Rector’s Report

Thanks to the hard work and faith of the members of St. Peter’s our church remains on solid footing. Our church has continued to serve God and the community through its support of the Westfield Community Kitchen and the Angel Tree, hosting GED classes, game nights at the Springwood Apartments in addition to a myriad of other activities. In the coming year, the Outreach Committee is committed to expanding our opportunities for service both within the parish and in the outside community.

Through close and careful stewardship on the part of out treasurers and the vestry of our St. Peter’s remains in a fiscally sound position. A few years ago, one the major sources of external income, the Wightman Trust, reduced the amount of our annual dividend payments. This summer we were informed that the trust intended to restore the payments to their former level and would reimburse us for the years in which we received the lower amounts. As a result we now have funds in reserve. The vestry has expressed a desire to earmark these funds for our ongoing bell tower restoration project.

This year the vestry decided to seek outside funds to assist with several major restoration and renovation projects. We have submitted an application to the United Thank Offering Fund (UTO) for a grant to repair the parking lot, address some drainage issues and upgrade the restrooms, and provide some much needed administrative space for the the director of the Westfield Community Kitchen. We are also working on grant applications for state funds to restore our bell tower. These grant applications are massive undertakings that will hopefully yield a substantial increase in the funds available for the restoration projects.

While rejoicing in the assurance of eternal life yet with sadness for our loss, I must report the loss of two members of the St. Peter’s family. Fr. Robert Sutherland, Rector Emeritus died on September 26th following a decades long battle with cancer. His cheerfulness, bravery and above all, faith throughout the many years of his illness served as a wonderful example to all in this parish. His legacy will long be remembered. In November, Fr. Chuck Wheeler conducted a service celebrating the life of Walter Cardy, a faithful long time member of this parish. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.

As St. Peter’s Church begins its 178th year of ministry to the Westfield community I want to challenge all of us to take a hard look at the ways in which we are living out our mission . The parish mission statement defined the ways that “With the help of the Holy Spirit, St. Peters will, GROW…LOVE…and CELEBRATE. This year, I would like to make these beliefs the theme for our life together. We need to explore the ways that we are successful in our mission and continue to improve. We also need to examine those places where we need to increase our efforts in order to truly grow, love and celebrate.

Yours in Christ,
Kim Baker, Rector