The next step committee report: Vestry responses

Jim Crow, Senior Warden

The leadership of the Next Step Committee has met with the vestry on three occasions: in a focus session that was held prior to the April vestry meeting, at the May vestry retreat, and at the regularly scheduled vestry meeting in May.

The leadership and vision of the committee have been truly outstanding. Their initial recommendations and considerations across the three areas (Worship, Program, and Facilities) that were addressed by the Long-Range Planning Committee have been focused, thoughtful, and prayerful. An appreciation for the historical context of our parish and a commitment to be faithful stewards of our resources have been paramount in their moving forward to effect our long-range goals.

A personal observation: it is not unusual that committees demonstrate significant inertia as an initial response to a new charge or challenge. Inertia has certainly not been characteristic of The Next Step committee and its subcommittees; an extremely high level of momentum has been demonstrated from its beginning; there is no indication of change in this respect.

Two important general concerns have been expressed by the vestry in response to the initial reports of the Next Step Committee: communications and integration.

Communications: Recognizing the sensitivities that accompany change (especially all that goes with challenges accompanying change in an environment full of Episcopalians), the vestry and committees are committed to stimulating and maintaining open dialogue within the parish. This process has already begun with presentations and discussions in the adult education hour on June 5. Future presentations and conversations will be frequent and timely. Seminars (as in adult education), publications (as in Cross Roads and special published updates), conversations with the parish (as in those held on the subject of gay unions), and open vestry meetings will be used as means of engaging the parish in the decision-making processes. As with any dialogue, a most important part is not what is said but what is heard. The vestry and committees are committed to listen carefully, prayerfully, and thoughtfully to all suggestions/ideas and to respond accordingly.

Integration: Integration of activities to acquire resources should the parish elect to move forward with improved and expanded facilities was frequently discussed. The vestry is committed to an integrated, thoughtful approach in identifying resources both within and outside the parish that are required to insure the future health of the parish over the next 20 years. If/when appropriate, activities supporting a capital campaign, special projects, and annual giving will be carefully and prayerfully considered and fully integrated.

In summary, the Next Step Committee and its associated sub-committees should be congratulated for their energy, leadership, and vision. They and the vestry are committed to being faithful stewards of our resources, to communicating openly and frequently with the parish, to listening thoughtfully and prayerfully to the parish, and to integrating the activities that result from these efforts.

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© 2005 The Chapel of the Cross