Construction

Have you noticed that everywhere you go, everything seems to be "under construction"? Many main streets in my town appear to be dug up just now. And as I've had opportunity to be around the province, it looks as if we're not alone. Construction sites abound; everywhere we're admonised to "expect delays."

Not just road work, but lots of building is happening. Homeowners are trying to get renovations or additions completed to qualify for tax incentives offered by governments. Colleagues report progress on their deck, their basements; even my hairdresser was telling me about a project to waterproof her basement wall so they can proceed with finishing a new family room.

In the face of all this construction we often ask "Will it never be done?"

The answer to that question is "No." We'll always be building something. In fact, if we were to stop, things would quickly fall into disrepair. We'd outgrow our spaces. Believe it or not, someone would begin to complain about not enough change!

What we're doing here is creating our future. I hope many of you CEM folks will be at Mission Conference tomorrow to deliberate on our future plans, learn how you can participate in a major "construction project" as we create goals, establish direction, set budgets and targets for OUR future -- "Under Construction."

Budget

It was budget week at Canada East Mission office and all minds were focused on squeezing as much good ministry possible out of our collective generosity.

Once again we're proud of our members' response to the call for resources that make so much programming possible. Oh yes, of course if we had more we could do more. But the mood is not one of regret but of celebration for the willing contributors, volunteer leaders who offer so much of their time, expertise and creativity.

Our Merrie Bande of Bishops will always happily lay out how a narrative budget can help congregations accomplish your vision or lead a Good $ense workshop to assist members and friends make good budgeting decisions and get their finances on track.

Around here, budget is not a dirty word, but one that helps us advance the mission and be about our Father's business.