The Transition Working Group has forwarded to the vestry a plan to leave the Parkway and to build a consolidated community that’s stronger than what we can do alone. The plan is built on the premise that Fr. William has several times urged upon us — to keep our eyes on both death and resurrection. Of course, to grieve our loss. But so too, to catch a glimmer of a new life to come.
The plan invites the vestry to make two major decisions. First is the question of timeline. Should we move forward quickly — handing responsibility for our real estate to the Episcopal Church of Minnesota (ECMN) in the first half of 2020? Or more slowly — continuing at the Parkway, maintaining responsibility for our community and our building till shortly before the new year of 2021?
The second decision focuses on consolidation. The plan outlines activities designed to help us care for one another, and for the many partnerships and artifacts that “are” St. James. It also outlines activities to assure that much of who we are will go with us in consolidation — likely with either St. Luke’s Episcopal in Minneapolis or St. Mary’s in St. Paul.
All of this is the agenda at the vestry meeting of Tuesday, October 1, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. At the suggestion of the Working Group, Fr. William and vestry member Karen Alexander have arranged for the meeting to be held at Augsburg University’s Lindell Library. A fresh place, to bring fresh eyes for making big decisions.
The Working Group invites you to
click here, to see the details of the plan
.
Then, before October 8, contact a member of the vestry (names & addresses below). Let them know your thoughts about the two possible timelines. A fast track or a slow track? Which is best for you? Which is best for the parish? And, offer to help create our new life that awaits. Look at the lists on pages 2 and 3 of the plan. How might you help St. James be fully integrated into a consolidated parish?
The straw poll made clear that no amount of planning will keep our entire community together. That fact is worthy of loss and grief. But it’s equally clear that our options are many. No one need leave the Parkway alone. Everyone can take with them some of who we are. That fact is worthy of celebration.
Ruth Anne Olson
Transition Coordinator
