-

dren.

Margaret McCarthy is our Interim Editor for the

Pulse (December through March). She started our

Parish Facebook page in late 2015, but passed it

along to Leonard Surges when she took a paid job

outside the city from May through September. We

are looking for someone to publish future issues of

the Pulse, beginning in May-June.

We are also looking for new Committee members

who know social media. They will be joining the

four members who have contributed mightily to

the revolution in the work of the Committee: Jean

McCarthy, Kevan Pipe, Steve Reid, and Leonard

Surges.

Accomplishments in 2016 included:

Rebuilt the website in June to upgrade secu-

rity and create easier access for mobile

phones and tablets, and then redrafted the

content to suit small screens. Comparing the

fourth quarter of 2016 to the same quarter

in 2015:

Visits are up 162%,

Pages viewed are up 291%,

Hits (downloads to the screen) in-

creased by 316%.

Facebook Likes for our parish page

increased from 21 in December, 2015,

to 208 at the end of 2016.

Mobile and tablet visitors increased

from 30% to 40% of all visits between

spring and fall, 2016

Supported the preparation of a video for the

Strategic Plan Task Force Chapel Chat,

Published five fine issues of the Pulse of the

Parish,

Updated the Directory and published the

2015 Annual Reports to Vestry, and

Prepared gift bags for each family attending

Christmas services.

Respectfully submitted

Judith Maxwell, Chair

Property

An extremely busy year that saw the separation of

the gardening work from the Property Committee

with the retirement of our hard-working Ava

Hammond. Under the leadership and direction of

George Taillefer, a major repair was made to the

water drain system coming from the bell tower

roof that then necessitated additional baptistery

ceiling repairs and painting. Further cleaning of the

font was made; crack filling and painting on the

west wall over and about the balcony, and then

major work completed in the rectors’ office involv-

ing the powder room ceiling replacement, repaint-

ing of walls, and the refinishing of the floor.

In addition, the Glebe Ave. St. Matthew’s sign was

repaired, refinished, and reinstalled during the

summer. Touch-up painting on the flag wall, adjust-

ment of spotlights on the pulpit and prayer station,

adjustment of the Glebe Ave. entrance doors, and

pew moving helped keep the lads out of trouble. A

new door hook was installed at the First Ave. en-

trance. Numerous light bulbs/tubes were replaced,

and several door locks were repaired or adjusted.

The lower access door code was changed, and

blinds were installed in the Administration Office,

as was some external window protection.

Further work involved remounting the fire extin-

guishers (Qty 14) and installing visible signage for

them, and the rebuilding of the elevator vestibule

floor from the east parking lot. The exterior of the

west side exit door on Glebe Ave. has been

stripped, stained and varnished to rehabilitate it

from years of damage by the elements. And yes,

bells were mounted for Kirk.

Not the least of the problems were boiler compo-

32

2016 Vestry Report

nent failures and water leaks in pipes, sump pump

replacements, and newly manifesting roof leaks not

associated with the new roof, the later to be ad-

dressed in the spring. Oh yes, and blower fan filter

replacements.

Those participating in the above enjoyments were

George Taillefer, Peter Mackenzie, Paul Tweedale,

Scott McLeish, Mark Harrison, Peter Frayne, Steve

Reid, Bill Nuttle, Ian Glen, Leonard Surges, Don

Lindsay and Bob Richard.

Respectfully submitted,

George Taillefer and Paul Tweedale

Roof Replacement Project

Work by the construction contractor, Roof Tile

Management Inc. (RTM), resumed in January 2016

and continued in the area of the chapel for several

weeks. Water penetrated into the elevator vesti-

bule and transept in early March, when ice dis-

lodged flashing on the roof over the offices. A

snowguard was damaged after fasteners for brack-

ets were stripped from the wood deck, causing rails

to be overloaded near the chapel. The incident was

not attributable to a defect in design, materials or

installation but to unusual weather. A repair proce-

dure developed with input from the supplier, Ideal

Roofing, included installing extra brackets. Site res-

toration began in May and The Rev. Rhonda Waters

blessed the roof in June, as the project neared sub-

stantial completion.

The RTM contract was modified during 2016 by

change orders to replace the support structure for

a shed roof near the First Avenue parking lot, install

snow guards on that roof and above the entrance

to a storage shed, install framing in the attic above

the elevator and offices and rebate unexpended

cash allowances. All work was inspected by the

owner’s representative, Robertson Martin Archi-

tects (RMA). RMA investigated an incident in No-

vember, when water penetrated into the nave.

Lower roofs were replaced in the early 1980s and

sealant was later renewed. Sections above the nave

remain in service, but sealant must be removed

and replaced to prevent water entry and maximize

the life of the roofs. The Property Committee will

ensure action is completed.

At year end, project administration was nearly

completed. The final value of the RTM contract was

$677,125(pre-HST). An August invoice was awaiting

certification by RTM. Final RTM invoices were

pending for subsequent work and the holdback.

The total payable to RTM is expected to be

$125,097 (including HST). Further expenditures are

not anticipated and HST rebates will be received in

the future.

The project was included in the GIFT Case for Sup-

port approved by a Special Vestry in June 2012 and

the design phase began in late 2013. A Vestry in

2014 authorized the Corporation to complete the

project at a total cost of up to $750,000, with a

bridge loan of up to $250,000. The project was de-

layed because no bid could be accepted without

reductions in the stipulated price and scope. Terms

were agreed in August 2014 and the construction

contract was signed in January 2015.

Construction began in April 2015 and finished in

late 2016. Reports were submitted to Vestry in

2014, 2015 and 2016. Regular reports to Corpora-

tion and to ECPC regarding progress and cost pro-

jections were provided over the course of the pro-

ject. The total project cost, net of HST rebates, is

expected to be $767,668, a level 2.4% over the Roof showing damaged snow guard.

33

2016 Vestry Report

amount authorized in 2014 and within the range

projected in September. In 2014 dollars, the net

cost would be below $750,000. Delays that created

some cost pressures also allowed the project to be

completed without a loan.

Respectfully submitted,

Leonard Surges, Project Manager

On behalf of the Corporation

34

2016 Vestry Report

Annexes