Letter from Mother Sarah
15 August 2008
St Mary the Virgin
You Can Download a copy of this letter here.
Beloved of St. Andrew’s University Heights:
There are, of course, many stories out there as to what is happening at St. Andrew’s! As with most grapevines, some stories are true, some are not, most are speculation, supposition, hearsay or gossip. The reality of understanding and clearly communicating our situation at St. Andrew’s is complex. We hope you have been able to attend Sunday services and hear first hand during announcements, or the occasional Community Meeting, all that has been transpiring to date.
Parishioners with an email address have received a copy of the mailing I sent to the WNY Clergy list serve Subject: WNY Grapevine. This letter is to our entire parish family mailing list so all may have a common understanding of “where we stand.”
As I look at the simple phrase: “Where we stand,” I think of last Sunday’s Gospel (August 10) when Peter began to question if Jesus was who he (Peter) thought he was and, starting to venture out on water, began to sink. When we question who Jesus is and the source of his power we, too, begin to sink. And yet, when Peter at last called out to his Lord for help, he finds God’s arm outstretched to save.
God has been with the community of St. Andrew’s as long as we have existed and is still with us. From our early beginnings over a tavern, to our first building, on to worshipping at the Trinity Chapel and next, our present building, God has been and is with us. It is our task to open our hearts and minds; and, in faith, seek to understand.
We are in a challenging time. But, I dare say, one no more challenging then the time of our early church, much less of the fisherman Andrew himself. I have often wondered whether the theft of our St. Andrew’s statue, its subsequent journey into the world and being found and returned, is a sign for us to venture outside of ourselves; to, as did Andrew, break free from what may encumber in order to live more freely into the mission to which God calls us.
We have been formed in the beauty of a beloved building soaked in prayer. Yet, has our building become for us like Andrew’s fisher nets, something holding us back. Our building is not the Church. The Church is the people, the community of St. Andrew. Have we, perhaps, also become burdened by decades of things in excess of our need that our vision has been distracted and our passage way cluttered? Have we held on too tightly to vestiges of times past which simply invite us to seek the essence from which they came and be allowed to take new form. This ongoing process of discovery is what it means to be an honest and truly spiritual community.
We have valued what we have had. Rummage Sale after Rummage Sale have allowed us to let go of what we felt we no longer needed. Our vision has become clearer so we have been able to see more clearly the hidden treasure gifted to our community. It is to this end we are carefully de-accessing what is presently being put up for auction. The funds generated from this will enable us to meet our bills and continue to live into a new way of being.
THE FACTS
St. Andrew’s is not closing. In a meeting with the Bishop and Trustee Steven Metcalfe, the vestry was encouraged to not dissolve St. Andrew’s parish status. This means the proceeds of what we sell, be they objects of art or our building, are ours. As well as paying our bills, this also requires us to deliberate how we can truly become that which we seek to be: a self-sustaining community of worship and prayer.
At this time, we are looking to “mothball” the building for the winter months. We look to stay in our building until late fall when the cost of heating will inhibit our worship. During the winter we will worship at another location in University Heights. At this time, we are conversations about gathering for worship at Allen Hall, UB South Campus, Main Street. Depending upon what transpires happens during the winter months, we will return to our church building Holy Week 2009.
Though we had discussed with the diocese the possibility of St. Andrew’s returning to Mission Status, not obligated for fair share contribution and financially dependent on the diocese. The diocese is, however, not in a position to support us. Therefore dissolving at this time would inhibit our ability to generate financial support from the sale or redevelopment of our building. Diocesan Council will be informed at the September meting of our inability to continue paying our fair share apportionment which we have done faithfully. (note: your rector is Chair of Council Governance Committee). If, by the October 2009 Diocesan Convention, we are financially able to be a self-sustaining as is our goal, we may petition Convention to dissolve as a Parish and request Mission status.
This allows us over a year to pray, listen and determine what God is calling us to do.
Though we have had an appraisal on our property (Guerney Becker and Bourne), the building of St. Andrew’s is not yet on the real estate market. Over the past two years, innumerable conversations regarding possibilities for our building and collaboration with the wider community have taken place; from those with the university, arts, civic and social services communities, as well as private developers with expertise in redeveloping churches for reuse. As long as we are a parish, we hold our property in trust for the diocese and have some degree of control over who might purchase the property. There are options to be explored. One possibility might be a Sale/Lease agreement which would enable us to rent space from whoever might purchase the building and/or perhaps developing a non-profit entity that could manage the re-hab and rental of our property for creative re-use as well as our worship.
As to the question I know is on many minds: What will happen to our columbarium? Should the building of St. Andrew’s be sold without our ability to engage in some lease arrangement, all those with family members’ ashes residing in our columbarium as well as those who have purchased a niche, will be contacted well in advance and invited to decide where they wish remains to be interred; either a family plot or one of the many other churches in our diocese.
As I have said publically, should any of you feel you are unable to move through this time of transition and need to find another church home, please, do what you need to for your spiritual health and well being. If you were baptized or confirmed at St. Andrew’s or have had your Letter of Membership moved to St. Andrew’s, when you find another church home, have them contact our church office so your Letter of Membership may be transferred. Many times we make up excuses to leave a church when what we really need to do is gracefully and graciously go where God may be calling. Please pray and if God is calling you elsewhere, know that you go with our blessing. We are all one church, you will be welcomed. We will always be part of one another.
If you discern that God is calling you to the community of St. Andrew’s as your spiritual home, throughout this new venture as unseen as it is, you are not alone. Throughout church history there have been communities of diaspora who have stayed the course with the courage and faith to walk into the unknown. It is this committed group who will make New Wine from the Root of the Ancient Vine. I learned from a wine broker, the value of the wine depends on the age of the root from which it grows. The roots of St. Andrew are run deep. May they continue to bear rich and nourishing fruit.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Come to the Auction Friday August 22, 5-7 p.m.
And thank the Auction Team: Matt Buettgens, Elaine Lodick, Barbara Northan, Joe Wisnet (chair), and Carrie Zoda!
+
Come to the Parish Picnic Sunday August 24, after the 10:30 a.m. service
+
Pray for our Vestry and their meeting Monday, August 25, 7:00 p.m.
+
Continue to honor your Pledge and Capital Campaign promise
+
Plan to attend our GALA LAST EVENSONG & BENEDICTION
Sunday, September 28, 4:00 p.m.
+
Remember A small body of determined spirits fired by unquenchable faith in their mission, can alter the course of history. Gandhi
+
Continue to Pray for the Mission of and Gather for Worship with the Community of St. Andrew!
In God’s Love and Peace,
Mother Sarah
p.s. I would be remiss to not share with you some recent grace filled change
Thankfully, Kevin Rung has been able to find better housing as well as financial support as Sexton with the Church of the Good Shepherd parishioner. He no longer lives on site and remains a faithful member of the St. Andrew’s community and offers his continued service as Sexton for St. Andrew’s.
Matt Buettgens is in the last critical months of his Ph.D. upon which much of his future depends. He has asked the vestry for support in relieving him of the duties he has so fully embraced as Sr. Warden. The vestry gracefully accepted. Matt remains a faithful member of the St. Andrew’s community and as active as this present time allows him.
Several months ago, when the parish began to embrace the challenges brought to us by this present time, I affirmed to the staff a particular duration of employment and yet also encouraged them to look for future employment.
Sadly, Parish Administrator Lynn Jones, who has been such a tremendous gift for St. Andrew’s, has discerned God calling her in another direction. She will share her next vocation with us when all is confirmed. As sad as I am to lose such a wonderful colleague, I am grateful to have found a spiritual sister. Lynn conveys: “I completely and totally loved the call to work with and take care of the St. Andrew’s family and will always remain a friend of St. Andrew’s.” PLEASE COME SAY THANKS TO LYNN FOR ALL SHE HAS BEEN AND DONE FOR US AT THE PARISH PICNIC, NEXT SUNDAY!
In the transition of this present time, parishioners Judy Zimmet and Peter Davis (who is also, of course, our Director of Music and Organist!) will assume some of the work Lynn has done. Barbara Northan remains as ever a faithful a quiet behind the scenes pillar for all of our administration.
Let us also thank David Nuijens and Elaine Lodick for their diligence in being our in-house auditors and friend of St. Andrew’s, Michael Lehman, for continuing another year as our required outside auditor.