When I was elected to the vestry last January I was a bit nervous that I could do a good job and represent the parish. I knew it would be a challenging budget year and that we could face some changes. But WOW! Who knew it would be such an exciting time to be on the vestry. Hmm, exciting doesn't seem to really be the "right" adjective, does it? I have to admit that I have run the gamut of emotions after learning that Fr. Eric & Mother Susan would be leaving me, um, I mean us.

Fr. Eric said in a sermon one Sunday that someone had likened it to the seven stages of grief. I COMPLETELY understand and resemble that remark. When Susan first told me she had gotten the job, we were sitting on a friends back deck, overlooking Chautauqua Lake on a gorgeous summer evening. We were there to say goodbye to our Rotary Club Exchange students. I'm not a real big fan of saying goodbye - so I always try to tell the kids "see you later", in hopes that they will either return for a visit one day, or better yet, I get to go visit them. So when Susan told me they would be leaving for Michigan I was first so happy for her. I love when strong, intelligent, caring women get to realize their dream. Then within 15 minutes of that, I was "oh no! Not now. St. Luke's needs their leadership during this difficult year." Up until the Williams' move, the biggest challenge the vestry was facing was how to overcome a deficit budget, something St. Luke's hasn't had to deal with very often.

Over the last few weeks, I've gone through many other emotions, mostly sad, maybe even self-pity. I really will miss Susan & Eric. Just this past Monday at Rotary I was listening for Susan's voice when we were singing the National Anthem. Susan had a great knack for knowing what I needed. Last November, I got brave and decided to go up for a healing prayer. I had no idea what to do but Susan just laid her hands on me and prayed for me in a way that I needed but didn't even know how to ask for. When she presided at my mother's funeral five years ago, she was a huge comfort to me in just the right way.

I will miss Eric's faith in my abilities. He has always supported our connection to St. Luke's and has tried in many ways to help me grow. My husband Jay and Eric have a special techie-geek bond that I know Jay has enjoyed over the years. Eric's leadership at St. Luke's has been a huge comfort and has allowed many of us to develop and strengthen our relationship with God.

The sermons this summer seemed to be telling me quite emphatically to "trust in God." I kept hearing that message repeatedly. A couple of weeks after the big announcement, when I'm somewhere in the disbelief and denial stage of my grief, I realized that I needed to trust that this change, is God's will. That even though I was worried what would happen to St. Luke's, God must have a plan for us. That even though we will all miss Father Eric & Mother Susan in our own ways, God might even have a new rector that brings St. Luke's something we need now or in the future.

In a year where we face serious budget constraints, I knew being on the Vestry would present challenges. It is up to us, the vestry members, to represent the voices of all parishioners. But with Father Eric at the helm, I felt confident that we could overcome this difficulty. As someone who comes from a long line of worriers, when I thought about having an interim rector and no Father Eric, during our stewardship campaign and budgeting season, I felt anxious. I now realize that if I put my trust in God, and put faith in the St. Luke's community, we will be fine. It does mean that we all need to engage and be present. Let a vestry member now how you are feeling about all that is going on. Tell one of us what you feel is important to continue. Pray and think about your pledge for next year. Ask where you can help out.

Another thing I thought a lot about recently is "Do I go to St. Luke's because of Susan & Eric?" Then just a couple of Sunday's ago, I was looking around at all the people that over the last twelve years I have come to know as part of my church family. A huge sense of peace kind of swept over me and I had the answer to my question. So even though I will have to say "See you later" to Susan and Eric and there will still be many tears, I will embrace the future and trust that God will be with us every step of the way.

                                                         Lisa Yaggie, Vestry