Diocesan Office

October 7, 2007- In response to some comments about a "need for communications" at a recent meeting, I decided to start an experiment to share some of the things I am observing. In response to some comments about a "need for communications" at a
recent meeting, I decided to start an experiment to share some of the
things I am observing. Please understand that these comments are
"unofficial" and reflect only my own limited experience and opinion.
They are well-intentioned though, and hopefully constructive, so I
would invite others to complete or correct my comments in the same
spirit, if needed.

I've just returned from 6 weeks of various travels to find the parish
poised to be seriously planning important aspects of its future. At
the risk of not mentioning much important work being done that I don't
see, I came in Saturday morning to find Laura Nystrom and Brian Smith
furiously working away on several of their projects. These two and the
volunteers helping them have been a whirlwind all summer. From the
polished floors, to the new open look in the courtyard, and the
revenue producing Vicarage, we can all see the fruits of their labor.
What a great job is being done and how much we less handy ones
appreciate the effort!

I also noticed a decided increase in the visibility of the tribe of
high schoolers around the church Sunday. It was good to see them,
including some unfamiliar faces, and while I have no idea what they
were actually doing, if I was 15, I would think I would want to be
among them. Somewhere in the huddle I think I saw a familiar face that
seemed to belong to Sarah Brockmann, no doubt bearing some
responsibility for the whole thing.

The Search Committee seems to be underway finally, as well. Nine
fearless souls led by the estimable Frank Rawlings have signed up to a
year or more of 2 hour meetings. Fortunately Frank is a no nonsense
engineer who will "gently" beat some sense into us, and get us back to
our various spouses each night, before they give up on us. It will be
an interesting contest.

As you may know, I am one of the fearless souls, and participated in
our second meeting Saturday and presumably will be in our third one
Monday, October 8. Frank and our Diocesan required consultant, Rae
Booth, will soon be handing out prodigious assignments. They are
determined, I think, to make us admit we cannot get the job done in
the year many of us hold up as a target. Some of us believe that,
however much we love Ray Nelson (didn't he preach well today), these
"rays" are starting to get confusing, and we can take really only so
much of this transition stuff. Frank is pouring out lots of good
information on the process, so look out for that. My cut is that our
group is intended to be a collector, digester, and conveyor of our
collective thinking and everyone's input will be critical to us
getting it right. I am rightly known for my cynicism of consultants
bearing questionnaires and "group hugs," but you have to know that
this one exercise will certainly lead to a very specific and tangible
result. Your input will only be a part of it if you play the game...as
silly and unproductive as it may seem.

Along with the Search Committee rumor has it the Vestry is setting up
a Transition Committee. Since I am on neither, I know very little
about them, except that the Transition Committee would seem to have an
important role, and not enough members. Anyone interested? Lots of
meetings, no doubt, but I hear you'll be designing the questionnaires
and leading the "group hugs." Sounds like it might be a good way to
join the fun and get your thoughts out there. You know these search
efforts are like the Phillies, the fun only happens once a generation.
For that matter, it would seem the Search Committee is a bit out of
balance on the gray hair side, and could benefit from one or two of
you in your 20's, 30's or 40's.

Finally, to close a too long note, the 2008 budget process is to begin
at the Finance Committee meeting Tuesday night. It's all pretty foggy
at this point, with all the changes we have experienced, and expect to
come. In the budget world changes create opportunities though. The
Vestry has already taken some solid steps to control expenses, which
hopefully will become apparent as we fashion next year's financial
plan.

If the parish authorities and the esteemed "moderators" of this site
allow me I will follow up this note with more detail about the budget
and search process as we move along. But please don't blame Bob Gilley
or Ray Nelson for any of my bad humor or inaccuracies. They aren't
responsible and I have a whole drawer full of apologies ready as
needed.