In gratitude for our vestry, past and present

Dear friends,

One of the many delights of being your rector is the opportunity to work with the vestry.  In the seven years that I have served at St. Andrew’s I have had the privilege of working with many faithful parishioners, each one offering their gifts for the common good.  We are so blessed by their leadership.
 
As this new vestry begins its service—and especially as we gather for our vestry retreat on February 2 and 3—please keep us in your prayers. I have included below three collects that the 2023 vestry wrote during our retreat last year. They may help to shape your prayers.
 
Vestry service is hard.  There are many decisions to be made, often about complicated or contentious topics.  Vestry members are called to listen carefully, discern prayerfully, and act faithfully.  (Then again, aren’t we all?)
 
Vestry service can also be a source of deep satisfaction and rich growth as members open themselves to God and one another and learn to trust in the Holy Spirit’s presence and guidance. I pray that the vestry and I will indeed open ourselves to God and one another in order serve St. Andrew’s faithfully and well in the coming year.  In fact, I pray that all of us will serve God faithfully and well—clergy, vestry, and parishioners alike. 
 
I am grateful to be part of that endeavor with each of you. 
 
Blessings.  -Anne

2023 vestry collects 

Holy and eternal God, we ask that you help us remain available to your presence so that we may manifest your goodness as we work to build your kingdom in our own hearts, in our church family, in our communities, and in our world. We pray this through Jesus Christ, the living son, Amen.
 
O God who IS, who led Moses out of Egypt, you call us and equip us with a variety of gifts.  May we use them for the common good to serve St. Andrew’s, our communities, the world, and you.  Through your empowering Spirit, we pray.  Amen. 
 
Father Almighty, we ask for your nurture and guidance so that we may lift the burden of others and further love, peace and respect for all people.  Through Jesus’s teachings, we pray.  Amen.