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 in our paper newsletter, The Bellringer, and here in the articles section of our website.
The Vestry has been reflecting on quotes from John Phillip Newell’s text, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul at each meeting this year. It has been a joy to start our meetings reflecting on his words. The quotes that were shared with us for the September and October meetings invite us to search and see the holy in each other as well as in nature. These reminders have been helpful as we continue to live in the liminal space that is this season of “next normal.” There is a bit of trepidation as we wonder what is around the corner and how to best love our neighbors, but as Newell so gently reminds us, “There is hope. And it is a hope based on our deepest knowing, that every human being is sacred, body and soul.” It’s that hope the Vestry carries as we keep working to identify and meet the needs of our church community.
During our October meeting we met with the amazing trio that is leading the charge on our pledge drive. There are goals to be set and achieved, but mostly there is happiness as John P, Laurie S, and Karen J exude their joy in assembling the pieces to put together a drive that lives up to the theme of hope, faith, and love.
The path of hope tends to lead to gratitude. So, while there are sub committees meeting and COVID discussions (still) happening, the Vestry has so many to thank. We are grateful to the already mentioned pledge drive committee for all the time they have put into making the pledge look and feel just right. Thank you to Ryan B and his cohort of Sunday School teachers who are working to keep the young people of our church excited (and appropriately “snacked”). We are grateful to Kim D for, yet again, keeping her cool as she provides amazing meals for our events, particularly when St. Mary’s was honored to host Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. Judy A, Ryan+, Bingham+, Dick Z, Linda H, Kim D, and Jonathan H contributed their talents to a lovely Adult Education evening. Thank you to Louise F for hosting our Welcome Back Sunday event.
Thank you, also, for being with us as we cultivate what this next season looks like at St. Mary’s. We continue to rejoice in the breaking of bread, the smiles of the children seeing pumpkins at our first Family Fun night in a long while, and anticipate the waiting and joy that is around the corner.
-Submitted by Beth W.
