Letter to the Congregation
Dear People of St. Mark’s,
In this Advent season – this season of waiting – we are especially mindful of the long season of waiting you have been in through this vacancy. Grateful for the interim ministry of the Rev. Maryka Potgieter and the ongoing work of your elders, pastoral care team, and all those who serve in support of your church – nevertheless, the lack of a called minister to serve you has been felt and we are sure the advent cry of “How long, O Lord?” has come near to your hearts often.
Advent is also the beginning of the Christian year. On December 3rd we moved from one year to the next, and with anything new comes the hope and promise of what may yet be. In recent weeks there have been many things to celebrate, including:
- many faithful and lively times of worship, in person and by livestream
- the repair of your boiler
- the St. Mark’s marketplace
- the recognition of Veronica’s years of service
These things have helped many to feel hopeful about the future at St. Mark’s – that after the pandemic and this vacancy there is still much to do to be Christ’s church in this place and for the sake of your neighbours.
It is this hope that we also share as your interim moderators, and we want to assure you that, while supporting the ministry of your church today is ongoing, our primary goal is to assist you in calling your next minister. To this end, preliminary work has already started on a congregational profile and we hope to bring this matter to your Session’s January meeting for their guidance and to strike a search committee.
We encourage you to be in prayer for this work, as we know you already are, and to pray for us also – even as we pray for all of you.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Kirk, Nick and Elizabeth
Kirk Summers minister@mytrinity.ca. 416.795.3542
Nick Renaud nick@knoxtoronto.org 416. 921.-8993 x.3231
Elizabeth Speers elizabeth.speers59@gmail.com 416.737.0161
