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Rector’s Annual AddressJanuary 18, 2004[You can respond by sending an email to the Rev. Eric Williams]
Three years ago, we began an ambitious new strategic plan, the first plan in over a decade. I’d like to thank Catherine Way and the members of the strategic planning committee, who helped create the plan, and Donna Vanstrom who has continued to direct and report on our progress. In it we set six overall goals, with a number of specific objectives under each goal. I am happy to report that, as we enter this third and final year of the plan, we have accomplished a great deal. Here is a brief rundown on the progress in our strategic plan. We have “enhance[d] opportunities for personal and corporate worship” by introducing new music into our worship, continued to incorporate youth into every part of our worship leadership, and offered new opportunities and resources for parishioners to worship together and on their own. We have encouraged all of our members to strive for a seasoned faith by offering, in addition to our ongoing educational programs, “Emmaus: The Way of Faith,” and by expanding our educational opportunities through the addition of a women’s Bible study group, a book study group, and by revamping our Sunday School totally to incorporate the best of current educational theory and practice. We also helped inaugurate a branch of the Bishop Brent School in the Southern Tier, so that all courses required for lay ministry licenses can be taken nearby in Randolph. In addition, I am grateful to Fr. Ross, who has worked with small groups of parishioners on spiritual growth through the Guild of St. Columba. We have worked to be good stewards of our buildings by engaging in some major renovation projects, including the complete rebuilding of the West end porch and the repointing of the entire church building, in addition to many other projects. We have adopted sound investment and spending policies so that our endowment can continue to support important ministry for generations to come. And though the number of pledgers has decreased, the average pledge has continued to rise—an indication of the generosity and commitment of all of you. I can’t stress enough how remarkable and gratifying your generosity has been. We began last year with a deficit and worried all year about how we would end the year. Thanks to the ministries who kept their budgets in line and to the unprecedented consistency of our pledge giving, we cut the deficit almost to nothing. I am so grateful to Cathy Mims, our treasurer, Kay Stahlman, our bookkeeper, and the dedicated members of our finance committee. We have reached in to our own parishioners and out to the community in some important ways. In addition to the clergy who make regular parishioner visits, we increased the number of Eucharistic visitors who bring communion to sick and homebound parishioners after church. The Wednesday Group saw an increase in attendance—this excellent program continued to offer pastoral care and fellowship to dozens of our senior members. We have worked to do a better job at getting the word out about our services and programs through regular press releases and special articles. We supported substantially the new Hispanic ministry in Chautauqua County which is led ably by Ben and Diddy Santana. And, thanks in large part to the vision and hard work of Don Hoyt and Sandi Gustafson, we were instrumental in the inauguration of the Community of Hope Federal Credit Union, which opened this past year. All this progress is worth celebrating today as we bring to conclusion this strategic plan. But these achievements do not mean that our work is finished. In fact, this strategic plan has helped put the spotlight on the areas which still need special attention and focus. One area, in particular, will be the main focus for our new efforts which begin this year. Despite our best efforts and hard work, our average attendance has not grown in the way we would like. Instead of growing by 10% a year, we have been shrinking by that same percentage. This reality, coupled with a financial shortfall (which Cathy will talk more about later), is a wake up call. It is the Holy Spirit’s way of pushing us to look at ministry in new ways. This year we will be taking a hard look at everything we do from the ground up. We have a tradition of greatness here at St. Luke’s and I believe that our greatest days are ahead of us. We must, however, not just rest on our great tradition. We must be ready, willing and able to innovate, to do new things, to do more with less. Especially we must do a better job at fulfilling our mission to draw and nurture people into a transforming relationship with Christ and His Church. In other words, we must do better at both attracting and incorporating new members. Beginning at the vestry retreat next week, the vestry and other leaders will be working on a plan to accomplish this spiritual and numerical growth. The outline is found in a wonderful book by Alice Mann, called “Raising the Roof.” The concepts are simple, practical and do-able. The results could be amazing. I urge you to get involved as we embark on this new journey. Whether or not you are on the vestry, whether or not you are an “official” leader, whether or not you are a long-time member here, make it your business to get involved. I cannot say it more simply or clearly: If this parish is to grow and thrive, we need you, your talents, your gifts, your energy and your leadership. At this time, we need especially to be reminded of the words found in today’s Scriptures. Isaiah reminds us that this is God’s church, we are God’s people, and he has great plans for us. Moreover, God rejoices in us as much as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride. His steadfast love for us will never diminish. Paul reminds us that through the Holy Spirit, God has given us everything we need. Right here in this room are spiritual gifts which could change the world if they were unlocked and set loose. The Gospel reminds us that Jesus saves the best for last, whether it be wine or the building of his kingdom. We have some big challenges, but there is nothing stopping us. We have the people, the resources, and, most importantly, the energizing Spirit of God. If we are obedient to God’s will, and get on board with God’s plan, we will do amazing things. It’s going to be fun. It’s going to be exciting. I can’t wait to see what develops.
Yours faithfully, |
410 North Main Street, Jamestown, New York 14701Phone (716)483-6405 * Fax (716)483-6406 * stluke@madbbs.com |
