Letter of Resignation

To the Wardens and Congregations of the Parish of Neil’s Harbour with Ingonish
From the Reverend M. Elliott Siteman, Rector
Regarding Canon 25
14 September 2008, Holy Cross Day

Dear brothers & sisters in Christ,

After a great deal of prayer, conversation, discernment and some prodding by our Bishop I have submitted, and the Bishop has accepted my resignation as rector of this parish.

This resignation will take effect on the 29th of November 2008 so that I may accept the Bishop’s appointment as Rector of the Parish of St. George’s, New Glasgow on the First Sunday in Advent, the 30th of November 2008.

I know this may seem too soon; indeed I had not anticipated a move for a few more years yet but what we must keep before us is that God’s plans and our plans do not always match.

I want you all to know that this was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made in my life – next to getting married and becoming a parent. God called me to this place to be amongst you for a time. Now God calls me onward. I have done faithful service here and in order to continue to be faithful I must follow God’s call in my life. I perceive God’s call in my own prayer and contemplation, in the voices of other people, and in the voice of my Bishop. That call is what drew me to this place and that call is what is drawing me to New Glasgow.

We will have a few weeks to say our good byes and I will be putting in place some things to ensure that ministry will continue in this place. The Lay Readers and I will be doing some education together around scheduling, services & home communions. Also Kelvin & Wayne will continue in their Education For Ministry Program, which will only be beneficial to this parish.

Finally, you will not be abandoned. Bishop Sue will be appointing a Priest-in-Charge and, along with the Archdeacon, you will form a Parochial Committee to seek out a new Rector to come amongst you for a time. I pray that in due time you will be sent another faithful servant, one who will walk with you as you continue your journey in faith.

As this announcement is being made on the festival of the Holy Cross it is important to note that it is the cross of Jesus that leads us into the future and as long as we keep that cross in sight we will be walking the path of discipleship.

God bless you all.

Yours truly,
The Reverend M. Elliott Siteman
Rector

Welcome!

This week in the life of our Parish we welcome Shona Boardman. She is a theological student and postulant for our diocese and will be with us for the month of July. We are blessed to have a student amongst us. Come out and support her as she continues her training here in this place.

Celtic Concert Series

This summer we will be holding a series or concerts as a fund raisers for the parish.

For more information or to reserve tickets please check out the website we have created for these events.

Concert Series Website

It should be a grand time!

Holy Week Schedule

Services for Holy Week leading up to the celebration of Easter are scheduled for:

Palm Sunday 16 March 2008
9am Holy Eucharist with Palms, St. John's
11am Holy Eucharist with Palms, St. Andrew's

Monday of Holy Week 17 March
10am Holy Eucharist, St. John's

Tuesday of Holy Week 18 March
10am Holy Eucharist, St. Andrew's

Wednesday of Holy Week 19 March
7pm Holy Eucharist, St. John's

Maundy Thursday 20 March
7pm Institution of the Lord's Supper with Foot Washing, St. Andrew's

Good Friday 21 March
1pm Ecumenical Service, St. Andrew's

Holy Saturday 22 March
8:30pm The Easter Vigil, St. John's

Easter Day 23 March
9am Holy Eucharist & Baptism, St. Andrew's
11am Holy Eucharist & Baptism, St. John's

All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome - come and worship

Lenten Study Group 2008 - Session One

With Lent comes our annual program of study. This year we are looking at the Sacraments of the church and we begin with Baptism & Confirmation.

Click HERE to look at the opening presentation for this session. Please feel free to make comments and/or to come and join us. The schedule for our sessions is as such:

Session One - 14 February 2008, 6:30pm, St. John's Church - Baptism & Confirmation
Session Two - 21 February 2008, 6:30pm, All Souls' Chapel - Eucharist
Session Three - 28 February 2008, 6:30pm, St. John's Church - Holy Orders
Session Four: 6 March 2008, 6:30pm, All Souls’ Chapel – Reconciliation & Unction
Session Five: 13 March 2008, 6:30pm, St. John’s Church – Marriage

An Explaination

My friends I would like to share with you the details about a decision that was made for the congregation of St. Andrew's.

Recently we have been worshipping in All Souls' Chapel instead of in St. Andrew's Church. The vestry made this decision based upon the financial realities that we must live with in this part of our parish. Last year (2007) we spent over $4000 on electricity for St. Andrew's the bulk of that money needed to heat the church. Last year (2007) the congregation of St. Andrew's lived beyond its means - we had to spend much more than was offered - and so we fell into a deficit situation.

As I stated in my sermon for Epiphany the Vestry, Wardens and I have been very worried about this situation and we have been trying to think of ways to help ourselves out of this hole. Using All Souls' Chapel is a good use of our resources. The 46 people who came on the 13th of January and the 26 people who came on the 20th of January were well housed in the chapel. Most of those who came thought that the worship had an intimate feel about it.

We are called to be good stewards of that which God has blessed us with and using our Chapel for regular Sunday worship lives up to that stewardship.

I would like to make one thing very clear:

WE ARE NOT IN THE PROCESS OF CLOSING St. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Please do not think this for one moment! For the winter months when we do not have a special service we will be using the Chapel. When the warmer weather returns or for our Joint Services or for our Family Eucharists we will be using St. Andrew's.

If you have any questions about how this decision was reached please do not hesitate to contact me, I will be all too happy to answer your questions.

Blessings,
Elliott+