Prayer is often a quiet ministry and we know that AFP in Rupert’s Land has many members who quietly
and faithfully engage in this ministry without hope of personal reward, other than knowing they
are doing God’s will. This is the time of year when we celebrate prayer. Prayer is our way of
connecting with God, and it is a way in which we can also bring others before the throne of grace
for their healing. So it is a time to give thanks for the privilege of being involved in this
ministry and also for answered prayer.

As you know, we have kept the Diocesan Prayer Request phone line going through the year and we
thank Pat Philpot and the office volunteers, as well as all the Parish Reps, and, of course,
those people who make the requests, for their involvement in the process. We would be happy
to have more requests for prayer and also happy if anyone else wants to volunteer a morning or
part of a morning in the office. The office duties are minimal and most days it is simply a joy
to take time for quiet personal reflection and to pray for the work of the church in the Diocese
and at a national and international level. Prayer for Church leadership in all quarters is a
very necessary activity now, as it has always been. These prayers can be offered in our homes
and in our Parishes of course, but the AFP office has become a special space warmed by the
prayers of many years and we would like to continue to use it in this way. We offer our
sincere thanks to the rector and the people of the parish of St. George, Crescentwood,
for their generosity in continuing to provide us with this facility.

As in previous years, a team has met twice monthly to pray with individual clergy for themselves
and for their Parish or specific ministry. We do this in the context of the Eucharist and are
grateful to the Rev. Bob English and to the Rt. Rev. Jim Allan for their support and especially
grateful to Jean Barry who is now giving leadership to the team.

We have continued to gather for a meal with the Bishop and his wife Nancy throughout the year
to pray with them for their personal needs and for their work situations. This is a great
privilege and they provide us with a wonderful example of people who are committed to,
and reliant on, God. We also thank Don for his support of the work of the AFP in this Diocese.

AFP has supported the Quiet Days at the Cathedral in conjunction with the Associates of the
Sisters of St. John the Divine and the Dean of the Cathedral. The leader in Advent was
the Rev. Canon Barbara Barnett, who gave us the opportunity to meditate with the Labyrinth;
and in February, Rev. Dr. Kay Schmitt, who shared Lenten meditations.

The 106th session of the Synod of the Diocese of Rupert’s Land was held Nov. 11th, 12th and
13th, 2004. I was able to attend this session as a Synod Appointee. A quiet room was created
by us at North Kildonan Mennonite Brethren Church, for the use of delegates to Synod.
Wendy Bain prepared a pew leaflet of prayers for Synod which was distributed through the
clergy mail to all Parishes prior to Synod. Thanks are extended to Wendy for this and
for her management of the display tables at Diocesan events.

As the Diocesan Rep, I have continued to try to be present at Diocesan events and services.
I have also attended the Meeting of AFP Diocesan Reps which was held in Newfoundland,
September 2004, where I gave a workshop entitled, ‘Encouraging Others in Prayer’.
This event is described in the Winter 2004 newsletter. I connect regularly with
the National committee to provide information for their meetings and for the
‘Prayer Prompter’, which is a guide to prayer, issued to members twice a year.
In the company of other volunteers I have also given support to the publication
and mailing of the National newsletter which is, as you know, produced here
in Winnipeg. Wendy Bain, as co-editor of the publication, is to be congratulated
for her work and I thank her, along with Pat Philpot, Jean Barry, Miriam Hutton,
Carol Throp, Gil Frederick and Margaret Jones, for their personal support and
work as a steering committee.

We have been asked by the National committee to host the next gathering of Diocesan
Representatives in June 2006, and with the Bishop’s permission, plans for this event
are underway. St. John’s College is the most likely venue. I hope our own members
will be able to participate to some degree and I think it is a very exciting prospect.
Please pray for this event and please let me know if you are interested in assisting
with the planning process.

May God bless you richly as you continue your faithful walk with him.

Heather Birtles - DR Rupert’s Land