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Pastors Report for 2006 Recently I was doing some devotional reading, exploring the apostle Paul’s letter to the first century Christian church at Philippi. The Philippian community of believers was established by Paul on one of his missionary journeys to what is now Greece. This church community was small but was thriving and Paul writing from his prison cell in Rome wrote to them to offer advice and encouragement. His words from the 3rd chapter really spoke to me and resonate as I think about the past year at Safe Harbour. Phipippians 3:12-16 (The Message) 12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. 15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. God is Beckoning Us Onward – Let’s keep Focused on the Goal First as we look back over 2006 it has been a year which has brought some change for us as we moved our worship services to the morning. After prayerful consideration and dialogue we decided to try something new – to expand the possibility of outreach to more people – different people; and judging by the increase in worship attendance over the last part of 2006, it was a positive move that holds much promise for the future. By moving to morning services we have opened up the possibility of having children in worship and more youth as well. God has been beckoning us to move beyond our comfort zones and try something new and focus on sharing the good news with more people. God is beckoning us to grow in numbers! In 2007 let’s keep focused on the goal. Secondly, we hired a new pianist Stephen McConnell to help us offer quality music in worship. We have known for some time that music is a key component in worship and it is the primary thing which draws people to the church as they are touched and ministered to through music in worship and it keep them coming back. The decision to hire someone had us identify our needs, decide what we wanted for the music ministry and then advertise for the position in the local print media, set a job description, and interview prospective candidates. God has beckoned us to improve our worship experience and we have committed ourselves to offer the best to God. God is beckoning us to excellence in worship in 2007 let’s keep focused on the goal. We have come to learn over the years that we are not here to serve exclusively those within the church, but we are here to serve God and God’s people everywhere. In 2006 more than ever before we have been focused on outreach to the communities we are a part of. We organized the first ever Interfaith Service for Pride, participated in the GLBTI Initiative, worked with NSRAP and the GLBT Youth Project, reached out to various segments of our communities through special guest speakers like Rev. Chris Glaser, and Ms. Judy Rebick. We supported the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia, co-hosted the World AIDS Day Vigil, and supported events during AIDS Awareness Week. We also were part of the NS Human Rights Commission opening of the Anne Frank in the World Exhibition during Holocaust Remembrance Week. We also sponsored a child at Mother of Peace Orphanage in Zimbabwe and supported MCC in Eastern Europe and its church growth initiatives around the world. We have also continued to hold our Annual Community Christmas Dinner, support Manna for Health, and have offered Pastoral Care services to many people in need. God has beckoned us to expand our involvement in the world and we have drawn the circle wide. God is beckoning us to increase our outreach ministries. In 2007 let’s keep focused on the goal. And finally, it is important to acknowledge the growth in commitment as it has been especially evidenced in the area of giving. At the annual meeting when we gathered to discuss and pass the budget for 2006 we planned for significant and costly changes over 2005. I remember responding in disbelief to the consensus that the budgetary goals we set were reachable. I challenged people to accept not just the figures to to won the decision to pass the budget with a commitment that would mean everyone would have to give more of their time, talents, and treasures. Through your faithfulness we made it. We dared to dream and to follow a vision and God provided the means. God has beckoned us to dream and to follow the vision of being a church that can make a difference in our world and we believed and followed. God is beckoning us to dream again and grow in our commitment and giving. In 2007 let’s keep focused on the goal. Thank you again Safe Harbour for the opportunity to serve you and journey with you. God is Beckoning Us Onward – Let’s Keep Focused on the Goal Blessings, Rev. Darlene Young
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