December2009 - St Luke's Episcopal Church

The Warden’s Corner

The last two months have been busy ones for the Ministry Discernment Committee and the Vestry. During this time in the discernment process we held telephone interviews with our candidates; discernment committee members went to the candidates’ parishes to meet with them and experience their worship services; and, finally, we brought the candidates to St. Luke’s to meet with the MDC and the Vestry, as well as with the Bishop. To accomplish this in the space of about ten weeks, especially with the Bishop’s busy calendar, was an amazing feat in itself.

During the past week the Vestry, Ministry Discernment Committee and our Diocesan Companion, Leslie Black, held a joint meeting. The Discernment Committee reviewed with the Vestry how each of the two candidates that went through this entire interview process matched up to the gifts and skills that we, as a Parish, are looking for in our next Rector. After all of the Vestry’s questions were answered, the MDC was excused from the meeting. Leslie stayed for a few minutes longer to review the process with the Vestry.

The Vestry reached a unanimous decision to call one person and I issued the call to that person the next day. Unfortunately, since our interview, this person decided that they could not accept the call. The primary reason for this decision was financial – from the cost of housing in our area, and how the lower, part-time stipend would affect their pension formula.

The Vestry reconvened on Saturday and decided that it could not issue a call to the second candidate for a number of reasons.

We have gone back to the Diocese and asked if there are any candidates for a Priest-in-Partnership relationship. A Priest-in-Partnership is a candidate appointed by the Bishop, with the approval and consent of the Vestry. There would be a three-year contract between the Priest and the Parish. A review of the relationship will occur at approximately six month intervals, conducted by the Office of the Bishop. At an agreed upon time (usually at least two years), after a more formal review, the relationship may be made permanent, with the Bishop’s approval, by the vestry electing the Priest-in-Partnership as the Rector. If the Vestry, the Priest-in-Partnership, or the Bishop decides that the Priest will not become the Rector, the relationship continues for the third year of the contract, during which time the Parish initiates a search process. The process has already been initiated by the Diocesan Deployment Officer, the Reverend Thad Bennett.

Meanwhile, the Reverend George Moyser has agreed to continue as our Sunday Supply and “on-call” priest. Between George and Jim Ballard, our Deacon, our clerical needs will continue to be covered. Jim has been working with a core group in the Pastoral Care Committee. If anyone needs pastoral care, or a visit, this group has been trained to be discrete. Please call if you would like a visit. Our telephone numbers are:

The Reverend Jim Ballard 893-7734

Carolyn Fouts 524-4842

The Reverend George Moyser 985-9494

Since Fr. Moyser lives in Shelburne, if Jim or someone else from the Pastoral Care team can visit, please call Jim or me and we will make the appropriate arrangements.

I know many in the Parish have been discouraged by the length of the discernment process. It has been a long process and this recent turn of events has been discouraging. However, what has been more discouraging and disheartening has been the reaction of some in our Parish family through their actions: not attending services until they see who the new rector is; not pledging until they see who the new rector is; and various other excuses. This divisiveness is more harmful to our Parish family than is the fact that we are without a rector. Not attending church or not pledging because we do not have a rector is only hurting everyone and putting the Parish as a whole in a more precarious position. If our Parishioners choose not to pledge their support to the Parish, the Vestry may be forced to consider whether or not we can even afford a half-time priest.

We would be in a far better place if all in the Parish Family would PRAY for this process to work, rather than using the time and energy to snipe and complain about the process. Let’s pull together and support each other and be the Parish family we should be – and which others think we are in what we presented in our Parish Profile.

Carolyn Fouts, Senior Warden

Thank You – Thank You

We offer a great big thank you to Jim and Linda Ballard, who organized another successful Book and Bake Sale. Even though we did not have the large carry over of books from prior years’ sales, there were plenty of books, with over $900 being realized for the event. Thank you to all who helped make it such a huge success.

We also offer a big thank you to Kathy Carter for organizing another hugely successful Rummage and Bake Sale. Despite a conflict with the funeral service for the

Reverend Oren Lane

at St. Paul’s that morning; there was a constant stream of traffic throughout the day. Thank you to all who helped Kathy on this effort, and for all of the clothes that were contributed.

We also offer thanks to Carol Livingston for organizing the Senior Luncheons this fall, and all who are offering there time to make the meals and those who help serve them. There won’t be a meal in December since the third Monday is just a few days before Christmas.

Notes from Our Deacon

In January new Lay Eucharistic Visitors will begin to visit those who are unable to attend church. Deacon Jim will let the office know for the month the weekly LEV schedule. If you or if you know of anyone who would like to receive communion please let the Parish office know or call Deacon Jim 893-7734.

Christmas Boxes

Last year St. Luke’s shared over twenty Christmas boxes filled with non-perishable food and helpful personal care items. A good number of the boxes went to Parish members who were more then pleased to receive a box. Please leave items in the parish hall. Like last year the Sunday School will decorate boxes for the items. We hope to have them all delivered by December 20^th.

Our Daily Bread an Agricultural Event to be held at St. Luke’s on Rogation Tuesday May 11, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. The purpose of the event is to become more aware how complex and how fragile our food supply systems really are locally and around the world. Ron Krupp the author of an excellent book ‘Lifting the Yoke’ will be one of the key note speakers, along with Bishop Thomas Ely, and various representatives from rural Vermont, the Grange, Farm to Plate,(Tubberville an non-profit organization that grows produce for area food shelves promoted by Ralph and Jeannie Perkins who attend St. Luke’s) NOFA, the Vermont Food Bank as well as a number of local experts who are invited to share their knowledge and work.

This event will be certainly open to participation by local students, area churches, and community members. A lunch will be offered to benefit Martha’s Kitchen.

If the

Bishop Street

artists and our local parish crafts people would like to sell or display their works that day let me know because space may be limited. Certainly we could use help with publicity, food and general preparation. Anyone interested contact Deacon Jim.

Deacon Jim

Christmas Memorials

It is time for the Christmas Memorials/Thanksgivings for flowers and candles for the Christmas Festival. A flower offering envelope is included with this newsletter for Christmas memorials. Please have the names submitted to the Parish Office no later than Friday, December 18^th. Checks should be made out to “St. Luke’s Altar Guild” please.

Christmas Services

Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24^th

4:00 PM Family Service with Holy Eucharist

7:30 PM Choral Eucharist

Card Ministry

Doris Newton is doing a wonderful job with the Card Ministry. Doris sends birthday cards to parish members. If several people would like to sign up then we could send anniversary cards, get well and sympathy cards to parish members.

In the future a hospitality card could be developed to send to visitors or possible new parish members.

Deacon Jim

Here is the 2^nd in our Parish Profiles - I am still looking for folks to participate in this – please email me or see me at the service.

Parish Profiles – Martha Ryan
What brought you to St. Luke’s? It was the end of a long search. I had been away from church for several years and was a point in my life when I needed some spiritual support. I found just what I needed at St. Luke’s.
Where did you grow up and what was it like? I did most of my growing up right here in St. Albans, after my Dad retired from the Navy and my family moved here. Before that, we lived in a few different states, mainly in new England, but were lucky enough to be stationed in Hawaii for two years. Other places included Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine. I had a great childhood and feel lucky that we were able to travel.
How did you meet your spouse?  I met David at Champlain College in Burlington. We dated for about a year, broke it off while we both did a little bit of growing up, then got back together again a few years later. It’s been a good 23 years so far!
Where do/did you work?  I work for A. N. Deringer in their Highgate Springs branch. They are a U.S. Customs Broker and freight forwarder. I started with them in 1978 right after I finished college and have been there ever since in a few different positions. Currently, I process entries for truck shipments coming into the US from Canada.
Do you have any children? Nope
Do you have any pets? A very handsome Siamese cat name Niko.
What is your favorite thing to do?  I guess it would have to be knitting. I’m not expert at it, but really love to do it. My Mom taught me and it’s a way of staying connected with her.
What goals are you still working toward?  To really make the most of the time I have. I’m still striving to balance work, relationships and life in general.
What is something you are really proud of and why? The volunteer work I do for the Franklin County Humane Society. Helping animals is one thing that I feel very passionate about and volunteering allows me do that.
Tell me about a memorable moment in your life, a time you will never forget. Standing on the Marienbrucke bridge and seeing Neuschwanstein Castle. I was mesmerized and will always have that picture in my memory. It was unforgettable.
What are you really bad at that you’d love to be good at?  Singing. I really love doing it, but just can’t do it!
When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered? As someone who didn’t wish her life away and made the most of every moment.
Stewardship Update
By now you have received letters from 6 members of the congregation demonstrating their faith and motivations regarding God’s gifts. Personally, I enjoyed each letter for its uniqueness regarding their relationship, commitment, motivation and faith as members of St. Luke’s.
As of 11/22/09, we have had 22 members pledge financial support for the church. The total pledge at this time equals $26,520.
Our 2008 actual expenses were $157,517. To cover the expenses we used $28,381 from St Luke’s endowment as well as $29,185 St Luke’s receives as beneficiaries of other endowments. This means that we had to come up with approx. $99,951 to cover the remaining expenses. This is the reason that the Vestry made the decision to call a part time rector, put the church secretary and sexton on hourly pay and moved into the Parish hall for the coldest months.
To those who have pledged, THANK YOU. For those of you who have not taken the time to pledge, please take this as an opportunity to commit to St Luke’s ministry. St Luke’s needs your support.
“Assist us, Lord in living hopefully into the future. Let us exercise our stewardship with energy and enthusiasm. We ask this in the name of our redeemer, Jesus Christ, who calls us into fellowship and sends the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us.”
With Christ,
Herk Dunsmore
Mitten Tree Time is upon us!
This Sunday, Carol Livingston, Joyce Chase and I put together a Christmas tree for St Luke’s Mitten Tree project. This is a project that has been active for many years. Members of St Luke’s donate new- purchased or homemade - mittens, hats, scarves, etc that are distributed to the local grade schools at the beginning of the year. Last year there were 5 schools that each received a large bag of items for the students. The tree is up and ready to receive your donations. Thank you for your support of this mission of St Luke’s.
Stewardship Chair
Treasurer’s Comments: “THANK YOU!   Counters”
For the past year, St Luke’s has had a dedicated group of members that have performed the task of counting the offerings every Sunday.
They are Linda Ballard, Lynn Cassavoy, Alan Cassavoy, Carol Livingston, Elwin Sweeney and Bev Alexander. The service these members provide is a crucial piece of ensuring St Luke’s income is accounted for and safely deposited in the bank after church every Sunday.
For this all our members should thank them. They are regular attendees so it would be easy to mention it to them during the Peace.
It also would be great if there were a few more members who would count after church on Sunday. The count usually takes between 30 -60 min. We would pair you up with an experienced counter. Even if you offered only one Sunday for the year that would ease the commitment/burden the current counters offer.
Please consider offering your time to the church in this important manner. To be added to the list just call the parish secretary – JoAnn. Let her know the date you would be willing to count and she will be sure to connect you with an experienced counter.
And again “Thank You” to Lynn, Linda, Carol, Alan, Bev and Elwin for counting!
Sincerely,
Herk Dunsmore
KIDS’ PAGE
Try this recipe for your Christmas dinner -
Edible Manger
Ingredients:
• paper baking cup
• chocolate pudding
• shredded wheat cereal
• pretzel nugget
• mini marshmallows
Directions:
1. Fill baking cup half full with chocolate pudding.
2. Have each child shred one shredded wheat biscuit over the pudding to represent the hay.
3. Place the pretzel nugget on the hay to represent the body of baby Jesus.
4. Top the pretzel nugget with a mini marshmallow to represent the head of baby Jesus.
Christmas Anagrams
Unscramble the letters to find the words:
bennorw
ghiinns arst
deehhprss
aceefiknnnrs
aiinttvy
aeglns
abelst
aegmnr
aailmns
ejssu