Senior Warden Report
By Mike Davis
One of the difficulties of recognizing individual contributions to an organization is the unavoidable certainty of missing someone who has done something equally valuable. It’s happened before at St. Stephen’s, and it will happen again. Still, there are good reasons to heap some praise on someone who does something unique, or unexpected, or dramatic. It can be encouraging to others who might see themselves in the person so recognized; it can also be the motivation that keeps folks glued to a task that requires patience and perseverance. Some folks shun this kind of public recognition, when it’s clearly not the source of their satisfaction, and I get that. We’re all different.
Still, it feels good to shine some light on someone who has gone above and beyond in support of St. Stephen’s. So here are two of our fellow parishioners who have done something we can all aspire to;
- Receiving the award for ‘I didn’t know we needed that, but we really did!!’, a big St. Stephen’s huzzah to Jim Pugh for the inaugural Hymn Contest. As early risers, we at the Davis house were online waiting for the equally early hymn pairings during the weeks of the contest. It was fun, it showcased many of our parish musicians, and it jump-started our interest and abilities in producing our own music for online consumption. And thanks to Jim’s creativity, it will also be featured in the Election Night Vigil presented by the Diocese. Thanks, Jim!
- another committed parishioner – for decades – is Barb Wood. This recognition, the ‘somebody has to do it, so I may as well do it right’ award goes to Barb for her stint – for somewhere north of 20 years – as our Accounts Payable specialist. For this one we have some memorable moments from fellow parishioners who have observed Barb’s diligence – even courage – in faithful service. Cynthia Watters shared the occasional observation of Barb, laying on the floor of the back office to rest her painful back or assorted other joints, dressed in a T-shirt that read ‘body by Bernini’ – her ortho surgeon was Dr. Bernini, and the shirt listed all of her ortho surgeries. This is not a glamorous job, as you might imagine, but Barb has been reliable and diligent according to treasurer Barbara Stratton. Annemarie recounts how the days Barb was in the back office as fun and cheerful, and that – if she needed to step out for an appointment or errand - Barb was always willing to step in and hold the fort. Barb has now stepped down from this role, and we appreciate Sandy Archibald agreeing to take over. Thanks to both!
There are others, and I intend to recognize as many as we can over the next several weeks, so I would like each of you to commend your pick for recognition to me when time allows. Just send your suggestion, and a brief ‘why’ summary, to windmikevt@gmail.com.
Rev. Paul and I have been cleaning up paperwork for insurance, relocation expenses, and so on, but the big thing is that he will be here in 2 weeks! Of course the COVID version of his presence will be constrained by guidance on physical and social distancing, but you can be sure that he wants to engage with all of us as soon as possible, in every way possible. Finally, I want to remind all of you that this new model for our Clergy relationship is in some ways an experiment – at least our parish has never done this before – and it will require all of us pulling together as a parish to make this ministry work. I’m confident that we can do this in a way that is a blessing to us, and pleasing to God. Thanks in advance for all that you do!