Letter from the Interim Moderator

Warm summer greetings to you, St. Andrew’s Family.

 What a privilege it’s been to serve as the Interim Moderator for this great congregation. Allow me to take a moment to share some words of encouragement, inspiration, and hope. Let me first express my deepest gratitude for your continued commitment to our congregation during this time of searching, discernment, and transition. God has truly blessed us with a strong and vibrant community.

 If you attend to a garden, this is the season where things grow. It’s when we give our plants all they need to flourish and produce or look their best. Here at St. Andrew’s, Markham, we have an exciting summer lined up as we look to flourish in the coming months. We’ve scheduled special music, lunches, and other activities to build community, while providing a wonderful environment for spiritual growth.

 For those weeks you’re not able to attend, stay connected by reading the weekly emails and taking in our online services. We also encourage you to stay connected with fellow congregants.

 Beyond that, we encourage you to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us and to engage in activities that refresh and renew your body, mind, and soul. We hope St. Andrew’s will be a part of that.

 We ask that you prayerfully consider what you can do to support the church financially throughout the summer months as we prepare for what will be a wonderful new season of ministry.

 We hope this new season of ministry will be heralded in on the weekend of July 15/16 when Jim MacDonald comes to Preach for The Call. Jim has been an integral part of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, helping churches develop in the area of stewardship. He also has a passion for congregational ministry and has devoted the past season of his life in preparation for that. Jim has received many awards for his academic achievements, and we hope he will bring his expertise, life-experience, and love for ministry to us.

 It’s a very important day in the life of the church as we seek God’s help in affirming a new minister. We need everyone who is a member of St. Andrew’s, or who considers St. Andrew’s to be their church home, to be in attendance to subscribe to the call.

 If you have questions, let us know. We’re here to serve and offer support where needed.

We pray God’s blessing on you and those near to you.

On behalf of session,

__________________

Rev. Rick Manafo