by Rev. Dr. Jim Warnock
We’re beginning a new year. This will be the fifth year for Kresha and me to be at All Saints’. It’s been an enjoyable run that we intend to continue.
I wanted to say a bit more about Deacon Jeffrey. I was happy to see a lot of people attending the memorial we held for him on December 15th. I know he had a huge impact on many of us here, and he was a good friend and colleague to me. Bishop Phil LaBelle sent an email to the diocese talking about Jeffrey. He highlighted his life story. He talked about Jeffrey and me delivering water bottles to the homeless. Then he summarized Jeffrey’s work at the diocese.
“His work with the homeless continued in 2024 when Bishop Skelton appointed Jeffrey a Missioner for the Unhoused. Among his duties were advocating locally and regionally for faith-based and community solutions to housing insecurity and threats to the unhoused, being present to those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity, and supporting the efforts of congregations in the Diocese of Olympia. He also served on the Tacoma Pierce County Coalition to End Homelessness.”
He was only beginning that work. The unhoused people of Pierce County will miss him, as will I and all of us here at All Saints’. Funeral plans are pending.
There is some good news beginning this year. Our realtor, Sonia Grunberg, has been in touch with the buyers. She reports that they have organized the LLC for the purchase. It is A. S. B Street Townhomes. Their managing partner has signed the relevant documents which have been forwarded to the diocese for the relevant people to sign. The buyers have completed a survey of the property, and I have a copy if anyone wants to see it. The buyers will have a crew working on the site in January.
Finally, the City of Tacoma has approved new zoning rules which will be formally adopted on February 1, 2025. The buyer is in compliance with these and will submit the necessary documents immediately. They anticipate this final process to take two or three months to work through the bureaucracy. I think it’s most important that they said specifically that they are completely committed to moving forward with this project. I think we saw the first evidence of this when they removed several trees in anticipation of construction. Now we can be more certain that this will happen. The Building Committee will meet in January to go over details and plan our next steps in renovating the Parish Hall.
That is good news with which to begin the year. Please join with me in prayer for the ministry we will be continuing here at All Saints’ in 2025.