September 2026

Dear St. B’s,

I am excited to share an update on September’s Vestry meeting. We covered a lot of ground, so thank you in advance for hanging in there for this month’s lengthy update.

Meghan opened the meeting with a reflection from Wendell Berry’s “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front.” She encouraged us to borrow from his wisdom as we reflect on what this Vestry can pass on to future Vestries. I want to share a direct quote from this poem in hopes that it will inspire you as it did me: “So, friends, every day do something that won’t compute.

Love the Lord. Love the world. Work for nothing. Take all that you have and be poor. Love someone who does not deserve it.” - Wendell Berry

Next, David West shared his Treasurer’s Report for the month of August. This month involves holding some tension, which we are used to practicing regarding our budget. We are grateful that August giving came in 25% above last year and within 4% of budget. The tension remains in that this year’s budget is 12.8% higher than last year’s giving, and we are still running a deficit as a result. As I have in the past, I encourage you to consider increasing your giving by 12.8% in order to support this budget increase. As a Vestry, we are grateful for the faithful giving of our community while also keeping watch and understanding that we hold significant responsibility over the finances of the parish. And, most importantly, we trust that God is with us in this process.

We then heard from Jared Danford (chair), Claude Pressnell (vestry liaison) and Bev Mahan (committee member) of the Building Committee. They shared about their recent experience of selecting an architecture firm to begin to work alongside our community as we discern our physical plant needs. After thoughtful discernment, the committee chose Centric Architecture.

Jared, Claude and Bev shared about how Centric understood our goals, represented our values and had a clear process that brings in stakeholders to ensure that voices are heard and the parish is represented in this process. The Vestry voted to approve the Building Committee’s recommendation of Centric Architecture.

Furthermore, Jared presented a planned structure of the Building Committee moving forward, as well as Stakeholder Subcommittees. Each subcommittee would be asked for a defined piece of input over a defined period, with one sponsor each. There will be opportunities for members of the parish to serve on both the Building Committee and Stakeholder Subcommittees, and we are hopeful that our community will be well represented as we move forward.

I want to give you a clear sense of where we are in this project to date. Our Capital Campaign Committee and Building Committee are working closely with trusted professionals to determine next steps. The parish will be fully engaged in both of these processes. These two committees, alongside the vestry, will discern together how to move forward. We are still in the “information gathering, feasibility discerning and listening to stakeholders” stage of this process. There has been an investment made, but there is wisdom and discernment being practiced about if, when and how to move forward. Please reach out to the Vestry with any questions, concerns, ideas or thoughts regarding this process. We value transparency and are here to listen and share.

Meghan shared about the work that the Five Year Strategic Planning Committee is doing on behalf of the Vestry and parish. Vision statements for areas of parish life are close to being completed and the committee will continue to work on finalizing these, as well as developing systems and processes on how to carry them out.

Alicia Lowry presented an update on behalf of Family Formation and the good work that occurred over the summer. She reminded us that there is a need for volunteers (even occasional ones) for several areas of Family Formation ministries.

The wardens shared about the possibility of the vestry checking in by phone on parishioners as stewardship season kicks off. This would give each parishioner a touchpoint with a Vestry person to voice concerns, thoughts/ideas and needs.

Finally, Father Josh shared his rector’s report, which included Vestry members signing the “Letter of Support for Ordination to the Priesthood” for Deacons John and Peter (from our South Sudanese community) to be submitted to the Bishop for a hopeful December Ordination. He also expressed gratitude for the upcoming formation year and requested the Vestry’s approval for the purchase of blue vestments for Advent.

Thank you for hanging in there in an effort to stay up to date on the work of the Vestry! We are grateful to serve on your behalf.

Warmly,

Elizabeth Nunley

Senior Warden