 Candidates for the Vestry At the Annual Meeting on January 17th we will elect: 3 for a 3-year term 1 for a 2-year term (to fill the remaining term of Ms. Andy Lowry) The top three vote getters will fill the 3 year terms, the fourth place finisher will fill the 2 year term.
Ms. Cheney Baltz
Ms. Cheney Baltz I was baptized in 1966 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Ruxton, Md. My family had a brief fling with the Lutheran church during my teen years, but I returned to the Episcopal Church in my 20s. Bruce and I were married in the Episcopal Church, and all my children were baptized in Episcopal churches. I stood before you three weeks ago to publicly confirm my belief in Christianity and the Episcopal Church. It was an important moment in my life, and I thank you, my parish family, for sharing it with me. Choosing one favorite Bible verse is next to impossible. But I can share two that guide me, particularly in my work with Angel Food and my daily life: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17 “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as you love yourself.” Luke 10:27 If I am chosen to serve on the vestry, I will bring you my time, organizational skills, and ability (honed during my years as a journalist) to be fair and listen to opposing views. I believe in an open church, where everyone feels included, where everyone has a purpose and is made joyful. I feel very strongly that our church needs better communication, that we must bring the children back to Good Shepherd, and that we should keep expanding our outreach. I would be pleased to serve on any of the Vestry committees. Several months ago, I presented to Father Robert a proposal for a communications director, which is summed up in the Hospitality & Concierge committee (formerly Evangelism). That may be where my talents would best be used, although I would work hard wherever you placed me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Mr. Charles Crittendon After graduation I entered the work force as a manager trainee with United Merchants and Manufactures. I worked in Textiles for more than thirty years and have managed plants in both North and South Carolina. My wife is a strong Southern Baptist who is originally from Calhoun Falls, South Carolina. I have four Children: Christopher, Kelly, Carey, and Claudia. I have seven grandchildren: Audra, Charles Jesse, Taylor, Tyler, Gabriella, Gabriel, and Rayna. 1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? What does this mean to you? 2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that guides your life, or would guide your service on the Vestry? 3. Why do you feel the Lord is calling you to serve on the Vestry? 4. What gifts do you feel you would bring to the Vestry? 5. Which committee do you think would best benefit from the gifts you bring, and why? 6. The spiritual growth and vitality of the congregation requires a unity of headship committed to the mission of the Gospel and the common good of the body of Christ. In what fashion do you relate this statement to our life at the Good Shepherd?
Ms. Jeanne Meyers Ferguson I have had an active interest in many community projects, especially those concerning downtown, tourism and the like. I currently serve on the boards of Nationford Land Trust and the York County Community Foundation. I am past chair of York County Forever, a county commission promoting land conservation and open space. My hobbies are reading, cooking, historic preservation and related subjects. I have restored several homes in the historic district. I am a life long Episcopalian and have attended Good Shepherd for 47 years. During this time I have served the church in many different ways including the vestry. I have been Jr. Warden several times (3), and served on the building committee. I was co-founder of the Summerfest Antique Show and chairman of the Garden Tour last spring. I currently am co-chair of the Altar Guild and a member of the Broiderer’s Guild. There are many issues in the church today that are important to the future of our parish. I am attaching a letter that I wrote to the vestry that in part explains how I feel about some of these issues. In response to the questionnaire given to the vestry candidates, I will briefly state that I feel it is important live our Baptismal covenant, not only by saying the words but to truly attempt to live by example. Few succeed but it is important to try. I believe that “to whom much is given, much is expected” and it is important to be a contributing member, not just an observer, in all aspects of life in general. My interests are pretty well known in the parish and they are in the areas of building and grounds, the Altar Guild and generally promoting our good name in the community. I have also served on the Worship committee in the past. I think the vestry should work together for the common good of the parish. I believe issues should be dealt with openly and in a direct manner with straightforward questions and answers. Then move on to the next project. I do not expect a consensus on every question and an occasional diversity of opinion helps keep everyone honest. Just how I feel about diversity is pretty well stated in the attached letter. I love Good Shepherd and it would be an honor to once more serve on the vestry if you so choose. To the Vestry of the Church of the Good Shepherd
I will be out of town on the date of the vestry meeting so I am addressing you by letter.
Our church is in a state of “turmoil” both nationally and locally for many reasons. Some say the current crisis is because of the actions taken at the General Convention. This is not the first, nor will it be the last time that actions taken at that gathering will be controversial. Many of these issues are not going to “go away’ and must sooner or later be dealt with by all denominations, not just Episcopalians.
In my mind it probably began with the approval of the “new “prayer book in the mid-seventies, the ordination of women and the advent of sexual politics within the church at that time. Whatever the reasons, while we, as Christians, have great cause for concern because of the resulting dissention, we also have great opportunities to grow spiritually and to take the “higher road” during this time.
My reason for this letter is to state that I believe that we, as children of God should strive to a higher kindness and forgiving love for one another. When I was confirmed, as most 12 year olds were at that time, it was an exciting time, full of promises of a lifetime commitment to the church. It was awe inspiring to me, at that time, to be part of a body that encompassed so many opinions and ideas and at the same time did not condemn those with views different from ours. I still feel that way today.
My commitment to the Episcopal Church remains firm. I do not think our local church should have to make any hard and fast decisions as to where we stand concerning the general convention, as we were actually part of that process. It hurts me to see and feel our congregation estranged and being pulled in so many directions. We gather together as a congregation to worship God and that should be our goal. Those unable to reconcile the actions of the general convention may have to make some personal decisions as to which direction to take but I, for one, plan to remain in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in the Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina as I happily have for the past 47 years.
Mr. Rick Norment Parish/Diocesan Experience
Community Experience 1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? What does this mean to you? 2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that guides your life, or would guide your service on the Vestry? 3. Why do you feel the Lord is calling you to serve on the Vestry? 4. What gifts do you feel you would bring to the Vestry? 5. Which committee do you think would best benefit from the gifts you bring, and why? 6. The spiritual growth and vitality of the congregation requires a unity of headship committed to the mission of the Gospel and the common good of the body of Christ. In what fashion do you relate this statement to our life at the Good Shepherd? Ms. Debbie Shiflet
1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? What does this mean to you? 2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that guides your life, or would guide your service on the Vestry?
3. Why do you feel the Lord is calling you to serve on the Vestry?
Often in my life Christ has spoken to me through other people.
4. What gifts do you feel you would bring to the Vestry? 5. Which committee do you think would best benefit from the gifts you bring, and why? 6. The spiritual growth and vitality of the congregation requires a unity of headship committed to the mission of the Gospel and the common good of the body of Christ. In what fashion do you relate this statement to our life at the Good Shepherd? Mr. Meade Wilson I have been a Realtor for the last 7 years. Before becoming a Realtor I was a sales and marketing executive in the textile industry for 28 years. During that time I lived and worked in Charlotte, NC; Murfreesboro, TN; Valdosta, GA. and traveled throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Prior to our relocation here I served on Vestries at our parishes in Murfreesboro and Valdosta where I was the Stewardship Chairman and Sunday school teacher. During those years Barbara and I were active in Cursillo in the Dioceses of Georgia and Tennessee. We are also graduates of the Education for Ministry Program (EFM) from St. Luke’s Episcopal Seminary at the University of The South. Over the last 15 years I have served this parish as a Sunday school teacher, Chalice Bearer, Lector, Vestry Person, Junior Warden, and Senior Warden.
For the last 39 months I have served our Diocese as a member of the Diocesan Executive Committee and Standing Committee. The “DEC” as it is called is like the Vestry of the Diocese. The Standing Committee is like a Board of Trustees. While serving on the DEC I have also served as Co-Chair of the Commission on Congregations. That Commission is responsible for the overall welfare of the 62 congregations of our Diocese. My term on the DEC and the Commission on Congregations will be completed at the end of 2009. I was also a founding Trustee for The Palisades Episcopal School and just rotated off of that Board.
1. Do you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? What does this mean to you?
2. Do you have a favorite Bible verse that guides your life, or would guide your service on the Vestry? 3. Why do you feel the Lord is calling you to serve on the Vestry? 4. What gifts do you feel you would bring to the Vestry? 5. Which committee do you think would best benefit from the gifts you bring, and why? 6. The spiritual growth and vitality of the congregation requires a unity of headship committed to the mission of the Gospel and the common good of the body of Christ. In what fashion do you relate this statement to our life at the Good Shepherd? The Healthy Church Initiative is an excellent tool to help our congregation learn who we are and whose we are. If we don’t know the answers to those questions and have a common vision of how we are going to get there then we will never be able to live out our faith to each other or other people in our community.
|
I have been a member of Good Shepherd for 8 years. My lovely wife Phillips and I have been married for fifteen years and we have a six year old son, Walt. My lifelong vocation is that of a carpenter and I have been employed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Board of Education for over thirty years and currently serve as a Department Head and Project Manager. I am a native Charlottean and have lived in South Carolina for over 20 years. My interests include gardening, cooking, art, and I am an avid reader.
I have been a member of Good Shepherd since moving here in June, 1994. My wife, Barbara, and I are “cradle” Episcopalians who have been married for 39 years. My family has been active in the Episcopal Church since it began; you might say that it is a family tradition. There are former Bishops in Barbara’s family and mine. We have a grown son and daughter who are married with two children each.
