In response to the shootings in Virginia on Wednesday, Bishop Alan Gates, Bishop Gayle Harris, and Bishop William Fisher, of the Diocese of Western Massachusetts have commended to us a statement by the bishops of both Washington DC and the Diocese of Virginia. Please click here to read their statement.

The 2017 vestry met for the first time on Tuesday, March 21 at the Parish House. Here are some highlights from their meeting:

• New vestry members were welcomed: Lorraine Gagnon, Rosemary Kverek, Catherine Womack, and Sarge Locke (Treasurer). Paul Newell, our new Clerk, could not join us for the meeting.
• The vestry heard updates from the Building Committee and the Garden Group (copies of their minutes are available on the vestry bulletin board in the Parish House. They also had an update on the Capital Campaign from Fay Donohue, Cochair of campaign. The first two projects being undertaken with campaign funds are the drainage project in the Parish House basement and the painting of the exterior of the Parish House.
• Tom Mousin and Doug Heim led a conversation about the planned sabbatical for Tom, which tentatively will start on August 1, with Tom returning in mid-November.
• Maureen Lavely was elected as a delegate to Diocesan Convention.
• The vestry approved a resolution to apply for grant money from the Wynn Casino mitigation funds for the painting of the Parish House.
•  The vestry approved the rector’s recommendation to hire a bookkeeper for one to two hours a week to assist the treasurer and Parish Administrator in handling parish finances.

Summer Camp opportunities at the Barbara C. Harris Episcopal Camp are now available. Brochures are available at church, and you can also check out the camp opportunities at the camp’s website here.

Ready to register? You can go directly to the registration page here.

*** One Worship Service at 10 am ***

Childcare Will Be Provided During the Annual Meeting
Our childcare workers will continue to provide care in the Nursery for infants and young children, after Coffee Hour.

2016 Budget
While we sent out the 2016 budget with News and Notes, this version may be a bit easier to read, as it only includes figures from 2015 for comparison.

You can find it here:   St. John’s 2016Budget

And an Update on a Pastoral Note:
Gloria Chesebrough will be returning home this afternoon. Cards can be sent to: 100 Ferrin Street, #402 Charlestown, MA 02129.