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St. James’ 2024 Annual Meeting will take place Sunday, January 28th, in the Parish Hall following a single combined service of Holy Eucharist at 9:00 a.m. The service (in the church) will be available by live-stream; the Annual Meeting will not be available online.
Schedule:
9:00 a.m. Polls open; Holy Eucharist (this is the only worship service for Sunday, 1/28)
10:00 a.m. All-Church photo (in front of the red doors, weather permitting!)
10:15 a.m. Annual Meeting in the Parish Hall, with activities for youth K-12 upstairs
Elections at the Annual Meeting:
Elections shall be held at this Annual Meeting to fill the following expiring terms of office:
Warden, 2-year term (Andy Hall outgoing; Joe Gasparini standing for election)
Vestry member, 3-year term (Jim Smyth outgoing; Russell Urban-Mead standing for election)
Vestry member, 3-year term (Joe Gasparini outgoing; Maggie McNamara standing for election)
Vestry member, 3-year term (Steve Gausepohl outgoing; Deborah Belding standing for election)
Please see candidate biographies below.
Polls will be open at 9:00 a.m.
Annual Meeting Materials
Youth at the Annual Meeting: Our Sunday School teachers will host a hangout (with coloring, fellowship, DVDs and more) for youth age K-12 in the Parish House during the Annual Meeting.
St. James’ Medals
The St. James’ Medal is awarded at the Annual Meeting. Those who have been awarded the St. James’ medal in years past are encouraged to wear your medal on Annual Meeting day.
The deadline for 2023 annual reports was Friday, January 19th. Please submit written reports to the office: stjames.hydepark@gmail.com.
As a member of St. James’, our annual meeting is your opportunity to elect leaders to our Vestry, to recognize all the people who contribute to our well-being as a church, and to take stock of the state of our community of faith, from formation to finances—so please do plan to attend. Your voice and your presence matter!
Vestry Candidate Biographies (2024)
Joseph Gasparini—Candidate for Junior Warden
Members since 2020, Karen and I are pleased to have found our spiritual and communal home at St. James’ Church, among loving and faith-filled people, where we have become active in various ministries. I have had the privilege to represent the congregation by serving on the Vestry these past three years. I can be found doing anything from flipping pancakes, to chairing the Nursery School Committee, to directing the Graveyard Tours, and pitching in where there is a need. In planning to re-up for Vestry, I was asked to consider running for Junior Warden. Respectfully, I accept this candidacy, and I ask for your support in order to serve you and the Church more deeply in these exciting times of challenge and change in the years ahead of us.
Russell Urban-Mead—Candidate for Vestry
The Urban-Mead family began attending St. James’ in 2002. Russell has served previously on the Vestry and would be pleased to return to this service. In addition to being an active parish member fully supportive of St. James’ worship and ministry priorities, Russell has a particular interest in our NY Diocesan commitment to carbon neutrality across our church facilities by 2030. At the pleasure of the Vestry, and if needed, he is also willing to be called to service as our St. James’ Treasurer.
Margaret (Maggie) McNamara—Candidate for Vestry
Maggie is a life-long Episcopalian from Poughkeepsie, baptized at the now closed St. Andrews, confirmed at St. Paul’s, and then a communicant at Christ Church. The McNamara family began attending St. James’ Church about 10 years ago. Being residents of Staatsburg, St. Margaret’s was our parish prior to moving to St. James’. While at St. Margaret’s, Maggie served on the Vestry and as Clerk of the Vestry, and she currently serves as Board member and Treasurer of Hyde Park Food Pantry.
Deborah Belding—Candidate for Vestry
I have been a member of St. James since 2003. During my time, I have been on the Vestry, joined our Outreach Committee a year later and stayed there until 2022. I also chaired Outreach for 10 years. I have been a lay reader for the 8:00 service for 13 years. I was a member of our Bicentennial Committee and assisted with the wonderful Fireside Chats that were held in our beautiful chapel for many years.
My two gifts that I have received from St. James are these: First, being able to bring with others the beautiful Hyde Park Community Garden, dedicated to my dear friend, Allelu Kurten, to life. After my son, I have called this my second labor of love. And the last, and most important, is meeting Mr. Douglas Belding at a Lenten Breakfast 19 years ago. My husband and best pal, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him! I’m excited to become a member of our Vestry once again.
