Tom Synan is the new rector of Grace Episcopal Church, on the Common.

President Ellen Kosmer called the meeting of the Amherst Club to order at noon on Tuesday, June 24th, 2014, and welcomed us all. She noted that this was her last meeting as president of the club, and thanked the entire Board and Membership for their help throughout the year, with especial thanks to Andrea Battle, Nancy Brose and Linda Honan.

The members noted the laudatory newspaper article about Elsie Fetterman’s valiant work for a Connecticut temple and congratulated her on it.

The members wished Janet Lussier Bon voyage for her move to the Carolinas, and sang “Happy Carolina to you” in fond farewell, noting how much her smile and spirit would be missed!

Andrea Battle noted that we still need someone to take over Programs from her. However, she has the programs arranged for most of the summer, so the load will be lighter for her successor.

Barbara Freed was pleased to report that Jacquie Price has agreed to be vice-chair of the successor-to-Love-Notes committee. There will be a meeting of the major steering committee next Tuesday after lunch, unless a board meeting is called then.

Town Notes:

Jim Wald caught the members up on Town events, noting progress on affordable housing, the creation of a housing trust, and the reception of a state award for the town’s efforts in this area. The town is moving forward on the establishment of two historic districts, one downtown and one in North Amherst. The North Amherst Community Farm held a successful fund-raiser recently.

Snapshot:

Jim Barnhill told a touching story he called School Bus, about love, loss and kindness.

Poem:

Jacquie Price read Mary Oliver’s poem ”Toad”,  a sunny reflection on “the refined anguish of language” – and the life we share with our non-talking neighbors in summer time.

Speaker:

Andrea Battle introduced our speaker this week, the Rev. Tom Synan, the new Rector of Grace Episcopal Church. The Rev. Synan introduced himself to the members and told how surprised he was as a law student when people around him thought he might become a minister! After a stint of several years in banking and law, he did indeed go to seminary and become a minister, initially in New York city and now in Amherst. He discussed some of the range of his outreach work with Habitat for Humanity in this country and Episcopalians in India, and was warmly welcomed by the Club.

Raffle:  Tina Berins won the wine and Nancy Brose the $10.

Nancy Brose announced that she will be unable to sell raffle tickets for the next three weeks, so Paul Bacon kindly stepped in to sell them in her absence.

Announcements:

Saturday, June 28th, 1-4 p.m. at the Amherst Common, there will be a Celebration of Frederick Douglass with a Yoruba invocation by Andrea Battle. Directed by Ingrid Askew. Come and enjoy!

Your scribe,                                                                                                                                                 
 Linda Honan