Our world keeps changing and keeps turning. And God accompanies us through every change and chance of this life. This is good news for each of us and all of us as we keep making our way through lots of changes globally, nationally, locally, and congregationally.
Among the recent changes at St Paul’s are the beginning of the annual return to Key West and the Lower Keys of our seasonal members and congregants. In addition, we have a new senior warden, Wendy Niven, and by the end of 2024, we will have a new parish treasurer. A couple of folks are discerning if the position of treasurer is one that is a good fit for them in this season of their lives.
I offer my thanks and deep gratitude to senior warden and vestry member Jeff Dunaway who concluded his time of service on the vestry October 1, 2024. I also offer my thanks and deep gratitude to vestry member Ken Bagge who concluded his time of service in September 2024. And I offer my thanks and deep gratitude to parish treasurer Ray Warren who has announced that he will step down at the end of 2024 (or sooner if his successor is identified) from the responsibilities parish treasurer he has ably carried out the past two years to take up his new duties as a member of the Key West Planning Board.
The current vestry members and I are in conversation with some St Paul’s members who may feel led to serve on vestry to complete Jeff’s remaining one-year term and Ken’s remaining two-year term, respectively. Is the Holy Spirit nudging you to consider the ministry of vestry member? Those who are eligible to serve on vestry and in any other elected positions in the parish are members of record of St Paul’s who are active in the life of the parish, regular in attendance at Holy Eucharist, and annual pledgers of record.
Jeff, Ken, Ray, and the seven current vestry members have led through a very stressful and strenuous year in the life of the parish. The current vestry members, Clare Keller, Wendy Niven, and Susanne Woods (class of 2025), Tom Bond and Mike Kindinger (class of 2026), junior warden Greta Philips-Ford and Jennifer Trapani (class of 2027), represent you ably and well on the vestry. As your parish leadership, we continue to do our best, with God’s help, to take the decisions that are indicated in our life together. Many of these decisions are not easy. Thankfully, there are some easy ones as well.
Please pray for your parish leadership. We are leading in territory that is new to this 193-year-old congregation. Some of our movement forward is joyous and fun, and some is difficult and uncomfortable. With every change, including every healthy and positive change, there is some loss. It is challenging to acknowledge and grieve the losses while at the same time seeking wisdom and keeping faith with God and one another as we continue our journey as a community into God’s unfolding future. And it is, equally, a privilege and a blessing to be united in doing this hard and holy work together.
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