Phew. We made it.
It has been a long program year. From in person to zoom worship and back again. Through Delta and Omicron. Our young men (and women) got vaccinated and our old men (and women) got boosted.
Many of us recovered from COVID many of us are still waiting for when our number is up.
We hired a new youth director (Hi Miles!) and then we went virtual. We hired a new Reparations Organizer (Hi Anthony!) and were actually able to get work going.
We thought we would have air conditioning but apparently God (and the city zoning department) had other plans.
We supported more than 200 Afghans getting out of Afghanistan and have helped around 100 settle here in Baltimore.
The Unity Hall on Eutaw Place opens next week and we have deepened our connections and relationships with neighborhood coalitions and organizations alike.
The Choir came back and sang in person (Hallelujah!) and acolytes, ushers, vergers, altar guild, and the flower guild all learned to re-navigate the sanctuary.
You all deserve a big BIG round of applause. And a break.
To the volunteers who re-learned their ministries 3 or 4 times over this year - THANK YOU.
To the staff who put up with an ever changing set of rules, guidance, and responsibilities - THANK YOU.
To the choir and musicians who came back to sing - THANK YOU.
To the volunteers who sat in front of computers and tablets in the church and at home so others could worship - THANK YOU.
To the Deacon who is more and more a superwoman every day - THANK YOU.
To all of you who were nervous about coming back to worship but got up the courage to come to church - THANK YOU.
To the parents who were just able to get their kids out the door to school this year - THANK YOU.
To the folks who couldn’t quite make it back in to church but still pray with us on zoom or YouTube - THANK YOU.
To the vestry who have guided this ship this year - THANK YOU.
To our interns - Carolyn and Ryan who brought new energy and life to ministries and efforts - THANK YOU.
To our Justice and Reparations Committee for your incredible work guiding our thinking, our hiring and our focus - THANK YOU.
To everyone who donated supplies and money to support Afghan Refugees - THANK YOU.
For everyone who had patience with me when I did not return a call or missed a meeting or was unavailable - THANK YOU.
Truly — you all have been exceptional this year. Please join us as we celebrate this Sunday with a jazz band and a festive outdoor coffee hour to say thank you to all of our volunteers and to celebrate what it is to be part of the Memorial community.
Thank you.