Washington, DC – It is with great sadness that The AIDS Institute announces the passing of its Executive Director, Dr. Gene Copello, age 49, at INOVA Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia on October 7th due to complications associated with kidney disease. Dr. Copello joined Florida AIDS Action in 1999 and through his vision and inspiration transformed it into The AIDS Institute, one of the nation's leading HIV/AIDS public policy, research and advocacy organizations. The AIDS Institute has offices in Washington, DC and Tampa, Florida.

Thanks to all of you at St. Thomas' for your prayers, support, and many kindnesses during my recent surgery and recovery. First of all, I must thank Nancy Lee and John for their prayers, emotional and spiritual support, and never-failing encouragement throughout this ordeal. From the first day that I told them of the need for surgery, they were both totally supportive of whatever I needed to do in order to regain my maximum strength. I cannot thank them enough!

We are a community of Christians on a spiritual journey. Our worship and life together provides a pathway toward a deeper understanding of the risen and transforming Christ. Through joyful singing, engaging preaching, prayer and silence, we come together to share together in one bread, one body. St. Thomas' is a place to find and be found by God.

We encourage you to consider donating your time and talent to St. Thomas' mission by joining one of our committees. All our committees are equally important in supporting the community of St. Thomas'.

Attached are links to the three reports completed in the second phase of the Building Discernment process. First, the Discernment Committee’s draft vision of the important aspects of a future building for St. Thomas’; second, an addendum from the Finance Subcommittee of the Discernment Committee that lays out some decisions the Discernment Committee needs to make in order to complete its report to the Vestry; and third a report on conflicts and inconsistencies that emerged as the several reports from the subcommittees on Worship Space, Non-Worship Space, and Parish Programming were reviewed. These reports will be discussed with the parish on Sunday, September 7th at 10:00 AM in the Guild Room. What remains for the Discernment Committee is to produce cost estimates for the major aspects of its vision and consider whether and how to act on the Finance Subcommittee’s recommendations that were generated in the “addendum” to the report that they had originally shared with the Parish in the beginning of August. We look forward to your comments and questions on these reports. The Discernment Committee expects to submit our final recommendations to the Vestry later this month.

• Topic & Themes Subcommittee Report
• Finance Subcommittee Addendum
• Conflicts & Inconsistencies Report