The St. Paul's Epistle
January 1-15, 2004
Contents
Letter From the Rector
Meet the Candidates, January 18
Participate in the Annual Meeting, January
25
Vote for Vestry Candidates, January 25
An Update on the 2004 Budget Process
February Vacation Bible School
Committees and Groups
Planned Giving / Arbor Society
Letter from Michael Lolwerikoi
The Slate is Set for Vestry Elections 2004
Candidate for Warden
Candidates for Vestry
Dear Friends and Members of St. Paul's,
During this Holy season of Incarnation, I give thanks for the power of God's Holy Spirit working within the grace-filled community of St. Paul's.
For our welcome and hospitality that has had over thirty new families and individuals consider St. Paul's to be their spiritual home.
For the joyful voices and spirited fellowship at both our Let's Gather Together luncheon and our Advent-Christmas dinner and caroling.
For partnering with our Diocese to sponsor both Bishop Jack Spong and Bishop Fred Borsch for the Bible and the World lecture series.
For the St. Paul's tutors, especially Ann Marie DeLuccio, who lovingly give hours of coaching to our Sudanese brothers and sisters in math and English, as well as friendship and encouragement.
For our compassion and commitment to social justice by opening our doors in the months ahead to homeless families as part of the Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network.
For our continued support for the Anglican Church leadership in Kenya by our supporting, both financially and spiritually, The Reverend Michael Lolwerikoi at Yale Divinity School.
For the commitment and faithfulness of our teenagers by fundraising for a Heifer Project ark of animals.
For the faithfulness and fun of our Church School by their wonderfully spirited Nativity Pageant.
For our Vestry and Wardens, who through a difficult financial time, continue to lead the parish forward into the future of our mission.
For the staff of St. Paul's and their remarkable dedication and commitment to the mission of St. Paul's.
For this and much, much more, I rejoice in our opening our hearts, minds and spirits to incarnating Christ through the wonderful community we call St. Paul's.
Faithfully yours,
The Reverend Frederic Reynolds, Rector
Meet the Candidates
January 18
Candidates for the Vestry will be introduced during the 10 o'clock service on January 18. They will then be available for questions during Coffee Hour in the Parish Hall. Each of the candidates deserves whole-hearted appreciation for service to the parish as well as willingness to serve on the Vestry.
Participate in the Annual Meeting
January 25
The Annual Meeting will open in the sanctuary at 10 a.m. with a report from the Nominating Committee followed by a vote for Warden and four Vestry members. Additional candidates for Warden and Vestry may be nominated from the floor with their prior consent. The morning continues with a full Eucharist service complete with choir. During the service, the Rector will reflect on the year at St. Paul's. The results of the election should be available at the end of the service. The meeting will then be reconvened in the Parish Hall for lunch and reports from the treasurer and others, both to share and gather information.
Vote for Vestry Candidates
January 25
In addition to the voting at the 10 o'clock service, ballots will be available during the 8 o'clock service and following the service in the Sunday Office until 9:45. Adults are eligible to cast a vote if they are contributing members who have attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church for at least a year.
Barbara Warner
An Update on the 2004 Budget Process
The Vestry has begun to wrestle with the 2004 Budget. It must make several hard decisions during the next month or so. I thought it would be important to share the process to date with you.
The Vestry has budgeted pledge income for 2004 of $504,000. This figure is based on pledges received to date and a conservative analysis of pledges that may yet be received. Of the 319 pledges received to date, 14 are new pledges, 121 have been increased an average of nearly 16% each over 2003 levels, 129 pledges have remained the same from 2003, and 55 have been decreased by an average of about 17%. We have yet to hear from about 77 pledgers.
For those of you who have responded to the 2004 Stewardship Campaign, thank you very much. The mission and ministries of St. Paul's are especially blessed by your generosity. To those of you who have yet to respond, please do so at your earliest convenience. Thank you!
Other budgeted income, including the investment portfolio draw, comes to approximately $553,000, a number about equal to the 2003 figure. Total budgeted income as of now is therefore approximately $1.06 million for 2004.
On the expense side, the Vestry received spending requests of approximately $1.15 million. Included in this figure are some exciting new ministries in Parish Program (a Spirituality Day) and Pastoral Care (the Stephen Ministry). Also included are some inevitable increases in insurance and utility expenses related to our glorious property.
The Vestry will present a balanced budget to the congregation. It will therefore be looking to close the gap of about 9% of the budget. Your suggestions for how to do this, either through additional income or budget reductions, are welcome. Simply contact me, a member of the Vestry or a member of the Clergy.
Respectfully submitted,
Christopher Moore, Treasurer
February Vacation Bible School
Representatives from St. Paul's and Incarnate Word are busy planning Davey and Goliath's Camp Creation for the vacation week February 16-20th. For more information call Carol Miller at 271-2240 or 381-3373.
Committees and Groups
The Annual Report is a way to share with the parish how your group contributes to the mission and fellowship of St. Paul's. In order for your group's activities to be included in the 2003 Annual Report, please send your information to Wayne Reinert in the church office, or by email wayne@stpaulsec.org, no later than January 12, 2004.
Planned Giving/Arbor Society
Q: Who needs a will?
A: Every adult who owns anything and cares what happens to it!
You have an estate. Do you have a will? Having a will puts you in control of your estate. In addition to providing for the needs of our own families, each of us can make a plan to share a portion of those resources to sustain the programs of St. Paul's Church. Bequest amounts received by the church have varied from a few hundred to well over a million dollars. These generous people have expressed their love in a tangible way that will benefit the church for years to come. We have a beautiful Arbor Tree mounted on the wall in St. Peter's Chapel. Many of the leaves bear the names of those who have remembered St. Paul's in their wills. A book lying on the table beneath the Arbor tree also includes those names. Every individual or family is welcome to have their name added to a leaf on the tree; all it takes is some simple estate planning that mentions the church. Once you have included St. Paul's in your will, you only need to call the Rector and let him know that you have done so. You need not mention the amount. Your word is your membership in the Arbor Society. Please join us in remembering St. Paul's in your will.
Joan and Dave Flint, Planned Giving Committee Chairpersons
To all members of St Paul's Episcopal Church
Rochester, New York
Greetings to you in the Name of Christ Jesus.
The Fall Semester at Yale is almost over. I am doing my last paper on Friday, December 19, after which there will be a semester break, until January 12, 2004. The Semester has been a marathon but I am excited to be at Yale. I have enjoyed the Semester Courses, attending lectures and spending time in the library. I have also enjoyed the fellowship of the Divinity and Berkeley community, especially to be able to interact with Students and Faculty.
I am grateful that through St. Paul's Church members, it has been possible for me to be able to visit my family in Kenya. I am indeed grateful that Nancy and Bob Frank have been able to negotiate with the Airline Company, that I will be in Kenya for three weeks. I will travel on December 23 and come back on January 15. After being away from my family [Christine and the children] and the extended family members, my brothers and sisters and all other close family members, I am happy that Iwill be able to have a fellowship of reunion, prayer and sharing. There is a high value placed on human relationships in our African social systems. It is a time of greetings and of sharing.
One of the gifts I would like to give to my family members, after being away from them for such a period of time, is to assist them to buy a Water Tank with a capacity of 23,000 liters at a cost of Ksh 35,000 [$ 500.00]. This has been my plan of action, knowing that as from February until end of April, there is always a dry season, which forces people to travel long distances, to carry a 20 liter Jerrycan of water on their backs or heads. I envy to see snow around; after some showers of rain it melts and there is plenty of water. This snow should melt in the Northern Part of Kenya and in Sudan! Maybe one day!
The amazing white color of the snow is a reminder of the Christmas story. The Good news of Jesus; he comes as the Prince of Peace. The white snow is a symbol of purity and cleansing. The prophecy of Isaiah: "even if your sins are red like crimson, they shall be washed to be white as snow." It doesn't matter whether you are agnostic, liberal or conservative, we all desire for purity of life. "Our souls are restless unless they rest in thee;" says Augustine. Christ peace in this moment of Advent is a good preparation the real snow to melt in our hearts. The global community from North to South is thirsty for peace. We can buy material gifts for our friends but we cannot buy peace. It is freely given, to all who open their hearts and minds and are able to accommodate one another, regardless of color, race, or religion. Jesus Christ was born in a manger, because there was no vacancy in the urban city of Bethlehem. His parents, Joseph and Mary, were so uncivilized that they never remembered to organize an advance ticket for accommodation in an exotic restaurant! Mary, was particularly ignorant, not to have remembered the importance of maternity ward booking or even to have a family doctor! If it were you today, what will you do? What does Christmas mean to us in an affluent society? What does it mean to our brothers and sisters in Southern part of Sudan or Middle East?
Merry Christmas to all Michael Motors in St Paul's. I love you all in the Name of Christ Jesus.
Yours Faithfully in Christ
Michael Lolwerikoi
(Michael's letter was received too late for the December issues of the Epistle and so we include it here in the first issue of 2004.)
The Slate is Set for Vestry Election 2004
The election of a warden and four members of the Vestry is scheduled for Sunday, January 25. Information about the candidates for Warden and Vestry appears in this issue of the Epistle.
The candidates will be introduced during the 10:00 a.m. service on January 18 and then be available for questions that morning during the Coffee Hour. These candidates deserve whole-hearted appreciation for their service to the parish as well as their willingness to serve on the Vestry.
Voting will take place on January 25 during the eight o'clock service and during the 10:00 a.m. service. Ballots will also be available in the Sunday office following the 8:00 a.m. service until 9:45. All adults are eligible to vote if they are 18 years or older, are contributing members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and have attended at least a year.
To be elected, candidates must receive a majority of the votes cast. If necessary, a second ballot will be taken at the Peace during the 10:00 a.m. service. If there is a second ballot, those candidates who have the greatest numbers of votes are elected.
This is the third election in which there is a single candidate for warden. As previously announced, when "a sitting warden (who has been elected in a contested election at least once) is eligible and willing to run for re-election - as is the case in this election—it is not necessary for the nominating committee to find another candidate. Any time a sitting warden is not running there would be at least two candidates." Additional candidates for Warden and Vestry may be nominated with their prior consent during the report of the Nominating Committee at 10 o'clock in the Sanctuary. After a full Eucharist Service, the Annual Meeting continues with lunch in the Parish Hall.
Many thanks to the Nominating Committee for their efforts: John Bevier, Ted Curtis, Peter Doyle, Joan Flint, Beth Gallagher, Sally McGucken, Fred Reynolds, Judy Wadsworth, and Barbara Warner.
CANDIDATE FOR WARDEN 2004
RICK HARRISON and his wife Vicki live in Brighton and
are becoming accustomed to "empty-nesting" as their children are now
either married (Becky) or living in Baltimore (Andrew). Rick is active
in business, volunteer activities and enjoys participative sports
during his leisure time. He graduated from Hobart College and earned an
MBA from SUNY Buffalo.
Rick has worked in senior management positions in the banking and finance industry in the Rochester area throughout his career. He enjoyed being a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Rochester and would like to teach more when time allows. Involvement as a trustee of the Brighton Memorial Library and as an officer and director of a number of local not-for-profit organizations has given Rick a chance to be part of volunteer leadership groups and to gain experience in strategic planning.
The Harrison family began attending St. Paul's in 1984 noting the parish family's ability to maintain a welcoming and warm style while still allowing newcomers to participate in parish activities at one's own pace. Rick's first involvement was as an usher followed by helping Vicki serve at the coffee hours. More recently he has participated in the liturgy as a lay reader, a lay eucharistic minister and as a crucifer. Rick has also worked on the administrative side of the parish as a stewardship worker, captain and chairperson; a member of the investment policy committee; as vice-chairperson of the search committee; as a vestry member for four years and as warden for the last four years. Each of these steps on his faith journey has provided new insight into his relationship with God.
Rick has thoroughly enjoyed vestry service, is honored to be nominated again for Warden, and is very grateful for all his past service opportunities.
CANDIDATES FOR VESTRY 2004
SPENCER COOK is a Rochester native and life-long
Episcopalian. He attended St. Thomas Episcopal Church where he was an
Acolyte. After receiving a BA in History from Colorado College, Spencer
served as an officer in the Army for two years.
When he returned to Rochester in 1965, Spencer moved to the Park Avenue area and began attending St. Paul's. He and his wife, Liz, have been members since they were married here 32 years ago. They have had the pleasure of seeing both their children baptized and confirmed at St. Paul's. Spencer has been a stockbroker for 38 years and is a First Vice President and Financial Consultant for Smith Barney. Liz is a community volunteer. Their 28-year-old son, Spencer Jr., a Navy Lieutenant, has recently returned from deployment in Japan. Their 26-year-old son, Ted, lives in Manhattan and works for U.S. Trust.
At St. Paul's, Spencer is a member of the Investment Policy Committee and the Stewardship Committee. In addition, he serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) and has been an usher for "just about as long as I've been married". Spencer is Treasurer of the Hochstein Music School Board of Directors. He has been president of the Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association, the Brighton Barracuda Youth Swim Team and the Brighton Lacrosse Booster Club. In addition, he has served as a member of the Town of Brighton Zoning Board of Appeals.
Now that his children are "launched", Spencer looks forward to deepening his involvement in his church family and he is honored to be a candidate for Vestry. Although he and Liz will be out of town visiting relatives the weekend of the "Meet the Candidates Coffee Hour," Spencer will be at coffee hours the first two weeks in January to answer any questions you may have. He will also be happy to return your phone calls.
MARY CRITIKOS is now completing her first term on the
Vestry and would very much like to continue to serve St. Paul's for
another three-year term. These past three years have been a privilege
and an honor as well as a responsibility.
She began her St. Paul journey in 1989 after a life-long association with the Greek Orthodox Church. The St. Paul message from the very first offered a perspective that was at once joyful and full of promise. A Rochester native, Mary is a graduate of Brown and a recent 31-year retiree from Xerox where she worked in Human Resources principally managing assignments of Xerox foreign nationals assigned to the US operations on a temporary basis. In addition, Mary served on the Harley Alumni Council for a number of years.
While at St. Paul's, Mary has chaired the Altar Guild, co-chaired Stewardship, and has participated as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and Lay Reader at the 8:00 a.m. service, as well as having active involvement in Christian Pathways, Bible Study, Parish Life, and ECW. While on the Vestry she has been the liaison to the Worship Advisory and Stewardship Committees and the Pastoral Care Commission. The many paths at St. Paul's have deepened her faith as well as belief. She counts the St. Paul connection as one of many blessings bestowed upon her and only wishes it had happened years before. The breadth of opportunities and service at St. Paul's are truly remarkable; the faith community is vibrant, current, inclusive, and compassionate. The St. Paul experience - one that values tradition as well as being fully receptive to God's call for the future - is there for us all to share and to grow in God's love in living out our baptismal covenant.
ALICE ELDREDGE grew up in neighboring Geneva, New
York, where she attended the First Baptist Church as a young child, and
then the First Methodist Church as a teenager. She later became an
active member of a Presbyterian church in Rochester, where she sang in
the choir and taught Sunday School for several years. She began her
spiritual journey as an Episcopalian in 1970 when she moved back to
Geneva and began attending Trinity Episcopal Church. She says she
experienced an overwhelming sense of "being home."
In 1974, Alice decided to pursue a college education. She and her two young daughters set off for SUNY Brockport, where she earned her bachelor's degree and teaching certification, as well as a master's degree in Reading. In 1979 she was hired as a reading teacher in the Holley Central School District, where she is currently employed. Alice went on to earn certification in math, and now helps students in that area as well.
Alice has always tried to involve herself in the life of her church and community. She has been a tutor and tutor trainer for Literacy Volunteers of Rochester, as well as serving on their Board of Directors. She has worked in the Explorer Scouting program. While attending St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Brockport, she sang in the choir, served on the Parish Council, and co-chaired several holiday bazaars
When she decided it was time for a new spiritual home, Alice chose St. Paul's because she said, "It was the church I felt most comfortable in." As a member of St. Paul's, Alice has co-chaired and then chaired the Antiques Show and baked for A Meal and More. She is currently the chair of the Parish Life Commission and the Welcoming Committee, She is an usher, a member of the Altar Guild, a coffee hour hostess, and a reader for the prayers of the people at the 8:00 service. This year Alice also began serving as a Lay Eucharistic Minister.
Alice says that being a Vestry member would give her the opportunity to use her knowledge, experience, skills, and "good worker bee" mentality to serve St. Paul's in a distinctive way, and she is honored to be a Vestry candidate.
BILL HOSLEY spent 35 years at Eastman Kodak in various
planning positions. Before that was Naval Air Corps, Dartmouth and
M.I.T. Before that were schools in Newton, Massachusetts. Cynthia and I
joined St. Paul's in 1951, a half-century ago. Now I feel like the
product of modern medicine able to partake in a new life of service,
recently having completed 10 years on the board of Coordinated Care
Services, Inc., and of the Rochester affiliate of the National Alliance
for the Mentally Ill. Currently, I am on the board of East House Corp.
and conduct an Investment Opportunities Seminar at the R.I.T. Athenaeum
(seeking the wherewithal to boost my church pledge). And, too, I am a
ham speaker and writer on local history. In addition, I still am an
enthusiastic skier, hiker, boater and traveler. I feel truly blessed. I
have enjoyed three years as the Vestry liaison for Property and
sincerely love the church buildings (even with all the problems). To
me, St. Paul's is not just bricks and glass, but a sanctuary of
spirituality. Just being in the church uplifts me. I wish more people
felt that way and would like three more years of opportunity to promote
that idea.
GAIL PEARSON has been a member of St. Paul's for over
twenty-five years and in that time she has been involved with many
activities and programs here and outside our church. For many years she
worked at Christ Church for "A Meal and More," working in the kitchen
and serving on the Board. She is a Trustee of the Garrett Memorial
Chapel on Keuka Lake, and last year worked with Garrett family members
to raise funds for much needed repairs to the Chapel. One of the most
memorable experiences for her was going to Ground Zero in NYC, and
working with a very special group of fellow parishioners at St. Paul's
Chapel.
Here at St. Paul's she has been a participant with the Antiques Show for many years as a worker and Chairman, also chair of Altar Guild. Other activities include, Stewardship, Planned Giving, Arbor Society, Usher, Lay Eucharistic Minister, and Office Volunteer. She also greatly enjoys her work in the kitchen, for the social gatherings associated with church functions, including the Christmas progressive dinner, Lenten soup suppers, Ushers Dinner, ECW luncheons, and the Preview Party.
To be a candidate for Vestry is a very special honor, and Gail accepted that invitation and challenge with the hope of learning and being of service to the people of this congregation. This is her "Home" and possibly her contribution to the Vestry would be to help make St. Paul's more open, warm, and welcoming place for everyone.
DONNA P. SUCHY believes it is truly an honor
to be a member of St. Paul's. I currently am a member of the
Stewardship Committee and coordinator of the Informational Coffee
Hours. I am active in the Shalom group, our youth programs and an
occasional member of the choir (during the summer). I have joined the
Alter Guild and volunteer for church functions, including church
clean-ups and the Antiques Show.
Prior to moving to New York, my family of five girls and Tim lived in New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. We were active in the youth program at Holy Trinity (Midland, Texas), we continued to be active in Lafayette, Louisiana (Tim and I were in charge of junior high) where I was invited to join the Vestry. When I was transferred to Oklahoma City, our whole family continued to be very involved with the youth program at St Mary's (Edmond, Oklahoma). We helped sponsor a mission trip to New Mexico in conjunction with St Barnabas in Lafayette, helped organize various events and watched our children become leaders in the church of Oklahoma through such programs such as New Beginnings and Happenings.
Now four of our children have moved on to college and careers in places as far flung as St Andrews, Scotland; Seattle, Washington; and western Massachusetts. Our girls have benefited from their participation as youth leaders in the church. My dream is to offer such opportunities for growth and leadership activities to our youth here at St Paul's so that they can be ready to accept positions of leadership in our churches and society.
I am an attorney with Hatter Secrest & Emery here in Rochester. I served 2 years in the Peace Corps in Africa (Ghana) where I had the privilege of attending a Ghanaian Episcopal church. I was also a foreign Exchange student in high school to Belgium. My Physics and Math degrees are from the University of Iowa and my engineering masters is from the University of Texas. My law degree is from Oklahoma. We love Rochester and St. Paul's!