Part of our Story.
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Dear friends & members of St. Matt's,
A few weeks ago, as the season of Annual Meetings started around the broader Episcopal Church, I read a blog post from a colleague of mine on suggestions to spice up the Annual Meeting. They included things like: propose an amendment to the bylaws and then make your friend propose an amendment to the amendment, ask precisely how many paperclips were purchased underneath the "office supplies umbrella", and make a motion to adjourn before the budget is passed. Needless to say, these are all the suggestions of someone who's expecting a dry meeting - not quite the temperature of our meetings - which are always wrapped in the laughter and love of this community.
Tomorrow, we'll gather for our Annual Meeting right after our 9:00am worship service. The tradition of the Annual Meeting comes from a profoundly democratic place - the idea that you, as lay members, get to have a say and a vote about the life, direction, and finances of the parish. And the practice is rooted in the idea that your voice, your opinion matters because your life and your faith matter in the midst of community.
It's also an opportunity to tell the story of the place in the year that has passed. Yes, some of it comes in the form of written remarks and reports, some of it comes in budgets and balance sheets. And still, what we're really about in the midst of all those details, all the logistics, is the promise of the Gospel. Every word in every report, every number related to revenue and spending, every single piece of information about staff and programming, everything we share connects back to the gifts we've been given and the work God calls us to do. So whether you've been to 50 Annual Meetings before, whether you think they're as dry as my colleague (I don't, by the way!), or if you've never been to one before, come tomorrow and be part of our story. Be part of our process. Be a voice in the room as we unfold the story that was 2019 and look forward to the story God is beginning to tell with us in 2020.
The Vestry is supplying a hearty coffee hour for you tomorrow to help you make it through the morning - so you'll be well cared for and the kids will be busy at an extended morning of church school. So, come to the meeting with an open heart and an open mind. Come knowing that I believe deeply that God is doing amazing things in the midst of us. Come knowing that your lay leaders and I are glad to share this ministry with you and that we are committed to transparency and we seek to build up the life of this place. Come hear about the good work of the last year and get a glimpse of the year to come. Come knowing that you are a really important part of our story and of the building that is happening at St. Matt's. I hope to see you at 9:00am for worship - and then I hope you'll stay for this time of shared stories and sacred space.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Tags: Welcome from the Rector