Welcome
Four friends are finishing their service on St. Matthew’s vestry this coming January, and I’m going to miss working with them. They’ve all been leaders in different aspects of our parish, and they contributed their abilities to the vestry’s work during their 3-year terms. Each has been a plus for me: our former senior warden, Bernie Waller, has really helped me to sharpen my listening skills. Susan Larson has taught me to look for the question behind her forceful comments. Eric Prichard has a way of reminding me when I’m chairing a meeting not to “leave anything on the table,” to button up our conversations. And patient Sheila has taught me, well, patience. Thank you Bernie, Susan, Eric, and Sheila.
But this missive is also an invitation to you: please consider vestry service in your future. St. Matthew’s is at one of the most exciting intersections in its history, a time, like Advent, of looking ahead expectantly. It’s not a time without challenges and work, but a Christian time of Christian challenges and Christian work.
Your vestry meets monthly and generally has an all day retreat once a year. Vestry members act as liaisons (not committee chairs) with parish committees and ministries, and do some basic stuff, like counting the weekly offering. But our 2013-2014 vestry has been intentionally visible; we prayed at every meeting and had a Bible study and collective readings at most meetings, and in the best way possible, went about the parish’s business spiritually and efficiently. As Bernie would say, it wasn’t kumbayah, but we worked to consensus while respecting opposing positions.
My immediate appeal to you is to speak with a vestry member about his/her time on the vestry and to ask questions about how your unique talents and skills could meld with those of the other 11 members, our new rector, and our staff to actualize the work we speak about in our parish and in the wider community. Additionally, I’d like you to attend the Vestry Information Session between services on December 7th to learn even more, and to ask questions. Please.
God’s peace.
Mallard