St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

The American Redcross is offering a class for those willing to help others during major local disasters. The calss os on Saturday, February 27th 9am-5pm.

The application form is here.

Email or all Allison Calvert at Calverta [at] usa[dot]redcross[dot]org or call 914-946-6500 xt 260.

The annual meeting was held on Sunday. No priests or vestrymen were killed in the process. People were thanked. I gave a report outlining what we have to do to make the world a better place.

We were able to raise $500 for Haiti.

Yesterday a tenant decided to end her lease. Now painting, insulation, and other work needs to be done....

Have been working on the annual meeting. Made final edits on the report. Continued a fair amount of correspondence.

The ballasts and the lightbulbs over the stages have gone out and the Bengali association is having an event here (it's a puja for the goddess of learning). They volunteered to donate $500 for the cost, which should cover it completely!

Perhaps if candidates for ordination had several "360" reviews over the course of 3 years. These may help the church understand who is capable of handling and learning from feedback; and might also indicate who has the right characteristics for the priesthood. The ordinand, and the church, could select a dozen or so people to fill out a questionnaire about their perceptions of the cleric.

Haiti: The Three "Rs" of Disasters

It is important to remember that all disasters have a life cycle: "The Three Rs of Disasters."

Doing the public representative shtick. On Saturday morning went to the funeral of Bob Ruger, "Mr. White Plains." He was the quintessential volunteer; one of the last good government Republicans I know of. Presbyterian; faithful; progressive. Very much involved in helping his community.

One role of the priest is to help staff work with volunteers. Its important that any engagement between staff and the parish be seen as an opportunity for reflection and learning, not as one with warfare. It reminded me I need to work on some personnel management issues: like just doing regular evaluations.

Today I had a meeting with the organist. We are using a variety of different liturgical sources - paperless music; music for children; Wonder Love and Praise; St. Gregory of Nyssa's Liturgy for Music. One of the issues is technical - cutting and pasting into the bulletin. Not fun, especially using Episcopal software.

In Attendance: Art Bonagura, Bruce Betts, Gawain de Leeuw, Kathryn Wallace, Karin Almquist, and Jim Owen. Absent was Jane Bloomer

Priest’s report:
Pastoral Care
Gregg Edelmann RIP
Lillian Herzog RIP
Funeral Rules developed – need to establish guidelines
Internet improvements: wufoo.com a place for forms
Carpenter’s Kids

Finance:
Bedell Report no updates

Business:

We're currently taking nominations for the Vestry and Wardens of St. Bartholomew's.

I finished the rough draft from my thesis, but have been working from home, otherwise. I've been less available while I help a friend get a new car.

I'm trying out a new "productivity" software program called "Things." We'll see if I'm able to clear my desk off yet.

From the Newsletter

Merry Christmas

Over the last few years, many of my friends have been taking Christmas easy. Fewer gifts, less stress, more time just being with friends.

We sing Shalom Havarim during the peace. We do this for a few reasons.

First, it's in the hymnal. We should know it.

Second, "shalom" means "peace." It is meant to convey a deep peace in God - wholeness, completeness, eternity, and joy. It is a description of the cathedral of the soul when it knows God.

Last week we sent out the newsletter - we had some trouble with printing out the labels from the Church Management Software, but debbie eventually figured it out. Kathryn bought the church a new Epson Workhorse Printer, but apparently the previous assistant changed the password and forgot the password. So we can't update the new computer.

We got out the bulletins until January 3rd.

I’ve been amazed at how St. Barts has changed.

“I’ve never imagined that I would return to church,” said one person. Another recent member said, “It’s time for me to give back.” And another: “I am thankful to have a family.”

It’s official. We’ve started to grow again. The sense of mission, hope and expectation are real. And it has been because of your support.