The vestry is the legal representative of the parish regarding all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. St. Mary Anne’s By-laws calls for nine vestry members, each serving for a period of 3 years from election to election. No member of the Vestry shall be eligible to serve more than two consecutive terms. Vestry members are elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector.

The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.

We have three vestry vacancies to be filled. Phyllis Doyle and Judy Coudon, are two incumbents who completed their terms and each seek another three year term. Rotating off vestry is Pat Wagner. We are grateful for her service as a vestry person, and thank her for her commitment.

Our Nominating Committee (George Balog, George Kaplan, Fr. John ad hoc) submit Linda Gibeck as a nominee for the vacancy created by Pat. We have Linda’s bio and photo here, so please review prior to the Annual Meeting (TBA).

Other nominations may be made from the floor, but those nominations must be members who meet the qualifications of eligibility as defined in Article V, Section 1 of our Bylaws and must have the consent and approval of the member nominated. As is St. Mary Anne’s policy, all nominations from the floor must be submitted prior to the Annual Meeting to verify eligibility qualifications, as defined in our Bylaws, willingness to serve, and so biographical information can be presented to the parish in advance of the Annual Meeting.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and to those who are willing to serve.

Blessings,

Father John and the Vestry of St. Mary Anne’s

January, 2021

It is now time to remove all Christmas decorations from our churchyard. Our deadline for removal is January 15. We will dispose remaining decorations after that date.

To maintain the historic integrity of our churchyard, we respectfully remind everyone that artificial flowers and decorations, other than flags or fresh flowers, are not allowed.

Fr. John baptized our newest member of the parish, Baby J. J. (Joel Jr.) Alarcon, at a private baptism celebration on Sunday, January 3 at 3:PM in our sanctuary. His parents, Joel and Shelly Ray, along with their children and the baby’s grandparents, participated in the beautiful service.

Alex Bi provided the service music but we shouldn’t have been surprised when our Director of Music and his talented wife sang a beautiful Spanish lullaby to their new son. Father John and Karen are blessed to be the Godparents to this sweet baby.

We now have a Baptism banner to decorate our altar during Baptism celebrations and to use each year when we celebrate the Baptism of our Lord (this Sunday).

The dove represents the Holy Spirit. We read in Matthew 3:16, And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.

Father John dedicates this banner to parishioner Andrea Pugh. Her love for God, our church family, and community, is demonstrated by years of committed effort and enthusiasm.

As a member of St. Mary Anne’s for approximately 38 years, Andrea served our parish in many leadership capacities, such as Jr. and Sr. Warden; Superintendent of Sunday School; and Chair and Treasurer of ECW. She served on almost all church committees, and is also an EfM graduate.

Currently, she is the Parish Treasurer, Altar Guild Directress, and a worship leader. In both the parish offices and at the altar, Fr. John and our parishioners rely on her wise counsel and invaluable assistance.

She has contributed her leadership and administrative gifts to the Diocese too, most recent as both a Treasurer and Board of Director’s member of the Children’s Home Foundation

Andrea, a North East resident since the age of 7, currently resides in Elk Neck with her husband Mike. She is retired from the University of Delaware. She is the mother of three grown children, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild.

The community benefits from her gifts as well. Andrea is a member of the Women’s Civic League of North East. She is currently the Chair of Friends Foundation of the Cecil County Public Library, and past member and Chair of the Cecil County Public Library Trustees. Andrea and her husband Mike both played instrumental roles in the planning and fundraising of the new County library.

Thank you Andrea, for your love and longstanding commitment to our Lord, our church and community.

Karen Schaeffer designed and stitched the fabric banner.