From the Senior Warden

Friends,
          April has been quite a month at St. Timothy’s Church, highlighted by glorious Easter services.  At the 9:00 service sixty worshippers joyfully welcomed Joseph Harley Shirley and Amelia Quinn Shirley in the rite of Holy Baptism. At 10:45 we had 125 worshippers, the most since before the pandemic, and all the triumphant music from the choir, brass quintet, congregation and clergy!  All day we had the feeling of “St. Timothy’s is back”.  It really was a glorious Sunday.
          After Easter we all learned that Mother Camie Dewey will be leaving us at the end of May to go back to her home state of Wyoming. She will begin a new ministry with their bishop focusing on wellness and mental health resources for clergy.  Camie is so talented that we didn’t expect to keep her very long, and know that we are blessed to have had her for three years.  I must admit that I am sad that her time at St. Tim’s is ending, but wish her only the best as she answers God’s call for this new work.  For here and now, we are working with the bishop’s office on a plan for temporary help for St.Timothy’s and Mother Liz, focusing on Christian formation.  Stay tuned…
          April also brought two funerals:  beloved parishioners Judy Flacke and Blaine Stone died just before and just after Easter.  Remembering my mother’s passing at this time of year, I know the beauty of spring and rebirth have special meaning as you relate Christ’s resurrection to someone you love.  Please hold these families in your prayers.
         You may have been reading in Tim’s Times about the new ministry we have of helping an Afghan refugee family.  Our work is through the International Institute with a family of nine—parents and seven sons, ages 3 months to 17.  The adults don’t speak English, only Pashto.  We didn’t expect this to be easy, and so far, we were right.  We are learning a lot!  Since the family has been here only a few months, they have many needs.  We’ll be sharing ways you can help.
Vestry bits and pieces:
          We are in a waiting, yet still very prayerful, phase of our rector search.  The position is posted and the discernment team hopes to see new applications early this summer.  Mother Liz plans to stay with us as long as we need her. 
          The minutes of vestry meetings, including financial statements, are available for you to read in a notebook on the coffee table in the library, down the hall near the office.  Financial statements are also posted in that hall.
          Thank you to Mother Liz for our vestry commissioning in the 10:45 service April 24 and to Mother Liz and Canon Whitney Rice for an inspiring vestry spiritual retreat April 30 to help us serve God and serve you better.  Please talk with any of us whenever you have a question or particular interest.         
Faithfully,
Joy Rouse, Senior Warden                                           
April 30, 2022