To the St Stephen Family,
I want to thank all of you for your guidance, counsel and prayers over the past year. We are truly a blessed congregation and I want to provide all with a quick synopsis of the annual meeting that was held Sunday 13 June 2010.
We thanked outgoing Council members Gail Bossenga, Diane Bean, and Pat Janot, and elected Brad Leek, Christine Drake, Sandy Croushore, & Glenn Joppa to the council, each for a three year term. We also elected Jan MacQueston (for 3-year term ending 2013) and Gary Krull (to serve 2 years of unexpired term until 2012) to the endowment committee.
Jerry Trone and I gave a short overview from the VA Synod Assembly which focused on mission, open minded and handed ambassadors of Christ and the financial challenges for the synod. Please see the following link for more information: http://www.vasynod.org/files/Events2010/ASSEMBLY2010/VA%20Synod%202010%20Assembly%20Summary.pdf.
Jane deSolms gave an update to St Stephen’s finances and we continued to be blessed by your gifts.
The main discussion was about the proposal to approve a multi-faceted renovation, with contracts not to exceed $500,000. This renovation includes repair of the crumbling forecourt and the leaking roof over the worship space and narthex, replacing interior lighting in the worship space that cannot be repaired, upgrade the wiring and add light switches versus using circuit breakers to control the lighting. The Narthex was included because if we have desires to opening our greeting and welcoming area, it is more cost effective to do it with the other projects. The proposal passed by an overwhelming majority. There were some concerns expressed about our missions, costs, appearances and need, and all of that feedback was received by Council as constructive guidance for how we will keep the congregation informed and aware as we move forward. St. Stephen is a strong congregation, with great opportunities ahead and I believe that this effort is just one. I also want to thank you for all of your open counsel and inputs on this very important stewardship.
There are a number opportunities, risks and challenges with this facilities improvement, but I and the Council wholeheartedly believe that St Stephen will meet this just as it has in the past.
As we move forward with our facility stewardship I want everyone to know that Pastor, myself, the Council and committee members want and desire your continued inputs on our future endeavors. I am personally extremely grateful for your counsel, critiques and inputs to move St Stephen and its mission forward in Williamsburg, the VA Synod, our local missions, global missions and the overall mission of the global ELCA.
In Christ,
Glenn Carlson
Council President
June 23, 2010
