Annual Address from the Rector

January 28, 2007

I.                    Year in Review – the numbers

a.       More people – average Sunday attendance up for second year in a row

b.      More money – after three years of deficits a balanced budget ending in the black

                                                               i.      This year’s pledges currently $230,744

                                                             ii.      A big thank you – first time ever 100% of pledges came in

c.       More visits thanks to clergy, Eucharistic visitors, Bishop Overs Guild, lay visitors

d.      More volunteers--people stepping forward to reach out

                                                               i.      Financial help:  Fran & Cathy, Catherine & Tellers

                                                             ii.      Office help during Kim’s recovery

                                                            iii.      4^th St. Café: O’Connors step forward in Sandra’s absence to coordinate

                                                           iv.      Friendship Gathering: Jennifer, Victoria, Cathy

                                                             v.      Ongoing ministries like Thrift Shop, Wed. Group, Shoppers Luncheon

                                                           vi.      Mission trips to Mississippi and Honduras

II.                 Numbers cannot tell the whole story

a.       1 Corinthians 13: Without love it is all meaningless

b.      Rooted and grounded in the overwhelming and abundant love of God

c.       All of this activity is empty unless it is a response to God’s love

d.      Reminder to keep our focus on loving God and our neighbor

III.               Answering God’s Call – Significant progress on our four areas of growth

a.       Faith, Discipleship, Service and Community

b.      Particularly pleased with efforts in spiritual gifts discovery, and in general the way the plan has helped us (and me in particular) keep focused on spiritual growth.

c.       Particular thanks to our wardens, Karen Collins and John Flood, for their exemplary leadership both up front and especially behind the scenes.  Their dedication and commitment has really helped keep me going.

IV.              The Next Step – Natural Church Development

a.       8 Characteristics of Growing Churches--Focus on one area at a time

b.      A team is being formed to lead this process which will be trained by and work with Canon Victoria Duncan from the diocese.

c.       First step—a survey taken by a representative sample of the congregation

d.      Results will give us a numerical score in each of the eight areas

e.       Develop an action plan for that area and focus on that for the year.

V.                 In the mean time:  Getting the Word Out – TV and radio campaign

a.       Commitment to grow and reach out

b.      Cannot expect people to just “find us” any more

c.       Must be willing to be more active in the ways we invite, welcome and reach out.

d.      Filming will take place next Sunday and will involve church school, forum and the beginning of worship.  After some more shots taken on a weekday, the footage will be edited into a thirty second commercial which will air in Lent.

410 North Main Street, Jamestown, New York 14701

Phone (716)483-6405 * Fax (716)483-6406 * stluke@madbbs.com