Photo: Calvary Vestry voting unanimously in favor of a merger with St. Paul's.

About June 10th historic vote by the Vestry
to recommend merger with St. Paul's:

from Rev. Thea Keith-Lucas


On Sunday, June 10, the Vestry of Calvary Episcopal Church voted unanimously to recommend a merger with Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Peabody, MA.

Before taking a vote, the Vestry reviewed the conditions of the buildings, the financial health of the parishes, and the diocese's expectations for the future of the Brazilian ministry in Peabody. The two motions are included below.

As members of the Danvers parish, congregants have an opportunity to vote on this recommendation at a special parish meeting this Sunday, June 17, after the 9:00 am service. Parishioners are encouraged to take part in this momentous decision and help choose the best future for our parish. If you have questions or concerns, please speak to any member of the Vestry.


Motion #1: Recommend merger for parish approvalWhereas certain members of the Vestry; certain members of a Sub-Committee appointed by the Vestry and other Members of Calvary Church have for more than one year engaged in a discernment with the Vestry and Members of St. Paul’s Church, Peabody, MA to determine the level of interest and the feasibility of merging Calvary Church and St. Paul’s Church into one new Church at a location not yet decided and Whereas the Vestry of Calvary Church has repeatedly assured the Members of Calvary Church that the Vestry would cede its elected authority to the general membership in matters regarding an approval or rejection of a merger with St. Paul’s Church The Vestry hereby votes to merge the Parish of Calvary Episcopal Church, Danvers with the Parish of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Peabody subject to approval by a majority vote of the Parish at a Parish Meeting on 17 June 2012.  If the Parish does not approve the merger by 1 July, 2012, this motion is null and void.

Motion #2: Grant authority to Inter-Parish CouncilThe Vestry hereby approves the formation of an Inter-Parish Council to oversee the merger of the parishes of Calvary and St. Paul’s, Peabody.  This council will have the authority to decide and act on all matters relating to the proposed merger including, but not limited to, site selection, naming, schedule of activities, asset distribution and staff selection as if said actions/ decisions were made by formal Vestry vote of Calvary Church, and will hold this authority until the merged parish enacts by-laws and elects a Vestry. This granting of authority will be null and void unless the merger is approved by Parish Meeting by 1 July 2012.

If parishioners are interested in being considered for service on the Inter-Parish Council:

The Vestry will appoint four members to serve on the Inter-Parish Council. We invite all members of the parish to consider serving on the Council.

This work will be challenging and rewarding, and will require a significant time commitment over the next year. The Council will be at the center of the parish’s life in this important time, since it will have the authority to make all decisions regarding the merger and the responsibility to communicate clearly and frequently to both congregations. Council meetings will be a time for listening to the Holy Spirit and truly coming to know and respect our brothers and sisters from Saint Paul’s. Its members will take faithful care of the rich heritage, the lively community, and the future hopes of both our parishes as they become one.

If parishioners would like to offer themselves to be considered for the Inter-Parish Council, please speak up at the all-parish meeting this Sunday, or let Rev. Thea know by the end of the day on Sunday, June 17.