|
From Your Church Vestry
The Senior Warden's Report - March 2008
The Vestry Retreat at Camp Stevens over the weekend of Feb 22 was full of work, fun,
and getting to know each other better. This article is to give
an overview of that time and briefly report on what we
accomplished. Most of the vestry was able to attend, including
new members, Mary Kay Chandler, Pete Seymour, Charleen Boyl and
Vance Noel. Returning members included Dean Kaul, Cindy
Trowbridge, Clare Friedman, Pete Davis and Midge Coburn, as well
as our rector, Randal Gardner, the Rev. Maryanne Lacey, our
Chancellor, Ian Williamson and our Treasurer Designate Narelle
MacKenzie. Garth Howe was able to join us on Saturday and Sunday
morning. Not able to attend were members Lisa Gordon, Howard
Young, Anne Daly, Jim Campbell, our Clerk, Doug Gordon and the
Interim Treasurer, Chris Christopher.
On Friday evening, we got to know each
other better by briefly sharing our spiritual journeys and why
St. James is important to us. There were many common
denominators, but one clear commonality was the search for a
closeness to God and a feeling of being cared about by the
clergy or other members. A relationship to God, the community,
and feeling known and cared for was important. Feeling
comfortable with the liturgy and inspired by the music during
worship was also a requisite.
Saturday, Randal Gardner led us through an
exercise based on Ken Callahan’s work “Twelve Keys for an
Effective Church.” During that day long exercise and discussion
we identified two areas to on which to focus in the following
year. The first area is to create a new weekend service which
will attract new and younger people which has high quality music
and liturgy. It may be contemplative, Taize or contemporary.
The second area is to improve relational groupings so that the
congregation feels more connected to each other. This is to be
accomplished by supporting and encouraging existing groups, and
encouraging the start of new ones. In addition, we hope to add
four annual all parish fellowship and social gatherings. Task
forces were created for both areas of focus.
On Saturday evening, we had clearing in the
cloudy and rainy weather to have a star filled night. We placed
the portable labyrinth on the outdoor basketball court and by
candle and star light walked the labyrinth. This was an
individual and spiritual experience as we walked in the dark and
yet found our way. We briefly shared our experiences of it with
each other. We then came inside for our communion together.
After Morning Prayer, on Sunday, we had our
vestry meeting, the details of which will be reported in the
article written by Cindy Trowbridge, Junior Warden. We left
knowing that we have a direction for this year and knowing each
other better.
One of the main areas of discussion was
that in Randal Gardner’s first year, that we have met most of
the goals of the Strategic Plan adopted before he was called.
The Strategic Plan was the blueprint of what needed to be
accomplished. The complete text of the plan can be found in the
Annual Report of 2007. Briefly some of the goals accomplished
are the revitalization of the Children’s Ministries with the
hiring and work of Mandy Davis, the recent hiring of our Youth
and Family Pastor, Chris Bernard, and the ministry of the Rev.
Eleanor Ellsworth in the area of Church and the World. We have
continued our wonderful liturgy and music, but still need to add
the contemporary service.
Also in this past year, we have restored
the committee structure and have adopted charters for each one.
Each member of the vestry had a major role in this work. Now
that these committees have a purpose and structure, it is time
to welcome new members and expand the ministry to those
interested. Much of the work of the vestry, in the year 2007
was behind the scenes and created a foundation for the work we
are focusing on in the year of 2008. We thank our recently
retired members, Sr. Warden Zeke Knight, Cindy Covell, Bob
Traylor and Chuck Dick. Their hard work, wisdom and vision
helped create the foundation for an even more exciting time to
come.
In future articles in the Chimes, there will
be more about the committees, the charters, goals and the ways
to become involved. Being a member of a working, support,
social, or study group is a wonderful way to get to know people,
feel connected to the community, to give back to our church and
to form life long friendships. We invite each of you to look
for opportunities to enjoy the large groups of worship and
social events and also to participate in smaller groupings that
interest you.
Marjorie Coburn, Sr. Warden
|
