Senior Warden's Report
By Ray Warren
A Time of Waiting, Expectation and Seasonal Change
Unfortunately, so much of what is happening regarding our rector search must remain confidential at the moment. This makes for a thin newsletter, but I want to assure you that your Search Committee and the Vestry are working very hard to bring this to fruition. Hopefully we will have an announcement soon.
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One of the fruits of having a full time rector will be, I hope, the restoration of an opportunity for Rite I services and the resumption of the small group healing services. I receive requests for both regularly and I know that these opportunities are missed.
The decision on when to have services and what to offer will rest with the new Rector. But I certainly hope she or he will consider reviving these worship opportunities. Stay tuned and please be patient. Your voice is definitely being heard.
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I am sad to inform you that John Lyon, the longtime partner of Joe Lowe, a former music director here, recently passed away after a long illness. Please keep Joe and John's family in your prayers this week.
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We are reaching the point soon where many of our seasonal members will head back up north for the summer. If you will be leaving us soon, please keep us in your prayers and thoughts all year.
When I first came here, I thought in terms of locals, visitors and seasonal residents. Having lived here full-time for a while now, I understand that our community is a large continuum spanning more than a few categories. It is the dedication, love and support of St Paul's that extends across all groups which makes us a living institution instead of a museum.
Some parts of our community are here virtually year-round, leaving only for short vacations. Some are here most of the year, leaving only for the hottest months of the summer. Some are here most of the time, but leave for a good part of the warm weather up north. Others are here for a few months each year. Then there are those who are only be here for a few weeks (or even a few days) each year, but nonetheless come back faithfully and think of Saint Paul's as a church home.
With a 100 year old church, an even older historic rectory, and the constant issues of weather, insects and insurance rates, St Paul's always faces many challenges and depends upon every person who considers us a spiritual home.
We certainly know that our seasonal members support churches and causes in their other homes.
Although we live here full-time, our family still financially supports two churches in Virginia whose mission and vision inspire us. So, I can appreciate having loyalty to more than one place.
We cannot survive in the summer with the support of only our summer population. The contributions we receive from people up north each year are what get us through those lean times. They are what assures that the buildings and essential personnel will be here each fall when our congregation swells again.
Please be safe as you travel up north, and please be generous to your other church home(s) while there. But to the extent you can send a lifeline back to Key West from time to time, it will be most deeply appreciated and will fill a huge need.
I personally will scan the birthday list, the anniversary list (and, sadly, sometimes the “pray for” list) for each of you throughout the summer. You might be away for a while, but you are always a part of St. Paul’s.
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If you need assistance setting up an appointment for a Covid-19 vaccine, please contact the office (info@stpaulskeywest.org or 305-296-5142). The sooner we can reduce the range for variants to arise, and strive toward herd immunity, the sooner we can return to more normal activities as a community.