Dear Friends,
As we come to the close of this year, we look forward to 2025. In 2024 we were very pleased with the support of so many different aspects of our community life. We began the year with a Vestry retreat, which helped us identify what would be some of the key things we wanted to focus on this year. Some of these include our greeters ministry, emergency action plan, re-engaging our youth and improving our livestreaming.
We were very pleased by the support we received for some new fundraising initiatives, headed up by our Junior Warden’s Fashion Show FUNdraiser (thanks to Margaret Nartey.) Also, thanks to Bobbie Powell, Bernard McMullan and Sherri Anderson for organizing our CAST events, which enjoyed a fair amount of success. Attendance was not quite where we would like to see it; however, those in attendance really appreciated the variety.
The 20th Anniversary of the Bishop George E. Councell Memorial Golf Outing and Pickleball Challenge was a huge success. The return of the African Festival was also extremely well-supported and well-executed.
Our continued work on the grounds and buildings proceeded in spite of drought-like conditions in the latter part of the year. We had significant expenditures for the gutter systems of the Cathedral and Chapel buildings, as well as repairs to the piping leading to the boiler system. Many thanks to Mike Raab, Georgia Koenig, Irene Sanz and Bernard McMullan for their efforts.
We are grateful to Lourdez Hernandez, J. Gil Williams, Lucy Adams and Willie Coleman for their work on behalf of our Food Pantry. Celebrating its 20th Anniversary next year, it has become a very vital program for so many in our community.
We’re also grateful to Canon Art Powell for his wonderful work with the Flower Guild ministry at the Cathedral.
The Hospitality Committee, headed up by Larry Spears and Joyce Gibbs is also serving a crucial need for gathering and fellowship on Sunday mornings. Thanks Larry, Joyce and a whole host of parish volunteers who make this ministry possible.
The Hamilton Grove Care and Rehabilitation Sunday worship is being well-received by residents of that facility, on the first Sunday of each month. Thanks Larry Spears, the Rev. Julia McKeon and Chaplain Kimme Carlos.
Thanks to Deacon Chris Cox and his faithful volunteers in the areas of Christian Education and Creation Care Ministries. Thanks to Pat Atkins and Althia Muse for their work with our teenagers in preparation for Confirmation in 2025.
In 2024 we experienced the passing of several wonderful members of our congregation. I thank God for the many ways we were able to bid farewell, whilst being available for their respective family members left behind.
2025 will soon be upon us. Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, January 19th after the 10:00am Mass; and once again, we will return to the process of living out our Christian Witness in the City of Trenton. A Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Faithfully,
The Very Reverend René John
Dean