A Message from Your Bishop’s Committee

Stewardship Team Training Day in September

The Stewardship Commission will be offering a training event for everyone who serves or wants to serve in the ministry of stewardship for their congregation.

This includes team members, vestry and bishop's committee members and stewardship callers. The date to reserve is Saturday, September 23, 2006 from 10 am - 2 pm at St. Paul's, Salinas.

This hands-on training will assist you with your fall campaign and a year-round stewardship plan.

To be included on a list providing information and tips on stewardship, please send an e-mail to Charles Greenleaf at ckgreenleaf (at) earthlink.net.

Church Periodical Club

The CHURCH PERIODICAL CLUB in-gathering will be Sunday 3 September at both services.  We are all encouraged to save our pennies and bring them (or their value) to the in-gathering.  CPC provides books for seminary students in Sudan along with many other projects. 

Make sure your envelope or check is marked for CPC. The money will be turned in on September 9th at the CPC in-gathering at St. Paul’s in Salinas. There will be a Friendship Luncheon. The former national president, Priscilla Magar from the Diocese of San Joaquin and Cordelia Burt the Provincial ECW vice president will talk about CPC and all it has done over the years.

If you would like further information, please contact Jody Evenson.
Text Box: 2

“She’ll Be Comin’ ‘Round the Mountain When She Comes”!!!!

Who remembers that repetitive little tune we used to sing while on those long, boring car trips…”She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain”??  That’s what I’ll be doing in just a couple of weeks—and I’m getting more and more excited about being your new Vicar.  Fr. John Duncan has done a tremendous job as our in-between pastor, and has kept me abreast of the summer’s activities.  He and I both attended the Diocesan Vicar’s Retreat in July, and met face-to-face for a couple of days. We owe John a big round of THANK YOU’s, and Janet too, as they go off to enjoy their special trip to Scotland.

In the middle of August I was invited to St. Philip’s to have an interview with your local community newspaper,  The Banner.  It was a terrific opportunity to tell the Scotts Valley community what wonderful, good works you have been doing in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to begin to envision how we might work together to keep up that good work.  While I sat there with the reporter, I glanced out the window and there was Carter Potts and Hannah and a big group of fantastic kids gathering for “Enchilada Night”!  I so loved getting a chance to reconnect with Serena Ellis and meet her brother, William, and to meet many more St. Philip’s youth.  Another funny moment was when your former Vicar, Fr. Martin Yabroff and his son, Andrew, popped in so that Andrew could hang out with the kids!  A terrific homecoming for them!

I was deeply moved when Martin, whom I have known for almost nine years as one of my favorite colleagues, actually gave me his blessing in the presence of The Banner reporter. For that moment I felt the pure joy of knowing, as St. Paul writes to the Christians of Philippi, “that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion…”  Martin assured me that you will bless me, as I will bless you—and we “will be good for each other.”  Hooray!

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers as the summer comes to an end.

Until we meet in September, God bless you,

           Pastor Mary Blessing

August 19, 2006 Bishop’s Committee Meeting Summary

By:  David Sanguinetti, St. Philips Church Clerk

The new Settled Vicars Message – Rev. Mary Blessing (Via Bishops Warden Todd Connor)

-Mary is looking forward to meeting the congregation on her first Sunday at St. Philips on September 3, 2006.  She would like start her tenure at St. Philips by getting all church members to fill out a provided 5x5 information card with their personal information and current opinions and suggestions about St. Philips for her computer data base.  Mary is also asking that all members of the Bishop Committee try to attend the Stewardship Training Day, scheduled in Salinas on 9/23/06.

Treasurer’s Report – Bill DeRouchey

-The current amount in St. Philips General Fund contains $11,314.96.  The Settled Vicar Relocation Fund contains $15,593.80.  As such we are able to make our monthly back payments into Rev. Miller’s Pension fund as well as a monthly payment of $1,000.00 is being made to the Diocese for “Fair Share”.   However as good as this may look, we are down in revenue by 40% from 2 years ago when Martin left and we are currently in arrears by $12,833.31 overall in our Fair Share contribution.  As such, the Bishop Committee is supporting the Diocese request to have St. Philips audited in order to set a bench mark for Rev. Blessing beginning.

Facilities – Barbara Lyon

-The upstairs air-conditioning repair came in at $1,800.00.  This was a huge savings from the original quote of $6,000.00.  The office has been repainted a light blue for Rev. Blessing’s arrival.  Don Roth repaired the perimeter fence and Jack Doscher made some interior improvements.

-Future project needs include dry rot and leaks in the Parish Hall roof, an electrical upgrade in the Sunday school rooms and replacement of the kitchen stove which continues to smell like un-burnt gas when turned on.

Discussion Items

-   Custodial costs for building are exceeding budgeted amount due to the amount of use the facility receives from various groups.  Donation amounts will need to be reevaluated and including use by Parish members.

-   Current low revenues will require a Stewardship Campaign when Rev. Blessing starts work.  In addition, it was recommended that we advertise locally and send mailers to current and past membership announcing the arrival of the new Settled Vicar.

-   There has been a lack of help offered on the Arts and Craft Fair that Valerie Johnson volunteered to head up.  She is a relatively new member who has stepped up to a big job.  Announcements and assignments for help need to occur immediately as the church depends on this as one of their most lucrative fund raisers.  Jose Gonzales volunteered to help and Julie Levy and Nancy Jackson will be asked to give advice on how they ran the event in the past.

-   Our Sunday school is overbooked for the number of teachers available.  Julie O’Brien is handling 2nd, 3rd, &4th grades while Vicky Granger-Jones has 5th and 6th grade.  There is a need for Preschool and Kindergarten leadership as well as additional rotational teachers to share Julie and Vicky’s load.  Tim Johnson, our newest Bishop Committee member has offered to make Liaison of Christian Studies his new ministry.