by The Very Rev. Ron W. Griffin +
2011 was an exciting year! We have much to celebrate and much to be encouraged by.
The blessings and challenges of the past 12 months have drawn us closer as we support and encourage each other. Each week, as we gather to worship, we carry forward the ancient and sacred connections of faith and space, the traditions and richness of our worship, and are re-energized, encouraged, and challenged in our faith and discipleship.
My prayer is that we will continue to be a Spirit-shaped community, with our whole hearts, practicing gratitude with all we have and live into joy of a faith-filled future.
The results of the recent diocese leadership survey, identified several key areas that are growing edges in our common life as interconnected congregations, the Office of the Bishop and Christ Church. As a parish we will in 2012 begin discussions on these priorities. There are a total of 18 areas or priorities that leadership across our diocese identified. These are the first six:
The number one priority is to equip Rectors and other leaders in congregations with strategies that enable them to reach new members.
Take a leadership role in working with churches that are struggling.
Develop a discernment process to rethink how to be vital Episcopal churches in our specific region.
Equip congregations to be more effective in addressing problems affecting their surrounding communities.
Provide consultation and resources regarding youth and young adult ministry so that the congregation will be able to take leadership in this area.
Equip Rectors and other leaders in congregations to help members become growing vital disciples.
These first six areas are consistent with the priorities the of Episcopal Church nationwide and other faith expressions as well. With the changing spiritual sensibilities across the county, I am encouraged that a lot of energy with diverse voices is being allocated to find healthy practices and ways forward in these rapidly changing times.
This past year your Vestry has been serving as advocate leaders, developing ways we can all participate as ministers — to each other, to those we have yet to meet and those we may never meet. We have also empowered a number of leaders of leaders this year. I wrote last month in the Chronicle that as we begin to identify those who will carry this important work forward in 2012, we will continue to focus on empowering our faith community to welcome and include the strangers and guests, and to develop additional ways to reach out to those who desire to become part of our faith community and join us as ministers.
Some of the work this past year has been organizational, setting in motion ways for us to be more efficient in ministry and maximizing our finite resources. Much has been slowing building on new foundations centered on Spirit-shaped discipleship. As we have begun to embrace discipleship as life long learning and action and beginnings and steps in faith, more opportunities for all of our members will be offered in 2012.
As stewardship expands with time and talents as well as resources, and as operational costs continue to increase, the cost of insurance, building care, and the cost of living, we are now more aware than ever, that it takes all of us, sharing all we can, together, for Christ Church to continue in the important work of offering the hope we have in Christ.
We are learning to live within our means, being prudent, careful spenders of the resources we have been entrusted with. Many of you have increased your pledge this coming year. Thank you!
I look forward to worshiping and ministering together this coming year!
Faithfully,
The Very Rev. Ron W. Griffin
Rector