From the Interim Rector
In early conversations regarding our new building, we understood that there
would be additional expenses to the upkeep and maintenance of it. Throughout
these recent months this realization has been ever more evident. With spring
right around the corner (and the grounds needing more care) it became
apparent we were going to have to do something to attend to our increased
need. After consultation with William (our current sexton) the wardens, the
vestry and the property committee I have had to rearrange our staffing in
regards to the maintenance of our buildings and the care of the outside
property. As of March 1, we have employed Sizemore Janitorial Service to
clean the new building once a week. While this includes cleaning the
windows, buffing and waxing the new floors and regular cleaning of our new
space it leaves the care of the outside, the church, the chapel and the
setting up for events and other ‘handy man’ duties left wanting. While not a
full time job, it does require the conscientious and regular care that
William has provided in the past. William has decided that he is willing to
reduce his regular working hours (back to 19 hours a week) and take on the
remainder of the custodial and grounds keeping duties. While this may not be
the optimal solution to our need, I believe it is one that will help us be
good stewards of our building and of the pledged income. This solution will
mean that, as William must not work more than 19 hours a week, each and
every one of us will need to be more diligent about setting up for our own
events, cleaning up afterwards and being aware of the little things we can
do to help be good stewards of what we have been given. While there might be
designated money set aside for furnishings, landscaping and other
accoutrements, the ongoing expense of the clergy, staff and supplies comes
from our annual stewardship of time, talent and treasure.
I don’t know if this will be the eventual solution to our need, however, it
was a solution worth trying and evaluating over the next year. If this plan
isn’t satisfactory, then, we will have to be more creative with another
plan. If you have any questions about the maintenance or cleaning of the
buildings and grounds, please talk to Warden, Betty Lee Marshall. If you
have any other comments or concerns with this issue (or any other issue)
please call me and make an appointment to meet with me. Not only does this
provide other viewpoints to consider, it also makes for good conversation
and better knowledge of each other.
In Christ,
LaRae +
From the Associate
About a month ago, I completed an annual
report for the ELCA online and submitted it to my bishop. One of the
questions on the form was “How does your ordination give meaning to your
ministry now?” I reported that when I was ordained nearly 30 years ago, I
did not anticipate there would be a time when I would conduct “the OFFICE OF
THE WORD AND SACRAMENTS according to the Confession and Order of the
Lutheran Church in America” [a quote from my ordination certificate] in an
Episcopal congregation. I’ve never been very good at planning my work and
working my plan: the best things in life have simply come my way. Being
priest-in-charge and then priest associate at All Saints’ has been like that
– blessings that came my way.
In The Small Catechism, Martin Luther writes that the Holy Spirit “calls,
gathers and enlightens the whole Christian Church on earth.” In other words,
the Holy Spirit has a plan and is working it! I believe we saw that plan at
work when the Episcopal Church and the ELCA approved the document Called to
Common Mission, allowing us to become full communion partners in 2001. I am
profoundly grateful that God has enabled us to be witnesses together in
Tupelo to the unity and oneness of the body of Christ.
In part due to the warm welcome and steady support I have received at All
Saints’, I have sensed a new calling to serve a parish fulltime in the
ministry of Word and Sacraments. That internal sense of call received
external validation a few weeks ago when the people of St. Andrew Lutheran
Church in Franklin, Tennessee, voted to call me to become their next pastor.
My final Sunday at All Saints’ will be March 30.
All Saints’ is a congregation that is blessed with many fine gifts. Your
love of God and each other; your commitment to the poor and those in need;
your rich appreciation and use of liturgy, music, and education; and your
willingness to offer your time and talents in service to Christ are
exemplary. It has been a great privilege to work with you and to serve with
your clergy. I am confident that the clergy who come your way in the future
will be blessed and will grow through their association with you: All
Saints’ has a habit of making that happen! Also, I am confident that you
will continue to grow in being a blessing to Christ’s Church and this
community.
Michael+
