October Parishioner Letter

Hello fellow parishioners, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Thank you to everyone who had a hand in planning, working or attending the Fall Fair. While attendance was down on Saturday, we made up for it with a strong performance on Sunday. Final revenue numbers for the weekend were $10,179!

Hopefully you have had a chance to meet The Rev. Patricia Handloss, who is currently serving as our bridge priest. Rev. Patti has jumped right in to assist in our pastoral needs in a big way, having donated to the Fall Fair, conducting a memorial mass for Christopher Crepeau, and planning and conducting a wedding for Caitlin Pond and Michael Pollard on November 11. Rev. Patti was ordained to the priesthood 39 years ago this coming December. She was born in California and did her undergraduate work there. She was assigned to Carondolet, MO in South St. Louis after college to organize a health center, The Family Care Center of Carondolet which is still going strong today. After seminary at The Episcopal Divinity School she has served parishes in Massachusetts, Missouri and Maine. The Rev’d Handloss retired in 2009. While Rev. Patti will be with us through the holidays, your executive committee will interview a 2nd candidate for Interim priest in early November. Please take the time to offer a welcome to Rev. Patti.

Rev. Patti has also indicated her desire to assist with pastoral care whenever needed. Please feel free to reach out to Patti or Lynn at the church office. She is currently planning on office hours on Fridays.

We have also been working diligently to begin the work of the Search Committee to find a permanent priest for St. Thomas. Now that Bob Malone has been appointed as our search committee consultant by the Diocese (see brief bio below), the Vestry will be asked to approve the following at the November 14th meeting:
• Parishioners to serve on the search committee, to include two (2) vestry members
• Approve charge from the Vestry to the Search Committee to begin their work

Once these items are done, the Search Committee will meet with Bob to get their work started:

Kevin Robert (Bob) Malone is the retired Chief Financial Officer of the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay and has over 30 years’ experience as a manager and financial administrator in not-for-profit organizations and college and university administration. Bob has been a confirmed member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Holliston for over 27 years, and during that time has served in many capacities including Pledge Treasurer; Chair, Stewardship Committee; and Chair, Capital Campaign/Building Addition Committee. He also serves as a Congregational Consultant with the Eastern Massachusetts Diocese. We look forward to working with Bob and know that he will be a great asset to the Search Committee.

Thank you to Ethel Fraga for the daily prayer she has offered to all of us as we search for a new priest:
Prayer for Our Congregation and for the Search for a New Rector
Lord,
Help us to be a caring congregation.
Help us to find a rector who will be a prayerful presence, a caring pastor, and a community builder.
You are wise, powerful, merciful, loving and a healer.
We turn our will and our lives, and all of our needs over to you.

Amen

Peace;
Len Walker, Sr. Warden