Our church, like all good institutions, has much work that goes on behind the scenes. A lot of that work here at Good Shepherd is done by volunteer members of the parish (for example, the Vestry, the Sacristans Guild, Acolyte Guild, Advancement Committee, Social Concerns, Buildings and Grounds, Adult Formation, Children’s Formation, Ushers and Lectors Committees).
We are however blessed to have a small staff who do a great deal, often tasks we as parishioners take for granted. Let me begin with our new organist, Alden Wright. Alden is obviously responsible for playing the organ (a prelude, postlude, accompanying the choir, accompanying hymns, improvisation) and directing the professional octet on Sundays and other feast days. Those are the duties that the parish witnesses, but it does not see all the preparation: his choosing of music, including the hymns we sing, suitable for the day; his own (substantial) practice time; his rehearsing the choir; his recruiting of substitutes in case a singer can’t make it; his overseeing the music library and the choir room; his writing about the music for the bulletin and the Weekly Word. And this is all supposed to happen within his “part-time” job!
We are equally blessed to have Renee Barrick as our part-time parish administrator. Each day for her is different, and often equally zany. With our transition period between priests, her days have been busier than usual. She is the point person for any number of people: contractors, other staff, Vestry members, etc. Renee, along with Kit Apostolicus, manages the Retreat House and its bookings, which are temporarily suspended during this summer. She, along with Alden, creates the Sunday leaflet; and she is responsible for putting out the Weekly Word. Scheduling the non-acolyte rota for Sundays and other special Masses and services also falls on Renee’s plate. This is only a sample of what she does!
Our financial administrator is Mary Campbell, who keeps our books in beautiful shape; makes regular reports to the Vestry; and works closely with our treasurer Jonathan Adams to determine the best course with such things as navigating the end of the 5-year plan and deciding how much or how little to draw from our endowment. We are pleased that Mary has become a member of the parish, and serves at the altar and as a lector.
Kevin Loughrey not long ago became our facilities manager, and does much work himself around the campus. In addition, he is expert at finding the best contractors in the area for our needs. Kevin works closely with the Buildings and Grounds Committee to determine priorities and to keep things close to budget. Given the number of buildings that Good Shepherd owns—the church itself with the cloister; the Parish Hall; the Retreat House; the Rectory; and the Play and Learn school—it is no wonder that there are always more things to do, certainly more than his twelve hours per week can contain.
Good Shepherd has come a long way in recent years, thanks to good leadership and a deep commitment on the part of the community to make things work, spiritually and practically. Our staff and their dedication is an essential part of our success.
Anne Hallmark
Vestry Member at Large & Staff Liaison