RETURN TO FRONT PAGE OF THIS ISSUE

From the Rector

The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams

Dear Friends,

Last month I wrote to you of my sabbatical plan for this summer, beginning after Pentecost, May 19. Now I want to tell you more about how things will function in the parish during my three-month absence.

Canonically in the absence of the rector, authority falls to the senior warden. At the May vestry retreat (as is customary) I will nominate Ted Vaden to the vestry for election as Sr. Warden, who will take office immediately. Ted served on the vestry at St. Michael's, Raleigh, before moving here as editor of the "Chapel Hill News" in the early 1990s. He will preside at vestry meetings and meet weekly with the junior warden, Terry Eason, the parish administrator, Barbara Hastings, and staff priests to ensure regular communication.

Vicky Jamieson-Drake, Tammy Lee, and Stephen Stanley, while also being away some this summer on mission trips and on vacation, will cover between them liturgical and pastoral needs as well as some administrative duties. Each week one will be assigned on a rotating basis to be "priest on call" (as one of us is regularly now for nighttime pastoral emergencies) and in addition to liturgical and pastoral responsibilities will preside at weekly staff meetings and meet daily with the parish administrator and weekly with the wardens. Between them they will also handle the weekly intercessory prayer sheets, the coordination of liturgical duties, and the Altar Guild's weekly distribution of altar flowers. Tammy will be available to the Altar Guild and other liturgical groups who need to ask for advice or decisions.

This space in the summer issues of "Cross Roads" will be utilized by different program staff members, according to the theme of that particular issue. Other staff members, volunteers, and committee members and chairs will continue to carry out their respective responsibilities.

I am most grateful to all of these individuals whose efforts will enable me, and therefore the whole parish, to benefit from a sustained time of rest and renewal. If you have further questions about clergy "coverage" this summer, please do not hesitate to call me.

Faithfully,

-- Stephen

© 2002: Chapel of the Cross