St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church

Last night we had a community farm dinner planning meeting. We had an unexpected turnout of nine people, individuals I hadn't met before, come to discuss having an event in May. It would be to organize the community around local food issues.

Yesterday the church was robbed. Only three computers. It looks like they came through the kitchen, after which they broke the office pane. The cops came, and we called the insurance company.

It's more frustrating and violating than anything else. But we've uploaded most of what we currently work on. We're going to take steps to increase our security.

A lot of planning for Lent. It's not a community that has tons of time for education - Sunday mornigns are the best. Best to do two things together: eating and studying. I'm going to try to do a few bible studies, one intro to Christian basics, and perhaps a few after church studies.

The phone calls don't stop.

The American Redcross is offering a class for those willing to help others during major local disasters. The calss os on Saturday, February 27th 9am-5pm.

The application form is here.

Email or all Allison Calvert at Calverta [at] usa[dot]redcross[dot]org or call 914-946-6500 xt 260.

The annual meeting was held on Sunday. No priests or vestrymen were killed in the process. People were thanked. I gave a report outlining what we have to do to make the world a better place.

We were able to raise $500 for Haiti.

Yesterday a tenant decided to end her lease. Now painting, insulation, and other work needs to be done....

Have been working on the annual meeting. Made final edits on the report. Continued a fair amount of correspondence.

The ballasts and the lightbulbs over the stages have gone out and the Bengali association is having an event here (it's a puja for the goddess of learning). They volunteered to donate $500 for the cost, which should cover it completely!

Perhaps if candidates for ordination had several "360" reviews over the course of 3 years. These may help the church understand who is capable of handling and learning from feedback; and might also indicate who has the right characteristics for the priesthood. The ordinand, and the church, could select a dozen or so people to fill out a questionnaire about their perceptions of the cleric.

Haiti: The Three "Rs" of Disasters

It is important to remember that all disasters have a life cycle: "The Three Rs of Disasters."

Doing the public representative shtick. On Saturday morning went to the funeral of Bob Ruger, "Mr. White Plains." He was the quintessential volunteer; one of the last good government Republicans I know of. Presbyterian; faithful; progressive. Very much involved in helping his community.

One role of the priest is to help staff work with volunteers. Its important that any engagement between staff and the parish be seen as an opportunity for reflection and learning, not as one with warfare. It reminded me I need to work on some personnel management issues: like just doing regular evaluations.

Today I had a meeting with the organist. We are using a variety of different liturgical sources - paperless music; music for children; Wonder Love and Praise; St. Gregory of Nyssa's Liturgy for Music. One of the issues is technical - cutting and pasting into the bulletin. Not fun, especially using Episcopal software.

In Attendance: Art Bonagura, Bruce Betts, Gawain de Leeuw, Kathryn Wallace, Karin Almquist, and Jim Owen. Absent was Jane Bloomer

Priest’s report:
Pastoral Care
Gregg Edelmann RIP
Lillian Herzog RIP
Funeral Rules developed – need to establish guidelines
Internet improvements: wufoo.com a place for forms
Carpenter’s Kids

Finance:
Bedell Report no updates

Business:

We're currently taking nominations for the Vestry and Wardens of St. Bartholomew's.

I finished the rough draft from my thesis, but have been working from home, otherwise. I've been less available while I help a friend get a new car.

I'm trying out a new "productivity" software program called "Things." We'll see if I'm able to clear my desk off yet.

From the Newsletter

Merry Christmas

Over the last few years, many of my friends have been taking Christmas easy. Fewer gifts, less stress, more time just being with friends.