Out of curiosity, I kept a log for January-not my busiest month, by far-and discovered I'd put in about 60 hours. As a retiree, that's a full-enough schedule but if I were working a full-time, regular (I.e., paying) job, I couldn't do this work the way it often needs to be done. There's never been a line of people jumping at the opportunity to be JW so among my goals last year were (a) determine just how much time it takes to do the job (a lot) and (b) figure how to reduce that demand. I hope this announcement will encourage some of you to think it is do-able for you.
[To be fair, some of those hours involved rentals now covered by the fabulous Diana Church--and off my plate!]
We have long carried service contracts on our HVAC, elevator, boiler, fire alarms, and sprinklers (interior and garden). Each servicing must be scheduled, given access, and needed repairs managed. Additionally, when repairs to other than these are needed, the JW must find a company to make them. Most JWs have a list of businesses who provide the work but when one disappears or isn't available, a search begins. It took nearly four hours of calling, web search, and emailing to find a snow removal company in late January. This is just not reasonable if the JW is fully employed.
Last June, we learned that Monarc Construction offers an over-arching service contract to cover systems and could provide contractors to do general maintenance repairs. Jack B., Charlie, Nora and I met with the Monarc rep and were excited at the prospect of making the JWs job more manageable. When the budget was being developed, I proposed some JW funds be re-allocated to the Service Contract account to cover the additional cost. By accepting the proposal, the Finance Committee has literally breathed new life into the Junior Warden.
Monarc sets a yearly schedule for the inspection and servicing of nearly all our systems (a service agreement for the elevator was already in place so remains separate) and will evaluate the building annually, providing the JW with a list of problems they uncover. In addition, nearly all contracting work-electrician, plumber, general repairs-as well as emergency service is available to us at lower cost than if we contracted with a business on our own. While other businesses offer similar programs, Monarc knows our building well.
Every Junior Warden knows the astonishing amount of all this can take. With Monarc in place, I believe we have reached an easier and hopefully better level of care for our building with Monarc in place and I am extremely grateful for the support of Fabric, Finance, and the Senior Warden in accomplishing this.
Speaking of repairs: Since December, the freezer has been out of action. Inspection determined that, because the unit required a dedicated circuit not installed during construction, the compressor was overloaded and malfunctioned; and, because it had been a 'best-price' purchase, the warranty had expired and we had to pay $1853 for a new compressor. This week, two additional circuits were installed to protect the freezer and our second fridge from potential damage. Back in service!
There will be pub lunch this Sunday. The hambones from November's 50 year-member celebration have been turned into pea soup, Jim Steed will provide a vegetarian version, and Vena Darling will bring bread, grapes, and cookies.
Just as it takes a village to do many things, the same can be true for pub lunch. This doesn't have to be elaborate or complicated. Think about putting a team together to provide pub lunches starting April 3 (March 13 is Annual Meeting followed by Palm and Easter Sundays). It's time we 11:15-ers got together and offered hospitality to the guests in our midst...for some may be 'angels unaware'.
From the Vestry
The annual meeting is around the corner on Sunday, March 13, at 10:00 am. You can influence our election process this year! The nominating committee is asking for your suggestions for questions to pose to our Vestry candidates. The community and Vestry candidates will receive a list of 10 questions a week before the meeting, and will have to respond to one question each chosen at random. What do you want our Vestry candidates to talk about? Please submit suggested questions to Mary Thuell at mwthuell@gmail.com with "Vestry questions" in the subject line.
Thank you!
From Jeff Kempskie, Director of Music
Dear St. Mark's,
You are invited to attend what will surely be a fantastic concert by the Cantate Chamber Singers tomorrow, Saturday February 27th at 5:00pm, in the nave at St. Mark's. The choir will sing Bach's double-choir motet Singet den Herrn ein neues Lied and two Brahms motets. The Bowen McCauley Dance Company will dance to the choir's performance of eight of Brahms Liebeslieder Waltzes and a specially-choreographed version of Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. General admission tickets are $35, $15 for students, free for those 18 and under. A reception will follow the performance.
Please note that we will have special music at both morning services next week, Sunday March 6th, known as "Laetare" Sunday or mid-Lent. We'll take a break from most of the Taize music and the Chancel Choir will sing parts of a Latin mass setting by Domenico Scarlatti. We will have a special guest, Anthony Harvey, accompanying the choir and playing some solo pieces on his theorbo. The theorbo is a very large lute from the Baroque period. You can watch a video and listen to Anthony play a piece here.
Jerusalem, My Happy Home, Land of Rest, setting by Bradley Sowash (b. 1960)
Music for Meditation
Nothing Can Trouble, Jacques Berthier (1923-1994)
Kyrie eleison from St. Ignatius Mass, Jonathan Dimmock
Psalm 63:1-8 Deus, Deus meus
Sung Response during the Prayers of the People
O Lord, Hear My Prayer, Jacques Berthier
Offertory Anthem
I Want Jesus to Walk with Me, Spiritual, arr. Larry Shackley - Erin Riley (9:00), Charmian Crawford (11:15), soloist; Chancel Choir
Presentation Hymn
In the Lord, Jacques Berthier
Sanctus, Marilyn Haskel
Veni Sancte Spiritus, Jacques Berthier
Fraction Anthem, Lamb of God, John Karl Hirten
Music During Communion
(9:00) Bells of Norwich, Sydney Carter
Eat This Bread, Jacques Berthier
Hymn 439 What wondrous love is this, Tune: Wondrous Love
Closing Hymn
Wait for the Lord, Jacques Berthier
Dismissal (9:00) Peace, Salaam, Shalom, Pat Humphries & Sandy Opatow
Postlude
There Is a Balm in Gilead, Balm in Gilead, setting by Bradley Sowash
Schedule of Services
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Third Sunday in Lent
9:00 am Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Presider
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Co-Presider
9:00 am Children's Chapel
The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Leader
10:00 am Sermon Seminar
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Preacher
11:15 am Holy Eucharist
The Reverend Michele H. Morgan, Presider
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Co-Presider & Preacher
5:00 pm Contemplative Eucharist
The Reverend Rebecca Justice Schunior, Presider and Homilist
About the Gospel
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