The purpose of the Atlantic Mission Society is to “glorify God and to support with prayer, study and service, mission endeavours through The Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Synod of the Atlantic Provinces, and the presbyteries within its bounds.” AMS Report to the 137th General Assembly
The Atlantic Mission Society of St. Andrew’s usually meets on the third Sunday of the month after the morning worship.
Executive:
Co-Presidents: Judi Marshall and Nettie Ryan
Secretary: Barbara Clancy
Treasurer: Jennifer Whitfield
Members: Betty Barrett (Life Member), Judy Pinksen Kennedy, Ian Wishart, Betty Johnston, Elesa Campbell, Derek Krunys.
Each meeting begins with a Blessing and a light lunch, followed by Devotion and a business meeting, usually focused on the seasonal project.
The St. Andrew’s AMS is a busy group throughout the year, both within the congregation of St. Andrew’s and in the community. Meeting, September to May, and with the Newfoundland Presbyterial in June.
The AMS puts together a Thanksgiving display in the sanctuary for Thanksgiving Sunday. The Thanksgiving display consisted of fresh harvest vegetables and items which reflected our talents – quilts, knitting, jams and jellies and old family photos.
In December, members of the AMS prepare Christmas packages for senior members of the congregation who are not always able to attend church and other church activities. Each brightly wrapped package includes a PCC calendar, some Christmas goodies and treats from White Gift Sunday offerings, along with a Christmas cards. These packages are then delivered by members of the AMS who visit and chat with the seniors at various retirement residences throughout the city. We all enjoy these visits and are glad to make the connections with those we don’t see very often.
We participate annually in the World Day of Prayer service as it moves from church to church throughout the city near the beginning of March, keeping up the ecumenical and global nature of our mission in Christ.
We take two official turns, while members volunteer at on other occasions, helping with the Gower Street United Church outreach lunch program. Every Wednesday, church and community groups provide a hot, hearty, and healthy lunch to the disadvantaged residents of the downtown area, and we are very pleased to represent St. Andrew’s through our participation.
The AMS conductes the morning worship service at St. Andrew’s for Mission Awareness Sunday, to promote mission of the Church locally, nationally, and internationally.
As you can see, the, members of St. Andrew’s AMS are active in many areas of community outreach. The church community of St. Andrew’s supports ‘ Bridges to Hope ‘ financially and with weekly food donations. Several of our members are active volunteers and serve on the Board of Directors. Other members of St. Andrew’s AMS are involved with charitable organizations and with various local community groups who also have outreach programs, thus fulfilling their personal mission work in other ways within the community.
Lastly we are ever grateful to Lorna Robertson, whose generous bequest to foreign mission has allowed over $370,000 to be distributed to numerous humanitarian and mission projects throughout the world. This bequest serves as a reminder that our good works can continue long after our labours on earth have ended. The AMS provides the trustees with annual recommendations on how those funds be disbursed.