February 27, 2025 Vestry News

Interim Rector Joining in March 

February 20, 2025 
​We wish Fr. Andrew much joy as he completes his time with CHS and continues as a Supply Priest in New Jersey. We welcome Fr. Matthey Engleby, who will join us in mid-March as our Interim Rector, and we will share more details at that time. Fr. Matt has been an ordained Episcopal priest for over 30 years and graduated from The General Theological Seminary in New York. He was the Rector at St. John on the Mountain in Bernardsville for a decade and was the Executive Director for El Hogar Projects in Honduras, a non- profit educational organization, for ten years. More recently he has been the Interim Rector at Christ Church San Marcos in Tarrytown, NY. Fr. Matt will bring many new gifts to CHS through his experience as a parish rector and in working with congregations who are exploring their life in Christ while preparing for a new rector.  

Vestry Meeting Update 

The Vestry met on Thursday February 20th, and we would like to share some highlights.

We reviewed recent successes including the January 26 th Annual Meeting, where we shaped the meeting so we can share relevant information with the parish, specifically the financial gap we face in 2025. Other successes include a January 22 nd Orientation Session for new vestry members and a two-day Vestry Workshop to identify our focus for 2025 (February 1 st and 8 th ).

We discussed a new administrative approach to managing vestry meetings and minutes. To use vestry meeting time more efficiently, members will share ministry status prior to the meeting, and we will focus meetings on action items. Despite inviting eight parishioners to serve, we have not found a recording secretary, consequently we will rotate the responsibility of minute taking within the vestry and a sign-up sheet was circulated.

The Parochial Report was completed by Sally Bird, Eva Lesniak and Diane Hrozencik. It was approved by the vestry and is due to the Diocese on March 1st .

The Vestry discussed upcoming events including the Winter Thaw Potluck (2/22), the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper (3/4), the new Lenten Book Study (begins 3/12), and the Good Friday Day of Service. Our focus was to shape the events and expand opportunities for parishioners to volunteer at these activities.

Fr. Andrew shared that his contract ends on March 7th he feels it is time for him to move on, adding that there is great need for supply priests in New Jersey. The vestry thanked him for his service to CHS during this time of transition. His last Sunday at CHS is March 2nd and he will also be presiding at the Ash Wednesday Service on March 5th.
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If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Diane Hrozencik or Gary Scott.