On Sunday 23 November, right after the main service, members of the congregation from both services assembled in Parish Hall for the much-anticipated vote on the new name of our parish. Although it has been rumoured that there were some who wished to keep the temporary name “New Sarnia Parish”, the great majority of us wanted an actual name and one that means something rather than sounding like something that a bureaucrat would inflict upon us.

After Bishop Todd whittled down our lengthy list of submissions and asked us to choose from five — All Souls’, St Anne’s, St Cecilia’s, St Lawrence’s, and St Michael and All Angels — we were ready to vote. Voting was to be performed by write-in ballot on the successive balloting model, which meant that the name receiving the fewest votes in each round would be eliminated. After the first round, two names — All Souls’ and St Cecilia’s — were tied for last and, therefore, both were eliminated. This left us with three names on the second ballot. It was on that ballot that a name passed the threshold of 50%+1, and that name — St Michael and All Angels Anglican Church — became our new name, with St Anne’s receiving twenty votes and St Lawrence’s receiving three votes.

Archdeacon Amanda informed the Bishop first of the results of the balloting and then informed the congregation. A motion to accept the new name passed and a toast to “St Michael and All Angels” was led by Deputy-Warden Carole.

The Returning Officer would like to thank the team of vote-counters — Anne Denman, Lesley Desotti and Carol Spence — for their hard work, and Archdeacon Amanda for overseeing the process and ensuring that spoiled ballots were carefully examined in order to ensure that every valid vote cast was counted. Deputy-Warden Carole would like to thank the rest of the balloting volunteers who contributed to the success of this event. Deputy-Warden Katharine would like to thank the Intrepid Kitchen Staff™ for coming in with Peter Hungerford on that Saturday morning to make all of the sandwiches for the luncheon. She would also like to thank members of the early congregation for pouring all the beverages.

All in all, it was a wonderful event, thanks to the meticulous planning of those in charge, thanks to all who took on a role in making the event run seamlessly, and thanks to Bishop Todd, who allowed us the opportunity to choose our own name. And thus beginneth a new chapter in our long and storied history.

Once again, our Intrepid Kitchen Staff™ and Warden Heather will be treating us to yet another ultra-scrumptious Christmas Feast. This year, the feast will take place on Saturday 13 December beginning at 6:00 p.m., with the doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Quoth Heather, “The feast will include a fabulous home (church) cooked dinner with a number of enjoyable side dishes. We will have a selection of homemade desserts that remind you of what Christmas feasts are all about. Bring your friends and enjoy a lovely evening with a wonderful meal, some laughs and Christmas music.” The per person fee this year will be twenty-five dollars. The photo below is of some members of our Intrepid Kitchen Staff™, supported by others, preparing for last year’s feast.

Our wonderful Christmas Bazaar has come and gone, and what a truly fun experience it was. Countless thank-yous are offered to those parishioners and friends who spent a busy week preparing our church for this annual extravaganza. Once the doors were opened on Saturday morning, all of the aches and pains of lugging boxes and saleable ware from the dungeon below the church to Parish Hall and beyond were (mostly) forgotten — Voltaren helps — as enthusiastic shoppers swarmed the various tables eagerly snatching up goodies and treasures to take home. Many a shopper was heard to say that this was the best bazaar in the city. Well done, one and all!

Here are a few photos, including one of a proud grandpa with his two belovèd grandchildren, of the crowd that swarmed Parish Hall mere minutes after the doors were opened by a harried but cheerful greeter:

Submitted by D/Warden Katharine Hungerford

As we look forward to our Vestry meeting in February, we take this opportunity to express our deep gratitude to Natalie, who will be stepping down from her role as parish treasurer after an extraordinary 45 years of dedicated service.

Natalie first assumed the role of treasurer in 1980, and except for a period when she served as warden and deputy warden, she has faithfully managed the parish’s finances with remarkable diligence and care. Her knowledge, steady leadership, and thoughtful stewardship have guided our parish through many seasons of growth and change.
Born in Brockville, Natalie also lived in Connecticut and Montreal before completing her education at the University of Windsor. Throughout her long association with our parish, she has offered not only her professional skill but also her deep faith and commitment to our church community.

After much reflection, Natalie has decided that the time has come to step back from the responsibilities she has carried for so many years. We are profoundly thankful for her long and faithful service, and for the grace and generosity with which she has approached this transition.

Natalie’s commitment and faithful service over these many decades have been an immeasurable gift to our parish. We extend to her our heartfelt thanks and every blessing as she steps into this new chapter.