Parish News at Saint David's Episcopal Church in Friday Harbor, WA

SERMON - ANNUAL MEETING – SAINT DAVID'S CHURCH
Friday Harbor, Washington 10 February 2008

If I describe your service to the church this year, please stand and remain standing: If you are standing and you hear another description of your service, wave your hand. Did you

1) Draw up a plan or have a vision .
2) Carry items from the church to Gryphon Hall or from Gryphon Hall to the church
3) Move altar guild supplies hither and yon, to and fro
4) Box prayer books
5) Move furniture
6) Store pews or a baby crib or other items at your home
7) Make, serve or ea strawberry shortcake
8) Make or purchase a prayer flag
9) Give money
10) Ask for money!
11) Donate something to be used in the renovation
12) Help write grant applications, asking for funding
13) Paint
14) Make soup or cookies or brownies or provide snacks for workers
15) Stain wood
16) Pull up carpet - or dig up linoleum tiles
17) Vacuum
18) Move Saint David
19) Sculpt on our statue
20) Verathane
21) Haul trash
22) Clean or wash toys
23) Clean the kitchen cupboards and re-stock them
24) Lift up the enterprise in your prayers
25) Clean the bathrooms

Look around you - everyone is standing. Together you did it! We did it! It took the efforts of everyone and together we did it!

I speak only for myself, but there were times when I wondered if we would pull it off. That was the Temptation of Nancy: to believe that I had to do it all by myself. I never wondered why we had committed to the project, but I did sometimes lose hope and wonder if we could do it. That was the second temptation of Nancy: to work instead of pray; to trust in human response rather than in the power of God. With God's help, together we accomplished this renovation. At several key moments, we experienced miracles - an unexpected source sending in an unexpected check; an artisan or tradesman who was suddenly available to get a job done. It took all of us plus some wonderful folks from outside the church. And we need to give ourselves one more round of applause.

Our financial records are open to all: this is not a secret society. The names of those who pledged to the operating budget last year are posted so you can see how broad our support is and so we can thank the committed core keeping this place afloat. A building program requires extra financial support, and we spent many hours in 2007 looking at the budget, analyzing our finances and asking for financial support. We are tired of the subject! In Bible Study last week, one parishioner asked, "Why do we always have to talk about money?" I responded from my heart, "We would never have to ask if everybody tithed. Then we would have all the money we need." Two families who tithed moved off island; a third returned to the Roman Catholic Church. Three long-time members died: Lisa Sargis, Brenda Pratt and La Vera Roland. Not only have we lost their presence and years of service, we have also lost over $7,000 from the operating budget for 2008. Will there be new supporters to fill the gap?

Developing an accounting system for both operations and a building campaign is a challenge. We wore out our hard working treasurer Mark Peasley. Fortunately Bruce Hagar stepped forward to serve as treasurer. Bruce has kept a calm oversight on the cash flow and the construction loan with Whidbey Island Bank, and has presented clear and complete financial reports at each Vestry Meeting. Our bookkeeper Darleen Nixon put in many hours going through our accounting records to bring order into the challenge of the Church Windows System. For the second year, our records were audited by an internal audit committee of Dar McCarty, Walter MacGinitie and Betty Baker. Our finances are in good shape; our records are open; all monies are accounted for.

A building program saps the energy of a small congregation. With all of the financial support and the elbow grease we put into the renovation, and because we were wandering in the desert for 44 weeks, some things we care about did not get the attention they need.

Although we continued with our Godly Play program, families who sent their children with their friends from the parish dropped out. Our Vacation Bible School with Saint Francis Catholic Church was a big success, bringing back some little people and utilizing the gifts of the pre-teens as village shop keepers. Amy Hull has recruited, trained and scheduled Godly Play teachers; now we need to invite children to come. The fifth graders graduated out and up into the middle school youth program. Consequently that program doubled. As 8th graders pushed forward into maturity, they began to need a different youth group and Samantha Garl has volunteered to work with Russell, Amy and me to develop a "cool group" for the high school set.

Amy was offered a position at the elementary school and we had to find a new person to coordinate our faith formation programming. Mailie Cay served until she found a full time job in town, and then Russell Sadler came forward. Russell is particularly effective with our middle school boys and that is a JOY to watch. He has begun to channel their exuberant energy into an informal wrestling school.

Thank goodness we had the Teen Room -for we have used it for 12-step meetings, ECW luncheons, meeting space and even for Sunday morning worship. In April, Diocesan Council came to Friday Harbor and met for a day long meeting in that converted garage, looking out at the frame of our church. We have also benefited from Bishop Nedi's presence at a glorious Easter celebration - in the Benefit Players Theatre.

We asked our Eucharistic ministers and ushers and altar guild to be flexible, to "go with the flow"; and in survival mode, we lacked the energy or time to do any training. I hope to improve in that area in the next few months. Russell Sadler has begun one-on-one training of the acolytes.

Committees are essential to the functioning of a church of any size. We re-formed an Education Committee and a Worship Committee. Both functioned well for a period of time, but the chaos of December meant those volunteer activities got pushed aside and we look forward to reenergizing those committees in Lent. We have now added a Liturgical Arts Committee. Our Finance Committee has been hard-working and effective and will continue under the present Treasurer. The Vestry has worked hard. Some who wished to serve found they had to resign because the time commitments or the financial anxieties were overwhelming. Other people picked up the burden, and the work got done. Diana Warner and Beth Drake, our delegates to convention, attended extra meetings off island and participated in the election of The Rt. Rev. Gregory Rickel as Bishop of Olympia. I am thankful for every one who served the church during this past year.

Although it seems we spent a lot of time thinking about ourselves and our own needs, we also continued a strong program of outreach to the community. We gave away $11,091 to families in need or to organizations like the Food Bank and the Family Resource Center. That was money you gave - and money given by an anonymous donor in Michigan. We also gave away $1,572 to purchase 131 mosquito nets through ERD. We provided meeting space for seven 12-step groups (AA and AI-Anon) each week, including Christmas Week; and we provided volunteers who unlocked the doors, turned on the lights and made sure the kitchen was picked up for those groups. The Art Board and PFLAG and Compassionate Friends met here. The Lutheran pastor held two study groups for the community in our building. Our Parish Administrator did grief counseling. We forged a strong relationship with the Red Cross and have signed a document with them designating Gryphon Hall as the shelter for the Emergency Response Leaders. We ended the year with a celebratory Jazz Mass which attracted over 130 people, with a vocal concert with an audience of over 100, and with the re-dedication of our "sacred space" - attended by 103 individuals from the church, the community and other islands. It's been quite a year!

The church is in good shape. The buildings have been maintained. The involvement of the members has been high. The worship is lively at times and quiet and introspective at other times. We improve each day in treating one another and our corner of the world. We tried to be "green" insofar as we could afford to in our construction, and now we are using "green" products to clean and maintain. In a few months we will begin creating the first stage of our garden. We will design good signage. We will continue faith formation programs and training of lay ministers. We will continue our mission to the children and youth, to singles and families, to gay and straight, to the elderly, to all races, and to seekers, doubters, skeptics and believers. With God's help, we will be compassionate as God is compassionate. With God's help, we willl1ecognize we all are responsible for the leadership and direction - and growth - of Saint David's.

MINUTES OF THE VESTRY MEETING
December 17, 2007
Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Friday Harbor, Washington

The meeting was called to order at 4:45 pm by Diana Warner, Jr. Warden. Present were Betty Baker, Samantha Garl, Dar McCarthy, Diana Warner, Richard Wright, and Nancy Tiederman, Darleen Nixon and David Bentley. Absent were Kathy Hagn, Steve Simpson, Sara Waterbury and Richard Weisbrod. The Rector led us in prayer. The agenda was accepted unanimously

McCarthy moved; Baker seconded to approve the minutes of the November Vestry meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

Treasurer’s Report: Darleen Nixon presented the financial reports on behalf of Bruce Haggar. Garl moved. Wright seconded to accept the financial reports for November. Motion passed unanimously. Bruce Haggar asked Nixon to make a thorough analysis of the capital fund. The analysis shows $7,736.40 presently in the Capital Improvement Fund at Whidbey Island Bank belongs in the Operating Fund at Islanders Bank. Garl moved, McCarthy seconded to transfer the $7,736.40 from the Capital Fund to the Operating Fund. Motion passed unanimously.

Committee Reports: The Nominating Committee will meet after the first of the year. Maile Cay submitted a written report on Youth Activities [attached]. The Vestry asked Cay to compose a list of the items needed for crafts and projects so parishioners can sign up to supply them.

Dar McCarthy reported the ECW sent cards as appropriate and continued support for the Danns, and transportation (by Fiona Norris) of Barbara Dann, Mary Jane Leche and Mary Champlin to ECW where they enjoy socializing with old friends. At their December meeting, the ECW voted unanimously to pay for the new kitchen cabinets. They also agreed to host a reception for Bishop Greg Rickel when he comes January 15, 2008, to dedicate the renovated building. (Note: Bp. Rickel is a vegetarian.)

Diana Warner reported the Education Committee will meet with Russell Sadler after the first of the year to examine the over-all education program and to re-write the job description for the individual hired to support Faith Formation. Maile Cay has resigned because she has an opportunity for full time work, and Russell has agreed to take the position for at least one year.

No report from Steve Simpson who had agreed to ask Richard Packard to be responsible for building maintenance. Diana Warner is soliciting bids for cleaning of the two buildings beginning in January. The Vestry agreed by consensus that we need to hire professional window cleaners to clean the new windows on the church.

Old Business: The Audit Committee (Betty Baker, Dar McCarthy and Walter MacGinitie) submitted their report. The vestry wanted excerpts published in the newsletter. “Contributions to various church funds (capital improvement, discretionary, operations) and to other organizations inside and outside the church were correctly accounted for and transferred. Receipts are accurately recorded. . . . We examined paid bills and the computerized check register for proper coding, invoice amounts…we checked original invoices for evidence of authority to pay, and found proper documentation.” We read through all the Minutes of the Vestry for 2006, looking especially for any actions of a financial matter….the Vestry is well-informed on financial matters, as reflected in the minutes. . . We reviewed internal control procedures, as outlined in the audit procedures in the church Treasurer’s Manual, and generally found good systems are in place and there is consistent follow-through.” The committee recommended utilization of the comments line on Church Windows to provide a clear paper trail; training of a back-up person in Church Windows; and oversight of the mailing of annual pledge statements in January, 2008, by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee thanked former treasurer Mark Peasley for his excellent work to consolidate information, steamline procedures, and organize records and files.

The nominating committee will meet in January. Nancy Sheplor has agreed to be Clerk of the Vestry.

Samantha Garl will ask Eugene Cuomo if he will prepare breakfast for the Wednesday morning meeting with Bishop Rickel and vestry.

Tiederman presented a brief summary of the community’s preliminary thinking about the mission of Saint David’s [attached]. The conversation will continue on January 12, 2008.

The proposal made by Rita Weisbrod at the previous vestry meeting was discussed. By consensus, the vestry agreed to make a one-time commitment to the Weisbrods and Wiloma Harrell to collect shoes, toys, and books for the community they met in Zimbabwe. Several vestry members had had profound experiences serving NGO’s in other African nations and traveling in Cambodia. The vestry favors careful consideration of Bp. Rickel’s plan to form parish-to-parish relationships with the Diocese of El Salvador. The Vestry is also interested in learning how we can participate in the diocesan “We Will Stand With You” relationship with St. Paul’s, New Orleans.

The Finance Committee will have to make adjustments to the proposed 2008 budget and present them at the next Vestry meeting.

New Business: The Vestry discussed the Rector’s letter [attached] of 12 December, regarding use of the alley. Members supported giving the neighbors (and recording) a revocable license as suggested by our attorney, S. O’Day, but decided to postpone a formal vote until there were more vestry members in attendance. The license would be given to the property owners, not to tenants and would not continue if the property were sold. The Vestry asked the rector to seek a “Dead End: No Outlet” sign from the town. They further suggested the rector visit with Dwight Ware to inform him we wish to be good neighbors and to work out use of the alley for him.

Samantha Garl moved, Betty Baker seconded to support the rector’s use of discretionary money to show our gratitude to the church staff. Motion passed unanimously.

Richard Wright suggested the rector speak with Elizabeth Schwalbe about design of a permanent sign for the church and Gryphon Hall.

Following a brief prayer, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50.

Respectfully submitted,

Nancy Copass Tiederman
Acting Clerk

The old “Vicarage” has been renamed Gryphon Hall. The Gryphon is our new mascot. But do you know what it symbolizes in ancient myth and Christian art? Here is a synopsis:

THE Gryphon is a monster with the body of a lion, the head and wings of an eagle, and back covered with feathers. Some ancient representations and writers indicate that the Griffin had a snake-like tail. Most of the time, only the female had wings and males had spikes on their back instead of wings. Like birds it builds its nest, and instead of an egg lays an agate therein. It has long claws and talons of such a size that people are said to have made them into drinking-cups. The talon of a Gryphon was said to detect poison in a liquid when used as a drinking cup. Very handy for the nobility, as this was a common form of assassination.

INDIA is assigned as the earliest native country of the Gryphons. Gryphons found gold in the mountains and built their nests on the treasure, for which reason their nests were very tempting to the hunters, and they were forced to keep vigilant guard over them. Gryphons became known as guardians of treasure. Their instinct led them to know where buried treasures lay, and they did their best to keep plunderers at a distance. The Arimaspians, among whom the Gryphons flourished, were a mythical one-eyed people of Scythia. The Gryphon is also found depicted in ancient Babylonian, Assyrian, and Persian paintings and sculptures. It is believed the myths found life around 3,000 B.C. and the Gryphon was said to be the Pharoah's companion in Ancient Egypt. Later, Gryphons became sacred guardians in Minoa.

GRYPHONS are usually heroic-like symbols. They are well known for their speed, ability to fly and having eyes like an eagle, as well as the strength and courage of a lion. In Egyptian hieroglyphics, Gryphons represent heat and summer. In Assyria (an ancient empire of western Asia,) both the Gryphon and the dragon were symbols of wisdom. In Roman art, Gryphons are often seen pulling the chariot of Nemesis (goddess of justice and revenge.)

IT was characteristic of early Chrsitians to incorporate and Christianize pagan symbols into their iconography and worship. In the earliest stages of Christian development, the Gryphon had the connotation of evil, mainly due to the snake-like tail which suggested Satan’s temptation of Eve. But later, the Gryphon became the representation of Christ. The Gryphon’s dual nature led it to be associated with Jesus Christ, God and man, king of heaven and earth. The eagle half of the Gryphon signified Christ's divinity and the lion half represented His humanity. Because no one could block the path of a Gryphon, this creature was especially associated with that passage in the Gospel which records Christ's marvelous passage through the crowd at Nazareth who were determined to throw Him off a cliff. [Luke 4:28-30]

GRYPHON-like images are represented in Celtic art, especially in the Book of Kells. During the Middle Ages, Gryphons were symbols of Christ's resurrection. The strength of the lion and the wisdom of the eagle combined in the Gryphon to symbolize the strength and wisdom of God in Christ, who had the power to overcome death. Gryphons also were often displayed as gargoyles on buildings, churches and cathedrals.

SO there you have it. When someone asks, “Why the Gryphon?”, you can now wow them with your erudite display of knowledge.