Annual Parish Meeting time - Rector's Rambling for January 31, 2016

Today is the Annual Parish Meeting for St. John’s Church.  The Teaching Note on page 4 explains in brief detail the polity of the Episcopal Church.  From General Convention every three years, through Diocesan Convention and polity, through to the parishes, the Episcopal Church has a system of governance in place to encourage and support the mission of the Church.  Today is the day we gather after the 10:00 AM service to look at the financial position of the parish by year end 2015, the budget for 2016, and to receive reports of the various committees and ministries at St. John’s.  Additionally, we will be electing four new members of the Vestry since the terms of 1/3 of the Vestry expire every three years.  This year we thank Sarah Babcock, Bruce Burton, Cindy Grimwade and Debbie Swain for their leadership and service as their terms have come to an end, and elect four new members to continue that good work.

St. John’s is in the midst of a remarkable, positive transition as the neighborhood around us is being transformed, and I hope that parishioners will join us downstairs after the 10:00 AM service to hear some of our hopes and aspirations.

Also published today as an insert is the programming and devotions for Lent.  This Pre-Lenten, –gesima season of preparation is the time to make sure you are participating on Sundays, and in as many of the weekday programs/devotions as possible.  Your attendance is good for you AND good for the parish, because you become better equipped, and your presence will encourage others attending as well.

This past week John Gardner announced that he is taking a new position and will be leaving St. John’s.  We wish him well as he embarks to minister in another portion of our Lord’s vineyard, and give thanks to God for his time on our staff.

God continues to do remarkable things to and through St. John’s Church, and for that we respond with gratitude and love.