2007: endings and new beginnings

The past year saw many of the sustained and remarkable efforts of the Architectural Review Committee's Phase Two come to fruition, under the able leadership of Gay Richardson. In the spring, the newly renovated Parish Hall re-opened, as did the Community Shop which moved to new quarters in the excavated crypt under the nave of the church. Our children and young people now meet in the new Northcote Burke Christian Education Centre. Our church school over the last year seemed to reach a "critical mass". There are now about 50 regular attendees at our church school; junior and senior youth groups meet monthly. This makes St John's increasingly attractive to young families. Kudos are due to Wanda, and all those who volunteer with the church school and youth groups. Although we experienced several configurations of the nave for worship during the winter months of 2007, we returned to our traditional arrangement by Eastertide. An exception was made during the hottest months of the summer, when parishioners were treated to a new form of worship, in the round, in air conditioned comfort in the Parish Hall.

In December, a party was held for the new residents of Somerset Gardens, which was officially opened, and is now in "finishing touches" stage of construction. Somerset Gardens, along with the Well and the Community Shop, are visible witness to St John's commitment to those of modest means who live in our neighbourhood, and to the ecumenical efforts of the Multifaith Housing Initiative.

St John's demonstrated its leadership in the national church by organizing two important special events during the year. The Whole Message Conference brought bishops, clergy and lay leaders from across Canada (and the United States) to address the theological and institutional issues on the question of the full inclusion of women, aboriginals, and gay and lesbian persons into all aspects of church ministry. This was the first opportunity for members of Integrity chapters from across Canada to come together since the inception of the first chapter, in Toronto, in 1975. Then in November, under the leadership of Jane Maxwell, the parish's re-invigorated PWRDF Committee hosted an evening dialogue between Canada's new aboriginal bishop, the Rt. Rev. Mark MacDonald and Mr. Robert Watts, the interim director of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Both events generated media attention, raising the parish profile in Ottawa and across the country.

The past year was a season of synods. An Electoral Synod in March selected John Chapman as our new bishop. Three parishioners were able to attend General Synod in Winnipeg in June, which selected a new Primate, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz of Nova Scotia. At our Diocesan Synod in October, a motion put by Ron Chaplin and Garth Bulmer, asking the bishop to authorize the blessing of same-sex civil marriages, was passed by a large majority.

On Christmas Day, our Rector, the Rev. Garth Bulmer retired from 38 years of ordained ministry, 16 of them served in our parish. During a reception and party in mid-December, parishioners, family and friends were able to thank him in ways both heartfelt and fanciful for his leadership and inspiration over the years. Garth knew how to encourage the best in everyone, and to enable the laity to minister in creative ways.

We are still struggling to generate sufficient income to support all our activities. There will be a reprieve in 2008 because we will not be paying full priestly salaries for a good part of the year. This is a temporary respite from a chronic budgetary problem at St John's.

Over the coming year there will be several opportunities for the parish to reflect on its mission, its role in the community and diocese, and its priorities. The number of different activities going on at St John's has already surprised many outside the parish. So to all those who volunteer their time to organize parish suppers, to lead workshops or seminars, to serve in liturgical roles, who participate in our ministries, who volunteer at the Community Shop or the church office, who care for the sick and the elderly, who attend meetings and meetings and meetings, we offer both thanks and praise. There is energy at St John's not found in many churches, the energy produced by many, many people working together, and energy that both sustains and restores us all.

Finally, thanks to all our staff. You have blessed us beyond our imagining.

Patricia Bowen	Ron Chaplin
Rector's Warden	People's Warden