Garden Help!

There is currently a tremendous need for help in the St. Philip’s garden. Please consider lending a hand to move the mulch from the mulch pile to the serenity garden, or to weed, sweep, and trim the front of the property. Our church property is far too large for any one person to care for alone.

It is important to keep our property attractive and well-groomed in order for it to feel inviting to newcomers. Any and all help is welcome—-please contact Tina Grubbe if you have any questions.

A Message from

Your Bishop’s Committee

Your Bishop’s Committee held their monthly meeting on July 18. Following an opening prayer by Rev. Bill Kelly, we discussed five versions of The Magnificat (including one in Latin!) that Lucy Gowan had gathered.

In order to manage the many repairs needed at St. Philip’s, Bill DeRouchey has created a monthly position of Facilities Management Coordinator. This person will be the first person to call when there is a problem, and will either assign the work to a volunteer, or hire a company to do the work. Please let Bill know if you have any skills that could help the church save the cost of hiring contractors!

Bill also reported that we now have two upstairs renters (including our own Debby Dodds). We will be using that income to improve the property so that we can fill the rest of the space.

The BC heartily approved a letter from the Parish Committee on Ministry recommending Gene Pearson for ordination.

Bob O’Brien reported that cash flow is looking good, especially for summertime.

Julie Levy brought the great news that space for all but two of the available booths have already been sold for the Harvest Fair! The Harvest Fair Committee might consider using additional space if applications continue to arrive. Julie also reported that the Trivia Night was a great success: it raised over $800, which is about as much as the event can produce. Thanks to everybody who made it a success, especially Vicky for organizing the event!

There was discussion about how to increase fellowship between attendees of the two services. It was decided that twice a year we will have a combined 9am service. One of these will be in conjunction with the Annual Congregational Meeting in January, to encourage all members to attend.

Vicky Granger-Jones reported that Carter Potts is working to fill the void left by Sally Arcarese’s departure as Senior Youth Director. She will be largely combining the middle and senior youth groups, and has asked the BC to recruit a partner for her. Vicky and Bruce will be forming a steering committee that will then set the direction of the youth program and find a partner whom Carter can rely on to help week-to-week.

         Bruce Clift, Clerk

Parish Profile Questionnaire

The questionnaire that will be the basis for the Parish Profile is almost ready for distribution. We thought the preparation would be a quick and easy task. It has not been so!!

You will pick up one questionnaire for each adult in your household. In addition you will take separate ones for each child in your home. There will be a questionnaire for those under age 8 and one for those age 8 through middle school..  High school students will answer the same questionnaire as the adults. Our aim is also to have the questionnaires available for completing online for those who prefer that. All of the instructions will be clearly stated on the first page. We will ask that they be returned within three weeks.

When the questionnaire comes to you in mid-August, you can do your part by completing it thoughtfully, prayerfully, and honestly, as soon as possible. It will take approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Then return it as directed. You will not put your name on it. Your answers will be anonymous.

When you have returned the questionnaire to the church, or completed it online, it will be important for you to check off your name on the form that will be posted in the foyer at church. That way, you can avoid a phone call from one of us!!

We’ll then have discussion in small groups after Sunday worship services for further input from you before writing the profile. When the profile is finished and has been approved by the Bishop’s Committee, it will be posted on the St. Philip’s website. The Search Committee will then take over and begin to receive profiles from candidates, working together with the Diocesan office.

And, so, we move through the process. It may be too slow for some, and too fast for others. Rest assured that there is movement. It’s just not visible right now!!

             Karen Krestensen

Seeking New Editor

Anyone interested in taking over the job of editing the St. Philip’s Newsletter, please contact Karin Clift.