Dear Friends,
We are arriving at the midway point in this year, and it is an important time in the life of our community. On Sunday, June 30, I will offer a town hall forum from 11:30-12:30 to share together about some of the poignant matters arising in the second half of 2024 and looking ahead toward 2025 for St. Michael’s.
1. Staff transitions. As we say farewell to The Rev. SuEllen Pommier on Sunday and prepare to celebrate and bless The Rev. Beto Arciniega into retirement at the end of August, short-term plans for clergy support are taking shape, as I work with your vestry and other leaders to consider options for building out our ministry team into the future. There are also some exciting new additions to our staff that have been announced or are in the works. I look forward to sharing more on Sunday.
2. Finances. We look forward to sharing an update on how year-to-date revenues and expenses are tracking with the 2024 budget, and we have final 2023 financials to distribute. There is good news and there are also persistent challenges, especially relating to available cash reserves. It is a good time to acknowledge our progress and consider those challenges in moving forward with vision and faith into 2025.
3. Strategic Vision. Speaking of vision, I am excited to share with you about a new initiative to develop a Strategic Vision for St. Michael’s future. With the vestry’s support, and with funding from our Mission Endowment, the entire parish will be invited to engage a process of reflection, discernment and dreaming with the support of a bilingual and bicultural consulting team from the Kaleidoscope Institute and diverse leadership of a Strategic Visioning Committee to facilitate engagement with all of us. This is existentially important work, and a vital opportunity to articulate our values, goals and priorities for the next several years of rebuilding and growth.
I am looking forward to sharing together.
With you,
Scott+
The Rev. R. Scott Painter, Rector
Email: scottp@stmaa.org
