May, 2004 Vestry Report

Vestry Report ----- A NOTE OF THANKS

Everybody we talked with seemed to think that Holy Week and Easter this year were just about perfect. We think so too and want to express our thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put it all together—

Father Prator, the assisting priests and deacons, the acolytes and Master of Ceremonies Andrew Jones, for flawless liturgies;

Organist-choirmaster Danny Beckwith and St. John’s choir members for the magnificent music which was an integral part of these liturgies (Overheard after the Vigil: “Bravo, Danny, there aren’t many organists who can do justice to Widor’s splendid Toccata.”);

Jared Stamm, Hazel Robinson, Jeanne Morrow, who shopped, cooked, and served the delicious Agapë Supper, and all who helped them serve and clean up; Jared made the soup, as well as singing in the choir, including singing the Passion;

Ushers and Lectors, Watchers, and the many unsung volunteers (like Father Cross who helped Nelson set up the Common Room for the Thursday Night Watch, and then put it all back together on Friday);

Florists Nick and Cally Alexiou, for the beautiful flower arrangements (although semi-retired, they continue to handle St. John’s account from their home), and to the many parishioners whose generous donations made possible the flowers. 36 donations were received, providing enough money to do it all over again on Easter I, as well as to send Easter lilies to shut-in parishioners. There is a small balance left, which will be used toward Pentecost flowers;

Jay Campbell and Pam Brown who organized the gala Vigil Reception, and all who brought delicious and decadent deserts. There was even enough for a sumptuous spread at Sunday’s coffee hours. Like the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, this is a tradition we plan to continue.

Of course, none of this would have happened without the beyond-the-call-of-duty efforts behind the scenes by Sacristan Marsanne Eyre, who was everywhere all week; as well as our two very special Seminarians, Evette Austin and Sara Fisher, who helped her in addition to serving as acolyes; and by our fabulous staff, parish administrator Pat Thompson, sexton Nelson Ulloa, and porter Emerson Gaylor, who put in extra-long hours to ensure that hundreds of beautiful bulletins were produced, furniture was moved, the church, parish hall and common room were spotless, the grounds kept clean; the church was open and secure, etc., etc. On 4:30 p.m. on Good Friday, when most of us had left, exhausted, to rest until Tenebrae, Pat was still at the computer, Nelson was sprucing up the Common Room, and Emerson, after working through the night to ensure that the Watch was secure, was on his way in for AA’s Friday meetings. It was a truly memorable week, and so many people in the parish family did so much to make it so.