A Note from the Senior Warden

Dear Friends,
 
Wondering what the vestry has been up to lately?  Are you ready to consider joining this important group?  I can assure you it is a busy and interesting time for all of us as we support the life and ministries of St. Timothy’s Church.  The biggest and happiest accomplishment to date is calling Liz Meade to be our priest in the interim period between Marvin Foltz’s retirement and the calling of a new rector.  What a find!
 
The property committee, headed by Jr. Warden Steve Crock and Rick Sharp have managed major projects, especially getting rid of the mold and putting preventive measures in place for the future.  Re-roofing the sanctuary was covered by insurance, and included handling problems of leaking around the steeple.  But now the sanctuary is dry, and the leaking and puddling in the elevator shaft was also resolved. All three of these projects involved some serious “detective work” seeking causes of the problems.
 
Oh, the things I’m learning in this role of Sr. Warden!  We are so fortunate to have a committee of knowledgeable and willing parishioners to manage our property, with the support of Tess Jones, our parish administrator.  The list of facility accomplishments in 2020 is quite long beyond the three that I’ve highlighted.
 
We have submitted multiple plans to the diocese in hopes of regathering in person for worship, learning, and fellowship inside our church.  But these high COVID-19 numbers keep pushing the reality of coming inside further and further away.  Our clergy, staff and volunteers have been amazing in coming up with ideas to help us be engaged through online and outdoor offerings.  I hope you’ve noticed the latest development in the Sunday service:  new equipment for livestreaming and recording has made this viewing even better.  Rick and Karen Sharp have been the leaders in this effort—hats off to them!
 
As the calendar pages continue to turn, we are already approaching the beginning of a new year.  At the annual meeting in January we will thank four retiring vestry members and elect four new members to join the remaining eight in serving as the lay governing board of our church.  But now it’s “nominating season”.  Do you have a friend in the church who would be good in this role?  Or how about you?  Are you ready to have something new and important to do to fill your COVID gap time, and to fill your mind with new and important thoughts and prayers?
 
Hmm.  But what’s really involved, Joy?  This year the vestry spent time developing documents that lay that out pretty clearly.  Below is a link to a page where you will find the responsibilities for vestry members, the norms we follow in and between meetings, and a covenant that addresses how we are as Episcopalians working in service to God.  Please read these documents, think about them, and give me a call.  Or call Mother Liz, or call the office and get the names and numbers of those on our nominating committee.  Please step up or ask a friend you recommend to let you be a nominator.  We all need to be involved in naming willing and qualified parishioners to serve St. Timothy’s in this very fulfilling way.  Let’s all pray about it.
 
With love and peace,
Joy Rouse

Vestry Information and Documents