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Sr. Warden’s Illuminare Report
June, 2005
The June Vestry meeting was held in the Hunt Room at Christwood as part
of the regularly scheduled Annual Meeting of the Members of Christwood.
Father L. Stephen Holzhalb, III, executive officer of Christwood, led us
through the Annual Report highlighting the areas of governance, personnel,
community life, finances and facilities improvements. Fr. Steve reported
that Christwood continues to faithfully fulfill its important mission to
“help seniors live with dignity, independence and the assurance of needed
physical, spiritual and medical care.” Bolstered by high occupancy and
sound financials, Christwood continues its facilities expansion and
improvements both internally, as evidenced by enhancements to the Garden
Room, Assisted Living Porch and Dining Room plus a new coffee house (soon
to be completed), and externally with finalized plans for a Health Center
and a cluster of detached cottages nestled in the woods. Following this
discussion, a slate of six Directors was presented to and elected by the
Vestry. We acknowledge the good work of Anne Butts and Kenny Raines
(remaining as Treasurer), who rotated off the Board.
In the Christ Episcopal School Report, headmaster Greg Homer noted that
the current phase of the middle school expansion is essentially complete.
Enrollment is also on plan. The Vestry, after reviewing the CES Nominating
Committee’s slate of six Trustee candidates, proceeded with the election
of those individuals. We thank them as well as the newly-elected
Christwood directors for their willingness to serve.
In the Treasurer’s Report, Dick Mayer indicated that the church continues
to operate in the black on an annual basis, although it was noted that
summertime (with vacationing members absent) will mark a seasonally slow
period of pledge collections until the fall pick up. The external audit of
the church financials is now underway.
Father John touched on various issues in his report. Included were
modifications of space use in the Administration Building, pending mailing
of “Volunteer Manager,” discussions with the Covington mayor’s office
regarding the possibility of rescheduling of the “Pooch Parade,”
administrative support in the financial management area of the church, and
the June 29 ordination of Winston Rice at Christ Church Covington. Phil
Wild, who has been approved by the Standing Committee for ordination to
the vocational deaconate, will be ordained on October 9 at Christ Church
Cathedral. We join in prayer and thanks for their new ministries.
The Senior Warden reported that funding is in place for certain proposed
facility improvements to our church buildings. Included are repainting of
various rooms for adult and youth Christian formation, furnishing and
equipping them, repainting the parlor, bathrooms and kitchen in Holzhalb
Hall, urgent repairs to St. Cecilia house (as recommended by independent
engineers hired to survey that building) to mitigate water damage and
runoff problems, as well as improvements to the meeting space and bathroom
inside St. Cecilia. Following this report Margie Valliant, who is heading
the site development committee, gave a detailed report on these plans
along with written contractor proposals and the engineer’s report. After a
discussion the Vestry approved the expenditure of these gifted funds for
the completion of the project this summer.
David Campbell reported from the Stewardship Committee on the effort
planned for this fall, featuring a combined 10 a.m. service at CES
Christwood Campus, followed by food and recreation (softball anyone?). The
theme this year is centered around building community and family. Our
prayer vigil is scheduled for September 24, the extravaganza on October
16, and Commitment Sunday November 6.
Reports from Christian Formation and Youth Ministry directors were
distributed. Following Executive Session the Vestry unanimously approved
the revised Letter of Agreement with Fr. John. We are indeed thankful to
Father John and the Bauerschmidt family for the ministry and positive
impact on our lives since their arrival here eight years ago.
We closed in prayer.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard H. Polchow, Senior Warden |