Happy New Year! I first would like to thank God for all those who have faithfully supported and done the work of ministry at All Saints' over the past year. In order to be a healthy vibrant church, it is fundamental that everyone use the gifts that God has given us to his glory. There are so many who have given so much that it is impossible to name names. But our Lord knows, and I pray that He blesses you abundantly.

2007 was an eventful year with the challenge of a huge projected deficit budget and ministries that were growing and in need of support. We made up over 65% of the deficit through your faithful giving and cutting costs. This was true in spite having to replace three boilers, and doing much needed repair and maintenance on the 201 property. This past year we had significant changes in staff from the hiring of Jean Robinson as our Administrative Assistant, the departure of the Tutons, to the hiring of Heidi Conley as our Director of Youth Ministries. All of these changes have provided opportunities to make organizational changes that are still being worked out.

The greatest joy comes from the ministries that have grown and flourished. Many of them involve outreach and have made major changes in the lives of countless people both in our community and abroad. The Prayer Shawl Ministry, Outreach and Evangelism ministries have matured tremendously, and with them we are reaching out as Jesus commands us to do.

2007 also has proven to be challenging to the Episcopal Church and its relationship with the Anglican Communion and the Christian community worldwide. Our House of Bishops did not comply with the requests of the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates, and there has been a number of congregations and one diocese that have asked for oversight from provinces outside the United States. This has led to costly litigation and lawsuits over property and has been the cause of much anguish. I will speak to this more at the annual meeting. Please continue to pray for the Church.

As we move into the New Year we will need to constantly seek the Lord's guidance in our response to events that will take place in the wider church. The Diocese of Maryland will elect a new bishop in March, and I ask your prayers for the election. There will be many pronouncements and challenges as the realignment of the Anglican Communion unfolds. All eyes will be on Lambeth as bishops from around the world meet to determine the future of Anglicanism. My prayer is the prayer of the psalmist, "Show me your ways, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

May you all have a blessed and prosperous New Year.