ReVision Task Force Updates
April 25, 2007
We are entering Spring 2007 on a very positive note. The ReVision process continued, with fifteen Reflection Session small groups meeting over eight weeks to produce a myriad of recommendations. The ReVision Task Force (RTF), under the superb leadership of Mark DeMichele, reviewed those recommendations in January through March and published a fine report that the Vestry approved. The RTF then conducted six separate sessions with members of the parish in early April to brief them on the report and answer questions.
The exciting news about the ReVision report is that, in addition to having developed inspiring Vision and Mission statements, the RTF has given us solid one year and three year plans for achieving our mission goals, all based on the recommendations from over one hundred parishioners who participated in the ReVision small groups.
While the RTF was developing its report, the Vestry moved to reorganize the various committees that sustain our church into two groups. The Canonical duties of the Vestry, which pertain to overseeing the Church’s property, assets, and staff, were assigned to committees under Vestry leadership. These Vestry-led committees are Property, Stewardship, Planned Giving, Christ Church Day School, and Personnel. These committees provide the resources for all of the parish ministries to exist and succeed. The parish ministries that use those resources are Pastoral Care, Service (outreach), Education, and Evangelism (growing our church). These pastoral ministries will be led by non-Vestry individuals, with all Vestry members participating in at least one of the pastoral ministries. These new pastoral ministries are in the process of being formed. Part of that process will be a parish ministry workshop on Sunday, May 6, following our worship services, where the new ministry leaders will receive training and information for organizing the new ministries.
It is at this point that the RTF report and the parish ministries come together. The new ministries will inherit the three year and one year plans emerging from the ReVision process (as well as an Appendix of specific recommendations provided by the small groups). These materials should provide excellent guidance for the new ministries on where to focus their efforts in the coming year. Since one of our new organizing tenets for all ministries is Evaluation, the ministries will be asked to determine at year’s end how they performed relative to the one year plan, and what changes to the three year plan they feel are necessary. This will enable our ReVision process to continue re-focusing us on the areas that are important to Christ Church as we move forward and evolve.
With the completion of the RTF report, we also have a very strong basis for assembling a parish profile, which is an essential part of initiating a search for a new rector. The Vestry will meet with Canon Jenny Vervynck on May 20 to hear the Bishop’s recommendations for carrying out a rector search. The entire parish is invited to participate in this informative session. Concurrently, the Vestry is working to form a Search Committee by early June. Once this Committee is formed, the members will complete the profile and begin the search for a new rector.
We are elated about the progress being made. We have had significant parishioner participation in the ReVision process, which has resulted in numerous volunteers to become members of the new parish ministries. The Vestry is now focused on providing the resources to the parish ministries, while other parish leaders step forward to guide and coordinate the parish ministries. These are signs of a thriving church of parishioners who are all seeking to build stronger relationships with God. That is what we are all about.
Blessings,
Your Vestry
Strategic ReVision Themes (Approved 3/4/07)
Strategic ReVision Themes (updated 2/25/07)
January 27, 2007 Minutes