September Rector’s Letter
Dear Parish Family,
Expansion Progress on 2 Fronts
It’s been a busy, and really good, last few weeks on both sides of the planning for our upcoming expansion!
On the Building Committee side of things, after a summer of hearing feedback from a number of our ministry leaders, the Building Committee unanimously made the decision to only make minor changes to the architectural plans that were completed in 2016. There will be interior floorpan changes to incorporate lots of really good feedback, however the footprint of the buildings will remain the same. Last week, we interviewed the firm OWT Architects, which we used in 2016 and are currently waiting for a portal for them on the minor changes that we need help with.
As a reminder, Shea Kirkman is the chair of our building committee. He is joined by a team of absolute rockstars, who have so much experience building buildings that it’s truly humbling for me as I sit in the meetings with them. I am learning so much! Yet again, St. Laurence is blessed by extremely talented people. If there is something that is on the tip of your tongue about this upcoming expansion that you think we need to know, please click here and let us know.
On the Capital Campaign side of things, we are blessed to have 3 chairs for our upcoming campaign: Mark Jameson, Greg Jones, and Lisa Lapiska. The committee interviewed potential fundraising consultants throughout the summer and we are pleased to announce that Robin Little has been selected. We chose Robin because she is one of us, a traditionally minded Anglican who is an excellent cultural fit. Robin serves as the Advancement Director for Nashotah House Seminary and this will be a part-time consulting project for her on the side.
10 different committees are being formed to address different aspects of the upcoming expansion: everything from communications to clever strategies for engaging external funding sources. We need your help! If you’d like to join us, please click here to let us know.
Lots of fall activities coming up
If you’ve been reading the bulletin lately, you know that we have a ton of ministries that are about to kick off for the fall. The "ministry year” really brings tomorrow. Click here to see all of our many upcoming events. With so many ministries kicking off in the weeks ahead, and so many opportunities to learn, serve and grow in Christ, I hope you’ll jump in with both feet.
Updates on our Assisting Clergy
Last summer, I reported to you that Fr. Rogers was engaged in several search processes with other parishes and would likely be moving on soon. For a variety of reasons, those opportunities weren’t right for him. He is not currently engaged in conversations with other churches so we will be blessed to have him continue to serve with us for the foreseeable future.
As many of you know, Fr. Province signed a one-year contract with us last summer. The Diocesan Curacy program, where newly minted priests serve under a well-established Rector, has the benefit of the Diocese funding 50% of a Curate's compensation. I’m pleased to let you know that his contract was extended jointly by our Vestry and the Diocese through January 2024, with the possibility of future extensions. He is now working in the Diocesan Office two days a week, assisting in a variety of tasks, and working here the rest of the time. Pray for him because he is considering future possibilities that could take him to another parish.
Fr. Young is currently serving as the Interim Rector at Christ Church, Waco. While he has enjoyed serving there and I think it's safe to say that he is eager to get back to St. Laurence soon. While there isn’t a firm date set for that, you’ll likely see him back here at the end of this year or early next year.
We continue to be blessed to have our two retired clergy Fr. Crary and Fr. Wilson with us. They are available for confessions, spiritual direction, and pastoral visitation. We are so blessed by all of these faithful workers in the Lord’s Vineyard.
Many blessings. I’ll see you in Church!
Fr. John