Of all of the things that I have had to do in the last month and a half, this address to you has been the most difficult. In preparation, I have had to deal with a range of feelings. They go from confusion, numbness, anger and sadness, then to thankfulness, understanding, praise, and now to joy. In the beginning of this preparation it was very hard to sort through all of these feelings, but thanks to a very supportive priest, vestry and family together we have prepared these words for you.

First we would like to say to our Diocese: Please do not believe everything you read about St. John’s. If you would like to know the truth as it is documented with actual statistics and actual figures and actual documents, please come and see us at St. John’s. The Advocate gives you an accurate view of most of the recent events. We have appointed a historical committee who is working on a complete time line to prepare a historical picture for our church history. This time line begins with the events of several years ago, not just with the events of last summer. The details are in fact perplexing. However, we will not focus on them, hopefully only learn from them. This documentation is for the future of St. John’s Episcopal Church and its future members. A future which has now been preserved, thanks to the actions of Bishop Sauls and the Diocesan Executive Council.

A piece of the story that few know, is that it was the members of St. John’s who initiated communications with Bishop Sauls. This dedicated, yet frustrated, group was in fact made up of members who had views from all sides and all angles of last summer’s convention. Their first contact to the Bishop asked him for advice regarding the conduct surrounding the current search process for our new rector. This not-so-small group wanted information, as anyone would want information on how the process was going and if everyone’s views were being represented in that process. As no information was released on any issues addressed to the vestry, this group grew in numbers and returned to the Bishop for additional counsel. This time they asked him what their options were and asked for his intervention. Further, their request for his counsel stemmed from concerns that arose from two other significant events at St. John’s. The first was a series of four parish meetings held to discuss the events at national convention and the second was a subsequent parish questionnaire. These two events led the concerned members to believe that our Episcopal church was in danger of being led from this Diocese and the National Church. And yes, it is about bricks and mortar, but it is also about our worship home; the home where we create and execute our Christian mission. It has been our Episcopal house of worship for more than one and a half centuries and we will make it our endeavor for it to remain the same for future generations.

The expectations of faithful worshipers were not being met and we now come to realize that the majority of the remaining members were not even aware of the intentions of former members. We believed then and we believe now that we must work together with patience, tolerance and love — patience being the most difficult to accomplish.

We regret these past events and are still grieving for the loss of our Brothers and Sisters in Christ. However, we are at a very healthy place and are very thankful that we are represented here today (at convention) and are able to share with you not only the sad news of these most recent events but to share with you the future for St. John’s Episcopal Church in Versailles.

The Bishop’s committee appointed by Bishop Sauls is a mixture of all ages, viewpoints and church membership history. When asked to serve on this committee, none of these members were questioned on their views regarding the national convention, deeding of property or any other issue. The only question presented to us was “would we be willing to serve?” Only three members of the seven current Bishop’s committee members were included in the group that sought counsel from the Bishop last fall. We are all honored and are all committed to the faithful service of St. John’s and our Diocese.

We are currently at a 60 percent attendance rate compared to this time last year. This vestry has secured both the physical and financial aspects of our church and is now focused on the ministries of St. John’s. Our vestry meeting dates are published in our Sunday bulletins and monthly newsletters; they are also announced during services and the meetings are held in the parish hall and opened to visitors. We have had guests at our last meeting and set aside time to hear from them. We will continue to set aside specific time for any guest to be heard at any of our meetings. We held our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake supper, are looking forward to the Bishop’s Lenten teaching to begin at St. John’s next Tuesday, Fr. Phillip is teaching a Lenten class each Wednesday during Lent. We are going to enjoy a fellowship breakfast with our parish on Sunday to discuss this convention’s highlights. We are having a combined worship service at the end of March to give thanksgiving for our parish. We have volunteers in many areas and one of the blessings of this time in the life of our parish is that we have so many opportunities to participate. I have been asked to convey to you that we are doing wonderfully here at St. John’s and to thank you for your many calls, letters and prayers. I have also been asked to invite you to please take a Sunday and join us for worship.

As Fr. Phillip reminded us in our vestry workshop on Monday, in Matthew 18: 19-20. “Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

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