Our Mission:

To live as a Christ-centered community that proclaims the love of God to all people.

2020 has been a year like no other in living memory.  Covid-19 emerged early in the year, really took hold here on Vancouver Island in March, and transformed the ways we interact and communicate.  Staying at home except for essential errands, wearing masks to protect (and be protected from) others, no large indoor gatherings (hence no more services in the church), and more all occurred.  We became familiar with “flattening the curve” and being in “bubbles”.  A travel advisory - no non-essential travel outside the country - was issued by the government of Canada, and is still in place.  Routine travel beyond our own communities was discouraged.  

In the midst of this pandemic, St. George’s many programs have largely continued, although with many adaptations.  You will be aware of the most noticeable - church services have continued, but online by Zoom and, during the summer, outdoors under the maple tree.  Although we love our church building, this has given real meaning that at its essence the church is the community of people who carry out our many ministries and programs, not the buildings in which we gather.   

Parishioners were put into “Cottage” groups that could keep in touch by telephone and/or email.  The idea was to ensure that nobody was isolated and without contact with others due to being sequestered at home.  Further, some members were willing and able to help meet the needs of anyone in the group (e.g. for shopping, getting to appointments, etc.).  Chat Groups on Zoom that follow the Sunday Zoom services have also provided some much needed social times for many parishioners.  

These unprecedented changes did result in some reductions in usual operating expenses once we closed the buildings in mid-March.  For example, we reduced janitorial services, photocopying, utilities, and used fewer supplies for office, washrooms, coffee time, Chancel Guild, to name a few. As well there were less expenses in both staff and supplies for some Children, Youth and Family programs.  However, for the most part our staffing costs (always representing the lion’s share of our overall budget) have been constant as Elizabeth, Leslie, Marlon and Vicky continued with Zoom services and the extensive support they continued to provide in spite of the closed buildings. As we open the church to in-person, in-building services in mid-November, many of the temporarily reduced costs will return, and in fact some will increase from the (former) norm.  

All this said, regarding reduced expenses, we also have less income, as rentals were suspended in mid-March, and usual fund raising efforts of the Spring Fling and the Christmas Fair are virtually nil for 2020 and are largely unknown for 2021 as we await a vaccine and hopefully the end of the pandemic.  

Some of you may be aware that the Diocesan Office arranged for two months of government subsidies in the spring and we were hopeful for more. However, although unknown at this point, some or all of those two subsidy payments may be clawed back as the Diocesan Office and the government try to assess and balance the needs of the many parishes within our Diocese.      

As noted above, St. George’s continues to live out its mission statement:  To live as a Christ-centered community that proclaims the love of God to all people.  To achieve this mission requires not only the commitment of skills and time from its people, but also continuing financial support to meet the expenses set out in our budget each year.  Therefore, we ask parishioners to indicate their financial support for the coming year of 2021 by means of a pledge.  

Just like last year, your pledges can be made securely online. Pledging online is environmentally-friendly and saves both mailing and administrative costs. We ask that you submit your online Pledge Card by November 17, 2020. Only our Envelope Secretary has access to your Pledge Card.  If you prefer to receive a paper pledge form, contact Vicky in the Office at admin@stgeorgecadborobay.ca or 250-472-2090.

Please read on for more information about Stewardship 2021:

>CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT YOUR ONLINE PLEDGE FORM<

How are we being called to walk forward in our mission today?
As we prepare to embrace a new year, please join us in recognizing how we are striving to live out the Diocesan Vision: “Renewed Hearts, Renewed Spirits, Renewed People.”

Faith in Action
“The areas of our shared work where we bring the healing hands of the church out into a hurting world and celebrate what God is already doing in our communities.”

• In the midst of a world fraught with division, St. George's practices radical hope and expansive inclusion, seeing the image of God in every person, and trusting that we find unity in following Jesus in the way of selfless love.
• St. George's welcomes seekers, questioners, doubters, and believers and seeks to be a community in which belonging comes through choosing to worship together, question together, share meals together, and practice faith together.
• St. George's is a family in which we are graciously available to one another as a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, a supportive presence, or for practical support. 
• We seek to open our hearts, minds, and pocketbooks to the needs of the world from our backyard to across the globe: from our Refugee Sponsorship program, to educational opportunities on justice concerns, to volunteer opportunities at the Rainbow Kitchen and the Shelbourne Community Kitchen.  St. George's steps boldly forward to bear love of God out into the world.  
• We seek to provide resources for education and relationship-development as we live into the work of truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Canadians.

Faith in Formation
“The areas of our life together where we are fed and enabled as disciples of Christ.”

• St. George's strives to create worship that is inter-generational, rooted in Anglican tradition, and forward-looking with prayer and music that is contemporary and joyful.
• St. George's seeks to build up the next generation of church leaders by acknowledging and affirming the ideas, gifts, and leadership of all ages and by supporting our children, youth and young adult ministry staff. 
• We provide opportunities for spiritual growth for all through prayer, meditation, music, and spiritual practice.

• We practice gratitude, acknowledging and giving thanks for the unique gifts each individual brings to enable us to thrive.
• We honor those saints who've come before us to establish St. George's and support its ministries.
• We practice good stewardship of our buildings and grounds, and we are moving towards establishing ourselves as a gathering space for our neighbourhood community; from musical concerts to dance classes, from educational events to community meetings, we seek to be a resource that supports healthy and vibrant community life. We have been especially delighted to be home base for the EPIC (Ecologically emPowering Inclusive Communities) school (K-2) which has loving community and nature at its heart. 

Our financial goal for 2021 is to increase our pledged income by 2-3% in order to accommodate annual inflation, to support our growing Children, Youth, and Young Adult Ministries, and to help replace fund raising income with general offerings income. Considering that incomes and circumstances change, and that some members are no longer with us or may need to reduce their giving, we ask that those who can afford to do so consider a 5% increase to help us maintain our current level. New members are asked to join us in pledging.

Your continued financial support throughout the current pandemic and as we continue to weather these stormy seas is indeed appreciated.  Thank you! 

Yours in Christ,

St. George’s Leadership Team

Click here to visit our Stewardship Frequently Asked Questions page.

>CLICK HERE TO FILL OUT YOUR ONLINE PLEDGE FORM<