Christ Church Annual Meetings

Christ Church Annual Meeting January 29, 2023

     The following is a quick summary of what was mentioned at the Annual Meeting. If you would like more details, many written reports are available. To find them, please contact Dave Jutsum, clerk of the Vestry, or the Christ Church Rochester Office. Thank you. Also, many, many thanks were extended by many people, to both the parish at large, as well as to staff and a host of individuals. I have chosen not to include specific thanks. But I must note that, as I reviewed this meeting, I was struck by the astonishing efforts here by so many. 

A MEAL AND MORE:

     The report was presented by Lois Jones, President, and Cordero Rivera, Chef/Kitchen Manager.

     A Meal and More is a soup kitchen which started indoor dining for people in need in 1979. Hot take-outs were introduced during the pandemic. 10,405 meals were served last year. Chef Rivera strives to provide restaurant quality food for the guests. Ruth described the staff, which also includes William Drayton, Door Greeter/Security; Robert Spall, Dishwasher; and Steve Iaia, Church Sexton; as well as it’s 85 volunteers, as the hands and heart of outreach.

NOMINATIONS:

     Warden Nancy Norwood will be stepping down from her role as Warden. She will be taking the place of Val Jutsum’s remaining one year on the Vestry.

     Val Jutsum and Jim Kurmis are nominated as Wardens.

     John Fields is running for his second term on the Vestry.

     Kristy Liddell and Shirley Ricker are Candidates for new 3-year terms on the Vestry.

     John D’Amanda motioned and Jeremy Cooney seconded that the clerk of the Vestry cast one vote on behalf of those present at the Annual Meeting for the nominated Vestry slate. That motion passed, and that one vote was so cast.

     Deb VanderBilt motioned and Jeremy Cooney seconded that the clerk of the Vestry cast one vote on behalf of those present at the Annual Meeting for the nominated slate of Wardens. That motion passed, and that one vote was so cast.

     Chris Brennan, Kristy Liddell, and Steve Remy were nominated as Diocesan Convention Representatives. John D’Amnda motioned and Jeremy Cooney seconded that the clerk of the Vestry cast one vote on behalf of those present at the Annual Meeting for this slate of candidates for Diocesan Representatives. That vote passed, and that one vote was so cast by the clerk.

NEW CHRIST CHURCH ROCHESTER WEBSITE:

     Val Jutsum presented the new website, found at christchurchrochester.org. Told all to visit it.

MUSIC PROGRAM REPORT:

     Music Director Stephen Kennedy presented the music report. The fantastic music at Christ Church is an intrinsic part of our worship and our parish identity. Furthermore the Music Program basically pays for itself. Our music puts our church “on the map”, because of its outreach.

PROPERTY COMMITTEE:

     I did not write down who gave this report. The jist was that, through the dedicated efforts of the team, which included John Fields, Jim Kurmis, Kyle Liddell, and Nancy Norwood, many problems of a 169 year old building were encountered and resolved last year. These included, but were not limited to: the March 10 discovery of a massive water leak due to the bursting of the 4th floor water heater; Sacristy roof repair which put an end to another water leak; clerestory gutter repair; planning the repair of sprinkler system monitoring system; improvements to church apartments; improvements to Johnson Tower Office Space; and, new rugs, new painting, and new electrical in various building locations. New parking lot doors, new security, and new outdoor lighting are also in the planning stages.

CHRIST CHURCH FINANCE REPORT: 

     Treasurer Norm Geil presented the summary of the 2022 Budget. The approved $77,000 deficit of 2022 was reduced to $17,000 by the nd of the year, thanks to pledge income which increased by 132% after a mid year appeal was made.

     Finance Committee Member Meg Love presented the 2023 Budget. There is a small increase in staff salaries, which do not bring them up to current COLA levels. 

     The 2023 Budget represents a conscious effort to be good stewards. We are projecting a $98,000 deficit. Therefore, continued deficit emergency levels of parishioner giving are very appreciated. 

     Pledging is vitally important, because it helps the Finance Committee determine the budget.

STEWARDSHIP:

     The next parish event is the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper.

WARDEN’S REPORT:

     Kyle Liddell gave his last Warden”s Report, following two terms of service. He thanked Ruth, his fellow Wardens and Vestry, and a host of volunteers who keep things going. After the major church renovations of the past years, and, after the pandemic, Christ Church is entering into a new phase. Churches throughout the country are experiencing a phenomena wherein church groups where people in the past found connections are becoming non-functional. Many church groups which were incorporated into the context of previous social systems have ceased to attract new members. Kyle recommended a book he has read,. We at Christ Church  do still have something here that is valuable.

PLANNED GIVING AND BEQUESTS:

     Bill Soleim presented a brief report. Pre-covid, we had begun a program informing parishioners about National Episcopal Church info pertaining to planned giving; bequests; estate planning; planned funerals; health proxies; and, burials. We are now about the business of again making these materials available.

RECTOR’S REPORT:

     Nationwide church reports show a sharp decrease in church attendance. In 2021, numbers were down 43 per cent. In contrast, at Christ Church, there is still so much spirit, here and now. We are attracting a few new people. Now is a time to think outside, and to do new things, as we build forward. We need to get real about things that matter. We do need our human community. We are living members of the Body of Christ. We need to be all in.

     There will be one more Regathering Meeting coming up. Ruth invited people at the Annual Meeting to fill out sticky notes and to post them on a board as they left. In the spirit of our vocation to write down, What do you have to offer? What feeds you here? What would feed you? Pink Sticky Notes are, I am going to offer this. Blue Sticky Noters are, What feeds me.

Respectfully submitted by Dave Jutsum, clerk of the Vestry.

Christ Church Annual Meeting

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Opening Prayer The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson

Appoint Clerk for Meeting The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson

Nominations for Warden and Vestry Meg Love, warden

  Nancy Norwood, warden: 2022-2024

Deb Vanderbilt, 2022 -2025

Val Jutsum, 2022 -2023: filling one yr vacancy

Introduction of Joelle Esler, The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson new parish administrator

Finance Report Meg Love, Norm Geil

Report from Grants Committee Deb Vanderbilt, Peg Britt

Property Report Kyle Liddell, John Fields

Capital Campaign Report Bill Soleim, Nancy Norwood

Rector’s Report The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson

 Renewal Works Anthony Letchworth, Nancy Norwood, Jim Kurmis

From Our Wardens Kyle Liddell, Meg Love

Close Ballot The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson

Closing Prayer and Slide Show The parish of Christ Church

+++

***Music Program and Meal and More Reports:

In parish newsletter, “Song”

Finance Report to Christ Church Rochester 30 January 2022

Finance Committee

Norm Geil, Treasurer

Meg Love, Chair

Kathy Brennan

Committee Responsibilities

The Christ Church Finance Committee has the responsibility, in conjunction with the Vestry, Treasurer and Rector, to oversee the financial condition and well-being of the parish. It makes recommendations to the Vestry on all financial matters deemed appropriate by the Committee or requested by the Vestry, including among other activities: preparing an annual budget; monitoring investments and operating expenses and income; arranging for audits; and providing a report for the annual parish meeting.

2021 Full Year Report

Attached

2020 Budget

Draft attached

Pledges and Pledging

As of 1/30/22 we have received 42 pledges totaling $146,280, for which we are very, very grateful. Our projected envelope income is $180,000, and we would again be very grateful if those who have not yet turned in their cards would be so kind as to drop them in the collection plate or mail them to the office.

Although the number of pledges has declined over the last several years, our Christ Church family has continued to support the parish with more significant pledges.

2021 Budget Remarks

When we presented the 2021 budget a year ago, it reflected a projected deficit of $39,465. Unfortunately, the year saw us close with a deficit of $64,837, about $25,000 higher than expected. Although our projected income was about $10,000 above budget, the shortfall primary causals include: 

• Building use $7,000 under budget – to be resolved upon receipt of ESM’s second-half payment for utilities.

• An unexpected $8,500 for steam heat last spring due to equipment issues and pricing increase.

• An unexpected $24,250 expense for heating/electrical repairs.

  • Note: Excluding the two utility overruns, we would have been $7,100 under budgeted deficit.

• Expense overruns related to janitorial supplies – primarily cleaning-related.

• An unexpected expense of $3,200 for light bulb replacements.

• And finally, an issue with a snow plow contractor whom we released due to poor service and who charged us to break the contract.

2022 Draft Budget

Coming in to 2022 we are projecting a deficit of nearly $77,000. Contributing factors include:

• Pledges. While our faithful community continues to support Christ Church, our projected pledge income for 2022 is down approximately $30,000. Some of this is due to the passing of beloved members of the community, and some due to those who have chosen not to return to the church since the start of the Pandemic nearly two years ago.

• Plate Cash. With a decline in attendance comes an understandable and predictable decline in non-pledge related donations.

• Diocesan Grant. We are entering the final year of a grant from the Diocese, and that amount decreases each year ($12,000 in 2022).

• Salaries & Benefits. While we have reduced administrative support costs overall, annual increases in benefits coverage are inevitable.

It is difficult to project when we can expect to open our beautiful Sanctuary to more guests, weddings, etc., but we anticipate the with a broader opening will come the opportunity to host events and welcome new and prospective members. Until that time, the Finance Committee and Vestry continue to work diligently to be good stewards of the gift of Christ Church, and appreciate your continued generous support.

Humbly submitted,

Christ Church Finance Committee

 Christ Church Grant Committee

Christ Church's grant committee (Deb VanderBilt, Tom Foster, Peg Britt, and Dave Jutsum) applies annually to the Congregational Development Grant fund from the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester. This is a grant the Diocese offers each year to parishes that need some extra financial support. We enumerate the goals of the parish, how the church will work toward those goals, and what measures we use to track progress. The application, once granted, is renewable for up to 4 years; then we may reapply. This is an application year for us, so the Grant committee is very grateful for those who participate in the Renewal Works process to help us discern the direction of the parish as we apply for this year's grant. The funds the diocese uses come partially from apportionment we all pay to the Diocese, so this grant can be thought of as churches helping churches. 

In addition, Nancy Norwood and Deb VanderBilt also keep their eye on grants available for historical preservation. We plan to apply to the Rochester Area Foundation (now known as The Community Foundation) for a historical preservation grant toward repair of the Te Deum window this year. 

Christ Church also sponsors the annual grant application for the Genesee Area Campus Ministry to support the chaplaincy at the University of Rochester (through a Mission grant program of the Episcopal Diocese). 

The Property Committee managed several major repair and improvement projects throughout the past year:

 - The tower repair and cleaning project was completed in early 2021. This sealed off a source of bat and bird intrusion into the church. Many days of cleaning were needed so that the tower was in a state where the missing window could be replaced.
 - We completed the final major repairs and maintenance on the steam heating system. Early in the year, the ancient blower fan motor for the nave heating system failed and was replaced with a new motor in time for cold weather. We also had several valves replaced, rebuilt water traps, installed a thermostat controlled valve for Ferris House, and added vacuum breakers to the nave heating system. These repairs will improve efficiency and reliability of the system. This work accounted for some of our increased expenses for the year.
 - The parking lot was repaired and sealed.
 - Several electrical improvements and repairs were completed, including work for our building tenants.
 - All of the light bulbs in the chandeliers were replaced with LED lights.
 - A survey of historical property expenses was completed.
 
 The Property Committee also planned work that will begin this year:
  - The sacristy roof will be replaced this year, probably Spring or Summer. The roof has had leaks for decades, and our many small repair projects never completely eliminated them.
  - We will replace the carpet and repaint Ferris Hall in the coming weeks.
  - The apartments at the top of Ferris House will be repaired/renovated.

Submitted by Kyle Liddell and John Fields

Christ Church Capital Campaign: Annual Report, January 2022

Submitted by Deb VanderBilt and Nancy Norwood

The Christ Church Capital Campaign "A Gift and a Promise" officially ended with a celebratory performance on November 7th of the Te Deum hymn, composed by Stephen Kennedy and sung by the Schola Cantorum and Christ Church choir. 

Because of covid interference with our planned major event, the screening and performance of the silent film Joan of Arc, Lucie Parfitt worked with Troy Simmons, the designer of the interior renovation and stenciling, to present a virtual lecture about the history of the architecture of Christ Church. The event was livestreamed on September 15th; it was recorded and is still available on youtube, where it has received 84 views. 

Lucie made the difficult decision to step down as campaign chair in September, at which point Deb and Nancy took on the remaining few functions to close out the campaign. These efforts involved a letter from Ruth (thank you, Dan and Bill, for your help with stuffing and stamping!), a visit by Ruth and Deb to Sagamore residents, and the production of three sets of notecards designed by Kathy D'Amanda. These illustrate the Gorham Apostles Window, the stencil designs in the interior, and historic designs for the chancel. A set of cards was available for each additional donation of $25. To date, that final push has brought in a total of $15,203.32.  

A total of $723,000 was raised; of this amount, $677,600 has been received and $45,500 is outstanding, including $10,000 reimbursement from New York State from the grant and $35,500 from pledges (most of the outstanding pledge amount is from scheduled giving). When all pledges & grant monies are received, the balance will be approximately $124,100 (current account balance is $78,600). 

If we set scheduled gifts and grant aside, the amount of unpaid pledges is 0.08 percent, less than $500. That is a spectacular level of fulfillment of pledges by our parishioners and friends of Christ Church. 

For cash flow, the campaign borrowed $100,000 from the Diocese and is paying that amount back monthly (about $1800/mo). The Campaign earlier borrowed $40,000 from the Christ Church operating fund. Because the Campaign over the years funded projects that were not in its original project list--including a new hearing loop, new speakers for the sanctuary, better equipment for live-streaming, and architectural consulting for the Sanctuary design, the Capital Campaign plans to submit a formal request to the Vestry that this $40,000 debt to ourselves be forgiven. 

The only outstanding work the Capital Campaign has committed to is the hallway carpeting, which should be completed in the next 2 months. 

The capital campaign committee respectfully recommends that the Capital Campaign account be held separately as a building account. People are still donating to the campaign, and to earmark those funds for building repair and maintenance will provide the seed money for new grants as well as emergency and/or needed repairs as they arise. The current online giving portal costs $50/month to maintain. We will work with the Finance committee to substitute that system with another one that does not come with a monthly fee. 

We cannot thank the parish enough for their amazing support through the entire Capital Campaign! 

“Regathering Church”

Rector’s Report Christ Church Annual Meeting January 30, 2022 The Rev’d Ruth Ferguson

It has been a year of attempts at regathering.

A year ago, we were physically distanced for our annual meeting. This year, the Omicron and diocesan protocols advise no gathering after church. A year ago, we had learned how to regather for zoom coffee hour and didn’t want to lose that intimate fellowship, though it was fading after lockdown as some returned to the pews and others stayed home.  This year, sustained protocols allowing for in-person worship but advising against indoor socializing after church have us in the same place. We have not yet regathered for coffee hour.

We are still in the process of regathering. 

We face new questions. What will the pandemic mean for our current and future budget? Will we be able to embrace the use of livestream and zoom technology and get even better at it? Where did all the people go? What will full regathering look like at the end of it all, after so many have been shaped by habits of isolation? 

We are all in process.

The world, the Church, each of us. We are in a transitional phase, a liminal, Advent-like space where we stand between what was before and what is to come. Your vestry and I are leading with an awareness that we know we can’t go back to what was, nor can we predict or control what will happen next. We are leading by doing business as usual, pitching creative ideas about the future, and a commitment to spiritual discernment.

The vestry and I talk about money and ministry. We learned in pandemic that we can get by with minimal front office hours. With the hire of Michelle Bryant (independent book keeper) and Joelle Esler (office administrator), we have begun  the process of  re-configuring our parish office administration to our financial and professional advantage. 

We ask ourselves: what are ways and who are people that could help us see our building into the future? (What if we got the building to pay for itself?)

We talk about the role of technology and our ministry. Some of us are, to be honest, uninspired and weary with it. However, for churches who have used this time to create and expand mission and ministry, there is no going back.

 We ask ourselves: where did everyone go? The pandemic has caused a precipitous decline in average Sunday attendance in the Episcopal churches across the nation, so we try to stay in the present and ask ourselves: what about our own people, what about us? What do we need right now in order to re-gather? Not just in-person, but in spirit. We have spent two years trying to “stay connected” and the novelty of our valiant efforts and new technology skills has worn off. 

 The vestry unanimously agreed that we should find ways to turn the distancing we’ve experienced into deeper spirituality. A team of facilitators (Nancy Norwood, Anthony Letchworth, Jim Kurmis) and I are re-writing the RenewalWorks program (created by Forward Movement of the Episcopal Church) to reflect the more diverse intellectual and spiritual profile of Christ Church. We will plan three parish “retreat days” for Lent. This is not about strategic planning or model for church growth, but about nurturing our spirits. The focus will be on regathering: regathering in the wake of grief and even trauma - regathering for spiritual discernment and tending to our spiritual lives as individuals and as a parish.

You are going to hear more about this from Anthony, Nancy, and Jim, but first I  want to announce YOU.

Here is what YOU did this past year. 

• You provided pastoral care to one another on zoom gatherings, in your back yards, and in a pandemic inspired bereavement group.

• You led and/or supported a capital campaign in pandemic without a professional consultant or direct leadership from your rector.

• Instead of growing zoom weary and dropping the Wednesday evening prayer service, you added a Monday morning one, and this, too, has become your pastoral care for one another.

• You answered the call of the Annual Pledge Campaign and of your parish family who spoke to you about what it means for them to a member of this church with you.

• You continued to sing and worship in masks on days even though church is still not “normal” and staying home would have been easier.

• You’ve begun the process of creating a new website

• You showed up. You showed up when extra support was needed: for an 11 am Sunday service, for Compline, for so many funerals. And you showed up again and again.

• You pitched in: deep cleaning the sanctuary, the Christmas Angel Tree, pledging, and simply “showing up” to the needs of our parish in whatever ways you could.

In the early days of the pandemic when we were in lockdown, I would sign off of Facebook Livestream or Zoom with this little mantra: “Stay connected. Wash your hands. Keep the faith!”

We have done just that. We’ve stayed connected. We’ve washed our hands. We’ve kept the faith.

      And that’s about as good a spiritual rule as any I know right now.

Well done, Christ Church.

Ruth+

Christ Church Music Program Report for Annual Meeting

Report by Stephen Kennedy January, 2022 Music Director, Christ Church Rochester

“I haven’t understood a bar of music in my life, but I have felt it.” – Igor Stravinsky

Each year, many people tell me how they experience solace, joy, and inspiration from music at Christ Church. They express how music in our liturgies is essential -- how it touches them, gives meaning, and transforms their lives. For some, Tuesday Pipes and our Candlelight Concert Series has become an indispensable part of their lives. I think it is important for all of us to know how vital music at Christ Church is and how it reverberates throughout our parish and community.

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” ― Bono

More than ever, music at Christ Church has been called to restore harmony and balance in people’s lives and to provide a comforting balm for mind and spirit. To help bring this about, we have had to change some of what we do and how we do it. Because many of our musicians have been faced with difficulties that have made it impossible for them to participate regularly in the Christ Church Choir and the Schola Cantorum, we have had to lean much more heavily upon our dedicated volunteer musicians, and it has been an inspiration to see how they have risen to this challenge.

“Music is the universal language of mankind.” ― Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Perhaps the greatest program challenge for me has been to identify music that fits our ever-changing musician resources. I have found it essential to compose music for our ever-changing ensemble personnel, and that with an intrinsic flexibility to help make it possible for us to “turn on a dime”. Teaching and honing skills of improvisation in ensembles has proven practical, original, and successful.

“Music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” – Maria von Trapp

As always, our musicians and ensembles are devoted to the process of learning and developing musical skills. This process unites us and fosters growth and transformation. Performing our musical tasks with generosity and love help us to appreciate and care about each other. We consider ourselves lucky to serve our liturgies, nurture our parish and community, and educate future leaders in the profession of sacred music.

We are grateful to Ruth Ferguson Rector, the Wardens, Vestry, Altar Guild, Joelle Esler, Michelle Bryant, Steve Iaia, and Kyle Liddell for bringing the Sunday Eucharist into our homes. We thank Ryan Chan, Alex Little, David Higgs, and Bill Porter for their regular and tremendous contribution to music at Christ Church. We appreciate Pru Kirkpatrick and our team of ushers and candlelighters who make it possible for Christ Church to offer Compline which is still well-attended despite the pandemic. Team members are Bruce and Patty Blaine, Bob Crumrine, Carrie Gentry, Pru Kirkpatrick, and Kristy and Kyle Liddell. We are grateful to Alan Jones for his dedication in greeting and ushering for our Tuesday Pipes organ concert series that continues year-round at 12:10pm. Enduring gratitude goes to our Friends of Music donors and the Roy E. VanDelinder, Jr. Fund through the Rochester Area Community Foundation making most of what we do possible.

Please consider helping with our music program in the following ways:

• Fill oil candles for Compline (once a month task)

• Usher and light candles for Compline (once a month task)

• Consider joining the Christ Church Choir (Rehearsals: Wednesday nights from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM)

• Donate to Christ Church “Friends of Music”

Meal and More Report

Highlights from 2021

• We lost a great friend and colleague when Rhonda Burgos, our cook and dishwasher, passed.

• We served continuously with no missed Sunday or Wednesday meals throughout the year, even with the challenges of Covid-19.

• We served 9,940 meals during 2021.

• A team of Board members and volunteers is developing a strategic plan for A Meal & More for the next 3 - 5 years.

• Jaylon McCrea has been hired to replace Rhonda as the regular dishwasher. David Whittaker, an occasional guest of ours, has been employed as a backup person when needed.

• We changed service models more than once in 2021 to accommodate the wishes of our guests and to adapt to Covid-19 circumstances. The most recent change came from some guests telling us they are not yet comfortable eating at a table with people they don’t know. So we reintroduced takeout, and have been providing up to 40 takeout meals in addition to folks eating in the dining room.

• Our annual financial audit was completed by engaging with a group of RIT Business College students, which provided them a useful experience.

• Christmas bags were provided once again to our guests in December. In addition, we have reintroduced providing personal hygiene items, socks, and gloves to our guests every so often.

• We let people come in early to sit (6 feet apart) in the Guild Room on wet or cold days (Wednesday, which was a very cold day, a person was in there more than an hour).

Submitted by John Kaemmerlen and Lois Jones

What is RenewalWorks and how can it help your church?

Through an anonymous online evaluation of each parishioner, and a series of guided workshop discussions with our staff, the RenewalWorks process helps churches (and the individuals in them) refocus on spiritual growth and identify ways that God is calling them to grow.

The methodology has been tailored to the Episcopal tradition, adapting over 10 years of research that has uncovered key characteristics of flourishing congregations. It will inspire your congregation and leadership to rediscover who Jesus is, and what it means to follow him.

How does it work?
The RenewalWorks process begins with an anonymous, confidential, online survey (we call it the Episcopal Spiritual Life Inventory) taken by congregants, exploring that individual’s spiritual life.

Individual responses are combined and viewed as a group, providing a snapshot of the spiritual vitality of the congregation based on research from more than 1,800 churches (of all denominations) and almost 500,000 congregants.

Next, along with staff from RenewalWorks, a parish team is gathered to delve into the specifics of the inventory data over four guided workshops. This group contemplates the following questions, one at each workshop:

1. Where have we been?
2. Where are we now?
3. Where do we feel called to go?
4. How will we get there?

Specific outcomes of the RenewalWorks process are unique to each parish, reflecting that community’s specific challenges and opportunities. They lead to the creation of specific congregation-wide growth initiatives which clarify and elevate expectations for clergy, lay leaders and individuals.

Why does RenewalWorks matter?

A lawyer approached Jesus, putting him to the test with this question: “Which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ response was simple, if not easy. He said it was about love of God (with all your heart and soul and mind) and love of neighbor as self.

That singular emphasis on love of God and neighbor provides the foundation for RenewalWorks, a ministry that focuses on spiritual growth by deepening love of God and neighbor in the lives of congregations, in the lives of ministries that animate those congregations, and in the lives of the individuals who bring life to those ministries.

When the details of life press in, parishes, like individuals, can inadvertently move away from this singular, simple focus on discipleship to the more mundane but necessary actions of running a church. RenewalWorks brings the focus back to Jesus’ response to the lawyer.

Hosted in 2022 at Christ Church Rochester by Nancy Norwood, Jim Kurmis, and Anthony Letchworth

The Annual Meeting for 2021 was on Zoom

January 31, 2021 at coffee hour after the 10:00 worship of Morning Prayer

Dear Christ Church,

Please take a moment to read, in their own words, the bios of the faithful who said "yes" to being nominated for the vestry, Anthony Letchworth and Kathy Brennan. You will have a chance to hear from them - and thank them - at tomorrow's Annual Meeting after church (invitation to come).

Anthony Letchworth (they/them/theirs) moved to Rochester in the summer of 2019 and became a member of Christ Church Rochester the following winter. In their time spent outside of St. Ann’s as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist ensuring elders are getting enough ice cream and bacon, they enjoy cooking, camping, textile arts, and amateur radio.

Anthony is the proud spouse of Rev. Lane Campbell, settled minister at First Universalist Church of Rochester. Together they parent Flash Gordon and Goose, a rescue cat and dog respectively, who manage to get along fairly well most days!

Kathy Brennan (she/her) I started attending Episcopal Church when I first started dating my husband Chris in 1989, and was received into the Church at the Easter Vigil here at Christ Church in 1997.  Chris and I were long time members of St. Stephen’s in Rochester, where I served on Vestry and as Warden.  Chris’ final full time job took us to Central NJ for 10 years, where I served as Treasurer of Christ Church New Brunswick, and as Treasurer of the Episcopal Campus Ministry at Rutgers.

 We live in Greece with our pug Daisy.  I prepare tax returns February through April for the Gaudino Group, a small financial services firm in Greece.

Please join me in thanking our nominating committee: Bill Soleim, Peg Britt, Deb Vanderbilt, Joe Schaller, and Meg Love.

See you in church,

Ruth+

Zoom Coffee Hour The Second Sunday of Lent 2/28/21

Christ Church Annual Meeting 2020

Contributors: top, left to right - Stephen Kennedy (Music); Lucie Jutsum (Capital Campaign); Meg Love (Warden, Finance); Norm Geil (Finance Officer); bottom- Deb Vanderbilt (Administrative Liaison); Kyle Liddell (Warden); parishioners