Recent Vestry Notes

Vestry Notes

Vestry Notes (week of 9/21/25)

This past week, we celebrated the life of saint Ruby Bradley… and what a shift it was as she survived internment, starvation and the horrors of war! As we continue to explore the Season of Sacred Story: Imago Dei, this week, we will learn about the remarkable story of Chiune Sugihara referred to as the “Japanese Schindler”.  His story will amaze you with his courage, determination and humanity.

September 11 seems to have passed us by this year. The news circulating in this nation meant our focus was not as intent on remembering. But, rest assured, we will never forget. I thought it an appropriate time to share Redeemer’s story of 9/11, for our stories have power.

On that fateful day in 2001, as we watched in horror, Larry Hamil, Redeemer’s Lay Pastoral Assistant, started making calls to everyone in Redeemer who worked in or near Ground Zero. After reaching the last member, he sent out a message that everyone was safe, and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

That would be short-lived as we soon learned that member Tom Polhemus had just that week begun a new job in one of the Towers. There were endless hours of waiting, praying, and hoping before we learned Tom had not survived. Sadly, his body was never recovered.

Another member, Marcia Liotard, began volunteering at Trinity Wall Street, which had opened their doors offering respite to those who labored in the aftermath going through the rubble.  Trinity provided food, water and rest to all. Marcia was there as a support presence to offer whatever she could from simply holding them as they cried, or massaging their aching backs, or listening to what they had to say. She brought back a small jar full of ash from the site.

When the Memorial Service was held for Tom, the entire community was there to support his wife, Barbara, and all those who came. As you exit the church from the ramp, there is a pear tree to your right. That tree was planted with the ash from Ground Zero in loving memory of Tom Polhemus. May we never forget. As our liturgy so poignantly says, “We praise you for the aching moments, remembered in story, from which we learn. We each have a story, and our story has power.”

Colleen Hintz for the Vestry

Vestry Members: Brian Malcolm, Paulette Bellew, Wardens, Melissa Allman, Paul Cecala, Jennifer Corrieri, Agnes Clyne, Leslie Harden, Colleen Hintz, Chuck Johnson, and Barbara Shannon.