The Bishop's Committee met on Monday, April 18.  We started by discussing a scripture reading from Romans 12 about making a sacrifice to God with our lives.

The Technology Committee presented a report recommending replacement computers for the secretary and pastor, as the current ones are many years out of date.  A new computer and a projector were also suggested for the youth leaders, in order to open new possibilities for presenting lessons. There was much concern about spending the money for three computers, however, and the decision was made to buy only one computer for the secretary at this time.

Gene Pearson, who is starting the process of becoming an Episcopal priest, told us about the experiences that led him to his decision.

For thirty years he was a minister in the Reform Church.  While in Egypt researching a book, he read about Anglican theology and liked what he read.  He is currently forming his Parish Committee On Ministry (PCOM) to help him along the path.

It was announced that Mardi Jensen has been hired as the new church secretary.  Many thanks were given to Karin Clift for filling in on an interim basis, and for doing so much hard work cleaning out the office. Mardi brings a very sociable personality along with a great deal of experience.  She was previously the secretary for Vine Hill Elementary School.

Bruce Clift, Clerk

Usher Coordinator Needed

St. Philip’s is seeking a volunteer to coordinate ushering services at the church.  The ushering coordinator sees to the scheduling and training of ushers at all services. 

Margaret Nordstrom has been our ushering coordinator for the past three years and the congregation wishes to express it’s heartfelt gratitude for the great job she has done.  Anyone interested in filling this position should contact Margaret.

Transition & Search Committees

The Transition Committee and the Search Committee have held their first meeting jointly and have begun the tasks necessary to call a “settled priest” to St. Philip’s.  They met on Thursday, April 21 with Father Barry who gave some guidelines about getting started.  The two committees will meet together for a while on the second and fourth Mondays of each month.  The next meeting is on May 9th at 7:30 p.m.

Father Barry will not take part in future meetings, as he emphasized that St. Philip’s is our church, and we bear the ultimate challenge of choosing a new vicar/rector.  He will be available for questions and consultation.  He explained that it is in our best interests to become a parish by the time the Search Committee begins its job in earnest (probably early fall), as priests find it much more desirable to be a rector than a vicar.  Some other issues he raised for the committees to be thinking about are the cost of living and housing in this area and the fact that the Diocese does not have a Bishop at present.  In addition, there has been a decision by the national church that no Bishops will be called/appointed until June, 2006.  So, it is likely that St. Philip’s will be ready to call a priest before the diocese can call a bishop.

The members of the two committees tentatively are:

Transition Committee:  Jane Ellis, Jeremy Honey, Donna Jones, and Karen Krestensen, Chaplain.

Search Committee:  Steve Dodds, Chairman, Marcus Granger-Jones, Chaplain, Karen Krestensen, Julie O’Brien, and Dave Sanguinetti.

Karen will serve on both committees and will be a “bridge” from one to the other.  Susan Seaburg will act as consultant to both committees.

There might be a change or two from one committee to the other, or an additional member on the Transition Committee.  However, these are the people who will comprise the members of these two committees.  If you have any questions about the process, please talk to one of the people listed above.  We welcome your input.

There will be a regular article in the monthly newsletter to keep you updated on the progress of the committees, as well as occasional announcements in church.  Future articles will spell out the process of each committee more fully.  For now, please know that the committees have formed, organized and begun the process of presenting to the Bishop’s Committee and ultimately, to you, the congregation, the best possible candidates for priest of St. Philip’s.

NEXT MONTH:  What is a Transition Committee?  What are its tasks?  Why do we need this committee?  Why will this take so long?

Karen Krestensen