Time does fly

It has been some time – six weeks to be exact – since I have added to the Knox blog, but time has not been on my side, so this is a bit of catch-up so to speak.

Since penning a few words back on Oct. 21, much has been happening around Knox, including another very successful Holly Wreath Bazaar, an impressive Remembrance Day service wherein the children of the Sunday School made wreaths which they placed during the service, an act which obviously gave all those in the church school a deeper understanding of why we observe Remembrance Day.

Quiet time
As Knox continues to move through difficult times following the passing of our minister, the Rev. Mark Hoogsteen, we have been fortunate to have not only the services of Rev. John Duff who is providing stated supply on a regular basis, but also the Rev. Linda Corry who is conducting courses at the church in grief recovery.

Linda also provided the leadership in another interesting program recently, an Advent Quiet Day, which was entitled Keeping in Touch with God. Using the book, Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives You Life, it started with prayer followed by a quiet time with God, reflections on Sleeping with Bread and concluded with lunch and worship.

Financial picture
 As we get to this time in the church year, the church treasurer, the stewardship coordinator, and the board of managers take a hard look at the operating and mission budgets, with treasurer Rick Craig providing projections on where we as a congregation are likely to stand financially on Dec. 31.

Knox is no different than most churches. It’s always a scramble at year-end.

In 2010, the church received several major gifts in the month of December, gifts that not only allowed Knox to eliminate the carry-over deficit, but allowed us to meet our obligations for Presbyterians Sharing while still allowing for a small surplus to start 2011.

That was great news. In this day and age of budget cuts, we are ever so thankful that Knox lived up to its obligations – not only in the repair and upkeep of this magnificent building, but also to its ministry, both within its walls, but to our neighbours here in Burlington and around the world.

As we come down to the last few days of 2011, we are in much the same situation we faced 365 days ago. Revenue is down – slightly – and so are expenses – slightly – but we need your help to once again end the year on a positive note. We hope to have the 11- month figures very shortly, and that will give us an even better picture of what we need in the short time left until Dec. 31, but in the meantime, everyone is asked to give prayerful consideration to ensuring that Knox again ends the year on a positive financial note.

Communion service

Knox church will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper on Dec. 4, and there will be something a wee bit different with the Communion service this time around as there will be co-celebrants as Rev. John Duff will be joined by Rev. Linda Corry in this special service.