Parish Council
In 2006 the Parish of St. Paul’s committed itself to reviewing the Parish Vision (renewed in 2014). This involved an extensive Parish-wide process of holy conversations to discern where we believe God is calling us.
The Parish Council carefully spent most of 2006 trying to put the Vision and Mission Statements into action. It was finally decided that we would suspend our committee structure and develop Ministry Teams corresponding to the characteristics of the Mission Statement. Parish Council would have two Ministry Teams in addition to the five characteristics of the Mission and these are Finance, Property and Executive. It was felt that virtually nothing from Canon 35 (the diocesan Canon regarding parish governance) was left out of this plan. The Clergy of the parish form a Ministry Team called the Ordained Ministry Team (OMT). They function in a way that is intended to offer support and partnerships in the ministry of the whole people of God and help the Parish in the carrying out of the Vision and Mission.
The Role of Parish Council
Property, Finance, Executive and OMT
We are called to responsibly look forward to how we anticipate the calling of God to serve the needs of St. Paul’s Church and the greater community.
Parish Council
Parish Council will focus on an intentional systematic planning function. It will seek input from the Ministry Teams, committees of Parish Council and the members of St. Paul’s Church. Parish Council will attempt to put their plans into a consolidated six month, one year and five year time frame. Our goal is to promote shared ministries for the parish in a manner that reflects a balance of needs and opportunities.
Parish Council will assess the impact of programs on the time, talent and treasure resources of the members, on the staff and on the buildings.
The Parish Council will also look at trends and opportunities and provide suggestions or recommendations where appropriate. The interaction between St. Paul’s, other Anglican parishes, the Diocesan Church Society, the Diocese, other Christian churches and other faith groups will be part of its considerations.
This Parish Council will initiate annual reviews of parish covenants, the Parish Vision and Mission Statements and will be responsible for ensuring that we renew the Vision and Mission every five years.
The Parish Council will also provide for four additional Ministry Teams. Both the Finance and Property Ministry Teams will fulfill the responsibilities outlined in Canon 35. The Executive Ministry Team consists of the rector and Wardens and is responsible for the general oversight of the Parish. The Ordained Ministry Team (OMT) consists of the rector and the Non-Stipendiary clergy of the Parish. They’re responsibilities are largely pastoral and liturgical.
It will be the role of Parish Council to enable communication among the various Ministry Teams. The hope is that the Ministry Teams will coordinate their efforts and support one another in fulfilling the ministries.
All members of Parish Council are expected to be involved in one of the Ministry Teams or one of the activities associated with a Ministry Team. It will be the responsibility of the Ministry Teams to co-opt members of the Parish who have a skill or interest in the ministry.
It is by God’s grace that we are involved in God’s work.
Ministers:
All our Parish Family!
Wardens:
Jennifer Fernandes
Doug Meek
Parish Activity Coordinator:
Amanda Donovan
Director of Music Ministry:
Dean Perry
Security:
Clar Fradsham
Associate Priests:
The Rev’d Jay Macdonald
Rector:
The Venerable John W.G. Clarke
Archdeacon of Prince Edward Island
Meeting Dates
Meeting start at 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
Meeting Dates in 2024:
Mar. 19;
Apr. 16;
May 21;
Jun. 18;
Sep. 17;
Oct. 15;
Nov 19;
Dec 3 or 10 (Budget)
Meeting Dates in 2025:
Jan. 21;
Feb. 18;
Annual Meeting Feb. 23.
How We Are Organized
We have seven standing committees of Parish Council. These committees are the result of two major influences. First, we have a responsibility as a parish in the diocese of NS and PEI. These are outlines in Canon 35, and although our committee names do not match those of the Canon we are addressing the major elements expected of us. Secondly, a series of discernment periods in recent years have caused us to develop and reaffirm our Parish Vision and Mission. These committees reflect what we believe God is calling us to.
The first three committees are self-explanatory:
1) The Executive Committee
2) The Finance Committee
3) The Property Committee
During the Parish Festival – This is YOUR Church, we had a session called Dream Dreams. We were able to identify four principal outcomes and these outcomes are reflected in the remaining committee of Parish Council.
They are:
4) Social Justice: It was clear that there was an understanding that we are already doing a lot of things well and we should affirm those things and build on the good ministry that has been accomplished and continues to be accomplished in the Parish. This is particularly true of our social action and outreach efforts. There is recognition that effort and resources should be utilized in address core issues that lead to poverty.
5) Belonging: The main character evolving for St. Paul’s Parish is that of inclusion. We have worked for some time to create an atmosphere of inclusion. We want to be a community that is truly welcoming. It is one thing to smile at people and offer a warm handshake at the Peace, it is quite another to create a manageable and joyful process of belonging. We want to make it easy for people to join St. Paul’s and we want to longtime members to deepen their sense of belonging.
6) Children/Youth/Families: There is a clear desire to do more to engage children, youth and their families in the overall life and ministry that is St. Paul’s Church.
7) Worship: Sunday morning worship is at the core of who we are and we recognize a need to continue to allow the liturgy to evolve and be meaningful to the breadth of people who worship here.
Our ongoing renewal as a faith community is reliant on addressing these four “dreams”. Each elected member of our Parish Council is expected to participate on of these committees. Other parishioners interested in a particular subject can also join the committee. Please don’t wait for me to gather a group, any member of the Parish Council can start by calling together interested people.
We heard at the Parish Festival that we are called, as a people, to “live dangerously,” but not alone. Whatever we plan; whatever we do; we will plan and do together.
The Parish Council – 2024
Warden
Jennifer Fernandes
Doug Meek
Treasurer
Joel Ives
Members-at-Large
Ashely MacEachern
Suzie DeBlois
Kathleen Ferris
Anita LeClair
Rudy Gaudet
Keely McGill
Tristan LeClair
Bridgette Storr
Philip Rafuse
Synod
Ann Pelly
Sarah Keaveny Vos
Synod Youth
Helena Vos
Sanctuary Guild
Audrey Stewart
Choir
Dean Perry
Youth
Jordan LeClair
Clerk
Amanda Rae Gallant
Associate Priest
The Rev’d Jay Macdonald
Rector
The Ven. John Clarke