Rector’s Charge to Vestry by Stuart Pike

Photo Credit: Sandy Darling of Christ’s Church Cathedral

As is our custom here at St. Luke’s, on vestry Sunday I give my charge to vestry, rather than preaching a sermon. However, I am struck by how well the biblical lessons for this Sunday fit into what I wanted to speak with you about in this charge.

I have a feeling that Gospel Lesson might be one of our Director of youth and Family Ministry, Elliott Siteman’s favourites. In fact our Youth Group is called the Salt and Light youth group. And Hymn 502 “You are Salt for the Earth” has got to be definitely one of Elliott’s favourites!

Jesus calls his disciples salt and light. Both of these things are to be used for purpose. Salt makes a critical difference in a recipe, in enhances it. Even a small amount is mixed into the ingredients and it changes the whole to make it better.

Light does not exist just to be hidden, but it is to be put on a lampstand to make a difference to everyone. It transforms darkness and enables the people to have the vision to do what they must do. Both salt and light are transformative and Jesus uses them here to show how the disciples are to enable the transformation of people so that they can see the new kingdom, can work to usher in the new kingdom and invite others to live in its reality.

This is our task as the followers of Jesus in this Parish Church of St. Luke. We are to be salt and light, to make a difference to both the members of this Church and to those outside that they may see and enter the new Kingdom.

I am so grateful for all the ways that the people of this parish have been salt and light over this past year. Those ways are varied and numerous and I am particularly thankful for them during what has been a challenging year.

First of all, I want to say how much I have missed the ministry and counsel of Cheryl Fricker, our Vicar, who has been on leave of absence for almost 11 months and who we now know will not be returning to parish ministry with us. She did an amazing job for us in her short time here. She spear-headed our needs assessment which will continue to shape our ministry and outreach into the future. She was instrumental in helping us partner with Art House – a free afterschool program for children in the community. She was there as we started to catch a vision about gathering the wider community together regularly for a meal which would provide food for those who are hungry and friendship for those who are lonely. She was very committed to providing excellent pastoral care and education to our parish. We continue to pray for her own healing, and her daughter’s, and we know that Cheryl will continue to be salt and light for God’s Kingdom in many other ways as God is calling her.

I would like to thank the Clergy team that has helped me out tremendously during this challenging year. Elliott Siteman took on some additional pastoral duties from time to time and Sheila Plant really stepped up to the plate with much more pastoral and worship work as well as all of her work in outreach. Carole Langlotz stepped into the breach and assisted tremendously with both pastoral and liturgical duties. I simply could not have done without them all.

Our administrative team including Sandra Tiernay and Chris Hughes plus our volunteer receptionists, Marilyn Barnes, Jackie Maver and Elizabeth Flett have ensured that our office runs smoothly and that all our administrative needs for worship are well met. Thank you all for your hard work.

I would also like to thank an excellent executive, which consists of the Rector’s Warden, Bill Stafford, the people’s warden, Dorothy Kew, the deputy Rector’s Warden, Heather White and the deputy People’s Warden, Alan Brodie and our treasurer, Chris Miller. They have been greatly