Wednesday, November 24

Parish Update

Peace and Happy Thanksgiving. I hope each of you is able to share this day with a loved one. I’m so excited to be have my son and youngest granddaughter, whom I have not seen in person in over two years, here visiting me. They live in Texas, and Facetime is just not the same as being able to share a real hug!

Each Wednesday, for over a month now, our notes have mentioned the word transition. St. Andrews is diligently working through this important process, but the everyday work also continues because of your lay ministers, your dedicated office staff and your vestry.
As your junior warden reported last week, interviews for an interim priest have taken place and the vestry hopes to have an announcement shortly. But, our church ministries continue, including the monthly vestry meeting. Here are notes of our meeting this past week on November 16th.

Vestry Notes:

• Senior Warden’s report – Judy shared the hiring process learned from Rev. Canon Davison, and the vestry agreed to the process.
  Bill Brice has finalized all changes to banking procedures.
  Staff meetings are occurring weekly.
• Junior Warden’s Report – Tom reviewed heating system protocols for Sundays (in particular turning on the heat in the bathrooms is a priority).
• Financial reports – Bill B presented year to date financial statements which were approved. He reminded the vestry that the 2022 budget will be presented and discussed at the December meeting. (It is not too late to turn in your pledge cards. Ministries cannot continue without everyone’s’ support in whatever measure possible).
• Kitchen renovation report – Angie Barr provided an update on the revised kitchen renovation. The vestry reaffirmed access to funds approved over two years ago to execute design development phase 2 with report and cost estimates ready for the 2022. Annual meeting scheduled for Sunday January 30th, one service at 9:00am.
• Buildings & Grounds report – Margo shared a clean-up and maintenance plan. The vestry approved immediate clean up and requested the 2022 budget include ongoing maintenance funds.
• Christmas planning – The vestry decided there will be one Christmas Eve service at 7pm (streamed), one Christmas Day service at 10am, and one Sunday service at 10am (streamed). Greens and wreath have been ordered. The greening of St. Andrews will take place after services on Sunday, December 19. Judy has arranged for the Rev. Jeff Sharp to preside at all three services. The Rev. Dr. Judith McDaniel will serve on Sunday, December 19th.
• Discussion about Interim Candidates – the vestry reviewed interviews with candidates and voted. Results were provided to Rev. Canon to the Ordinary.
• Children and Youth Ministries – Kendall volunteered to cover the nursery at 10 am on Sundays on an interim basis, when he is available.

Adult Education – December 12th following the 10am service there will be a presentation on the History of Advent with Steve Kieta. Please join him.

Next vestry meeting: Tuesday, December 21, 7:00 pm

This Saturday, November 27th at 11am there will be a Celebration of Life for Connie West and all are invited.

There will be Celebration of Life for Chuck Zimmerman, father of Liz Herriges, on Sunday Dec 19th at 2pm. All are invited. A reception will follow and cookies are welcome.

Additional ongoing ministry updates include the Jackson Street food bank is open today, music is carefully returning to our services, thanks to the guidance of our music director Naomi S, and the Outreach Committee’s Advent drive raised over $600 for AIDNW. Once again, your generosity will support those who are struggling this season.

So, as Thanksgiving approaches and I look at all I am grateful for, I write this note with gratitude because I am part of this vibrant, working community.

Blessings and peace to you all.

Judy T Nelson, Senior Warden