Canon Lyons

All Saints’ Anglican Church, Waterloo, Ontario

Canon Robin Lyons, our Rector

I hope and pray that this Summer has been refreshing, restorative, and enjoyable for all of you. I thank God for those moments given to spend with family, friends, and in relaxing activity. I also am very thankful to all of those folks who maintained our Summer schedule of worship, parish administration, and ministry. From Susan in the office; to Fr Art Brewer and our deacons, layreaders, and volunteers with worship; to Maryl, choir members, wardens and deputies; Kim & Ashley in ‘Super Summer Sundays’; Chancel Guild duty teams, greeters & sidespeople; A-V folks; Shadde & the coffee hour volunteers – the list of those ‘keeping the ship afloat’ in July and August is extensive. My apologies to those I may have overlooked, and my thanks to all.

Now with Rally Sunday on the near horizon, our attention turns to the ‘thrumming’ activity of a healthy parish in the full swing of life in Christ. This Fall, as the routines of worship, meetings, programme, and ministry resume, and some new initiatives are offered, please take special note of the following:

1. We welcome Phil Thompson to his ministry as our Adult Education and New Member Integration Co-ordinator. Phil has already done much preparation for his work at All Saints’, and we look forward to the new opportunities for spiritual growth and community development he will offer. Please uphold him and his ministry in your prayers! And take advantage of the programme offerings he provides!

2. Also this Fall our Sunday School undergoes a change in leadership and curriculum. Kim Nikkel has resigned as Sunday School co-ordinator after a very effective ministry with our children and young families, to more fully follow her vocation as a choral director. We thank God for her enormous contribution to this area of our parish life and look forward to her ongoing participation. We also thank God for the very willing and capable team of Sandra Koke and Shari Mclaren who have volunteered to shepherd our programme, with support from a committee of Sunday School parents. We ask not only your prayers for them, but also your active volunteer support to make our ministry to our children as vibrant, meaningful, and secure as possible. May God continue to bless our Sunday School!

3. Our 50^th Anniversary celebrations continue this Fall with visits from former rectors- Canons David Morris and Neil Carver- in September and November respectively. The climax of our 50th year comes with All Saints’ Day, November 1^st. Our new Bishop of Norfolk, Terry Dance will be the celebrant and preacher at the 11am service of Thanksgiving for 50 years of God’s goodness at All Saints’. He will be joined by several of our former rectors, as well as former area bishops. A wonderful banquet at St George’s Hall is planned to follow, and we hope all of our parishioners (past & present) will be able to share in our joy. More information will follow! Meanwhile, please remember your Anniversary Planning Committee in your prayers – they are hard at work!

The above represent merely the ‘tip of the iceberg’ in terms of Fall activity at All Saints. There are many more events, programmes, and surprises in store as we walk together as companions on the journey with Our Saviour Jesus…and that’s not to mention the steady ongoing rhythm of worship, prayer, proclamation, and service that marks the heartbeat of our life in Christ at All Saints’.