Parish Council and the Ministries of Council - 2009
Parish Council is the governing body of the Parish and is elected and/or appointed at the Annual General Meeting. Comprising of The Corporation on the Parish (Rector, three Wardens and Treasurer) twelve members-at-large and Chairs of the various organizations. This body overseas the general business of the Parish and is the steward of the financial affairs of the congregation. Election and/or appointment is for a three year term with one Warden and four members-at-large being elected each year on a rotation basis.
Parish Administration: In the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, Canon 35 provides the framework for the administration of a parish. The diocese also has a series of ministry handbooks. www.nspeidiocese.ca
Rector: The Rector is an ordained priest called to guide a parish. Rectors are “Instituted” into parishes by the Bishop at a special service of “Institution”. The Rector is then “Inducted” into this ministry at a service of the whole parish and region. At that time, the parish and rector enter into a covenant relationship (See Covenant in Ministry).
The Rector of the parish is the chief liturgical officer of the parish and as such is solely responsible for all things pertaining to liturgy in the parish. All those who assist at the liturgy do so under the direction of the Rector (organists, choir directors, lay readers, visiting and assisting clergy etc.).
While the clergy are part of the Parochial Corporation and receive a stipend indirectly by the parish, the clergy are appointed by and responsible to the Bishop of the Diocese.
Parish Council:
Wardens: The Wardens are the principal elected lay officers of the parish and are members of Parish Council. As such, Wardens are called upon to carry out the same responsibilities as all members of the Parish Council. Namely, to regularly evaluate the overall life of the parish or church, to recommend ideas for effective ministry and to give leadership towards the achievement of the purpose of the parish. Wardens share with the share with the Rector mutual responsibility in fulfilling the total ministry to people in the community and share with the Rector the concern, needs and desires of the congregation. They are responsible, with the Rector, for seeing that the decisions of the Parish or Church Council and Parish Meetings are carried out.
Executive Committee: While not specifically outlined in Canon 35, many parishes form an executive Committee usually composed of the Rector and Wardens. This group meets for mutual support and to ensure that the decisions of Parish Council are carried out expeditiously. This group might also identify concerns and problems that need to be addressed by Council.
Parish Council Members: The Parish Council consists of elected members of the parish who serve for a three-year term. Representatives are also chosen from various parish organizations at the Annual Meeting. Each member of Parish Council is to be active in one or more ministries of Council. The Parish Council, of which the Rector is a member, is the governing body of the parish. The Parish Council has a number of ministries/committees which reflect the life, ministry and outreach of St. Johns’. These ministries promote an effective division of labour so that the varied interests and abilities of people are put to the best use. The term "shared ministry" is often mentioned in our Diocese. The ministries/committees are not meant to work in isolation but to work closely with the Parish Council and are in all cases responsible to that Council. Effective reporting to Council must be maintained at all times. Ministries/committees must receive Council approval of their activities before implementation. St. John’s has the following ministries/committees at present:
WARDENS: Peter Allen 634-4668 • Stephen Bower 634-8445 • Louise Holdbrook 634-3510
TREASURER: Dan Steele 640-2187
DIRECTOR of MUSIC: Barbara Butler 624-0506
HAND BELL/Jr CHOIR DIRECTOR: Sharon Hill 634-8781
HONORAY ORGANIST: James Aulenbach 634-3913
CHIMER: Peter Allen 634-4668
ALTAR GUILD: Lillian Keeping 634-3795
PASTORAL VISITATION: Charlene Demone 543-5753
PRAYER & HEALING MINISTRY: Sandy MacDonald 634-4657
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT MINISTRY: Louis Quennelle 527-0122
HERITAGE MINISTRY: George Munroe 634-3356
PROPERTY MINISTRY: Raymond Francis 634-8487, Stephen Bower 634-8445
HALL MINISTRY:
LADIES’ GUILD: Susan MacMillan 634-3019
ACW: Barbara Nowe 634-4473
ACW CATERING: Patty Tanner 543-3474
LAY READERS: Roger Demone 543-5753
ALTAR SERVERS: Sheila Morris 634-3713
FAMILY LIFE MINISTRY:
YOUTH: Alex Knickle 543-7010
SUNDAY SCHOOL: Jane Lordly 634-3344
NURSERY: Jennifer Green-Heisler 624-0237
FOOD BANK: Bruce & Louise Holdbrook 634-3510
MEALS ON WHEELS: Hazel Oliver 634-3236
TOUR PROGRAM: Peter Allen 634-4668
STEWARDSHIP:
PLANNED GIVING: Jim Eisenhauer 634-4713
PWRDF: Sharon Green 634-8269
REGIONAL COUNCIL: - Betty Lou Olivier 766-0112, Charlene Demone 543-5753, Barbara Eisenhauer 634-8257
SYNOD DELEGATES: Louis Quennelle 527-0122 , Grace Swan 766-0327, Alternate: Ron Swan.
NEWSLETTER: Brian Kenefick 764-2145
WEBSITE: Ruth McConnell - 634-9994
LECTORS: Helen Chandler - 624-0100
GREETERS: Hazel Oliver 634-3236;