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"Rector's Annual Address"

The Rev. Stephen Elkins-Williams

February 20, 2006

Dear Friends,

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:18)

These words from yesterday’s first reading, urging us to find God’s presence in the fresh and the creative, strike me more powerfully than ever before. So much is happening in this vein at the Chapel of the Cross! In light of the Annual Meeting this Sunday morning, I want to add to that “new” energy and write you my “annual address” ahead of time, not only better preparing and informing us, but also giving us more time at the meeting for discussion together.

Despite having celebrated my twentieth anniversary as your rector this past year, I am resisting the temptation to look back nostalgically at the past. Instead, in light of our scripture passage I want to reflect with you on how I see God “doing a new thing” at the Chapel of the Cross and how we should be perceiving God’s ever-fresh, life-giving presence.

An obvious place to start – which you will hear much more about at the Annual Meeting – is the work of the Next Step Committee. Building on the strong foundation of two years of work by the Long Range Planning Committee, this dedicated group of talented parishioners has dared to look at our mission and our needs to fulfill that mission far into the future. They have assessed our programs and facilities now and what the future could and is likely to bring. Utilizing the services of Hartman & Cox, a nationally know architectural firm specializing in expanding historic spaces, they have thoroughly explored ways of maximizing the space available to us while maintaining our historical identity and character. The depth and range of their work is truly impressive, and I urge you to read over and absorb several times the posters they will have available at the Annual Meeting and continuously in the parish house after that. These drawings, I would add, are not final blueprints but a sketching of directions and possibilities. That is the nature of a proposed Master Plan. I stress the word “proposed.” Responses from the wider parish, decisions by the Vestry, the financial resources that become available, and modifications that are made to the plan between stages will all be factors in the ultimate result. But the guiding and challenging vision the Next Step Committee is articulating is a compelling and exciting one which would provide a very strong legacy for generations to come.

Driving this in-depth look at facilities is the mission and program of the parish; form follows function. And I am excited to say that despite the limitations of our present facilities, our programs are flourishing and providing numerous examples of God “doing a new thing”!

The new Global Missions Committee is already taking hold. Today one parishioner returns from joining another congregation’s two week mission trip to South Africa. In May a whole group of parishioners will journey to Honduras for a week at El Hogar orphanage in Tegucigalpa. This is in addition to three mission trips to aid Katrina victims being planned by our university students for March and by our youth for this summer. Adopting a Katrina family, successfully resettling two Burmese refugees, and new and increased leadership of our weekly prison ministry are also encouraging manifestations of a growing spirit of mission among us.

Another newly forming ministry with an outward focus is the Micah Group. Desiring to expand the Church’s prophetic ministry, this leaven in our mass has already sponsored a regional workshop of the Episcopal Church’s Public Policy Network as well as a group study of a new book entitled, What Can One Person Do? (sent by the bishop to all clergy). Such efforts help us to respond to the need earlier identified by the Long Range Planning Committee to address issues “where the world and the cross intersect.”

The Johnson Intern Program, after a year hiatus to reassess its direction, has made incredible progress! Now separately incorporated with a new community-wide board and a new Director, Susan Gladin, this ministry is building on a wider vision and a more solid financial foundation to become a powerful influence not only in the lives of the young adults who participate, but also in the many and varied outreach ministries they touch.

God is certainly doing a new thing in our campus ministry. After several “fresh look” studies, the University Ministry Advisory Council has been established to assist our Associate for University Ministry, Tammy Lee, in widening our involvement on campus. A five year plan is being developed which envisions not only a continued strong undergraduate fellowship, but also closer involvement with graduate students, faculty, and staff as well as with issues of campus concern. At the same time, it is gratifying to see increased student participation in the life of the parish, not only in liturgical roles, but also on committees, in outreach projects, and as youth leaders and as Church School teachers.

Christian Education, or as it is being increasingly referred to, Christian Formation is alive and well and flourishing at the Chapel of the Cross. Under the leadership of Gretchen Jordan, now in her fourth year, and many parishioners, children’s classes and intergenerational events generate enthusiastic response. New efforts are being undertaken, such as the integration of elements of the Journey to Adulthood program into our seventh and eighth grade classes and the initiation of a Godly Play program in the fall. Adult offerings, such as the well received series of conversations about gay unions, involve many of us in relating our faith to significant issues of our day.

Under the leadership of the Spiritual Life Committee, more opportunities are being offered to nurture our faith, such as quiet days, the Holy Week Labyrinth walk (at Binkley Baptist in cooperation with eight other congregations), and Lenten scriptural prayer groups. The well-respected spiritual author Philip Newell is coming for several days in November, and pilgrimages are being planned for next year to Israel and to Assisi. Weekly Centering Prayer sessions offer instruction and strength to a number of parishioners.

Worship continues at a strong level. With increasing attendance at Sunday services (especially the 11:15) and a variety of supplementary services, including at retirement centers, on feast days, the monthly service for the developmentally disabled, chanted compline, and services for students and youth, worship in this parish not only binds us all more closely to God, but draws others into “the reach of his saving embrace.” An exciting addition to our worship life is the new chapel organ, now being installed and voiced. Both musically and visually, it will speak for decades to come of the beauty of God’s holiness. I cannot wait to hear Van Quinn (who has now completed 35 years on our staff) and the many other volunteer organists at our 5:15 p.m. and summer 8:00 a.m. services lead us in singing God’s praise, using this instrument specially designed for our chapel!

I am excited by the growing energy in our youth ministry, under the leadership of David Frazelle and of Jeff and Caroline Williams with the assistance of eleven other adult leaders and a new Youth Council! Numbers on Sunday evenings have recently doubled, and it is wonderful to see the enthusiasm for the thirty hour fast, two summer mission trips, the restored Jr. EYC retreat, and other special events.

Our pastoral care for all ages and our hospitality ministry are also thriving. Vicky Jamieson- Drake is organizing a new Pastoral Council to assist with coordinating the work of the increasingly active Good Samaritans, Support Team Ministry, the Pastoral Visitors, the Prayer Chain, the Guild of the Christ Child, and others pastoral efforts. Hospitality efforts such as the post-11:15 social hour, newcomer dinners, and Foyer dinner groups (including a new one for young parents) are strong steps in our goal that “no one be a stranger.”

Undergirding all these efforts is the administration of the parish. Not only has a fine administrative staff aided by significant volunteer roles, all under the leadership of our Parish Administrator, Barbara Hastings, continued to improve our written and electronic communications, our data base, and our financial systems and record-keeping. But the Vestry and its officers and committees have continued to provide solid and bold leadership, enabling all that I have briefly outlined here and more to move forward. This year’s fruitful Annual Giving Campaign, for example, focusing on an outreach-oriented budget, allowed us to dedicate .7% of our budget to global mission (one of the Millennium Development Goals), to provide significant assistance to both the Episcopal Church of the Advocate and the Johnson Intern program, to increase other local outreach giving, and to provide important leadership in the diocese by accepting our full diocesan asking. Through the recommendations of the Special Giving Committee, the Vestry is also taking significant steps to articulate clear policies for and to bolster our endowments, which will provide significant resources in the future for doing ministry. A Capital Giving Committee has also been recently appointed to work closely with the Next Step Committee in assessing our capacity and willingness to respond to our significant capital needs.

Finally I want to express my great gratitude and enthusiasm for my clergy colleagues in this parish. Richard Pfaff (approaching 40 years associated here!), Bill Morley, John Zunes, and Ralph Smith add immeasurably to our liturgical and formational ministries. Martha Hart and Bill Joyner, our deacons, not only enhance our liturgical life, but also provide strong leadership and witness in serving those in need. Tammy Lee (with whom God is certainly “doing a new thing”!), Vicky Jamieson-Drake, and David Frazelle not only spoil us all with the quality of their preaching and teaching and the generous commitment of their time and energy to our various parish ministries. But they also strengthen and encourage and challenge me to serve as your rector in the best way that I know how. Our mutual challenge and support involves being good stewards of our spiritual growth and of our health and of our family life. Sabbaticals are a part of that: Tammy accomplished one last summer, Vicky will this summer, and I plan on one for 2007. Continuing education is also important. David is part of two newly ordained clergy groups, one with the diocese and one with Virginia Seminary. Tammy will participate in CREDO (a nationally-sponsored week-long program of clergy reflection and renewal) in June. Having already done that some years ago, I will be part of one of the first ever CREDO II programs in November. We are grateful for these opportunities for renewal and refreshment, and we cherish being part of a parish which supports such stewardship. We hope that by trying to stay open to God’s continued but fresh initiatives of grace in our own lives, we can help lead the parish to do the same.

Thank you for your attention in reading this letter. I hope it gives you some sense of the excitement of God “doing a new thing” among us. It is not mere novelty, however. Jesus Christ, scripture tells us, “is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.” He is the cornerstone on which the Church is built, the continuity in all the fresh wind of the Spirit. To God be the honor and glory. Amen.

Faithfully,

Stephen Elkins-Williams

Rector

© 2006: Chapel of the Cross