Ministry means 'rolling up your sleeves'

Notes: "Not only did they [St. Michael and All Angels parish in St. John's] buck the trend of Anglican churches in Canada by constructing a new building for their growing congregation in June 2014, but by purposely situating themselves in a new subdivision. they have been able to explore how they can use their building as a 'command centre' for reaching out to the people around them". The parish sold their old building in November 2009 and the congregation met in a funeral home for four years. "'Ministry means service', says [rector, the Rev. Sam] Rose, 'doing something, rolling up your sleeves'. In St. Michael's current context, this means finding out how the church can serve its suburban surroundings rather than assuming people will just start coming". "The new church has a nursery built into its chapel so that young parents can stay with their children and still feel part of the service. Welcoming families with young children is also a fertile area of outreach. St. Michael's has partnered with a non-profit childcare that uses the space during the week. 'It's not meant to be a drop-off', says Rose. 'It's meant to be social thing'. While many challenges still remain -- the congregation of around 180 remains predominantly over age 65 -- Rose is confident that the best years are ahead".

Subjects: St. Michael and All Angels Anglican Church (St. John's, Nfld.); Rose, Sam (Samuel Vincent), 1975-; Congregational development - Anglican Church of Canada; Church renewal - Anglican Church of Canada; Suburban churches - Anglican Church of Canada; Day care - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada