Rector Update: One Year of Covid, Announcing Staff Transitions, an Ordination & More
The Reverend Noah H. Evans, Rector
Dear Friends:
This weekend we will mark the anniversary of the beginning of the COVID19 Pandemic. It has been a year that we will remember – many of the usual patterns of our lives upset, not attending church all together in-person, our lives moving to Zoom and online. It also has been a year where many of us have learned new spiritual practices, and about the ever presence of God in our lives, even when we cannot all gather in church. It also has been a year of transition upon transition. Now, we do see a fast-growing light at the end of the tunnel – and also, we are not all of the way through yet. Please join us this Sunday as we have a special Collaborative Worship service marking the Anniversary of the Pandemic. I also want to announce to you some other natural transitions within the life of our parish.
Virtual Learning Center
With the decision by the Mt. Lebanon School Board to return to 5 full day in person instruction for Elementary students, the Virtual Learning Center will close on Friday, March 12.When it opened, we thought it would operate for just a few weeks. Now, for 28 weeks it has been offering a safe place for students to do their online learning in our Undercroft. I am grateful for Kara Viggiano and Domenique Comparetto who have staffed the Center, and for all of the volunteers who helped to cover lunch breaks. I am grateful that our parish was able to provide this important service to so many families.
Parish Administrator Transitions, Parish Office Hours and Staff Phones
Ariel Wicker, who has served as our Parish Administrator since 2018 has decided to move on to another position that better meets her family’s needs. I am grateful for the care and attention she has given to our parish over the years, and also her gentle style and eye for design. Her last day at St. Paul’s will be Tuesday, March 16th. After that date she will continue to serve St. Paul’s in a limited capacity as a contractor for some communications and design projects, including our website upgrade currently underway. Ariel has written her own farewell letter that you can find below:
“For the last several years I have had the privilege of working with the parishioners and staff of St. Paul’s. My time here has truly been a gift. Thank you to St. Paul’s for embracing me and caring for me and my family. To Noah and the staff of St. Paul’s; we have all walked through one of the hardest years together, but more than ever, you all have been dedicated, brave, and passionate about doing Christ’s restorative work in the world. Noah has led our staff through great highs and great lows with wisdom, compassion, and flexibility. Because of this, our team has emerged from the wilderness even more ready and eager to serve our church, the community and Pittsburgh as a whole. I am proud to have had the chance to serve this parish with Noah and every single member of the staff & vestry at St. Paul’s.
It is a testimony to the leadership at St. Paul’s that I feel ready to leave for what God has next for my family. Noah and the leadership of St. Paul’s have poured into me, and I am all the better for my time here with them. It is a scary thing to leave a familiar place you love for something new God is leading you to, but Noah has taught us all that we cannot hold on to anything too tightly. Resisting change gets in the way of the Spirit’s leading.
I am deeply sad my time with you has come to a close, but I am grateful for the continued impact that St. Paul’s will have in this community and on me personally. My last day with you will be Tuesday, March 16, but I would still love to connect with you. Please email me at [email protected] or let me know if you would like my phone number.
Yours in Christ, Ariel”
Starting, Monday, March 15 Kara Viggiano will begin as our Interim Parish Administrator for 30 hours a week. She has filled in for this position twice before, including last summer when Ariel was on maternity leave. Kara will be in the office Monday-Friday, 8:30-2:30.If you come to the St. Paul’s building during Parish Office hours, please come to the Mayfair entrance to the building and wear a mask. At this time the door will remain locked, and you will need to ring the bell to be let in.
The parish also has a new phone system that allows staff to answer their office phones even when they are working remotely. During the pandemic many people have gotten used to using staff members personal cell phones to contact them. If you need to reach a staff member by phone, please refrain from using their personal cell number, and call their office phone instead. This will allow our staff the privacy and balanced work habits they deserve. All phone extensions are on the website or can be found on the church voicemail system.
Paul Barker Ordination to the Diaconate on May 8
Paul Barker, a member of this parish and our former Youth Minister, who is currently serving as our Deacon Intern, will be ordained to the Diaconate at St. Paul’s on Saturday, May 8 at 10:00AM by Bishop Dorsey McConnell. Stay tuned for more details on this exciting transition!
Vestry Transitions
At its Annual Organizational Meeting on Thursday, March 4, the Vestry elected the following individuals to positions of leadership in our parish:
Sr. Warden: Ginny Barnicoat
Jr. Warden: Pam Ryan
Treasurer: Jan Toth
Secretary: Frank Horrigan
Assistant Junior Warden: (non-voting) Geoff Hurd
Children and Youth: Mark Lamendola and Karen Melvin
Spiritual Growth and Formation: Mark Lamendola and Karen Melvin
Community Life and Fellowship: Meghan Clark
Property: Pam Ryan
Finance: Jan Toth
Outreach: Frank Horrigan and John Sheehan
Stewardship: Frank Horrigan and John Sheehan
Worship: Kathleen Davies
Pastoral Care: Gina Brownfield and Leigh Coogan
Endowment Trustees Vestry Representative: Ell Vines
Nursery School Vestry Representative: Leigh Coogan
Friends of Music Committee Chair: Kathleen Davies
Personnel Committee: Ell Vines
Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Easter and Beyond
Many of us are hard at work preparing for Holy Week and Easter in a virtual/hybrid in person format with plans for the return to in person worship the Sunday after Easter. You can find our Holy Week and Easter schedule here and my update about our return to in person worship here.
This weekend marks the fourth anniversary of my ministry with you at St. Paul’s. I am grateful for all of the joy, sadness, growth and grieving we have shared together. This year has taught me more than ever of our resilience, and God’s continued providence guiding us all. I am grateful to be part of this community.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Peace,
Noah
The Reverend Noah H. Evans, Rector
412-531-7153 x11
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