Get to know your Vestry- Q&A with Les House
During Mother Nikki's sabbatical, the Friday newsletters will feature one Vestry member each week. Please thank them for their service to the congregation, and let them know if you are able to assist with their committee's work!
Q: Name?
A: Les House. This is my fourth year as Treasurer. The Treasurer is not on Vestry, and thus there is not a three-year limit. I would like to invite someone to agree to be the assistant Treasurer with the goal of taking over sometime in the future.
Q: What does a Treasurer do?
A: The Treasurer reports the financial stability of the church to the Finance Committee, Vestry, and parish. The Treasurer works closely with the Rector, Finance Committee, Endowment Committee, and Vestry in all aspects that affect the financial well being of St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church.
Q: Does it require a lot of training to be a treasurer?
A: Technically, a treasurer should have a degree in Accounting, but I have a degree in Paper Engineering. The thing that Accountants and Engineers have in common is that they are very good with numbers.
Q: What's the best part about serving on Vestry?
A: Working with Mother Nikki, Vestry, the Finance Committee, and the Finance Committee Chair in helping maintain St. Gregory the Great Episcopal Church's financial stability . Financial stability enables us to do God's work. It has been an absolute pleasure working with the leadership group.
Q: What's has been the biggest challenge on Vestry?
A: I am a Paper Engineer by education. A Paper Engineer is a specialized chemical engineer. Engineers understand the need and the concept of double entry accounting, but the execution is counter-intuitive to an engineer.
Q: What would you tell a person considering serving on the Vestry?
A: Prayerfully consider this calling. You are being asked because someone thinks you have a gift that is needed.
Q: What are your hobbies?
A. I am a homebrewer since 1979. I brew the beer that I drink.
Q: What is your favorite hymn? Why?
A: I want to walk as a child of the light (490). The refrain is what really speaks to me:
"In him there is no darkness at all.
The night and the day are both alike.
The Lamb is the light of the city of God.
Shine in my heart, Lord Jesus".
This is an assurance that we will be with Jesus after we die. I had a soloist sing this at my dad's funeral in 2012, and I will have this sung at my funeral when the time comes. I want it to be sung as a celebration of life rather than a somber funeral.
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