Remarks from the Annual Meeting
Dear Members of the Parish,
If you missed our Annual Meeting on Sunday, here are my remarks:
"It’s been a wonderful year and a year full of challenges. We have new families that have infused us with new energy and new life.
We sold the Wellington Lot to a non-profit called Toward Independent Living and Learning, which boosted our Endowment, but more importantly, a beautiful new home is almost ready for occupancy by 4 women with disabilities. This sale underscores Grace Church’s commitment to reaching out to those living on the margins of society. I want to thank again Andree Saulnier and Russ Dunning for all the time and legal expertise they gave us in brokering the sale of this land.
"As we heard from Martha in the Treasurer’s report, our draw on the endowment continues to be high because of the many capital expenses for this old and beautiful church. Our Parish Historian, Don Kennedy, also outlined the potentially significant financial challenges facing us in the near future regarding the Bell Tower.
The Vestry is well aware and I hope all of you are as well, that we cannot sustain this kind of draw on our Endowment and be faithful to our ancestors who built this beautiful place or to our children and grandchildren who will be the leaders of Grace Church some day.
When Bishop Shaw made his parish visitation with us almost 18 months ago, he charged the Vestry to begin a conversation with the other Episcopal Churches in Newton. His hope is that we will find ways to be in partnership in our life and ministry in Newton and the surrounding communities. It is our bounden duty to pursue these conversations as we look for ways to be good stewards of the money and property that have been given to our care.
As St. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “We are the Body of Christ, and individually members of it.” Each one of us in this great parish has a voice and something to contribute, no matter what your age or station in life. As we move into the future, we must pray together and pray hard to discern God’s future for us as a parish. What will be our mission to Newton and the surrounding towns and to our Sisters and Brothers around the world? How will we best accomplish that mission?
Our path may not be easy and this conversation will take a long time – perhaps years. But I am convinced that if we keep our hearts and minds open to the Spirit working in and among us, than all things are possible. It will take a great deal of honesty and talking about money, which makes most Church people nervous or at the very least uncomfortable. But these conversations are necessary if we are to continue to be a vital and viable congregation.
We have so much potential, so much good will, so much talent and so much love to share with others. And we have our God, who will walk beside us every step of the way. My prayer is that in the end we will emerge stronger than before – a people filled with hope and promise, ready to be God’s servants in Newton, its surrounding towns and the wider Church.
We need each one of you -- we need your vision, your wisdom, your experience, your compassion, your creativity and your passion. Never forget how much God loves you and how much I love you. You are God's beloved and it is a privilege to serve as your priest."
Peace and Blessings,
Miriam
If you missed our Annual Meeting on Sunday, here are my remarks:
"It’s been a wonderful year and a year full of challenges. We have new families that have infused us with new energy and new life.
We sold the Wellington Lot to a non-profit called Toward Independent Living and Learning, which boosted our Endowment, but more importantly, a beautiful new home is almost ready for occupancy by 4 women with disabilities. This sale underscores Grace Church’s commitment to reaching out to those living on the margins of society. I want to thank again Andree Saulnier and Russ Dunning for all the time and legal expertise they gave us in brokering the sale of this land.
"As we heard from Martha in the Treasurer’s report, our draw on the endowment continues to be high because of the many capital expenses for this old and beautiful church. Our Parish Historian, Don Kennedy, also outlined the potentially significant financial challenges facing us in the near future regarding the Bell Tower.
The Vestry is well aware and I hope all of you are as well, that we cannot sustain this kind of draw on our Endowment and be faithful to our ancestors who built this beautiful place or to our children and grandchildren who will be the leaders of Grace Church some day.
When Bishop Shaw made his parish visitation with us almost 18 months ago, he charged the Vestry to begin a conversation with the other Episcopal Churches in Newton. His hope is that we will find ways to be in partnership in our life and ministry in Newton and the surrounding communities. It is our bounden duty to pursue these conversations as we look for ways to be good stewards of the money and property that have been given to our care.
As St. Paul said in his letter to the Corinthians, “We are the Body of Christ, and individually members of it.” Each one of us in this great parish has a voice and something to contribute, no matter what your age or station in life. As we move into the future, we must pray together and pray hard to discern God’s future for us as a parish. What will be our mission to Newton and the surrounding towns and to our Sisters and Brothers around the world? How will we best accomplish that mission?
Our path may not be easy and this conversation will take a long time – perhaps years. But I am convinced that if we keep our hearts and minds open to the Spirit working in and among us, than all things are possible. It will take a great deal of honesty and talking about money, which makes most Church people nervous or at the very least uncomfortable. But these conversations are necessary if we are to continue to be a vital and viable congregation.
We have so much potential, so much good will, so much talent and so much love to share with others. And we have our God, who will walk beside us every step of the way. My prayer is that in the end we will emerge stronger than before – a people filled with hope and promise, ready to be God’s servants in Newton, its surrounding towns and the wider Church.
We need each one of you -- we need your vision, your wisdom, your experience, your compassion, your creativity and your passion. Never forget how much God loves you and how much I love you. You are God's beloved and it is a privilege to serve as your priest."
Peace and Blessings,
Miriam
posted by Miriam | 8:24 AM
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