Saint Mary's Anglican Church,
Richmond Hill

Contents

Who Are We? -- History and Today
Worship -- Services and People
Worship-Related Programs
Education and Communications
Outreach and Community
Community Life
Management Structure
Membership and Stewardship
Hopes and Goals for the Future

Other Resources on this web site

Contents

Who Are We?

A Short History

An Anglican presence in Richmond Hill dates back to the middle of the 19th century when a church was built just east of Yonge Street. When it was destroyed by fire, John Robert Arnold, the son of a United Empire Loyalist, gave a corner of his property for a new church, requesting that he and his descendants be buried in a family plot near to it. The yellow brick church was opened October 8th, 1872. Now called the chapel, old Saint Mary's stands stately on the hill.

As Richmond Hill grew, Saint Mary's expanded. Additional lands were obtained by gift, bequest and purchase. A crypt was excavated during the winter of 1928-29. An addition was added to the Vestry in 1945. Then in 1956, the parish hall was built and named "Wrixon Hall" as a memorial to the long and faithful ministry of the Rev. W. F. Wrixon.

Growth continued, and under the direction of the Rev. James F. O'Neil a new church was started on October 26th, 1964. With great thanksgiving this building was consecrated on April 10th, 1968. When we look at Saint Mary's Church, we see part of our heritage and are reminded of the men and women of past years; we think of their labours, their caring, the education they provided, their mission in life, and the worship they shared together.

Our Church Members Today

Although the original members of Saint Mary's were primarily Anglican immigrants from Great Britain, today the parish membership represents many different ethnic groups from equally diverse religious histories.

One of the key functions of a church is to help people as they work toward the dreams and goals they believe God has planted in their hearts and minds. In simple terms the church can provide a place in which to meet, a structure for communication, a community for support and encouragement, and links with others who share similar concerns. At Saint Mary's, we seek to be faithful to our calling to do this.

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Worship

Anglicans around the world number about 61 million. All of us everywhere worship using modern versions of the Book of Common Prayer, whose roots go back to the first edition in 1549. Through the creation of this Book, the Church was determined that lay people would participate in the liturgy, not simply have it performed for them by the clergy. We continue in that tradition of lay involvement, using either the 1985 Book of Alternative Service or the 1962 Canadian Book of Common Prayer, using both contemporary language and traditional language at different services. We invite you to join with us at any of these services, where we experience different ways of worshipping God. Because parts of our service are not always in page number sequence, we always provide a service guide at every service. We also include, with each bulletin, copies of the Bible readings for the day and announcements of upcoming events. We encourage everyone to take home their bulletins so that they may later re-read the lessons of the day and mark upcoming dates on their calendars.

Service Schedule:

Sunday at 8:00 a.m., a quiet gathering without music for Holy Communion, using the traditional language of the Prayer Book.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m., the "main" service, with organ music and hymns sung with the choir. This service alternates between traditional and contemporary language, and is a service of Holy Communion except for the fourth Sunday of the month, when we celebrate traditional Morning Prayer. Children join us for the beginning of each service before proceeding to Church School and rejoin their families in the church for Eucharist; the Nursery is also available for care for the very young. Details and readings for this service may be found on the Notices page of this web site.

Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., a quiet gathering in the chapel for Holy Communion using contemporary language, and without music.

On the last Wednesday and Thursday of the month, the parish provides services of Holy Communion at the Mariann Home and at Brookside Seniors' Residence, respectively.

At Saint Mary's, all of these services are led by men and women, ordained and lay. In the Anglican Church, our ordained ministers are referred to as bishops, priests and deacons. The priest in charge of a parish is often called the Rector or the Incumbent. The assistant is sometimes called a Curate. We also commission lay readers and eucharistic ministers to assist the priests and deacons. The Incumbent generally preaches at services of worship, occasionally alternating with our deacon and invited guest speakers. At all services of Communion, we offer Holy Eucharist to all baptized Christians, regardless of their denominational background or their current status in that denomination. As well, we welcome all baptized children to receive communion (at the discretion of their parents) as full members of the family of Christ.

Other Services:

In addition to the weekly schedule noted above, we also observe major feasts and Holy Days, the schedules for which are noted in the service bulletins, the quarterly newsletter, The Message, and the Notices page of this web site. During the year, we offer opportunities for commitment and renewal:

• The sacrament of Holy Baptism, several times a year, on designated feast days. We conduct baptism in the presence of the full congregation, usually on Sundays at the 10:30 service. We baptize both infants and adults who wish to belong to the Church.
• The Rite of Confirmation, which the Bishop conducts during his annual visit. In the presence of the Bishop, young and older adults affirm their Baptismal vows, stating those vows for themselves, and become adults in the Faith.
• The service of Reception, which is also conducted by the Bishop during the service of Confirmation. In his presence, persons originally members of other Christian Churches reaffirm their Baptismal vows as adults and are received into the Anglican Church. While this is not a requirement for those who wish to join us, some people desire this opportunity to publicly declare their intention to be members of the Anglican Church.

We encourage you to address inquiries about Baptism, Confirmation and Reception to the Incumbent well in advance of the desired time. Some education and preparation of the individuals is necessary before these rites, as each of them is a significant transition and not to be entered upon lightly.

We also provide the services of:

• Holy Matrimony, and
• Christian Burial

We strongly suggest that those wishing to be married contact the Incumbent at least six months in advance of the desired date. This is necessary to allow for the required pre-marriage counselling and to ensure the availability of the church.

Funerals obviously cannot be scheduled; the Incumbent and Curate are always available on short notice as needed. However, it is critical for the family to discuss the details prior to making other arrangements as there are guidelines to be followed in all Anglican churches. We can help you to minimize the stress at such a difficult time; before a loved one dies, we can provide counselling and plans that you might have ready long before the sad event. And, you may choose to do this for yourself; not only will this spare your survivors some grief, it will ensure that your own wishes will be known and respected.

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Worship-Related Programs

Saint Mary's provides many opportunities for individuals who wish to learn, grow in faith, and serve the needs of others. All are invited to serve; we make no distinctions based on gender or age. We encourage you to consider participating in one or more of these programs; contact the Incumbent or the appropriate leader listed on the back cover of this brochure.

The Choir provides training for those who enjoy singing, who in turn share their gifts and talents in worship. The choir leads the congregation in music at every 10:30 a.m. service and on special services and Holy Days. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings. Soloists, both voice and instrumental, perform at special services throughout the year.

The Altar Guild prepares and maintains all the altar linens, hangings and vessels before each service, on Sundays and during the week, including for funerals and weddings.

The Decorating Committee prepares the church for the festivals of Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, and arranges for floral arrangements throughout the year. Flowers given in memory of a loved one are also handled by this committee.

Sub-deacons assist the priest during the services on Sunday. They wear special robes during the Sunday services.

Lectors, or readers, are trained and commissioned to read the Old and New Testament readings during worship services.

Intercessors lead us in the Prayers of the People during worship services.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained lay members who assist the priest and deacon during Holy Eucharist. Some of these people also bring consecrated Holy Eucharist to those shut-in at home and in hospital or nursing homes. This helps to maintain the parish relationship for those so confined.

Servers are young people trained to assist the priest and deacon during the service and to lead the processions into and out of the church.

Sidespeople provide information and service bulletins to those entering the church. They receive the offerings of the congregation and guide the flow of the congregation to the altar rail during the Eucharist.

Greeters provide welcome, information and directions for visitors and newcomers to the church.

The Worship Committee is composed of representatives from the sidespeople, choir, altar guild, lectors and servers. There are also "members at large" - members with an interest in helping in the planning and development of services of worship.

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Education and Communication

The members of Saint Mary's consider Christian education a vital and important ministry. You are invited to grow in faith and join in a program suitable for you. Please contact the Incumbent or the appropriate leaders, whose names are listed on the back of this brochure.

Sunday School

In the classrooms in the west wing of Saint Mary's, we provide classes for all grades from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 8. These classes are staffed by trained teachers and assistants. Classes are held during the 10:30 a.m. service each Sunday.

Nursery

Children not old enough for classes are cared for by parents on a rotating basis in our nursery (off Wrixon Hall), a clean space just for use by children, until the conclusion of the 10:30 service.

The Sunday School Committee is a team that enjoys working together to plan events for the children of the parish and their families. In addition to overseeing the regular week-to-week Sunday School and Nursery, many special events are organized for children and their families on Holy Days.

Preparatory Instruction

• on a regular basis for those preparing to be baptized, or to be Godparents (or whose child is to be baptized)
• in anticipation of Confirmation or Reception, for young people and adults
• during Lent for children seeking to learn more about Communion (especially those who have not yet received Communion)

If you are interested in any of these, please speak to the Incumbent.

Youth Ministry

A Youth Ministry Team facilitates youth ministry at Saint Mary's. An older group meets most Friday evenings for activities at the church or off site under the name TGIF (check the bulletin). A younger group meets at the church roughly every third Wednesday under the name HangTime (again, check the bulletin). Young people are also welcome to become involved in other aspects of the church's ministry, such as being servers and readers during services and joining any of the activities listed in the bulletin.

The Christian Education Committee fosters and co-ordinates adult Christian education at Saint Mary's.

The Library is located outside the chapel, and contains a number of books on the Bible, prayer, spirituality, and so on. You may borrow any materials you wish; simply check them out in the binder on the desk.

The Message is the parish's quarterly newsletter, where we publish a calendar of up-coming events, news from the various groups within the parish and thoughts from the Incumbent. If you express interest in becoming a member of Saint Mary's, your name will be added to the mailing list, and also be passed on to the mailing list of The Anglican, the monthly diocesan newspaper and The Journal, the national Anglican newspaper.

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Outreach and Community

Part of our commitment as Christian people is to serve God in the world around us. You are invited to use and support these ministries, with your time, talent, and gifts.

The Outreach Committee tries both to educate the parish about the needs of people at home and abroad, and also to initiate support projects that will address these needs. The Outreach Committee seeks to bring Christ's love in practical ways to those both within our parish and those beyond. The following are some of the activities addressed by this committee:

• POLITICAL ACTION: Letter writing and petitions to encourage desirable social change.
• FOOD BANK: On the first Sunday of each month Saint Mary's collects food and money for the Richmond Hill Food Bank.
• P.W.R.D.F: The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, a national Anglican fund raising money and awareness for development and emergency relief in Canada and around the world. ("Primate" is the title of the Archbishop of all Canada.)
• COMMON "CENTS" FUND: This fund invites parishioners to contribute their recent provincial income tax cuts to support the Association for Community Living in Richmond Hill, to help offset some of the government funding that they have lost.

The Refugee Committee

Saint Mary's Church is co-sponsor, with the federal government, of the Faiz family from Afghanistan. We are working with them to help ease the transition from homelessness in Pakistan to full lives in Canada. We also hope to bring additional members of the family to Canada to be re-united here. Obviously money is needed, and parishioners are invited to make donations designated for the refugee fund, but time, prayerful support, and the willingness to work are also valued contributions.

FaithWorks is an annual "fundraising through faith-raising" campaign in the Diocese of Toronto. During Lent every year, monies are raised for ministry to the poor and needy, locally, nationally and oversees. While the campaign is focused during Lent, donations to FaithWorks can be made at any time.

Counselling

The parish clergy are always available for private personal and family counselling. You may make arrangements by speaking with the Incumbent or the Curate.

Outside Organizations

Our buildings are well used, by the church and by the community, by the young and the not so young, by support groups, recreational groups and educational groups, by those who can contribute to the upkeep and by those who cannot. Many evenings the parking lot is full.

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Community Life

The Community of Saint Mary's extends beyond the immediacy of the church services.

Coffee Hour is a noisy time for community and meeting. It takes place following the 10:30 service in Wrixon Hall. The rotating staff of volunteers prepare coffee and tea for the adults, punch or juice for the children, and frequently "goodies" for all. On Loonie Muffin Sundays, home-made muffins are sold for $1 each, with the proceeds going towards the FaithWorks campaign.

Social Events are sponsored by the parish, including the Easter breakfast, and receptions for new members.

Over 50s

All members of Saint Mary's who are over 50 years young are welcome to join us on the first Wednesday of each month. Following the 10:00 a.m. service, we gather in Wrixon Hall for speakers, games, sing-alongs and other interesting and fun activities. Lunch is provided, and transportation can be arranged for those who require it.

Women of Saint Mary's

All the women of the parish are part of the Women of Saint Mary's. They are actively involved in many aspects of church life. Monthly meetings enable members to have a time of fun and fellowship, to meet new members and to "keep in touch" with friends. There is participation in the annual World Day of Prayer. They are responsible for organizing receptions after funerals. Two major fundraisers in the fall, the Rummage Sale and the Bazaar, are the responsibility of the Women of Saint Mary's, who are also committed to the support of many charities through donations of money, clothing, or SOS bags of basic toiletries for street kids.

The Parish Life Committee's mandate is to find ways in which the Saint Mary's family can grow closer to one another and thereby to God. They organize and present such social events as the ever-popular Turkey Supper just before Christmas, and are always open to new members and new ideas.

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Management Structure

The decisions necessary to the successful management of Saint Mary's are made by the Incumbent and the congregation together.

Vestry Meeting

Saint Mary's holds its annual meeting of all members (regular communicants aged 16 and over) close to the beginning of February every year, following the 10:30 a.m. service. During the meeting, the congregation approves the budget, receives full disclosure of all income and expenses for the prior year, and elects wardens, delegates to Diocesan Synod and other officers of the parish.

The continuing management is provided by two Wardens, one Deputy Warden and the Parish Board, which is comprised of representatives from a number of parish organizations as well as the chair, secretary and treasurer, and four members-at-large. The Board meets on the third Tuesday evening of each month and the proceedings are open to all members of the parish. These people are responsible for the finances, property and for overseeing the several programs of the parish. They are accountable to the congregation and are always available to discuss issues and answer questions.

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Membership and Stewardship

As stated earlier, all baptized Christians are welcome to share in the feast at the Lord's Table; we do not apply any earthly restrictions. And, unlike some denominations, we do not require that anyone be a member, or even a Christian, to worship with us. One is considered a "member" if one is baptized, a regular recipient of Holy Communion, a regular attender of services of worship, and a financial supporter of the church's activities.

Each Anglican parish is a separate entity, and is responsible for its own finances and programs. Those who contribute to the parish on a regular basis are encouraged to use our Offering Envelopes, which allow for privacy in giving (only the Envelope Secretary knows who gives what) and for simpler bookkeeping in issuing income tax receipts at the end of every year.

Intentionally planning to return to God a portion of what God has given us is critical, for the work of the Church and for helping those less fortunate. In Lent your support will be asked for the FaithWorks campaign, whose funds go towards work in the wider world with the poor and needy, and you may be asked from time to time for support in some emergency situation. We also have a Heritage Fund, which assists parishioners who may wish to remember Saint Mary's in their wills or through a life insurance policy. All gifts are kept in confidence (not even the clergy know who gives what), so there is never any publicity or pressure.

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Hopes And Goals For The Future

Lay people and clergy of Saint Mary's are constantly reviewing what we do and how we work together. Prayerful planning is on-going as evaluation is made in the light of our mission statement.

Bishop Terence Finlay, a former bishop of our diocese has suggested five marks of someone living the Christian life:

1. Regular worship.
2. Daily prayer and/or meditation.
3. On-going study which nurtures and equips for Christian living.
4. Specific involvement in a service to the community beyond the parish.
5. Commitment to give a portion of your income to the life and work of the Church that takes as a standard the biblical tithe.

Consider the list as it relates to your life. How would living these change your life? What would it take to make it work for you? How can Saint Mary's help this happen?

Saint Mary's strives to be an active, welcoming and caring parish, rooted in worship, and committed both to the spiritual growth of its members and to a deep involvement in the life of the community.

We intend to work together in prayerful obedience to the Gospel and to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are happy to have you join us.

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Other resources on this web site

Saint Mary's address and contact information
Worship Page
Parish Notices
The Message - Volume Index
The Message - Subject and Author Index
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