Vicar’s Report from the Annual Meeting: 1/28/07               

Fr. Stephen Cuff

In my reflection on the ministry of Saint Andrew’s Church in 2006, I stopped and looked back over the reports I offered at the seven previous annual meetings at which I have presided as your Vicar. Although the dates and some of the names have changed, there’s a thread woven throughout the life of this place   all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

As Saint Paul penned that verse, he was writing a note of celebration of the present Christian experience, rooted in God’s action in Jesus Christ, and filled with the assurance of God’s future in and through Christ - in the Holy Spirit: for God’s people and God’s world. Paul wrote this verse to the Church in Rome. He might just as well write it for the Church in Washington Court House, in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

As I look back over this year just past, it’s easy to note celebration:

•     Our presence at the Health Fair in April brought home hundreds of requests for prayer. Yes, you are the church next to the golf course . -. and you are the church that offers that healing service.

•     Our presence in community ministry through: Habitat for Humanity, the National Day of Prayer Task Force, the Clothing Center, the gospel tent at the County Fair, nursing home ministries, Altrusa’s Coats for Kids, Veterans Organizations, to name a few - are a witness that God is at work in and through you, for good, responding with love as a response to the love of Christ.

•     We sent more volunteers to be available at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church last summer than any other mission congregation in this diocese.

•     We grew! ... in numbers, in giving, in worship and participation in ministry!

If you were to rely on the secular newspapers as your source of information, you’d think the Episcopal Church was in utter disarray and sadly, there are places where that is true. However, for Saint Andrew’s Church - nothing could be further from the truth!

You are an anomaly in the Episcopal Church! You are stronger, you are growing, you are united in faith. Because you know you need each other. Because you look for and find the presence of Christ in each other - even in people with whom you might disagree vehemently. Our unity is experienced as we gather side-by-side in worship, as we work side-by-side in ministry, as we hold one another in prayer for all things. You’re ~3g~ in trouble because you keep the most important things front and center:

worship, ministry, prayer.

And we even manage to have some fun along the way: be it at the winery in Morrow, in the backyard at a picnic, or next door on the golf course .. we DO know how to laugh.

And we know how to cry: sadness in our loss as we’ve commended dear friends into new life in God: Harry Ahysen, Bishop Herb Thompson, April Stirr, Olen Opdyke, and just two weeks ago: Althea Case. Even so, we can rejoice in God’s embrace of sisters and brothers on their way into new life and freedom.

We’ve welcomed new members into the fold: Eileen Wright, Michelle Staffan, Avery Bennett, Bill and Anne Quinn, Lauren Reiss, Ryan Bennett, Joe & Cheryl Hassman, ... and the cacophony of sound of the youngest members of the church is now a staple of Sunday mornings! That sound is music to my ears. I know, understand, and share your frustration that we have so few students of “Sunday School” age right now - but take heart and prepare. Care well for the children God sends, and be ready always for the next generation. We’ve done much to care for this place where we gather each week - so that our property is safe for us and attractive to newcomers. From the nursery to this parish hall to the parking lot. It’s clean, It’s bright. It’s safe.

I want to thank Sue Timmons and Don Ladd who stepped in to fill unexpired Vestry terms this year, Ed Kuehn for serving as Junior Warden even after he and Ann moved to Cincinnati, and Gary Stout as Senior Warden. Thank all of you for strong, effective leadership across the board. Thank you all for continuing to care so well for my family and me.

As we look ahead into 2007:

•     Our fast-approaching Faith Alive weekend in March will be an opportunity for each of us and all of us to reflect on our baptismal covenant and the vows we made to God, open to new ways of growing in Christ and serving the Lord.

•     We will explore ways of supporting each other and ministries near and far that had for a long time been part of our ECW’s life. Even though no one felt called and lead toward leadership for the Churchwomen’s ministry for this year, as a whole church we will continue to reach out.

•     We will continue to become less dependent financially on our Diocese for our health and vitality through our own commitment and expansion of the Endowment Fund.

•     We will make a point of building relationship with our Bishop-Elect Tom Breidenthal, so that he’ll know you are as amazing as Bishops Thompson and Price learned that you are.

•     We will know Jesus Christ and Make Him known through: prayer, sharing the Word and the sacraments, and seeking and serving Christ in others. Yes, some things change. But the most important things never will.

Vicar's Report from the Annual Meeting 1/22/06

A plaque with this verse came as an ordination gift so many years ago now - from a friend already ordained.

Apparently he wanted me to know that even when (and not if) life was not smooth sailing; God can and would bring good out of every circumstance. God could and would transform every circumstance to bring good out of it. ... For those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. That verse from Paul's Letter to the Romans has spent a lot of time in my head and heart this year.

God bringing good out of everything! Some of `everything' was sheer delight for us. And some of `everything' was to walk a road not one of us would ever have chosen!

In April we celebrated our 50`^h anniversary worshipping God in this place! With more people here on that Sunday than had been here on any Sunday, except Easter, ever! What a party! And so many people worked together for that to happen!

Launching out of that, our Endowment Fund Trustees have embarked on a campaign that has already doubled the balance of that Fund from what it was one year ago! The interest that Fund generates can birth or sustain all sorts of ministries in the church, as our financial dependence on the Diocese continues to diminish - according to God's intention.

Bucky Burbage's death last January left a hole in our hearts and lives that has ached deeply. Look how God used an awful circumstance to begin to bring good: others in the Saint Andrew's family took the risk to explore ministries in the church Bucky had cherished - to bring glory to God ... the way Bucky had so enthusiastically done! The event was not good. But God brought good from it! We've added lay readers, we filled the gospel tent at the County Fair, and we find new ways of incorporating music into our worship and fellowship! Buck's heart attack later the same month brought some transitions in ministry Buck has nurtured quietly for years and years. A wider circle from the Saint Andrew's family stepped up to the plate, sometimes in fear and trembling, in our nursing home ministries. That ministry has expanded even more as an incredible offering to some of the most vulnerable of God's children! Again, the event was NOT good! But look how God brought good from it!

Olen and Mary Opdyke, now in their 69th year of marriage I might add ... decided their health wouldn't permit them to offer their particular ministries with cards or the Red Door that they have done for years ... but God raised up others to continue such ministry in Naomi Miller and Tom Trimmer.

The Holy Spirit is alive and well here - in you! Through the Spirit, God nudges, tugs, point, directs, and strengthens us to fulfill his intention, so often with joy ... but always, as family! 

Thanks go out to Carl Staffan and John Link who complete terms as Wardens today; to Jennifer Moore whose Vestry term is complete, and Bruce VonBargen, Chuck McKinney, and Ed Kuehn for their service on Vestry ... and to Carl Staffan for serving as treasurer and Mary Link for serving as clerk.

No - we're not growing gangbusters, but we're way beyond `surviving!' Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place! No - there aren't as many children scampering around here as we'd like, but those who come get more TLC in the Body of Christ than they could ask or imagine. No - we're not rolling in cash, but you fulfilled every ministry you set out to accomplish and more - with profound generosity.

Never stop extending the invitation Jesus offered to his first disciples: "Come and see!" Lift up others to experience the presence of God you find together. Don't ever limit the amazing good God can do through us! Don't limit who God wants us to be ... with stereotypes of what we think the church "family" is supposed to look like. Let us always become who God shapes us to be.

In the midst of this full life we share, I am still blessed to be your Vicar and it is never dull! In addition to our adventure together, I'm serving as president of the Fayette County Ministerial Association until May; Chaplain to Procter Camp and Conference Center; Intern supervisor for the Rev. Charles Wilson at St. Mary's - Hillsboro; Dean of the Scioto River Deanery; a member of our Bishop's Nominating Committee; and that lovely catch all: "and other duties as assigned from time to time."

I am grateful that I could participate in the Pension Fund's CREDO retreat last October - as Don Ladd called it: my "40,000 mile check-up." I came home refreshed and as sure as I can be that I really am doing the kind of ministry God wants me doing. In case you were worrying, or to disappoint you if you were hoping - I'm not looking for another position, and no one is coming after me either. Things seem to be as God would have them be for us. You consistently care for my family and me with Christ's love. Few clergy families have the kind of support we receive from you.

2006 will be another expedition in faith: we intend to have a Faith Alive weekend later this year! You had your first one nine years ago in 1997 and that initiated several ministries. Southern Ohio is hosting over 10,000 Episcopalians in Columbus in June for the General Convention. We will elect our 9^th Bishop this November at Diocesan Convention.

You have been so open to God's movement in and through you for His glory. Stay on track. Follow his lead. And bring the others, too!

The Rev. Stephen J. Cuff, Vicar

January 22, 2006

Annual Meeting 2006

ANNUAL, MEETING: SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2006
The Annual Meeting of Saint Andrew's Church is set for after the 10 00 AM Eucharist on Sunday. January 22nd. Every head of every committee/ministry needs to turn in a report of your ministry for 2005 to the church office by January 16th.  This includes but is probably not exclusive to:

Altar Guild                                               Episcopal Church Women
Worship Committee                                 Lay Eucharistic Ministry
Sunday School/Christian Ed.                    Parish Health Ministry
Youth Group                                           Nursing House Ministries
Parish Life Committee                             Choir
Acolytes                                                 Senior Warden
Junior Warden                                        Prayer Team Ministry
S.O.C.K.S.                                           Endowment Fund
Red Door                                              Treasurer's Report & Budget

Financial Stewardship/Every Member Canvass

The reports need not be lengthy, but should include the highlights and challenges of the year, so that generations to come will have a record of all the Saints of Saint Andrew's Church in 2005.

We will also be electing.
A Senior Warden and A Junior Warden for 2006
TWO Vestry members for three-year terms
ONE Vestry member for an unexpired one-year term
ONE Endowment Fund Trustee;
TWO Convention/Deanery Delegates and TWO Alternates for the same. These people will be our representation to the Diocesan Convention in Portsmouth (November 10 & 11) when, God +/or General Convention willing, we will elect our 9th Bishop.

If you are interested in serving as a Warden, member of the Vestry, Trustee, or Convention/Deanery Delegate please speak with the Nominating Committee of Carl Staffan (572-4037) or John Link (335-8300) and they will be happy to share with you the nature: of these ministries of congregational leadership as Saint Andrew's Church enlivens them.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MINISTRY

 Fr. Steve+