Our June meeting was held on the 21st, with 13 vestry members present. Edie opened the meeting with a Bible reading and prayer. Our guests this month were Jim Barker and Steve Blackmer.  

      Jim presented us with information on the upcoming Stewardship campaign for the fall. We had discussion on increasing pledges and communication with our parishioners. The Vestry was asked to get involved in ongoing communication so that more people can be reached. It was also noted that Cathy Menard will be presenting courses on personal finance.

      Steve Blackmer discussed the progress of his discernment, and the Vestry concurred with Steve's discernment committee that he should move forward in the process. Steve feels that he is being called to serve as a steward of the environment, and told the Vestry that he sees his future in working part-time with a parish while continuing with environmental ministries.

      During the Finance Report, Valerie noted that we are currently running about $13,000 behind in pledges and are only managing to hold steady due to SPY's Ten Talents initiative and a memorial gift.

      Davis remarked that many people from Hospice House appreciated St. Paul's Church opening her doors for an interdenominational remembrance service.

      Kate noted that September 11 is on a Sunday this year.  A special Stare Observance and an interfaith service will be held on the State House Lawn. More information would be available as the time gets closer.

      She also noted that Joanne Martin has retired from recording the 10:00 service for community television, and we are very grateful to her for her longtime commitment to this ministry.  Michael Atkinson will be taking over and already has several volunteers signed up to help. Katie Solter will be beginning her ministry at St. Andrew's in Hopkinton at the end of August.   We will be having a reception for her at the end of August.

      Kate told us that St Paul's continues to have the biggest response to the bishop search committee's survey.   On June 22, Kate, Herb and the staff will have an offsite retreat. Kate also noted that Sarah is looking into the possibilities of an outdoor service and a 2012 parish retreat.

      During his report, Herb told us that EfM was having an informational meeting on June 22. Chapter 2 is redesigning the clothing voucher system, allowing for more choice and dignity, and continues to struggle with the communication issues of non-English speaking clients. Herb has been in Cambridge for the past two weeks as a part of his continuing education.  He appreciates that he is able to do this.

      Casper noted that Hope Butterworth of the Friendly Kitchen will be attending both of the services next Sunday.  An envelope for donations will be in each pew. July 14-16 are Downtown Market Dys in Concord, and St. Paul's will again be participating with a hospitality station near the Memorial Garden.  The hospitality committee will be asking for volunteers.

      Lee reminded Vestry members that it is easy to slip into complacency that can lead to your faith not being nurtured, and he cautioned the Vestry to bear mind to it.

      Kristin passed out a proposal for building use fees.

      Jim Milliken led the vestry in a closing prayer.

      At 8:49, the meeting was concluded.

I recently spent a year working at the front desk of St. Paul's to develop an understanding of church life and ministry. From that perspective, I would watch people come in off the street and say: "You are my last hope - can you help?" I take great comfort in the witness these people in need bore to the mission of the church. From the flower ministers, the food pantry workers, and Assistance with Dignity, to the clothing given out by Chapter Two, to the music that serves children all over the Concord area, to the abundance of worship services each week, our ministries reflect what it means to be a church.

In addition to the outreach, it is the informal connections between loving, faithful people that I will miss most. Every day at St. Paul's, people engage in prayerful conversation, seeking to discern the next step in their lives, to heal the wounds of grief, or simply to seek new approaches to parenting or other ways of living out God's love in the world. While I could single out many individuals, I will miss St. Paul's in its entirety, as the vibrant body of Christ that it is.

In conclusion, I turn to two images that have spoken to me recently. One is the Transfiguration of Christ, when Jesus' disciple, Peter, wants to build dwellings so that he and his friends may remain on that mountaintop forever, in that place of peace that passes all understanding. God suddenly cries out from above: "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" God urges the disciples to return home and follow Jesus and his ministry to the world. My own son recently remarked: "Wow - Peter is always getting yelled at!" Peter is so human, like many of us who would love to stay in those places of transfiguration forever, yet God calls us to live and act boldly in the world, loving God, and loving each other.

The other image is one of the final scenes in the Harry Potter series. Harry is at King's Cross Station, surrounded by light, peace, and beauty, and longs to stay there instead of returning to face the many challenges he must deal with back at home. Dumbledore reminds him: "Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and, above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present." Harry nodded and sighed - and took Dumbledore's advice.

Like Harry and Peter, we all have work to do in the world and this work is often hard to face. I am grateful that I have had such a wonderful place to equip me for my own service in the world. And though I am saddened to leave the warmth and comfort of this community, I am heartened by something I heard our beloved Bishop say to a group of high school students this summer:

"I am not afraid of dying because there are worse things than dying. What's worse than dying is not living your life the way you are called to live it."

With these words in mind, and with the knowledge and love we have received from this faithful community of St. Paul's, we say goodbye and offer our deep gratitude, as we begin a new path at St. Andrew's Church in Hopkinton.

Goodbye, thank you, and God bless you all.