A special message from the rector

Dear people and friends of St Clement's,

As we celebrate on Sunday the first day of the Christian new year, we pause to give thanks to God for the gifts of time, talent, and treasure that make God's ministry at St Clement's possible. Earlier in November, our annual stewardship letter went out by mail, inviting you to return your pledge for the year to the Office or by dropping it in the offering plate. This Sunday, we will offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the gifts pledged to God's ministry for this next year. If you haven't done so already, I invite you to bring your pledge form to church on Sunday or to drop it at the Office when you are able. 

If you didn't get a chance to read this year's stewardship letter, it is included below. Thank you for all that you do to make St Clement's a house of prayer and a spiritual home for so many.

Advent blessings,

Helen+

2025 Stewardship Letter

Dear friend,

I am writing this annual stewardship letter first and foremost to say, “thank you.” Your financial contribution to St Clement’s allows our management team to plan for the annual operating budget. Your volunteer hours enable God’s ministry through the church, helping St Clement’s to be Christ’s hands and feet in the world. 

The ministries of St Clement’s Church continue to thrive. We are supporting two parishioners discerning for ordained ministry and several more exploring calls to licensed lay ministry. This year, we experienced a boost in our server cohort with four new adult members, who are being mentored by our seasoned youth servers. Our children’s ministry regularly welcomes newcomers and visitors to Sunday School. This year’s St Francis Day ‘barnyard blessing’ in the parking lot saw over 100 people, including several families who were new to the neighbourhood. Our Aspire Camp once again provided low-cost summer day camp programming for families in North Vancouver as well as summer employment and Christian ministry internships for seven youth and young adults. 

In terms of our current financial picture, we experienced a dip in parishioner giving part way through the year and withdrew money from our consolidated trust fund (CTF) to bolster our cash flow. Going into 2026, with your support we hope to keep our reliance on the CTF to a minimum. Financial support for St Clement’s comes primarily from our generous parishioners who have given of their gifts consistently throughout the years. We are pleased to see that most of our parishioner donations are now facilitated using pre-authorized direct debit. Direct debit ultimately provides ease of payment for donors and generates a predictable monthly cash flow that we can rely on from a financial management standpoint. If you haven’t yet signed up for direct debit, you can do so using this form. 

This year I am writing with a special appeal to fill two critical volunteer ministry positions: treasurer and envelope secretary. After years of dedicated service, Mike Crone and Audrey Yong will conclude their terms on February 22, 2026. My request is that you consider whether you might be called to serve a two-year renewable term as treasurer or envelope secretary, or if you might encourage someone in the parish who you think could be a good fit for either of these roles to consider joining the financial management team. The roles require some administrative and accounting skills, with the ability to maintain confidentiality. 

Please take a moment to consider where you might volunteer in the next year, and circle here the ministries you are keen to learn more about. No contribution is too small (or too large!); all offerings of time and treasure are gratefully received. We ask you to give generously, but also within your means.

You can return the pledge form to the Office, e-mail it to the Envelope Secretary, or place it in the offering plate on Pledge Sunday, November 30 when we will ask God’s blessing on our pledges for the new year. Please mark your envelope Private and Confidential.

Thank you for your financial and volunteer commitment to St Clement’s. 

On behalf of the Parish Council,

The Reverend Helen Dunn, Rector