Renovation News
Good news -- we are on track to begin construction work
this upcoming Monday, June 4
! The initial operation will be to remove the suspended ceiling in the chapel in order to confirm the plan for supporting the marble altar, communion rail and columns while the chancel floor is removed and a new steel structure is installed. Other early work will be to protect the windows and other areas from dust and damage.
The pipes and other sensitive parts of the Rosales organ have been removed for protection and safe keeping and to permit easy access to the tower and attic (which is through the organ loft). All furnishings, books etc. have been cleared out of the church and chapel. The pew cushions have been sent to a local shop where they will be refurbished and the minor changes made to fit the new pew arrangement.
The contractor quoted a price for the work that is within our budget and the vestry gave formal approval to go ahead at their May meeting. The main subcontractors have been selected and the city has issued a building permit. We have also hired a project manager/owner's representative with wide experience in this kind of work to make sure we stay on track.
The progress of the project is being recorded on a
photo blog
at
www.stpaulsrenovation.org
. You can sign up on that site to receive a notice when new information is posted and you can give us feedback there, too: Adrian Luxmoore
Search Committee News
On behalf of the Rector’s search committee, I want to thank everyone for your encouraging and uplifting send-off at the May 20th church service. Many of you have already expressed confidence in the committee and optimism about finding the “right” Rector. We know that you are depending on us and we sense that responsibility in the deepest of ways.
Our first big task will be to communicate with each of you to hear your thoughts on what St. Paul’s will look like in the future and what leadership style and skills are important to you. This process will involve a written survey that reflects the relative importance of the various ministries of the church.
Once we have
identified our priorities through this process, the committee will develop a parish profile of St Paul’s that will be circulated within the larger Episcopal community. This profile will be the centerpiece of the church’s “story” for consideration by prospective applicants, and we expect the profile to be finished in the fall.
As applications are received, the committee will introduce the applicants to our church. The challenge will then be to understand a sense of who the applicants are and how their skills will fit your desires for a vibrant St. Paul’s. Though it might seem peculiar, it matters that each of you take this process personally and that you invest your energy in a successful outcome.
It is vitally important that you share with the committee your vision of the future of St. Paul’s in any way that you feel comfortable.
As the search develops, I will be giving the congregation updates on the results of the parish survey and how the next stage of the search process is progressing. Everyone tells us that the search process will likely take about 12 months, so I am personally praying for patience so that we take our time in choosing the right fit for our church: Steve Micas
