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Find us on Facebook – St Clements Church – every Sunday at 11:15 a.m. for a live streamed service with Archdeacon Godfrey Mawejje
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Our Liturgical Year – Where are we?
The Epiphany
January 6th – Ash Wednesday, Feb 17, 2021
Isaiah 60: 3
Arise, shine; for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
For darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will appear over you.
Nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
The Feast of the Epiphany is called “ordinary” time. It’s not “ordinary” in the sense of “unimportant.” Instead, it shows us that our ordinary lives are indeed filled with the light and love of God, and are the place where he works.
Ordinary time points us to the reality that all time is God’s time. If the calendar did not include ordinary time in reality no season or feast day would be special. But by the inclusion of ordinary time, the Church Year reminds us that even the everyday, mundane portions of our time are sanctified. Christ has claim to all of it. So we think of ordinary time as a good time to go about our daily lives in the name of Our Lord, to drink in the light of his Word and teaching, and to be about the business of the King.
http://www.anglicancompass.com
What is a Vestry and what does
the vestry at St Clements Church do?
In the Anglican tradition, the “Vestry” is what other churches might call a “church board.” It’s the leadership body responsible for the parish. “Vestry” the word means “an elective body…composed of the rector and a group of elected parishioners administering the temporal affairs of the parish” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary).
The Roles of the Vestry
- Protect the Vision
The Vestry’s primary role is to protect the stated vision of the parish. Each member of the Vestry should be able to articulate and safeguard the primary visionary direction of the congregation. They should each know the answer to this question: What is it we are trying to do here? How to discern and articulate the Vision that God has for the parish and then the Vision is understood and prayed through, the Vestry should guard and protect it. It shouldn’t change with the seasons or passing of years.
- Insure the Values
The next function of the Vestry is to insure the values of the congregation. That is, while the Vestry may know the direction and what they are trying to do as a parish, the Values question is this: How are we actually trying to live out our vision? What are the means and programs by which we are working toward our Vision? Where do we focus our efforts? What are we going to do now? Adult Discipleship. Worship. Evangelism Ministries, Small Groups. Compassion Ministry. Local Mission, etc. These are not choices to make…one instead of the other…but areas to build up and maintain.
- Uphold Financial Integrity
The Vestry is also charged with protecting the financial integrity of the church. Through a designated Finance team, the Vestry should scrutinize the finances on a monthly basis. They should provide for an annual audit of all funds; approve budgets and make routine reports to the congregation. They should approve long-term financial contracts and basically act as guardians of the financial life of the parish to insure that the church has a long-term future and is operating in a trustworthy way with all funds that have been given or borrowed.
- Support the Rector
Supporting the Rector is the fourth key role of the Vestry. The Rector is the main agent of the Vestry to accomplish 1, 2, and 3 above. The Vestry’s primary role then is to help the Rector accomplish these things. Vestry leadership is never honorary; they are not rubber stamps for what the Rector decides is best. But they are not either to be ‘devil’’s advocates’, the loyal opposition, or representatives of any special interest groups or programs in the parish. The Vestry has one job in a sense: find the Rector to lead the parish in 1, 2 and 3 (above) and support him however they can.
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While up in the Bell Tower these pictures were taken of the John West bell. Note the dated 1820 inscription. Go to our History page for additional information
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Today’s chuckle
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Our Outreach Projects
In order to keep our parishioners and our community safe, many of our outreach ministries have had to cease due to restrictions put in place due to COVID-19. But the needs of the community have not gone away and we are asking for your faithfulness and love in action. If you have the means and are willing to continue supporting our food bank please add a little to your offertory and either mail it in or E transfer it to the parish. Your past support enabled us to send the food bank and the soup kitchen a financial donation in December. Please go to the DONATE page on this website to see how you can send your donation.
All in person Sunday Services have been suspended due to Covid 19 Health Restrictions that are currently in place.
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your financial support for the Selkirk Food Bank is appreciated
Requests for prayer
As the community works together to manage the effects of COVID-19 on all of our lives we are experiencing unprecedented and sometimes disturbing changes. For many people this is a cause for anxiety for some it’s a time of extra risk and vulnerability. Others may have worries about managing day-to-day life over the next few weeks. One way we can support one another is through ongoing specific prayer. If you have a particular need for prayer please email the clergy at. stclementsanglicanchurch@gmail.com We will be honoured to include you in our ongoing prayer
St Clements Anglican Church
1178 River Road
St. Andrews, Manitoba R1A 4A1
Office 204-482-9486
WHEN OUR REGULAR SERVICES RESUME:
Sunday Services
Early Service 7:30 a.m.
Later Service 11:15 a.m. ( with music )
Welcome to St. Clements Anglican Church! We are a warm and welcoming Parish that has served the Mapleton, St. Andrews, and Selkirk area since 1861. The Church abounds with history, and many stories and archives are available. St. Clements Church was built by local volunteer labour; we mention this as the volunteer base still exists here at St. Clements, and continues to build a strong foundation. We have learned well from our ancestors. Please take a moment to explore our website, and read about some of the events that are going on, all in the love of God. You would be most welcome to join us for our Sunday morning Service! Enjoy, and God Bless.
Where we are located
You will find our beautiful stone church at 1178 River Road, St Andrews, Manitoba; we are located minutes south of the City of Selkirk. Our church borders the Red River, and our Church Park is located on the flats of the River. It is a beautiful serene location… If you are new to the area, or have lived here for many years, we encourage you to come and get to know us! We would be glad to meet you! Come as you are, and as you get to know us, we hope that you will get to know God.
Worship Times and Eucharist
Our regular service is 11:15 a.m. Sunday mornings which includes our Sunday School program. We also have an early Sunday morning service at 7:30 a.m. This service is a condensed version, but remains well attended by those who work nights and weekends, or for those who need the rest of the day.
St. Clements celebrates Holy Communion every week. All those who are baptized are welcome to receive the sacrament of Eucharist in the Anglican Church according to your conscience. To receive the Bread put your hands one on top of the other. To receive the Wine, hold the chalice firmly in your hands and drink. If you do not wish to receive either the Bread or the Wine, please still come to the altar for a blessing; cross your arms over your chest. Parents are requested to instruct their children. For health reasons you may stand at the altar to receive the Holy Sacrament or the blessing. If you are unable to leave your seat, please notify us and we will gladly accommodate you.