Our two Presidents , along with Vice President again guided St. Mary`s ACW through another successful year in 2009.Ten regular meetings were held with an average attendance of 11.3. Two executive meetings and two planning meetings were also held. Our meetings all open and close with prayer and the regular meetings are followed by a meaningful devotional led by Rev. Claude Schroeder.
Our members took an active part in the World Day of Prayer held March 6, 2009 at First Presbyterian Church with a good crowd staying for lunch after the service. On Mothering Sunday our group supplied Simnel cakes for the congregation to enjoy after the service and also shared the expenses with the Altar Guild for carnations purchased and given to all the ladies of the congregation.
Our annual Thanksgiving Service was held on November 18 at 10:00 am prior to our monthly meeting. The service was Holy Communion the service was Holy Communion with a homily by Rev Claude Schroeder. Participating members in the service sang together with Roy Norberg accompanying the hymns on the organ. The thankoffering gifts totalled $270.and this was topped up to 4300 at our meeting which was sent with the Bishop for the Burundi project to help the rebuilding there.
A successful Harvest Tea and Bake Sale was held on October 24. The ACW was very grateful to the congregation for the baking contributions. We also did very well with out rummage sale held in February. Moving the clothing to the Parish Hall was appreciated by all as there was more room to browse alleviating the congestion downstairs in the Church Hall.
The ACW catered to seven funeral receptions in 2009.
As well we supplied lunch on to the Primates World Relief and Development Diocesan Committee.
The Families requesting our help with receptions usually make a donation to the ACW and we are very thankful for their tangible gratitude. The luncheons are paid for on a per person basis.
We have a Bible House representative and some of our members bake fruit loaves to assist at both the spring and fall teas. We continue to save used stamps for the Bible Society.
The Community Kitchen functioned for the eleventh year in 2009. There were seven regular members for most of the year and four seniors who helped them. Our five helpers are much appreciated. Without their expertise, it would be very difficult to manage. We can always use one or two more cooks and they are welcome to buy into the system and take meals home too. We cook once a month on a Saturday morning and on the Monday evening previous to that we meet to select our recipes. We are still able to finance the cooking by charging $5 per month for each person participating. For that each participant takes home five meals.
Our Emergency Secretary reported sending out 26 cards for birthdays, get well or sympathy. At Christmas time 39 cards were sent to former Rector`s, former ACW members, and members of St. Mary`s who are now living in senior or nursing homes. The cards and postage are paid for by the ACW.
The Phoning Committee keeps us informed of upcoming events and usually consists of two members. This year one member had to quit phoning due to failing vision.
The Communications Secretary reported sending out 64 letters to various news Media.
Our Calendar Secretary reported that all the calendars for 2009 were either sold or given to the needy.
Joan and Evan Q, have now given up looking after the used books and we would like to thank them for taking care of the books. The ACW is still in charge of the used books and everyone is invited to browse through them at any time. A money box and prices are posted and we operate on an honor system.
Our Book of Remembrance Secretary reports that the page for Gladys May G was completed by Susan M (New Brunswick and formerly of St. Mary`s) and has been returned with the original page put into the books of Remembrance at St. Paul`s Cathedral, Regina. A photocopy of this page has been placed in the red Book of Remembrance binder on the table in the narthex by the elevator at St. Mary`s. The ACW has also approved that work begin on the completion of a remembrance page for Stella S.
Our Qu**Appelle House representative reported that during the year they took part in the picnic, family tart day, cards, and bingo days`. They also provided Christmas stockings for the residents filled with goodies. Their main fund raisers are the bazaar and tea in the spring. Thanks to St. Mary`s ACW for all their help in the past year.
Personal Services Secretary has reported that for the first time in many years, volunteers from St. Mary`s did not take part in the residential canvas. Some of our regular canvassers had indicated they wished to retire from this task and although there were a few parishioners who helped us very faithfully we had not been able to recruit enough new canvassers to replace those who had retired or wanted to retire. When the Cancer Society were informed of our decision to discontinue our participation they accepted it very graciously and thanked us for our many years of service.
At Christmas time the ACW coordinated the shopping, packing, and delivery of five hampers for needy parish families. In addition, the ACW donated $390 to the Advent Fund which supported the hampers and other Christmas projects.
Shortly before our December meeting, the Rector received a request from the Women of the Dawn for five Christmas dinner hampers for their staff members The ACW agreed to share the cost of the hampers with the Rectors Discretionary Fund. The Rector purchased five turkeys from his Discretionary Fund and the ACW paid approximately $210 for the remaining groceries. The ACW did the shopping and packing and the hampers were delivered by the Rector. Sobeyès on South Albert waived their two – turkey limit so that we could purchase all five birds at a reduced price.
For our December meeting we went for lunch at the Chimney House Restaurant with 12 members present and several guests. It was very enjoyable. We them returned to the church for the business part of our meeting.
Respectfully submitted by: Dorothy C