Our Successful First Quarter

This is the first of a series of quarterly reports about significant actions that the Vestry and key leaders have completed. Thanks are due to more than 100 active parishioners who serve on committees or who support the work of one of the Pillars. This list is in no way intended to ignore the many ongoing contributions to parish life that so many people do faithfully to make our worship and other key activities possible. We couldn't survive without them.

I would like to extend special thanks to Justi Schunior, Jeff Kempskie, Angela Nedd, and Susan Block who have served so faithfully and well in the absence of a Rector. Their year has been a special challenge when you remember that they had to move everything out of the trailers, learn the mysteries of their new space, and keep the ship headed in the right direction simultaneously.

There are so many reasons to be proud of our collective activity during the first quarter after the annual meeting. Notable accomplishments include:

• In the first week after their election the Vestry reviewed the credentials of four interim rector candidates. A week later they interviewed two and selected Michele Morgan who will begin work on Monday June 29^th.

• Peter Sherer, the Senior Warden and the Vestry began work on the 2015-2017 Strategic Plan by addressing 12 "challenges", then appointing challenge managers and reviewing draft plans for 10 of them developed by groups of parishioners. The final challenge plans will be completed in July.

• Nora Howell, Jack Burton and the Fabric Committee completed work on a new contract with Green's Maintenance and have held two preliminary meetings to clarify expectations.

• Doris Burton, the Junior Warden organized a very successful garden workday; later adding mulching and restoration of plantings efforts.

• Doris Burton also expanded the space use policy and began the difficult and time-consuming task of developing contracts and processes for renting space including negotiating a rent increase for PC&CC.

• Michael Knipe as legal counsel to the Vestry is completing negotiations on a final rental agreement with Capitol Hill Group Ministries to have a full-time office at the church.

• The Finance Committee, under the leadership of Andrew Stafford expertly managed the transfer of responsibilities from Linda Ewald, our faithful and extremely competent Vision 2020 treasurer, to the church operating budget.

• The Vestry supported the consistently remarkable work of the Discernment and Search Committee including its publications and meetings with the parish.

• The Vestry approved a charter formally establishing the first 20s & 30s organization based on the leadership of Doug Jackson, Jessie Babcock and Alvin Moseberry.

• The Vestry approved a new Director of Youth and Family Ministries, Caroline McReynolds-Adams who will start on September 1^st. Steve Dalzell ably led the search committee.

• The Vestry approved resolutions including (a) to improve financial and management governance; (b) to use undesignated bequests to pay down the mortgage: (c) to include a COLA for staff; and (d) to accept changes to the Outreach Board structure.

• Jeff Kempskie, Justi Schunior and the Liturgy Planning Team (LPT) created a very successful Palm Sunday original music, dance and spoken word performance during the morning services.

• Justi and Jeff led their fifth successful evening of Beer and Hymns in June.

• The LPT led by Jessie Babcock and Valeri Byrd proposed and the Vestry approved liturgy experiments in local parks in parnership with Christ Church, Capitol Hill throughout the summer.

• The Senior Warden led a successful 'Shrine Mont on the Hill' to build community, gather data, and flesh out the challenge plans.

• The Vestry with very able support from Kenn Allen and the Fabric Committee continues to support final work on the new construction by Monarc through August when the construction warranty period ends.

• The Fabric Committee has created a list of major projects for the nave as a goal for 2015-16 and into the future.

• Mike Townsend has agreed to co-chair the 2016 canvass in October that will return to the face-to-face format with 50 parishioners serving as canvassers.

• Marilu Sherer in her role as the Parish Life Pillar and Chair of the Committee to Have More Fun is organizing a women's welcome dinner in honor of Michele Morgan and her wife Michelle Dibblee on July 16.

• Doris Burton completed the 2015-16 parish calendar with input from the Pillars and submitted it to Angela Nedd in preparation for on-line access.

• The Bob Hahn Memorial Birds have been placed in their permanent location and a spotlight installed.

Many many thanks to all who gave generously of their time, talent and treasure to make the first quarter of our transition year so successful.

Hugs

Peter