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October 20, 2024

Dear friends and partners in mission,

I want to thank you for all the wonderful support and welcome you have so generously sent my way since I first arrived at St. Jude’s just a little more than two years ago. I am so grateful to be part of this faith family. I also want to thank you for the lovely celebration of our shared ministry commemorated today at our Choral Evensong. The Evensong Choir provided us with a glorious service. Your response to my induction (long-awaited) was extremely heart warming and humbling. I feel deeply privileged and grateful for all your heart-felt congratulations.

Although it was unusual for your new rector to be the preacher at the Evensong, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to remind us that we now have this time together to be disciples of Jesus and to join in the good work that God invites us to. I am grateful for your ministry and our ministries together in our community.

Bishop Lancelot Andrewes (1555 – 1626) asked new incumbants to write the following on the back of the page that was the Archdeacon's Mandate of Induction from the Bishop: accepi clavem, intravi solus, oravi, tetigi sacra, pulsavi campanas — ‘I received the key, I entered alone, I prayed, I touched the sacred things, I tolled the bells’. All of this was to signal that the new rector had indeed arrived. I am grateful that in my two years with you I have had an opportunity to do these things ... and a few more.

Finally, I can only imagine that at least a few of you who had hoped to attend the Evensong arrived to find the parking situation quite impossible and returned home. I know that was unfortunately the experience of some of my clergy colleagues from the Trafalgar Region. The beautiful day meant that many of our neighbours flocked to the local parks and Oakville’s downtown amenities. I’m sorry you were unable to join us in person. The livestream of the service will be available on our YouTube channel if you would like to view it.  

With warm affection and gratitude …

Peace, David +

 

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