From the Rector

Dear Friends,

When I first came to this parish almost 22 years ago, I noticed a sign in the parish office: "This parish runs on love." That certainly continues to be true and is manifest in numerous ways. One of the most obvious we want to recognize in this issue is the generous and faithful work of the administrative volunteers, without whose efforts, for example, you would not be reading this newsletter. Those who answer our phones, count and record financial contributions, proofread publications, put mailing labels on Cross Roads and other bulk mailings, manage our website, and keep the kitchen stocked with clean linens are among many parish volunteers in many other areas who help this parish run on love. You will read about these administrative volunteers in the ensuing pages.

I want to say a special word of thanks to several of these volunteers, all of whom give significant hours supporting and strengthening our parish's ministry. Soon to retire from her work as "head teller" is Marty Ensign. Marty has expertly supervised the group on Monday mornings who count and keep track of financial offerings. Before her many years of fulfilling that responsibility, Marty served on our paid staff as the (six hours a week!) bookkeeper (now a fulltime position called parish accountant). I am most grateful to Marty for her decades of service.

Euva Meyer has provided wonderful stability and continuity at our front desk for over a decade. Every weekday afternoon she spends four hours greeting visitors, answering the phone, distributing the mail, stuffing and setting out bulletins, and any other task that is needed. I feel most fortunate to continue to have the gift of Euva's gracious and dependable presence.

Barney Varner serves as the senior associate treasurer. After terms on the vestry and as treasurer, he has been an invaluable resource and assistant to the parish accountant and the treasurer on a daily basis. He has often stepped in when the parish accountant position has been vacant, and he has taken special responsibility for separate budgets that run through our office, such as for the Episcopal Church of the Advocate or our Habitat for Humanity partnership. Barney's early retirement in his professional life and his dedication to, and experience with, the financial administration of our parish's ministry continue to be great gifts for which I am very thankful.

Vivian Varner serves a dual role. She not only has served for years now as our vestment curator, keeping the clergy and lay Eucharistic ministers in appropriate, clean, and well-fitting vestments, but she serves as communications coordinator. In that capacity, she oversees the planning and implementation of the monthly issues of Cross Roads, each with a specific theme, any parish advertising, the yearly publications of the Directory of Parish Ministries and the Annual Report, the parish website, various signs and bulletin boards, etc. I am indebted to Vivian for her creativity, dedication, and organization in helping to tell the parish's story.

"For these and all thy many blessings [of loving people], O Lord, we give thee thanks."

- Stephen