August 9, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day to all.

• Scott Goodwin and I met with Chris Meyer (Diocesan Consultant) to review our financial status. Although we do not have his final report, his initial assessment was very positive.
• Canon Kelly O’Connell reported to me that the Bishops and Canons meet this week to talk about parishes in transition. She will bring up our request for an interim. Although there is no specific date or name for us, we are on her list.
• Sometime soon after our August 27 celebration with Brian, we will be assigned a Search Consultant, chosen by the Diocese, who will work with the Vestry on the creation of our Search Committee. Canon Kelly informed me that she had several searches wrapping up soon, so a Search Consultant will be available when we are ready.

Changes are inevitable. As Sr. Warden I have great confidence that we are prepared for this mission. The Diocese continues to assure us that we are on schedule and well prepared. Have patience, have faith, and keep enjoying a relaxing summer.

July 18, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day to all. As part of the review of St. Christopher’s overall profile, Scott Goodwin and I will be meeting with Chris Meyer, one of our Congregational Consultants from the Diocese. Together, we will review his report on our financial stability. I will follow up with details in my next update.

Our focus continues to be on areas where we have a solid footing during our upcoming transition. Below are areas that are currently being addressed:

• As advised by Cannon Kelly O’Connell, the Celebration Committee continues their work on our most important first step in our transition which is to celebrate Brian. Thanks to their preparations over the last five months, the August 27 luncheon promises to be a most wonderful event.
• The Nominating Committee continues to work closely with the Wardens to ensure that we maintain an operational Staff, Vestry, and other Committees as their main focus.
• Sometime soon after our August 27 celebration of Brian and the first day of his retirement, we will be assigned a Consultant, chosen by the Diocese, who will work with the Vestry on the creation of our Search Committee.

As I stated before, there will be some changes and bumps in the road. We feel confident that we are prepared for this mission and our planning is focused on preparation. The Diocese continues to assure us that we are on schedule and prepared for this transition. Have patience, have faith, and enjoy a relaxing summer.

June 21, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day to all. As I said with my impression of a “Ted Talk” on the 11th, St. Christopher’s is in very good shape as we approach the Rector’s retirement. Things are falling into place and we are keeping up with what is expected of us. The Celebration Committee is hard at work with their final touches to finalize the implementation plan. Chris Meyer, our Congregational Consultant from the Diocese, will be reporting on our financial stability as part of the church’s overall profile. He will be meeting with our treasurer, Scott Goodwin, and the Wardens early in July.

Our focus continues to be on areas where we have a solid footing, while maintaining progress during our transition period. We are not ignoring other areas. Please find an area that interests you and get involved. Please…feel confident…be active…and get involved. We need all of us…working together…o make our transition run smoothly.

May 24, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day and greetings. This past week the Vestry had our long-awaited meeting with The Rev. Canon Kelly O’Connell. During her presentation, she gave us a step-by-step outline of the process which we will follow over the next 12–18 months. During the open meeting, The Rev. O’Connell answered questions from the Vestry members. It was very reassuring to hear that we are right on schedule and doing what we need to do each step of the way.

One of the key points in her presentation/outline was to emphasize that our primary job at this time is to make sure that Rector McGurk receives the very best celebration for his well-deserved retirement. I am pleased to say that our Celebration Committee is hard at work designing a thoughtful, fitting, and fun-filled “send-off.”

On June 11, at both the 8 and 10 am liturgies, I will address the parish regarding St. Christopher’s current state of affairs. I will review key topics covered at our recent Vestry Retreat and how that ties in with our transition process. I hope you can join us.

May 3, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day and greetings. This past week your Vestry held a special “Retreat Meeting” in the Parish Hall. It was nice to physically have us all together in one room for the first time. Brian provided an agenda for us to identify key areas to focus our attention, and to have open discussion on the impact of each area. This will be our predominant focus during our ongoing transition.

The Reverend Canon Kelly O’Connell will be joining the Vestry (via Zoom) at our May 16 meeting. At this time, we hope to work on merging our plans with those of the Diocese. Our ongoing accomplishments will be shared with you in my next report.

April 12, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

I am happy to report that the Wardens are keeping current with the pulse of the parish while working as a team to ensure continuity. I have contacted our Regional Canon, The Reverend Kelly O’Connell, for an update on our next step for our transition. Within the next month there will be a scheduled visit from the Diocesan Consultant assigned to meet with our Treasurer and Finance Committee. His objective will be to ensure that St. Christopher’s is on firm financial ground while we plan for our future stability. During May, a second visit from Canon O’Connell will be held with all Vestry members. Thank you to all Church Committee members as you continue this transition in a positive and optimistic fashion. Because of you, St. Christopher’s remains a strong, vibrant parish community.

March 29, 2023:

From Ted Miller, Senior Warden:

Good day. I want to take this opportunity to share some more good news regarding our period of Rector transition. The Rev. Dr. John Martiner was very kind to extend his offer to assume the role of Bridge Priest during the three months immediately following the Rector’s retirement in August. At our March Vestry meeting, this offer was unanimously accepted. We all viewed this as a wonderful path during our transitional search for a permanent interim. The Rev. Martiner’s appointment was also supported by our regional Canon, the Rev. Kelly O’Connell. Your Wardens will now begin the process of defining John’s duties during his bridge period. As we work our way through this process, we will continue to keep an open mind as we embrace the positive aspects of change.

March 15, 2023:

The Celebration Committee is organizing a luncheon in honor of Rector McGurk following his last Sunday liturgy on August 27, 2023. Members will receive a letter in the beginning of April with many of the details for this wonderful celebration. With enthusiasm, Debby Saliba and Joe Gagliano, co-chairs.

March 1, 2023:

From Senior Warden Ted Miller:

As your Senior Warden, this will be my first of many updates regarding our rector transition. I want to assure everyone that this transition will be in accordance with the canons of the Diocese of Massachusetts. We will begin with meeting the regional canon, Rev. Kelly O’Connell, a recent speaker at St. Christopher’s.

The wardens and vestry are the formal, canonical leadership of our congregation until a transitional priest is appointed. Together we will be choosing a course of action best suited to our particular parish. The wardens will make arrangements for our church worship and pastoral care until our transitional priest is appointed.

At this time, I ask you to take a moment to remember any major transitions in your personal lives. Transition in our parish community will be an equally unsettling yet exciting grace-filled adventure. I feel confident that we will all approach this transition with optimism, positivity, and open minds. Together let us continue to maintain St. Christopher’s as a strong, vibrant parish community.

Ted Miller, Senior Warden

From The Rev. Canon Kelly O’Connell, Regional Canon:

Dear Members and Friends of St. Christopher’s,

You are about to enter an exciting time in the life of your congregation. Rev. Brian has announced his retirement and you will be entering a season of transition. Congregations always want to know what they can do. Right now, your job is to take the next few months to celebrate your ministry with Brian and give thanks for all the work that you have done together. We know that when there is a good leave-taking, it sets the stage for a good transition process and welcome of a new rector. During this time, I will be working with your wardens and treasurer to prepare a Transition Review which is necessary for any parish entering transition. I will meet with your Vestry some time in the next couple of months to outline the transition process for them and begin to make plans. However, we do not begin the search for a new rector until the current one has left. So, enjoy and celebrate this time together.

The Rev. Canon Kelly O’Connell, Regional Canon, Diocese of Massachusetts