What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill’, and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead.

James 2 14-17

Friends:

The beginning of 2011 our "works" were met with some anxiety with the retirement of Fr. Marshall. It certainly has been difficult at times not having a stable clerical figure representing this Church and while he was missed, it is something that we overcame. We have been extremely blessed by having a wonderful group of supply including Fr. Pavlac, Fr. Shearer, Fr. Rafferty, and Rev. Hollywood. They have understood our plight, been loving, and we are indeed indebted to each of them.

Spring 2011 brought a wonderful gift in the form of Ellie Lloyd and her daycare. The dream that many of us had finally became a reality. But this was only possible by the efforts of many in remodeling and updating our buildings. In September the daycare finally opened as a remarkable testament to what a group effort can bring.

Our 2011 Capitol Campaign was also a resounding success. To date we have now reached $38,295 towards our goal of $50,000. With these monies we have been able to make our building improvements and repay our endowment. An endowment which was down to $38,000 in August is now at $66,000 and steadily growing. Bills are being paid, progress is being made.

This brings us to today and where do we go from here. As you all know I will be stepping down from the Senior Warden position to concentrate on a Priest search. This is an issue that must be taken care of in 2012. We need an individual that will be able to lead us and address our needs. This will take time and effort from all.

With our current income at about $92,000 this will be a challenge, but is not unattainable. Every Priest prospect is different and they all have their own special circumstances. The goal is to find one that will lead us spiritually, understand our situation, and help grow our Church while working within our budget. In the near future I will assemble a search committee and want all to seriously consider joining.

It is obviously that the state of our Church and all Churches for that matter have changed. To me this is a call for laity to step up. We cannot depend on one Priest to take on the burden of a full time position at part-time pay. Parishioners should and must step up in pastoral, liturgical, administrative, and financial responsibilities. As I have mentioned many times… WE ARE ALL MEMBERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST. We all bring different gifts. As in a body the ear is different than the mouth and the arm is different than the eye, but yet they all come together to function as one. We also are all uniquely different and must bring our own gifts to the body of St. Clement St. Peter’s.

I truly believe this is the only way we, or any other Episcopal Church, will survive. This is not your grandmother’s Church or even your mother’s Church. This is today’s Church with distinctively special concerns. To combat those concerns we must recognize them and address them by stepping up. We must assist our new Senior Warden to tackle the challenges that face our Church. As Tom Jamieson has mentioned, he was willing to take on the responsibility of Senior Warden if we all too would take on more. I understand we are all busy with our jobs, families, and lives but we do have an obligation as Christians and members of St. Clement St. Peters to carry on the tradition of this great institution.

If I could leave one thing to you all in my tenure as Senior Warden it is this. We all must walk closer to Christ by taking on His works. As James in the above verse states "… faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead." I truly believe that God wants "workers", "doers"; people of action who will take the chance of coming out of themselves to try something new. This is an opportunity to build our lives spiritually by taking a chance; the chance of seeing Christ in someone else by following His word and direction.

When Fr. Marshall (the first one) asked me to become Senior Warden, I will be honest that I didn’t have a clue where to begin. There was no synopsis, instruction manual, or job description, but I did it as I felt it was the direction God wanted me to be in. I came out of myself to try some thing new for the benefit of this Church. While I know I have made mistakes, I could honestly say I have always tried to make decisions that were first and foremost in the best interests of our Church. Taking on the senior warden position also had brought with it the greatest gift of all. That is… meeting and getting to know all of you.

It is people who are the life blood of the Church and it is extremely evident in the people of St. Clement St. Peter’s. Writing this I think of past vestries, rectors, priests, supply priests, part time priests, interim priests, organists, church members, and acolytes. I think of baptisms, weddings, and funerals. I think of tears and laughter. I think of people. All have touched me. All were special. And all will be forever emblazoned in my heart.

There has been countless members who have entered my life through this Church. Some are still with us, some have left us. Unfortunately space here does not allow me to mention each and everyone, but rest assured, all have assisted in my growth. But more importantly, the growth of St. Clement St. Peters Episcopal Church.

I could never have done any of my "works" without your help. Each and everyone has, in some shape or form, contributed. Your support, kind words, and prayers were especially appreciated when we faced our tough times together.

Together… that is what sustained us in the past and will sustain us tomorrow. Together we will face the "works" of the future. Together our love for Jesus Christ and St. Clement St Peters has been and will be our strength.

Thank you for making me strong.

Love and Peace

Steve Meck

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Memorial Walkway