by the Rev. Dan Riggall, Volunteer Director
Dear friends,
Welcome to this first edition of St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center’s e-newsletter! We hope that this will further strengthen communications amongst all our volunteers, and the sponsoring churches of the greater Portland area and their clergy.
As you know, I became volunteer director when Dick Rasner retired in June after ten years of strong leadership. These past six months afforded an exciting learning curve for me which I’m sure will continue into the next six months as I complete my first full year as director.
Over the years of Dick Rasner’s leadership, St. Elizabeth’s has grown enormously. Last month on December 5, we served 230 people. That was a high point, but indicative of the growth we continually experience. We serve an average of 175 people every week and receive generous donations that often overwhelm our storage space. Additionally, we offer special projects throughout the year like the winter coats/boots distribution and the long-john distribution sponsored and coordinated by the faithful volunteers from St. Alban’s. All of this growth tests not only our space usage, but, at times, our ability to serve all of our neighbors efficiently and lovingly.
In short, we need to envision new ways of growing and organizing the mission of St. Elizabeth’s to stride into the future with confidence.
For me, the starting point was organizing St. Elizabeth’s so that leadership becomes more collaborative and our communication strengthened. In September, with the Bishop’s guidance and support, a transitional board of directors was formed to approve by-laws that will establish a permanent Board of Directors. The Bishop appointed Martha Parshley as transitional chair and Heidi Shott as diocesan liaison.
I’m glad to say that the transitional board has completed its work and, once the diocesan chancellor has reviewed them, it will approve the new by-laws for St. Elizabeth's Jubilee Center when it meets again at the end of January. One of the first tasks of the new board is to envision and put into words the mission of St. Elizabeth’s. With that vision to guide us, we will engage with the challenges before us, both those of immediate concern and longer term issues for future growth.
My hope is that within the next few months I will meet with the rectors and volunteers of all our sponsoring churches because St. Elizabeth’s is
your ministry. According to our new by-laws, we literally do not exist without our sponsoring churches.
So, until the time when I can meet with you, thank you for your continued support of St. Elizabeth’s. And, more importantly than all the wonderful gifts of time and resources, thank you for your on-going support of prayer as we continue in pursuing God’s mission of reconciliation and love with our neighbors.
Peace,
Dan Riggall