Dear Hearts,

First, a warm thank-you to all of you who participated in last Sunday’s Annual Meeting; thanks also for your positive feedback. There was an engaged – dare we say, “holy” – spirit in the room.  Having broken bread together at the altar, we broke bread (strata and orange slices , actually) together in the Parish Hall thanks to the efforts of Pat Daunic, Jennifer Huebner, Susan Shackford, Cindy Smith, and YFNR.  Pat tapped others to help with the serving; Gene Bishop, Jean Meiselman, Bob Sperry and others made short work of the dishwashing and clean-up.  If that had been all that happened it would have been a good event:  We had a glimpse of the hospitality of the Kingdom of God.

I called the Annual Parish Meeting to order at 11:40a.m., and we proceeded through the prescribed agenda – approving the agenda and voting list, electing the slate of officers presented by the Nominating Committee, and applauding those who were stepping off the Vestry – Dana Schneider, David Kish, Diana Stovall, and Rob Hutchison.

In the Report to the Annual Parish Meeting, I thanked those who were continuing in a new capacity, but let me do so again here: Former Senior Warden Ed Seibert holds a special place in my personal history as the one who relayed the Vestry’s call to join you as your Rector and then worked through the details of solidifying that call; I am grateful that he is willing to focus his expertise on the role of Treasurer.  Pat Daunic wears many hats, including graphics editor of Glad Tidings and chair of the Newcomers’ Committee; so I completely understood when she wanted to let go of the Parish Clerk’s role while continuing to serve on the Vestry.  Bob Donahue has made himself indispensible to his employer – including on the nights when the Finance Committee meets; I’m grateful that he could continue to chair our Concertato series and serve on the Vestry.  I look forward to continuing to serve with all of them, and those whose terms continue — including our delegates to Diocesan Convention Kay Claiborn, Rhoda Whitman and alternate Jean Valentine; and our representative to the Greater New Haven Deanery Cindy Smith.

Cindy and I attended the Deanery Council meeting last Tuesday.  There is new energy and focus on collective mission and ministry on the Council.  While things were moribund, we did not have a second representative.  With things getting re-energized we may want to change that!

The Vestry’s work supports our ministries of worship and music, education and service, as well as nurturing our parish fellowship. In so doing, the Vestry also looks out for our gifted and hard-working staff – Parish Administrator Pat Wakefield, Music Director Frank Dodd, Sunday School Director Lisa Ste. Marie, Sexton Sheward Hagerty, and volunteer Bookkeeper Melissa Lamoreaux.  Last month, I thanked them personally over lunch at the Stonehouse Restaurant; a particularly memorable lunch given the exceptionally high tide!

The entire Vestry, including continuing and newly elected members, gathered for a first meeting together on Wednesday evening. We had quite a discussion on the results of the Annual Meeting’s “Fast Forum.”  (That’s “fast” as in quick!)  More about that in next week’s letter.

Blessings,

Harrison+

YFNR