The Latest Cathedral News Author: Cathedral Wardens
Cathedral Chapter Meeting Report
April 10, 2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
The Cathedral Chapter met on Tuesday evening, Apr. 10, 2018, and there was an extended discussion around the subject of stewardship, in the context of which the Chapter received an update on 2018 pledges.
To date, there are 158 pledges totaling $541,629, which puts us slightly ahead last year at this time of year, but $65,000 short of our 2018 goal of $606,346. The average pledge is $3,426. There are 25 members who pledged in 2017 but not yet in 2018, and about 20 who are giving regularly but have not yet pledged. The Cathedral Chapter decided this was of such significance that it should form a year-round, permanent Stewardship Committee to oversee this area of work, and it is intended that this will be set up before the summer.
The Cathedral Chapter was excited to learn about recent developments in the life of St. James, including the finalizing of the appointment of Anna Broadbent to join us as a curate in June, the plans for this year’s Summer in the City program, the forthcoming concert by St. Paul’s Cathedral Choristers, and the growing reputation of the cathedral’s music ministry, led by Director of Music Stephen Buzard and our new Missioner for Music and Liturgy Dent Davidson.
The Chapter also decided to offer a permanent appointment to Alison Barrington to be Director of Children’s Ministries, following her highly successful work with the Sunday School and Chorister programs on an interim basis. This will continue as a part-time appointment, but Chapter was delighted and excited at the many signs of growth happening around our work with young people.
The Dean reported that he had volunteers in place to lead a capital campaign committee and that he would be working with the Chapter to have this in place before the summer break so that work on a campaign can begin in earnest in the fall.
Announcement from Wardens
August 17, 2017
On behalf of your Chapter, we wanted to update you on an exciting development with our children’s ministries at St. James. We are pleased to announce that Alison Barrington will be serving St. James in the newly created, temporary and part-time position of Children's Ministries Coordinator.
This position is intended to be an interim measure. As your clergy and Chapter continue to consider how best to serve the needs of St. James following Jacqueline Soltys’ departure, Chapter felt it critical to create this temporary role to ensure that we do not sacrifice the significant momentum achieved for our families and children through the maturing 9 a.m. service and the growing children’s faith formation program, including our exciting new children’s chorister’s program. The position is accordingly focused on overseeing the work of the Sunday School and the nursery on Sunday mornings, scheduling the liturgical ministries of the 9 a.m. service, liaising with the staff on all educational and liturgical issues affecting our families and children, including the role of children in Sandwich Sunday and our holiday services, and assisting with the administration and coordination of our new Chorister School. We also felt it important that the Children’s Ministries Coordinator is responsible for convening the parents of children in our Sunday School and Chorister’s School in an effort to grow their social and spiritual connection to each other and the church.
The Children’s Ministries Coordinator will report to Sub-Dean Lisa Hackney-James, who was charged by the Dean with filling the position. Lisa convened a small hiring committee that included parents of children active at St. James with perspectives of Chapter and the music program represented to solicit and review applicants for the position. Until the committee’s work was complete and its recommendation made, the Dean took no part at all in the process. The job was posted in our Cathedral communications, and advertised in Diocesan communications, and the committee received letters of interest from a number of applicants. That process led the committee to recommend Alison for the position. Alison has served as a Sunday School teacher in various parishes for over three decades. She has worked with children of all ages and is a qualified Godly Play instructor, which is our educational model for pre-school children at St. James. Alison is also a highly educated and certified counselor and therapist and is not only a talented flutist but also a teacher of music. Alison is incredibly personable, open and welcoming, and is highly invested in the success of our children’s ministries with the time and desire to keep moving forward the very positive momentum we are experiencing in them.
As we embark on our new Sunday School year and begin our new chorister program, we are excited for Alison’s quality contributions through this important role for our children’s ministries and church. We believe that her work will be invaluable to the welfare of our children and the continued development of our children’s ministries during this time of transition. Please join us in welcoming and supporting Alison in her new role.
Best regards,
Timm Holt and Erin Maus