Dear Friend:

Advent begins and for most of us it is a time of waiting for Christ to be born again. It is the time of year when we feel the gifts of family, friends and love. There is the mystery that fills the air and lights of Christmas fill the dark nights.

It is also the time of year when our church is required to submit to Presbytery the usual membership fee for each person on our church roster. This year the amount is $21.00. Your dues are paid to assist the presbytery in doing their job of maintaining a connection with the broader church. A lot of important work happens at the presbytery level and some of our dues assist lay people in driving the long distances to attend meetings all across Renfrew Presbytery. This year we are again asking you to help us with this expense.

Up until a couple of years ago, St. Andrews was able to use the general church funds to pay for this. However, since our church enrolment has become smaller and the costs of maintaining the church have increased, we find we need more assistance from our members to keep our church operating now and into the future for our families. Maintenance is required, even in the house of the Lord.

It is very encouraging and we are very thankful that some members are able to attend church regularly. Some are able to come out periodically and others support our special services and other functions. Also, it is always comforting to know that the church is available for us when we need it for baptisms, weddings and/or funerals. In the meantime, however, we must budget for the present and for the future. We give thanks for what the church gives to us, for the community of faith and the people who share life’s ups and downs together. We are a celebrating community that connects us one to another; and for all that we receive of the goodness of life, we give thanks. What we offer up to God through our contributions is a thank you to God.

Would you please consider submitting the payment of your membership fee mentioned above and/or an increase in your yearly giving's (however small) towards the upkeep of St. Andrews? Your membership fee(s) may be placed on the collection plate or mailed to the church address written below. We thank you in anticipation of any support you can give our church at this time.

Sincerely,

St. Andrews Church Council