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July 2010
Dear Colleagues,
Summer is a good time for reflection, and for catching up
with friends and family. I hope that you will all be able to
enjoy some time for your own rest and refreshment.
The Lay Readers of Montreal have enjoyed another year of
growth, learning, and active fellowship. I know we have all
been grateful for our hardworking executive members, for the
guidance and support of the Rev. Tim Smart, and the
encouragement of our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Barry Clarke.
In November 2009, our Annual Study Day and Commissioning
Service was held at St. Paul’s Church in Lachine, led by the
Rt. Rev. Dennis Drainville, Bishop of Quebec. Bishop Dennis
gave three talks around the theme of “Spirituality and the
Lay Reader”. The Montreal Lay Readers were delighted to
welcome three Lay Readers from the Diocese of Quebec. In
addition, a number of individuals who were just beginning
their Lay Reader training had an opportunity to enjoy the
fellowship and learning through the Study Day.
Throughout the year, monthly workshops were offered at the
Montreal Diocesan Theological College, taught by a variety
of skilled tutors. These workshops are open to all
interested lay leaders, and have been well-attended. A
number of Lay Readers are also enrolled in the four-year EFM
program for further study. This is a program that is highly
recommended for those in active lay ministry. Your
association offers you a bursary to assist with this course
of study.
Our Spring Retreat drew close to 50 Lay Readers to the
Manoir D’Youville from April 30th – May 2nd, 2010, with
Patricia Bays speaking on “Being Anglican in the 21st
Century.” With Patricia’s experience as a teacher, an author
and an Anglican who serves at all levels of the Church, she
challenged Lay Readers to value our church’s history and to
welcome our church’s future. The annual retreat is a time
for Lay Readers to get to know one another and to socialize
in a relaxed setting.
The Annual General Meeting was held at St. James the Apostle
Church, on May 19th, 2010, with a sumptuous dinner catered
by the cooks of Trinity Memorial Church. This was a time to
thank the hardworking executive and to welcome new members.
Our next major event will be the Study Day on Saturday,
November 20th, 2010, with the Rt. Rev. Barbara Andrews of
APCI (the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior) in B.C.
Our programme for 2011 will be available for distribution in
September.
May God keep each of you safe and well in His loving care.
May He bless you as you follow His call to love and to serve
in His name.
Susan Winn
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