SENIOR WARDEN'S NOTE: MARCH 2023

St. Luke’s Vestry gathered March 3-5 in Shrine Mont for a retreat; an annual vestry tradition that hasn’t occurred since before COVID.  Much has happened over the last few years:  safe regathering of the church, parish hall construction, lighting project, growth of the membership, new Day School director and the mutual ministry resulting in Father Nick becoming St. Luke’s 8th Rector.  There is still more work to be done and current members of the Vestry are up to the task.

Sue Bentley joined us to share the administrative and bookkeeping duties involved as Parish Administrator.  She gave a thorough understanding of the Church Life app that includes contact information of active members of the church; Ministry Scheduling Pro that helps keep track of volunteers in various duties on any given day and the Abundant e-giving system that allows members to make gifts, pledges, and donations online.

The Vestry discussed Functional Areas of Ministry, the vast matrix of volunteers that keeps our doors open and programs and services running smoothly.  We discussed ways to continue and improve meeting the needs of a growing church and identified strengths and weaknesses that need attention.  Nick would like to add a permanent Wednesday healing service and plans for a Ministry Kick Off program that recruits in May and celebrates all the ministries in September.  The Day School is embarking on a fundraising campaign to fund a new safe space playground that is shared with the church with a kickoff on March 17.  There was also discussion about the future of St. Luke’s and continuing to focus on and support the people and structure of the church.



Besides the work of St. Luke’s, members of the Vestry had a nice time getting to know one another better and learn any hidden talents.  Among us is a person who likes to hang picture galleries, a person who enjoys planning excursions around the world, another who enjoys coaching basketball, another who likes to organize, another who is an online shopper genius, and the list goes on and on.  I’m in awe of the talent, professionalism, humor, care and thoughtfulness of this group.  The year ahead with this Vestry will be one for the books, just you wait and see.

Faithfully,

Amy Moorman

Sr. Warden