The rector and the senior warden have appointed the members of a Long-Range Planning Committee to develop a vision for the long-range future of the Chapel of the Cross and to prepare a plan to guide the parish in reaching that vision.

I have agreed to serve as chair of the committee, and the members of the committee are Laura Cole Alexander, Lee Buck, Paul Carew, Jim Crow, David Dodson, Terry Eason, Susan Ehringhaus, Dania Ermentrout, Sharon Kolk, Neil Pedersen, Rob Sullivan, Ramsey Terhune, Nancy Tunnessen, and Judy Watkins. The rector and the parish administrator are ex-officio members.

The committee had its first meeting on November 24th, and the rector and the senior warden shared with the committee members a summary of the long-range planning work that has already been done by the vestry. The second meeting, originally set for December 8th (during the power outage), will be held in January.

It was felt that the committee should first focus on the current programs, activities, and services of the parish before beginning the process of gathering information and seeking parish input to assist in formulating a view of where the parish will be in 10 or 20 years. The committee hopes to have a plan finalized for presentation to the vestry in September 2003.