Our Mission of the Month for July is the Vestry of St. Paul's.  The Vestry members play an integral role in the ongoing affairs as well as the future of our magnificent church and are a support and sounding board for your Clergy.  St. Paul's Vestry consists of sixteen elected members plus clergy, and our administrator, Kristin Dunklee. The election of four new Vestry members is held at the annual meeting each January.  The term limit is three years, served non-consecutively, with at least one year between terms. 

Every member is assigned to be the liaison between a specific committee, such as Stewardship, Buildings & Grounds, or Finances, and to report back to the Vestry about developments or plans of that specific committee. The Vestry meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month and are open to all parishioners who are welcomed and encouraged to ask questions or bring a certain topic to the table.  

Why not talk to a Vestry member and find out more about their responsibilities?  Perhaps serving on this important board is in your future.

Our Mission of the month for August is the Saint Paul's Refugee Partnership, all of whom have been trained by Lutheran Social Services.  Their work includes helping new Americans to settle into the community (e.g., getting a bank account set-up, getting library cards, helping to improve English language skills, assist with finding employment, etc).  During the last year, significant help was provided to one new family who were threatened with eviction from their apartment due to mis-communication between the landlord and social services agency.  The eviction was avoided and a better system put in place to prevent the problem in the future.  The SPRP is also working with a family to provide scholarships for the children to attend a week of summer camp in southern New Hampshire.

Remember this August to visit with one of our refugee families selling vegetables on Sundays after the services.