Last month The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts-Schori, presiding bishop of the ECUSA, told a meeting in the Diocese of Los Angeles that the Episcopal Church "does not endorse divestment or boycott"  measures that have been endorsed by other groups objecting to Israeli polices toward Palestinians.  These groups include the General Synod of the Church of England, the World Council of Churches, the Presbyterian Church, as well as Jewish Voices for Peace and J Street (another Jewish peace group).

According to the Episcopal News for May, the presiding bishop "also called for a two-state solution with a dignified home for Palestinians and Israelis and for deeper engagement [between] people of different traditions." She was joined by Suheil Dawani, Bishop of Jerusalem, who urged that the "city must remain open for all" faiths. But an Anglican priest in Jerusalem, Rev. Canon Naim Atek, who heads the Saheel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center in Jerusalem, responded angrily to the presiding bishop's remarks. "The settlements are expanding, our suffering continues, and the international community is unable to halt the injustice," he pleaded.  "Consequently, we see boycott, divestment and sanctions as nonviolent direct action for the common good." 

These questions are being debated in the light of a dwindling Christian presence in Palestine, one that has survived until now for 2000 years, with native-born Palestinian Christians even fighting against the Crusaders alongside Jews and Muslims. A widespread opinion is that policies of the Israeli government not only violate the human rights of all Palestinians, but also threaten the existence of Palestine's Christian community.

The same issue of Episcopal Journal which reported this discussion concluded in an editorial

that "now may be the time to revisit that policy [towards Israel] at General Convention and either endorse it once again or launch a new course." 

The May 15th meeting of the Vestry began with a devotion by Geoff Forester. Steve Blackmer was our guest, and updated us on his journey towards ordination to the Priesthood. Steve has successfully completed his seminary studies and talked about his call to take his environmentalist experience to his ordained ministry. The Vestry also listened to a letter from Linda Spinella providing an update on her discernment activities. Members of the Vestry then signed written statements confirming Vestry approval for Steve and Linda to proceed in the process as Candidates for Ordination to the Transitional Diaconate.

Valerie Blake presented the Treasurer's Report for April, noting that some of the expenses don't appear to track with the budget due to timing differences. Cathy Menard volunteered to assist Valerie in preparing balance sheets to enhance financial reporting. Terry Irwin requested that a line item be added to the budget for fundraising revenues. Valerie also presented the Investment Portfolio Report on the funds invested through the Diocese for the first quarter of 2012. Jan Greer-Carney reported on the status of the development of a plaque to memorialize legacy gifts to St. Paul's.

Kate Atkinson reported on the written evaluation of the Come & See Program that has been prepared by Linda Spinella. There was discussion about doing the program again at some point in the future, and using the Koinonia program developed by the Diocese as a follow-up program. Kate also reported that Steve Blackmer is joining the parish staff as Minister for Middle-School and High School Youth, and Gail Schilling is the new part-time Parish Secretary.

Kate then discussed the recent meeting about the Family Promise program that was attended by Kate and some of the vestry members. The program involves local religious communities providing overnight accommodation and an evening meal to families in transition, with each host congregation serving for one week at a time, four times per year. The program is only for families with children and the participants are carefully screened, with no more than 14 guests at a time. The Vestry voted their agreement for St. Paul's to participate in the program, as a host congregation. Participation will not be for some time as the program needs a commitment from 13 congregations before it can start, and there are only four or five so far.

Herb Sprouse reported that a sheet of frequently asked questions for the Food Pantry has been translated so that our Bhutanese refugees can better understand the operations and requirements. He also noted that he will be away until early June with a group visiting seminaries in China. Safe Church training will be held in Exeter on June 2nd, and Marcia Harrison indicated that she would take that training.    

The spreadsheet of the new ministry reporting responsibilities of each vestry member was distributed. New reporting procedures will be followed. Kate Atkinson also noted that SPY is raising money for the Jamaica mission trip and as part of that, they are raffling off a summer fun basket that includes a week's getaway in the White Mountains.

Casper Kranenburg reported that again this year, St. Paul's will be open to provide hospitality to Concord Market Days participants on July 19th and 20th. Vestry members are expected to perform in the opening number at Divine Comedy on September 29th. There will be no Vestry or Executive Committee meetings in August. Casper also raised a request from Diocesan Council to put signs on our doors indicating that the Church is a gun-free zone. There was much discussion on this issue and no decision was made.

Cathy Menard noted that she will be coordinating a dinner to celebrate diversity, and she invited vestry members with ideas or who would like to help to contact her. Jan Greer-Carney extended the request to contribute recipes for the cookbook that she is preparing as her 10 Talents project. Terry Irwin presented an update on the preparations for the Divine Comedy. The meeting ended with a prayer led by Edie Perkins.