On your marks, get set, go! September is here and we are off and running, I hope everyone had a good summer and at least a little time to rest and relax. Now it is back to the regular schedule of daily activities. Over the last few weeks I have been filling in the four month calendar for education, special services and meetings which will take us to Christmas. I like to plan and I like to be able to take an overview and see where our energies are going as individuals and as a parish.

The Cathedral is becoming a busier and busier place and that is great. We have some staffing changes as Rev. Maddie takes her maternity leave and we welcome Rev. Travis as our Assistant Curate. There are new outreach initiatives in place and more planned. I have permission (I think) from the organizers of the Men’s Breakfast to be an honourary man for at least one breakfast meeting and I am really happy to see this ministry re- emerging.
If you venture upstairs you will find a new room, an upper lounge for youth, young adult and Christian education groups to meet. We hope that having a dedicated space will help bring stability to this ministry.

I think we have an exciting mix of events over the next few months. We have built on the feedback from the parish in our visioning meetings and I hope you will see some of your visions for the Cathedral coming to pass.
In the centre of our studies, worship and outreach I hope we all find the sweetness of God in our community. I was reflecting on this during my summer vacation. My family and I were lucky enough to travel to France and we found ourselves one Saturday morning at a market in a provincial town slowly, so slowly, looking at all the bounty of the earth. Fruits, vegetables, olives, flowers, you name it - it was there. The sun was warm on the flesh of the fresh peaches and as you bit into them the juicy   flavour burst on your tongue; and in a tiny sweet moment life was very good.
This Fall may we have the sweetness of God on our tongues and in our hearts. We are blessed at All Saints’ in so many ways.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,  and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.  (from Psalm 108)

God is good and at work in this place. This Fall may we find joy together in the service of God.

Jane+