The next in a series of irregular updates to the parish.
January 21, 2020
Consolidation: To create a path whereby St. James will sustain its mission
and create its future—taking to the consolidated parish, not only some of our people, but also some of our ministries, partnerships, traditions, governance and artifacts.
The first of these updates was last June—reflecting a myriad of options, meetings, decisions and more. Now we’re closing in on the most important choice of all—a choice of one parish, St. Luke’s or St. Mary’s, with whom to develop a detailed consolidation plan. The vestry has a process. And every qualified voter of St. James will have a say in the decision.
Here’s the plan:
- The C-Team is working hard to develop a recommendation. I won’t be part of that decision—will actually absent myself from their final discussion. But it’s clear that the Team will enter that conversation well-prepared and focused. Please keep them in your prayers.
- On February 11, the C-Team will send its recommendation to the vestry for their approval. On February 15 the vestry will send its recommendation to the members of St. James.
- At 9:30 AM on February 23, the people of St. James will gather in the Gallery to discuss the whys and wherefores of the recommendation. Please mark your calendars.
- A parish meeting at 10:00 AM on March 1, is the deadline for qualified voters to submit their ballots. Watch for more information from the vestry.
- And, finally watch for the results, to be announced on March 2.
There’s a whole lot of information underneath all this, including the definition of a qualified voter, instructions for how to vote absentee, and more. For all that, watch for instructions from your vestry.
And there’s a lot of work
to be done once the choice of a consolidation partner is made. But be assured that we’re on track to close our building on June 30.
In the meantime
,
thanks to all who helped welcome the people of St. Luke’s and St. Mary’s to our Sunday worship on January 12 and 19. Thanks to the people of those parishes, who set aside their usual schedules to worship in our own beautiful building of St. James. Thanks to the consolidation teams of St. Luke’s and St. Mary’s, who’ve joined with us as we learn about one another, and to the many committee chairs, staff members, and dedicated activists in each parish who’ve shared with us details of their parish lives.
Our cup over-floweth. Grace and generosity abounds. Thanks be to God.
Ruth Anne Olson,
Transition Coordinator
