Each year the vestry goes on retreat to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the parish. We dream together about what the coming year might be at Christ Church and then we organize ourselves into committees to accomplish our tasks. The chairs are assigned from the vestry to lead and each committee chooses from the pool of parishioners (who check "committee membership" on their stewardship card) who might help them most on each committee. This process is done in "draft style" (think professional sports!). That way no one committee is assigned "all the experienced people" or "all the new people" but rather talented people are chosen, based on each committee's needs, for the coming year.

 

In this system, committees and membership are not permanent. They are helpers to the vestry and its goals. Committees exist from February to the following February and each new year brings the excitement and possibility of new committee chairs, new goals, and new membership. Of course, no system is perfect and I understand that some of you might be disappointed not to return to the Fellowship or Finance committee but, on the other hand, this makes a clear pathway for new ideas, leadership, and goals to emerge. While it is important to retain institutional knowledge, it is equally important that we do not become servants to the "way things have always been done." This system seeks to ensure that new leadership and ideas can emerge at the committee level.

 

This year we will also be working on our mission statement. A mission statement is a way of stating succinctly what our purpose is in the community.
I believe that before we can develop comprehensive long-range goals, we must begin by defining our purpose. Then define our vision. And then move toward articulating a plan that will carry us into the future.
We have assembled the list of things that you value about Christ Church from the annual meeting and will be taking that along with us to the retreat.

 

Please know that service to Christ Church is one of the most precious resources that we have been given as a community. We are truly blessed with creative, dedicated leaders who are willing to make personal sacrifices for this community. Please pray for this vestry as we begin this wonderful and intensive work of planning and dreaming.

 

In Christ's Service,