Writing this report brings awareness that I have been at St. John's for one year. I consider this parish as my Firstborn, it being my first appointment from the bishops' office and also different from many other appointments I have had in the past. I was appointed to come to St. John's in 2008, but I could not start immediately due to some technical and logistic issues.

However, I have felt your warm embrace and openness and readiness to receive different forms and ways of doing things from what you were used to or brought up with. To me this has been nothing less than revelational! To realise that I was not called to enjoy familiar ground but an unfamiliar one that would bring great unfolding to my spirituality and understanding of God's creation. It is a great honour to serve with the whole lot of you.

It has been a delight to be among you in the Sunday fellowship for the ministry of the word and breaking bread together. I have had the Best Opportunity to test myself in many areas. My desire to teach and learn through weekly adult education programs has enabled me to affirm some approaches and methods of faith formation and discipleship that I have always thought are workable in a parish.

During this time, by appointment from the Rector, I have been involved in the following ministries and their various committees: Pastoral Care, Building Committee, The Well, PWRDF Refugee Committee, and parish council. In addition I have been directly involved in two specific ministries, the adult education and Terrific Tuesday. (See the Annual Vestry Report, pages 9 and 29, for details.)

Naomi Kabugi