In December of last year, our 9:15 music director, Melissa Craig-Morse, made a presentation to Vestry at which she felt that she needed an increase to half-time status, with benefits.  If we were not able to meet her request, she said she would have to begin looking for other employment opportunities. 

After consulting with the Diocese and researching churches of comparable size, and after intense reflection, the Vestry concluded that, given our financial constraints, they could not meet Melissa's request.

This, combined with longstanding differences, convinced Fr. Matt that a change was necessary. So it is with a heavy heart that Fr. Matt asked for Melissa's resignation today (Wednesday, February 23, 2011).  Melissa will stay on the payroll until June 1 of this year.  Her last Sunday will be this Sunday, February 27.

Melissa has been a vital member of our community and she has had a significant impact on the 9:15 congregation. Fr. Matt and the Vestry deeply regret that this situation has evolved, and we wish her all the best as she invests her time into building her therapy practice. 

Question: Why are we just now hearing this?  If I had known that we needed more money to keep Melissa, I would have increased my pledge.

Answer: We have been talking about the strains on our budget for many years, most recently at the Annual Meeting, and as a regular part of our Stewardship/Gratitude campaigns.  Especially over the past few years, as we have lost an associate rector, a parish administrator, and a health ministries coordinator, it has been plain that our budget has been severely challenged.  This should not be a surprise to anyone.

Question: I would like to increase my pledge in order to keep Melissa.  Can I do that?

Answer: It is impossible for us to raise funds for our parish by holding up each individual staff person and seeing what people will bid to keep that person in the job.  It would put staff in a competitive mode and encourage the building of factions within the parish.

Question: What will happen to the Alleluia Choir now?

Answer:  Parishioner Bob Matteucci, who has a degree in choral direction, has volunteered to temporarily lead the choir while we search for a permanent replacement.  We are confident that the same joy that we found under Melissa's leadership will be available to us under another gifted choir director.

Question: What about the children's choir?

Answer: The Children's Choir will be on hold for the time being.  The Wednesday afternoon art and homework time will continue under Daphne Vernon's direction, with the same hours; it will simply not include choir rehearsal.