The vestry is the elected governing body of the church. St. Mary’s vestry consists of 12 lay members of the congregation and the rector. Four members are elected to three-year terms each year at the annual meeting. The Vestry typically meets on the second Tuesday of most months. You will find regular updates from them here.
Happy New Year! We hope you all enjoyed blessed Advent and Christmas seasons. We know, however, that 2022 might not seem “happy” so far as this year has only brought us more bad news—the increasing spread of the Omicron variant; extreme weather disasters; pivots back to remote activities; and many (far too many) disheartening declarations that things are generally getting worse. Despite all of this, we remain hopeful and excited for this coming year. We believe, by the grace of God and the steadfast work of our community, that things are going to get better and that we are going to accomplish amazing things this year.
When the Vestry met in mid-December, the Omicron variant had just appeared in the US. As it was still new, we were in that unfortunately familiar “watch and wait” situation. We began our meeting as usual with a reflection from Thomas Merton about how (at Christmas specifically) Christ comes uninvited into a world that has no room for him at all. Merton calls this world “a demented inn,” and we were struck by the intensity and seeming cynicism of that label. What Merton calls attention to though with his harsh language are the systems of power that exclude and dehumanize others. The “inn” he speaks of is the society that refuses to acknowledge the interconnectedness of our experience and, even worse, that purposefully profits from the disadvantaging of others. Christ comes into this society that excludes him and therefore, he finds a home with all those who are similarly outcast. The question Merton poses to all of us is then: are we at home in this world or not? Are we part of those inequitable and oppressive systems? Have we become so comfortable blending in that we ignore those who are outcast? Merton encourages us to wrestle with this difficult tension, for we never stop “being of the world” just as we must necessarily keep living in the world.
Merton concludes by writing that Christ is present for those who experience “the world at its worst.” Although many of us do not actually experience the worst, meaning that we are not denied the status of persons, physically tortured, or pushed to the margins of society—thanks be to God—it feels like 2022 is trying its best so far to be the “world is at its worst.” These are uncertain and troubled times, and we are not happy that we have to endure yet another “unprecedented” wave of the pandemic. And yet, when the Vestry gathers together, we remind ourselves that we are people of faith. We get up each day to do the work God has given us to do, with gladness and singleness of heart, in the knowledge and trust that we will eventually reach a better future.
In order to look towards the future, Jesse W. visited us in December to discuss an annual audit of St. Mary’s bookkeeping and financial practices and to give us recommendations for improvements based on overall best practices. We were happy to hear that everything looks good in general, and also to consider certain things that were put on hold during the early days of the pandemic that can now feasibly be reincorporated into our functions. As we return to normal practices little by little (and hopefully will soon be able to return in a larger way), we will use these recommendations as our guide in order to be the most efficient and prudent. Thank you Jesse for your work conducting this audit, and we appreciate your time and expertise in explaining it to us.
We then discussed the Episcopal Church’s “Becoming Beloved Community” document as it pertains to the next steps in our journey towards racial healing, reconciliation, and justice. As the title states, the document recognizes that this journey is a “becoming,” or a long-term, open-ended process. It aims to move ever-nearer towards an ideal, and the large, nebulous nature of this process is part of what makes it so difficult. The document outlines four theologically and biblically based commitments as signposts along the journey, and it speaks of them in the language of our baptismal promises. The first is: “Telling the Truth about our Churches and Race,” since we promise to persevere in resisting evil, and whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord. The second is: “Proclaiming the Dream of Beloved Community,” based on our promise to proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ. The third is: “Practicing Jesus’ way of Healing Love,” as we pledge to seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves. Finally, the fourth commitment is: “Repairing the Breach in Society and Institutions,” as we strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being. While we find this framework useful, we recognize that there is much work still to be done to sift through all the language and find the practical applications and tangible outcomes underneath. This issue and the broader “becoming” of the St. Mary’s community is at the very forefront of the Vestry’s goals for the coming year, and we will keep you updated about our discussions and ideas as we move forward.
Looking back at Advent and Christmas, we have many people to thank for their work in making the seasons reverent and beautiful: Altar Guild for their work in preparing all the holiday services; the children and youth team for making the Nativity Play happen—Carolyn W, Linnae E., Christine Z.P., Flossie B., Laura B., and Dorothy A. We send a big thank you to the music staff: John J., Tom T., Jessica R., and the choirs for their Lessons and Carols and Christmas Eve music. We send a special thank you to Carolyn W. for her great work before and during COVID as the Youth Ministries Director. Her ministry directing Sunday school activities along with the Nativity Play has been a blessing, and while we’re happy she’s not leaving the church, she is definitely leaving big shoes to fill.
We are now in the season of Epiphany, which brings a time of transformation, growing knowledge, and spreading light. It is also a season of change for the Vestry, as we say goodbye to our Senior Warden and three other members who will soon finish their Vestry terms. We want to take a moment to thank Carolyn G., who has been our Senior Warden this past year. We’ve been blessed by your leadership during yet another difficult COVID year Carolyn, and we will miss you greatly! We of course continue to miss seeing all of you—our dear friends in Christ—but we look forward to seeing your smiling faces again and we know that day will come, hopefully in 2022.
