Senior Warden's View

By Michael Foughty

Adios and Sayonara; Gracias and Domo Arigato

As I noted in my formal report for the recent annual parish meeting, it was my honor and privilege to serve our parish family while John was deployed with his Virginia National Guard unit to Iraq, where he ministered to our service men and women under difficult conditions. It was equally an honor and privilege to work with such a talented and dedicated Vestry team, and with the professional staff of St. Mark's: our rector pro tem Carol, Lynda our secretary, our clergy associates (one of whom I am especially fond) and, occasionally, John from afar. Today I want to say goodbye and thank you, but I would also like to challenge you, the next Vestry and my successor with a 'to do' list for 2007. Perhaps the Vestry can take this list up at the off-site meeting on March 17 (I will email this to John beforehand). I humbly call this the "Seven Secrets of Success for St. Mark's in 2007."

  1. By early summer, begin actual work on the new Christian Education and community meeting spaces. Recall that we are accountable for the nearly $14,000 Mustard Seed grant we received last year.
  2. Encourage our tenants to respect our property when they use it; for those that use our worship spaces, teach them that our sanctuary is "sacred space" and must be treated accordingly.
  3. Keep the Wednesday evening fellowship/adult education/worship programs alive, vital and on going. The only "dead time" should be the high summer period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
  4. Train and mentor our new Vestry members -- don't let them get burned out or discouraged.
  5. Revive the great tradition of having a youth representative on the vestry and involved in all aspects of meetings and ministry.
  6. Do likewise as in #5 above with San Marcos.
  7. The last is for the congregation at large - please support your Vestry in any way you can. Volunteer for Christian Education, coffee hours, and outreach and other ministry opportunities that arise. Remember that being a Vestry member represents a much greater commitment of time than attending a monthly meeting.
Finally, continue to act as "the hands of Christ" as we reach out to the "face of Christ" embodied in the homeless, the poor, the ill through St. Mark's efforts and those of community organizations (such as Rising Hope ministries, Loaves and Fishes, Boy and Girl Scouts, etc.) by sharing your time, talent, space and treasure. Again, my brothers and sister in Christ, for your prayers, needed criticism and support, I am most grateful and thank you. God bless you all.
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