Discernment About the Future of St. John’s
As you know, the Vestry has been working with The Rev Canon Alissa Newton, Canon to the Ordinary for the Diocese of New York to explore options moving forward. Rev. Alissa met with the parish in June and a letter was sent to the entire congregation following that meeting. Friends, our beautiful church is in significant disrepair and our budget does not allow us the opportunity to meet the operating costs needed to maintain our space for much longer. Rev. Michelle resigned, in part, because she understood the financial challenges we faced by having a full time (and then part-time) time priest.
After careful thought, much prayer, and a listening spirit, our Vestry has decided to look at three options including relocating to a smaller church space, potential closure, or possible merger with another parish. Given the fact that there is another parish of Episcopalians at Holy Cross/Santa Cruz, we have begun this process of discernment of merger. Holy Cross/ Santa Cruz has also met and they, overwhelmingly, want to move forward with this journey with us. Please remember that this process will take months to work out before any final decisions are made. Consider it a marriage of sorts in that we need to get to know each other, plan worship and activities, and come to a shared vision of a new Episcopal presence in Kingston. The decisions about the shared assets, including the buildings, will come at a later time.
In the meantime, let us worship and support the work of St. John’s by participating in parish life. This includes keeping our vital pledges and plate offerings up to date. This is financial support is necessary as we need to make this discernment process proceed at a pace that seems right for everyone.
We realize that this decision is painful and creates anxiety for some. We understand this pain and feel it deeply as well. Please consider that this is also an opportunity to listen for the Holy Spirit and see hope for the future. Together, we may share resources that would only exist by the close collaboration and the possibility of merger. Perhaps this future includes a growing body of people in prayer and followship., maintaining and growing current programs, creating greater service to the community, enriching our own lives with a more robust Sunday School and Choir, and by developing a shared and devout life of worship.
Please speak to Leah or Lynn if you have further concerns about this complex and heartfelt process. |
