St. C's cross
From the Rector's Desk
The Rev. Ledlie I. Laughlin
Rector, St. Columba's Episcopal Church, Washington, DC
Dear Ones,

As we pause this week to give thanks for the blessings in our lives, I’m giving special thanks for St. Columba’s – this vibrant, thriving community of faith! The energy and vitality of yesterday’s worship, annual parish meeting, and many other gatherings – that included Sunday School, primary choir, orchestra, the St. Columba Ringers, scavenger hunt for “gap kids” and Rite 13, safety task force, Roland Hoover’s funeral, a stewardship party, and single parent’s pot-luck supper – are evidence of the Holy Spirit moving powerfully in our midst.
 
Special thanks to all who stood for election to the vestry or as delegates and alternates to diocesan convention. Nominating Committee co-chair Joe Kolar reports that those elected are Stephen Smith , senior warden and Abigail Gorman , junior warden; vestry members: Sara Glenn, Elizabeth Lewis, Michelle Prince and Harry Wood ; vestry member, for a one-year term: Viviana Lopez Green.
 
Special thanks to all leaders stepping down and leaders stepping up (since last year’s annual meeting):
  • Deputy Chair, Water Ministry ~ Shari Villarosa, stepping up; Thelma Triche continues as chair.
  • Co-chairs, Altar Guild ~ Susan Gray, stepping up; Florri DeCell continues.
  • Coordinator, Great Hall Ushers ~ Brendan Woodbury, stepping down; Andrew Marshall, stepping up.
  • Co-chairs, Vision & Strategic Planning Task Force (NEW) ~ Patty Jensen & Josh Wilson, stepping up.
  • Interim Staff, Administration & Operations (NEW) ~ Tom Bauder, Heather Cole, Sara Glenn & John Nolan, complete.
  • Vestry members ~ Abigail Gorman, Fletcher Jones, Joe Kolar, Elizabeth Pyke, Harry Wood, completing terms.
  • Chair, Human Resources Committee ~ Patty Jensen, stepping down; Katharine Huffman, stepping up.
  • Co-chairs, Annual Stewardship Campaign Committee ~ Paul Barringer & Lisa Whelan, stepping down; Joy Bates Boyle & Chris Luckett, stepping up.
  • Treasurer ~ Bob Broeksmit, stepping down; Tim Massad, stepping up.
  • Co-chairs, Bishop Walker School ~ Betty Arbuckle, stepping down; Jane Dana continues.
  • Co-chairs, Labyrinth Committee ~ Elizabeth Vaden, stepping up; Suzi Kindervatter, continues.
  • Convener, Morning Prayer ~ Susan Elliott, stepping down; Chris Schumann, stepping up.
  • Co-chairs, Adult Formation ~ Terry Dowd, stepping down; Molly Reynolds & Elizabeth Pyke, stepping up.
  • Officers, St. Columba’s Nursery School ~ President, Jim Barnett, stepping down; Charlotte Hudson, stepping up; Vice President, Kay Tatum, stepping up; Treasurer, David Hawkings, stepping down; Jim Barnett, stepping up
  • Senior Warden, Elizabeth Taylor, stepping down.
  • Nights of Columba ~ Chris Schumann, stepping down; Clarke Brinckerhoff, John Bryson, & Bob Huebner, stepping up.
  • Co-chairs, Safety Task Force (NEW) ~ Len Kennedy & Harry Wood, stepping up.
  • Co-conveners, Father’s Group (NEW) ~ David Fahrenthold, Alix Guerrier, & Chip Somodevilla, stepping up.
 
Special thanks to the 536 households to date who have made a financial pledge to the mission and ministry of God and St. Columba’s church for 2019. Now is the time if you have not yet made your pledge; we can only be the church when we’re all in this together. Click here to pledge.
Thank you.
 
Reports from the Annual Meeting and an invitation to the conversations I proposed in my sermon will be forthcoming.
 
My prayer for you is that in these next few days, you create the time for some quiet prayer, to give thanks to God for your life and blessings.
With deep gratitude,
The Rev. Ledlie I. Laughlin