A Senior Warden Reflection by Arthur Morey In January, 2008, I retired from the vestry of St. Augustine's after serving a maximum six years, three as senior warden. I was grateful for this opportunity to work with friends who are insightful, conscientious, and passionate. Here are a few things I learned: The vestry is the church's handyman, service provider, and financial advisor. It keeps track of what the church owns - buildings, budget, the organ, the pews. The vestry takes care of business. And as we do, we are continually reminded that our understanding of the divine depends not just on preaching, liturgy, study, and prayer but also on plumbing, landscaping, and cash flow. The vestry can feel caught in the middle - the angels on one side, the world on the other. The church is also a tribe and the vestry a council of elders. We address city regulations, PR, outreach, the homeless. We do everything we can to support the clergy. We stay connected with our own groups, though few need oversight. Last summer we involved ourselves in the gender controversy in the worldwide Episcopal Church. We were pretty sure that the bishops required our input. The vestry is not just yours; it is you. During the past six years, there have been conflicts over territorial issues, liturgy, and church properties including the school. Surely we got some things wrong but we did our best faithfully. We have been grateful for your encouragement. In a perfect world, the vestry would be almost invisible. When we and our issues are out of the way it ought to be easier for you to pray and commune, to receive and offer support and assistance - the important stuff. The new vestry is made up of capable, generous, charming people who will continue to struggle with the contradictions between the spiritual and the mundane. Members of this very human council will be most grateful if you keep them in your prayers. Our newly elected Vestry members - Ingrid Fogel, Gretchen Haight, Rose Kujawa, Tim Whalen, Linn Wile and returning, John Amussen join our existing members, Bill Amlotte, Donald Lloyd, Darrel Menthe, Jacquelyn Myers, Pam Schmidt, and Mindy Staley. Copyright © 2008 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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