The Good News • May 2009

Vestry Highlights

Vestry met on April 14. Mara Amedia reported that Fr. Irwin (Irv) Smuda has agreed to serve as Interim Rector. He is a retired Lutheran pastor who has served as interim in five Episcopal parishes and is finishing up a position at St. Mark's, Canton. He will start at St. John's the second Sunday in June, and will be with us part time including pastoral care, Vestry meetings and staff meetings.

Mara intends to appoint an Ad Hoc Housekeeping Committee to oversee organization and storage of parish property (including, when appropriate, jettisoning unneeded items). She also continues to investigate the feasibility of renovating the apartment, which must at the very least be properly maintained.

The Treasurer reported that the diocesan audit team will perform our 2008 audit, which will save us several thousand dollars. We have received a gift of $500 for Christian Social Relations from the Episcopal Church Women of the recently closed St. Andrew's church.

Jim Witt reported that we have a lower quote of $24,430 for repairing and covering the remaining stained and art glass windows in the church, and the Memorials Committee has approved use of their funds for this project, leaving about $3,000 to be raised from donations. Vestry also approved replacement and repair of time clocks and floodlights on the outside security lights.

Plans are moving along for the Sesquicentennial Celebration October 11 and 12. The dinner on October 11 will be catered by David Armstrong of Cater2U, and will take place early so those who wish to may attend the Symphony concert that evening. On Sunday there will be a festive service and brunch.

Liz Wrona, Clerk