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September, 2007

RECTORS REPORT

My status:
 
I need to update the parish on my retirement plans. I had predicated my retirement the assumption that my house would be sold sometime this summer, allowing me to end my tenure with the parish on September 30th of this year. However, the housing market has collapsed in this area of the country, and the house is not going to be sold in the near future unless a buyer comes forward in the next couple of months. I cannot afford to pay the mortgage on the house without my income from the parish. Bishop Cederholm is working with me and the parish to have as smooth a transition as possible, and it currently looks like the resolution of the situation will be something like this. I will retire on November 1 of this year. An Interim priest will then take over the liturgical role in the parish, and any other activities that the Vestry deems necessary. I will continue to receive a stipend for a period of time, giving me the additional time to sell the house. I will no longer be associated with the parish during this time. When the house is sold, my family and I will move to the Seattle area. Church rules (which I support) require me to have no connection to the parish, and remain away from all parish functions. This allows the parish to begin the search process for your next rector. This process cannot begin until I formally leave the parish. So, while I will remain in the area, you will not see me at any parish activity. You will continue to have my prayers for Trinity parish, and all of you. I have enjoyed my time with you, and expect that you will continue to grow in your spiritual journeys as your parish continues to grow in size, witnessing to God’s love, care and concern the community that you serve. You have wonderful leadership in your Vestry, and they will continue to lead you as God’s servants in this place.

SENIOR WARDEN REPORT

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

I hope all of you had a great summer!

For those of you that have been away, a great many changes have taken place at Trinity.

First, the physical changes are apparent right away. The flowerbeds are lush and beautiful, donated and maintained by a small and dedicated group. Our energetic and unstoppable Junior Warden, Marion Dunn, has spearheaded a major cleanout and cleanup to facilitate a better use of our space. That is still underway. A library is planned for downstairs, among other projects.

Second, the Vestry has been tremendously busy this summer. We don’t normally meet then, but due to Fr. Gerry’s impending retirement, we felt the need to keep on schedule. It is not all settled yet, but we are in touch with the diocese on a continuing basis about Gerry’s schedule and a possible interim when Gerry leaves. The vestry and it’s officers has been incredibly responsive to a number of unexpected issues, and I am extremely grateful to them for being so available during what is normally a heavy vacation month. We would not have been able to conduct this most important business of the parish without you! As we have more information about the situation, it will be forthcoming to the parish.

As always, any questions and concerns can be directed to any member of the vestry. We are here to serve you.

NURSERY

Baby-sitting is available at the 10:00 a.m. service for infants and Toddlers.
Please call or see Karen Boyle if you are interested in volunteering.

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday School will be starting on September 16 during the 10:00 service . We are trying to encourage all of the children of Trinity to attend Sunday School on a regular basis. Cheri will continue to tell the wonderful stories of the bible to the older children and Karen will be working with the younger children teaching them stories of Jesus. The Cherub Room and the Sunday School classrooms have been cleaned and look wonderful. We welcome the donations of cups, plates, snacks and juice. Please check with Karen before dropping off old books, coloring books, furniture, toys, rugs, etc . We're trying to keep the rooms clutter free. It helps with easy clean up and maintenance. Thank you for your support of the Sunday School program. We look forward to see the children in September.

WOMEN’S GROUP

The first meeting of the Women's Group will be Monday, September 10th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. We will be setting agenda items, planning fund raisers, getting ready for monthly suppers and just catching up after a wonderful summer. We want you to come! All women of Trinity are invited to attend.

Personalized Sweatshirts:

Donna Reed has offered to help with the Women's Group's first fund raiser! She will design personalized sweatshirts. You choose the recipient - Mommy, Daddy, Grammy, Grandpa, Nana, Papa, etc.; and you choose the pattern - bunch (flowers), flock (sheep), or stars. For example, Grammy's Bunch will include all her grandchildren's names in flowers on the sweatshirt. Donna will design the sweatshirt. All you need to do is provide the names that will appear on the sweatshirt. These make great Christmas presents! The cost is $25.00 per sweatshirt. Please see Debbie Morse for order forms. Orders need to be placed by October 1st for delivery by Thanksgiving. All proceeds will benefit Trinity Church. Thank you for your support.

Parish Suppers:

The first Parish Supper will be Saturday, October 20th, at 6:00 p.m.
It will be a Turkey Supper with all the fixings. The cost will be $8.00 per person.


We will host parish suppers on the third Saturday of each month.
Would you like to help with the suppers? We can always use help with serving and clean-up.

Please see Irene Bonn or Debbie Morse for more information.

CHOIR

All are welcome to join the choir! We are always looking for more voices. We rehearse before the 10:00am service every Sunday. If you have any questions, please see John Ferguson, our choir director and organist. Please help the choir and come sing with us. What is in this for you? You would be joining a group of very talented people, also a group of very funny people, and learn something new from John, he is very talented. Give it a try!

PARISH HAPPENINGS

Theophostic Inner Healing Prayer Ministry: Meets Saturday mornings at 9:30. Call Sue if you would like to be prayed with at any other. Confidentiality is of utmost priority and it is not necessary to give details for the healing of and freedom from painful emotions.

Many thanks to Celeste and Robin for the beautiful flowers. These in combination with a new sign really help us to stand out as a vitial and prosperous church.

For those who may not have heard Gleason Walsh is slowly improving. He of course does not think it is fast enough.

Fr. Don and Pat would like your prayers as their daughter undergoes surgery.

SUNSHINE

Liz Lundgren has taken over the position of Sunshine person. She would like to know if any one in the Church needs a card. Please let her know immediately if some one has a loss, illness, happiness, or needs cheering up. She can be reached via e-mail at sunshine@trinityrockland.org.

Any News contact Joyce

Joyce Joseph at newsletter@trinityrockland.org

Closing Thought

Exercise daily - Walk with the Lord