Senior Warden’s Letter
This past month has been busy!
Our vicar for a little over three years, Carol
Luther, left Redeemer early in September. Your
Bishop’s Committee had meetings with the
diocesan chair of Faith Formation – Julia McCray
Goldsmith and also with the Reverend Canon
Michael Barlowe who heads up Congregational
Development for the diocese. These productive
meetings encouraged us to explore the strengths,
challenges and opportunities that will be a part of
our new beginning.
The Reverend Stephen Hassett has already joined
us as our Interim Vicar. We are thrilled that he
was looking for a new position at just the right
time for Redeemer! Our commitment to each
other at this point is for an initial six month
period. In December, Steve and the Bishop’s
Committee members will meet for a mutual
ministry review. This will be a time for honest
discussion about the performance of both our
Vicar and our Bishop’s Committee and how we
are living up to our expectations and commitments
to you.
Many of you may remember that the budget
adopted for 2007 projected a deficit of
approximately $10,000. We are currently on target
with the budget. Our challenge will begin next
month with the beginning of our 2008 Steward-
ship Campaign. We cannot sustain deficit budgets
indefinitely!
The time has come for each of us to evaluate how
much Redeemer means to us. We each need to ask
ourselves if we would care if Redeemer closed or
shrank its commitment to this community. To
reach a balanced budget takes commitment from
all of us – new members and old.
As I look around during our services and at the
coffee hour, I notice many wonderful things:
An abiding sense of a safe and loving
community where all are welcome.
People who are willing to do old things in
a new way.
People of all ages are able to request
prayers for support, healing and
understanding.
People who volunteer year after year to
produce Kids Karnival
People of all ages learning and growing in
their faith.
Parishioners who are stepping forward to
strengthen our relationship with our
Preschool
People who support one another in good
times and sad
Members of our Bishop’s Committee who
are researching ways to: raise additional
funds to support our church; commit the
time for additional meetings with Michael
Barlowe; work with Steve Hassett to do
the work that we need to do for Redeemer
to grow and thrive.
I know how much Redeemer means to me…
What does it mean to you?
In love,
Sue Clark, Sr. Warden (454-4115)
Upcoming events:
October 4: Fr. Steve at Clergy Stewardship
Training
October 6: Kids Karnival
October 7: Blessing of the Animals – 10am,
between the two services. Dogs on leash,
kitties in crates, birds and rodents in cages, fish
in bowls, please.
October 20: Diocesan Convention at Grace
Cathedral
October 31: Halloween - look for Redeemer’s
Haunted Narthex!
November 3/4: Daylight Saving Time Ends
November 5&6: Fr. Steve at Vicar's Retreat
December 2:
Bishop Marc will join us for
Redeemer’s 50th anniversary celebration.
At the service, Bishop Marc will make
confirmation, reception, and reaffirmation
for our community. If you are interested in
any of this, please contact Fr. Steve at the
church office soon (456-0508)!
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