Visioning Process
One of the highlights in 2007 was how much energy we had around setting a vision for the next few years. The vision meetings with the congregation were held in June and July, normally times of travel and lower attendance in the church. But we had wonderful attendance at these meetings, with 30-40 people at quite a few of them.
With input from both the Vestry and the congregation, we were able to designate four main goals for 2008: 1) hiring a Curate, 2) developing a successful financial stewardship campaign, 3) increasing opportunities for Spiritual Formation (for adults and children), and 4) increasing our presence in the communities surrounding St. Ambrose (evangelism and marketing).
Sunday School Teachers and Directors, Catechumenate Class, Children’s Sermons
We have a wonderful thing going with our Sunday School, from pre-schoolers all the way up through the middle school and high school students. My thanks to all of you who are teaching the children! You are doing a wonderful ministry that will have a lasting impact in the lives of the children. Special thanks to Toni Brennand and Dianne Koepping for overseeing the program, and to Terry Koelling and Paul Austin for leading the Catechumenate Class again (recently begun for 2008 confirmands), to Beth Dickinson for leading the recent Epiphany pageant, and to John Taylor, Cheryl Eck, Holly McElhaney, Mark Atwater, and Jeff Gregorious for helping with many special events and weekends for our youth. And thanks to everyone who will be a sponsor for our confirmands. Thanks to all of you!
Hospitality, Care Givers
Many members have responded whenever we have a put out a call for people to offer meals to our members. These folks respond so quickly, graciously, and generously, and it is a huge blessing to those who receive your hospitality. Others have volunteered to make food for the Boulder County Episcopal clergy (aka “The Knuckeheads”). In addition, the response in buying gifts for the I Have a Dream family that we sponsored at Christmastime was wonderful.
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WORSHIP MINISTRIES
CHOIRS
8:00 Service Choir
The choir for the early service meets to rehearse at 7:30pm on Mondays. We are a friendly, music loving group and welcome newcomers at any time. The choir usually sings on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month.
10:30 Service Choir
The choir for the 10:30 Service meets at 7:15 pm on selected Wednesdays. The Worship Team leads the congregation with contemporary Christian music every week. The Worship Team also includes vocalists, guitarists, and keyboardists. New members are welcome at any time.
Ushers
Being an usher is an easy way to participate in the service. Ushers hand out the worship materials at the beginning of the service, present the bread and wine, collect the offertory, assist with people going forward for communion and perform a few behind the scene tasks.
This is a good child/parent or couple ministry. There is a monthly rotation, so you only usher once a month. Please see me about joining the 10:30 usher team.
Walter Latimer
Healing Prayer Team
Healing Prayer team members stand by at the altar during communion to pray with anyone who comes forward for their specific prayer needs, either on behalf of themselves or others. Healing can be physical, emotional and spiritual, and was a large part of Jesus' ministry on earth. No special gifts are required- God provides the healing, not us. This past year we added several new team members, though we remain in need of a coordinator for the 8:00 service. Further information or training can be obtained from Kris Bertness.
Kris Bertness
The Altar Guild
The Altar Guild provided set-up and clean-up for approximately 120 services of Holy Communion during the year. Are you free for dinner and wine tastings on the 2nd Tuesday of the month? The Altar Guild is looking for new members!
Peter Munson
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IN AND AROUND ST. AMBROSE
40th Birthday
At St. Ambrose, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary celebration on August 18th, 2008. Some clergy who had formerly served St. Ambrose came back for the celebration, as did a number of former parishioners. It was a fun and education celebration, as we had members talk about each of the four decades at St. Ambrose.
Kidstuff Sale
Once again the Kidstuff Sale, held on the first Saturday in May, was a huge success. Thanks to all of you who set up, worked the day of the sale, coordinated the sellers, and participated in re-sort and clean-up time. This is a great service to Boulder County and also raises money for Outreach so that we can increase our giving to worthy charities, not to mention all the charities that benefit from receiving the unsold items.
Parish Retreat
St. Ambrose members participated in a Parish Retreat at Snow Mountain Ranch during the weekend of September 28-30, 2008. Mary Jo Stalmer spoke on “Bread for the Journey”, and led us through spiritual disciplines that help us deepen our walk with Christ -including self-examination, observing Sabbath, and practicing Lectio Divina. It was a wonderful retreat with lots of great fun and fellowship, with around 45 adults and children participating.
Reaching Out
As servants of Christ, St. Ambrose members have done a wonderful job of reaching out to others in need in 2007. We have had a “full roster” each time that we have cooked and served food at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless. For all of you who have volunteered, both adults and children, thank you for your love and presence offered to those at the shelter.
Outreach
We were able to support ten or twelve charities in 2007, thanks to the generosity of our members and the oversight of this group.
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