Dear People of Christ Church,
This week it feels as though every last possible task is trying to be completed before Thanksgiving-Advent bulletins created, worship calendar finished, newsletter articles done. None of them will be quite finished, and yet God is still with us. No matter how stressed or anxious we are, God is present and we are loved. [deep breath]
On Tuesday, a few of us attended the City of Waltham's Community Preservation Committee meeting to answer questions about our application for funds through the CPA act's historic preservation category. The Community Preservation Act was adopted in 2005 to create a fund for historic preservation, open space, and affordable housing. The money comes from a mix of property tax surcharges and state matching grants. The CPC Committee approves the initial application, and then the wider city council group approves it. On Tuesday, Shawn Russell, our treasurer, and I went before the committee to answer questions about our application, while our cheering section sat up front and prayed for us. With few questions, we were approved! Those funds will be spent on restoration of the tower and windows, in tandem with a capital campaign project which you'll hear more about soon. Special thanks to everyone who worked hard to complete the application (particularly Shawn, Jonathan, Cindy, and some last minute editing by Mike)-and especially Bill Fowler, whose knowledge of city politics was instrumental in getting us in front of the committee as soon as we did and who fielded many contractor visits.
In other news, this week Bishop Suffragan Bud Cederholm announced his retirement. I saw him at a meeting last night and told him I was happy for him, but sad for us! Fortunately, we still have a year together and he will continue to be involved in the diocese after his retirement.
I'm pasting the announcement from the Episcopal e-news below. To read the full letter, visit diomass.org.
Blessings to all of you who are expecting guests or who will be traveling for the holiday.
peace,
Sara+
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