Parish Meeting and Brunch
In April, the Vestry appointed a Long-Range Planning Committee to discern the scope of Saint Andrew's many ministries and programs and whether the spaces available on campus accommodate our ministries as they grow. The members of the Committee are Elin Glenn (Senior Warden), Jason Quarles (Junior Warden), Barbara Sloan (Chair), Rebecca Drake, Ben Johnson, Cheryl Morgan, Gerald Wildes, and Fr. Peter Helman. They have met several times and begun to focus on Saint Joseph’s House because this is where Saint Andrew's major outreach ministry, Saint Andy’s Pantry, operates. For many years (in fact, since the 1930s), the future and upkeep of Saint Joseph's has weighed heavily on the minds of numerous Vestries and the parish as a whole. At the present time, the building is increasingly unsafe, and the pantry is quickly outgrowing the space.
One of the first items the Committee undertook was an assessment of Saint Joseph's House by a highly respected Birmingham contractor to determine the cost of restoring the house. The contractor's inspection showed that restoration would require a full reconstruction, inside and out, including the rebuilding of the foundations. There are additional concerns: the electrical and plumbing are not up to code, nor are the doors, windows, and other elements. He estimated the cost of the project at $2 million.
The Vestry is discerning how to proceed and a vote will be made at the Vestry meeting on Tuesday, August 13 to consider the demolition of Saint Joseph's House. The meeting on the 13th is public, so anyone who wishes to observe the Vestry's deliberations is welcome to attend. The meeting will be in Trinity Commons at 6:00 pm.
Before the vote is made, there will be a Parish Meeting with brunch this Sunday, August 4th in Trinity Commons. Brunch will begin at 9:15 am, and the meeting will begin promptly at 9:30 am. Please join us. If you have any questions that you'd like addressed, please submit them in advance to Fr. Peter Helman by this Saturday, Aug. 3rd.