First Sunday in May is Hunger Fund Sunday
Please give generously.

What is the Huron Hunger Fund? 
The Huron Hunger Fund (HHF/PWRDF) has ministered to people around the world for more than 50 years. In that time HHF/PWRDF has raised millions for emergency and development work amongst Anglicans in the Diocese of Huron, in south-western Ontario. In 2006 over $300,000.00 was raised. Huron continues to be a leading Diocese in Canada for donations to the Primate=s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF). The envelope program, the May Hunger Fund Sunday, the Diocesan Fall Appeal and the sales of The Three Cantors CDs are our primary venues for donations; Remember relief is a 24-hour need. The strength of HHF/PWRDF is its volunteers and parish representatives who provide leadership and share the operational load. This is why the administration costs are so low. Travel and mailing costs are funded from the Diocesan budget, which we are granted annually at Synod. At the national level the administration costs are 8%, with fund-raising costs of 3%. The gifts of hope we give our brothers and sisters around the world, are not just in dollars, but also in prayer and personal support. We thank the people of Huron for their continued generosity.

Of the funds raised by HHF/PWRDF, 25% is set aside for emergency relief. In the event of an emergence PWRDF will forward 100% of all designated donations receive (for that specific emergency) directly to the designated area through Action of Churches Together (ACT).
India -  Flood relief 
Indonesia-   Earthquake relief 
Afghanistan - Emergency relief 
Pakistan -  Earthquake relief 
South Asia -   Earthquake relief 
Philippines -  Typhoon assistance 
Sri Lanka - Refugees fleeing violence 
Lebanon -  Refugees fleeing violence
Palestine -  Refugees fleeing violence
It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Colin, as our new facilitator of Social Justice and Outreach at St. Anne’s.  Thank you for participating in our round table discussions on the direction of outreach at St. Anne’s, April 6.

St. Anne’s Cemetery Memorial Service
This is an invitation to all parishioners and their families to attend our 5th Annual Cemetery Memorial Service at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May 4, 2008.

This year as we remember the Saints that have left us we will be focusing on our role as Christians to be good stewards   of God’s creation.  We ask you to join the Calhoun family outside after the service for the dedication of the fountain placed in memory of Louise Calhoun-Perry and also to join Mary Wood and her family for the dedication of the bench which has been placed in memory of Bob and David Wood. Please take time after the service to enjoy the church grounds as the improvements made as part of the Cemetery Beautification Plan continue to mature. Join us for refreshments in the Parish Hall as we remember those who have contributed so richly to our Parish life.  We will be joined by our senior choir, rector and guest soloist, Shellie Drinkwalter singing “Amazing Grace”.

Peter, Secretary/Treasurer, St. Anne’s Cemetery Board

You are invited to a Spring Gathering and Luncheon
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at St. Anne’s.

Time: 11:00 a.m. - Worship
           11:45 a.m. – Lunch
           12:30 p.m. – Departure

The Pastoral Care Team is planning to hold another gathering for our shut-ins and seniors of our parish.  Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.  We look forward to renewing old acquaintances and enjoying fellowship.  A member of the team will contact you for your RSVP.
Please contact Audrey for more information.

Saturday May 3rd Youth Car wash  from 9-2  
Come and join the fun and bring your dirty car.  We want to wash and shine your car.   Coffee and muffins while you wait.  (May 17th rain date)

Take Me Out to the Ball Game
The ACW have tickets to the Majors season at Labatt Memorial Park.  Prices are $6 (adult) and $4 (students & seniors).  This is a fundraiser for the ACW and a great opportunity to get together.  Tickets are available from Jamie. 

St. Anne’s Cemetery
St. Anne’s Anglican Cemetery (Byron) is a Registered Non-Profit Cemetery. Under the approved cemetery By-Laws the graves that are available are for parishioners of St. Anne’s and/or their families upon approval by the cemetery board. There are still a few full size graves and a substantial number of cremation plots available. The cost to purchase one of these graves is $650 for a full size grave and $400 for a cremation grave.

If you would like any further information about the cemetery or to make a purchase please contact the Secretary/Treasurer Peter. Information is also available through the church office.

Next newsletter Deadline: June 15 – covering July/August/September

Blood Donor Clinics
Here's your opportunity to save lives

CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES
it’s in you to give

You can save up to three lives.
That’s the beauty of giving blood.

Call 1-888-2 DONATE for more information or to book an appointment. www.bloodservices.ca 

“Catch the Wave” - May 11th, First Communion Sunday
Our Sunday school children have begun a new term on "Creation" and are preparing an awesome puppet play for us all.

Coming Soon! 
A new look for our bulletin boards.  Be sure to check out the news and information about St. Anne’s as Angela  updates and refreshes our bulletin boards in the Parish Hall.

Volunteers urgently needed to help fold and staple our newsletter for mailing and weekly bulletins for Sunday and special services.  Please call the office.  The gift of an hour will make a huge difference; we are really short on free will office help.  This support was invaluable when we had full time staffing.  It would be very nice not to expect our new part-time administrator to be carrying this additional work.  Thank you to all who have helped in the past.  We do appreciate it and ask for the parish to know we are now in need.

First communion candidates have been gathering with their families over 4 Friday evening classes to learn about Jesus’ invitation to Holy Communion.  If you peeked through the parish hall doors you would see rainbows everywhere, signs of God’s loving covenant with us.  On our rainbow tree hang signs of our journey and each week we explore through praise, prayer, play and preparation, plus homework, Jesus’ life and our life with Him. Oh yes, we end with a “party”. Thank you to Ardyth for providing great treats and refreshments and Elizabeth for helping set up our classes.

Who’s Who? 
Plans are quickly moving forward for our new Photo Directory, requested at our Vestry and approved to go ahead.  We look forward to everyone participating.  Every family photographed will receive a free directory and have an opportunity to purchase a portrait, however there is no obligation for families to make a purchase.
Monday, May 26 to Thursday, May 29  2:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Your help is needed!  After both services on Sundays, a table will be set up with time sheets available for people to sign up for a time between 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. on one of the days.

We will need a number of people assisting over the next month in order for this to succeed.  If you can spare a few hours, please contact:
Nancy or Former Directory Coordinators, Audrey and Judith or call the church office (519-471-0800)

St. Anne’s Anglican Church goes GREEN
A team from our A.C.W.  made 93 cloth bags incorporating the above slogan to celebrate “Earth Day.”  These were given out on Earth Day Sunday April 20th  as a gift to the parish to encourage us to use cloth bags instead of plastic bags which clog up our land-fill sites.
Our thanks to: Jane Andersen, Suzanne, Angela, Jamie, Audrey, Sally, Mollie, Carolyn, Jean, Judith, Barb, Diana and Lindsay for making these bags.
Our thanks to Chris and Tac for the wonderful gift of a variety of seed packs for our gardens.  May God bless our planting!
 

First communion candidates have been gathering with their families over 4 Friday evening classes to learn about Jesus’ invitation to Holy Communion.  If you peeked through the parish hall doors you would see rainbows everywhere, signs of God’s loving covenant with us.  On our rainbow tree hang signs of our journey and each week we explore through praise, prayer, play and preparation, plus homework, Jesus’ life and our life with Him. Oh yes, we end with a “party”. Thank you to Ardyth for providing great treats and refreshments and Elizabeth for helping set up our classes.

St. Anne's Anglican Church (Byron) invite you to join us for worship & fun at an outdoor service, barbeque picnic & games 
Sunday, June 22, 10:00 a.m.
Springbank Park  - follow the signs to our pavillion site

•Family friendly!
•Praise music
•Old fashioned picnic games
•Prizes and Fun
•3 legged race, tug of war, teddy bear parade

Bring a teddy for our teddy bear parade.
Coordinator:  Chris

How Do I get there?
Enter Springbank Park by the main entrance on Commissioners Road opposite North Street.  Turn left at the first intersection. Signs will be posted and you should see our St. Anne's Banner at the west pavilion.  If you need a ride, please call the office, we will have some vans on hand in St. Anne's parking lot from 9:30 a.m. to  9:45 a.m.  Cell phones are on hand if anyone needs to call for a ride home at any point during the service/picnic.

What can I donate?   
We have a modest budget so always welcome donations of food such as fruit, watermelon, chips or ice cream, we could use some coolers left at the church on the Saturday before with freezer packs  (please identify your name with tape on the cooler for safe return), and some vans for transporting people before service. please call the office if you can offer transportation.  We also appreciate your help assisting anyone with walkers or needing a steady arm. Lawn Chairs are also needed.

Call to Volunteer.

Come to a Midsummer Night Taize Service
Friday June 20th  - at 7:00 p.m.
Candlelight summer solstice Taize service, followed by refreshments, weather permitting, in our outdoor gazebo

In the northern hemisphere on June 20, 2008 at 7PM EDT the summer solstice occurs.  A solstice occurs twice a year whenever Earth’s axis tilts the most toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun to be farthest north or south.  “Sol” and “stice” derives from a combination of the Latin words meaning “sun” and “to stand still”.  As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

In Taize worship we also stand still, we rest in God’s presence, simple prayers, silence and repeated chants, open us to communion with God

Message from the Treasurer
Automatic Deductions
For those wishing to make use of Automatic Deductions you now have three options to choose from for your bank deduction.  The Diocese office now gives you the choice of any one or two of the following dates which are the 10th, 21st, or 25th of the month.  If you are currently making use of the Automatic Deduction system and wish to change your bank option or perhaps you wish to take advantage of this option, please contact the Envelope Secretary, Griff or call the office at 519-471-0800 and the necessary form will be supplied. 

36th Annual Children’s Festival
Saturday, May 10th, 2008 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, Ontario.
472 Richmond Street, London, ON N6A 3E6

The Anglican Diocese of Huron invites you to a day of fellowship, worship, fun and food as we celebrate our Children’s Ministries.  Our day begins at 10:00 am with a Parade and a Youth Worship Service. Activities continue until 3:30 pm - games, music, crafts, and stories with breaks for lunch and snacks. This year we celebrate God’s Love for All the Children of the World. Hear and experience the story of God’s love through music, games, crafts and fun.
Further information: Call Sara or Allison, St. Anne’s
www.diohuron.org   All are welcome! 
Rev’d Bill Graham at St. James the Apostle Anglican Church, Sarnia (519-344-7342)

'Living Stones … chosen and precious’ at Huron Church Camp 2008
Seeds of faith filled fun were planted by the Anglican Diocese of Huron over sixty years ago and Huron Church Camp has been growing ever since!

Join us this summer!

53rd Weekend 2008  – Worshipping the Adult Jesus
May 30 – June 1
An inter-generational event that the entire family will enjoy.  Participants range from 4-94!  For further information see the brochure at the back of the church, visit the website www.53rd.diohuron.org, or call the registrar, Alison Boyd (519-884-8841).

John Bell, IONA Community, Scotland, will be our theme speaker and musical elective leader.  John’s music is well known in the Anglican Church and he will have everyone singing in no time!

If your spiritual batteries are running low and you need a boost, why not add a 53rd Weekend to your calendar this year?  A weekend just for you (or you and your family, or you and your church family).