Vestry Corner ~ July 2023

We continue to be amazed by the generosity of our parishioners with their resources and talents. Their love for our community, coupled with a strong desire to leave it better than they found it, is impressive.

One of our Outreach partners, A Safe Place (ASP), recently held their annual fundraiser luncheon. Over 80 SJP parishioners attended, learning how ASP works to decrease human trafficking by providing victims, survivors and their children with a safe shelter and resources to break the cycle of violent abuse. Our parishioner Mary Boney Clark was board president. At the ASP luncheon, our MoM group was recognized with a Community Impact Award for their volunteer assistance. Congratulations to all involved.

In May, an anonymous SJP parishioner offered a $30,000 “matching” pledge for a Habitat for Humanity Unity Build. A Unity Build is where numerous churches band together to build the houses. The vestry approved this challenge at its May meeting. The money to match the pledge has been raised, so we are set to participate. The new houses will be on a Habitat tract in Castle Hayne, projected to start construction in late September-early October. Lots more on the Unity Build will follow in next month’s Grapevine.

While it may seem that Church life may slow down a bit in the summer, planning for Fall activities does not. Get ready for an action-packed season. In addition to the Unity Build, we have numerous opportunities for participation. These include Welcome Sunday, the Parish Retreat at Camp Trinity, Rise Against Hunger, a Diocesan Revival with Bishop Curry, and a Jazz and Racial Unity Symposium (a Diocesan event to be held in Perry Hall).

Under the guidance of Wes Clewis, the repairs and painting to the Great Hall kitchen is underway and going well. This project is expected to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

In addition to the kitchen work, the Day School classrooms, the Sunday School classrooms, and the Children’s Chapel have all been painted.

At Mount Lebanon Chapel, the managing authority handling the traffic control has changed hands. The MLC committee, working alongside Wes, believes the proper operation is now in place. To save expense, a SJP volunteer will handle the interior traffic while communicating with a Deputy Sheriff stationed on Airlie Road.

The mid-year Vestry Retreat will be held on August 4th and 5th. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or concerns you'd like to share, please make them known to a member of the Vestry or clergy so they can be discussed at the retreat. Thank you.

-Leslie Jarrett (Senior Warden) & Alex Murchison (Junior Warden)