Vestry Update: Responding to Questions/Comments from Budget Forums on 2/27/19:
There were over 75 questions and comments raised at the budget forums on February 27, 2019. Thank you for all of your input! We have our work cut out for the Vestry to respond to each item on the list. We want you to know that we are prioritizing the list and are working on responses over the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for more updates in future communications
From the Vestry Audit Update –
Date Clarification During the budget discussions last Sunday, Richard Genece (Sr. Warden) had stated the audit could begin as early as this week due to our bookkeeper’s return from vacation. The bookkeeper is the primary point of contact for the audit and has clarified the start date, which is based on the auditor’s schedule.
At this point, the earliest window the auditors have to begin the audit is April 22, 2019. All documents need to be submitted to them by April 8th. As long as all documents are submitted and the audit proceeds as expected, it will be completed within 6 to 8 weeks. The work effort will commence this week to gather the information needed to fill out the documents requested for the audit.
Vestry Update – Annual Retreat
Somewhere beyond right and wrong, there is a garden, meet me there. – Rumi
On Saturday, February 23, the Vestry met for a full day to conduct their annual retreat, induct new Vestry members onto the team and plan for the year ahead. We engaged Dan Martin, mediator for the Episcopal Diocese, to lead the meeting and help us embark on a process of reconciliation within the Vestry. He shared how reconciliation is a deep process – it takes everyone owning their own part of what happened, acknowledging it, and asking for forgiveness. The conflict did not arise unilaterally and no one group can or should be blamed for what happened. We understand that reconciliation, forgiveness and building trust will take time.
The agenda for the day included:
- Review of the Behavioral Covenant
- How the Vestry makes decisions
- Targeted Discussion Topics:
- What you value in Christ Church?
- How can the Vestry lead the congregation?
- What is your understanding of the conflict in the congregation?
- How can the Vestry help healing in the congregation?
One of the key observations discussed is that there weren’t many mechanisms in place for the congregation to deal with the conflicts that showed up over the past few years. As a Vestry, we can make a difference in this area by putting mechanisms in place now that will benefit the parish for years to come. No one wants to repeat the events that happened last year that led to the sudden resignation of our Rector. We strive to create a healthier way of dealing with our conflict.
Some of the takeaways for the Vestry include:
- The Vestry will continue engaging Dan Martin in future meetings with the parish to help in reconciliation, forgiveness and rebuilding trust amongst all church members.
- To improve communication, the Vestry will set up an email account to provide a direct communication channel for all questions and concerns from church members.
- A sub-committee was set up to evaluate and potentially re-work the Behavioral Covenant wording.
- Future Vestry meeting agendas will include how we make decisions as a Vestry, how we handle conflict as a congregation and continue to work on building trust.
- It is a priority of the vestry to schedule parish conversations to continue our path to truth and reconciliation
We are optimistic about the year ahead and are ready to do the deep work necessary to do our part in creating a culture that reflects the true mission statement of our beloved Christ Church.
Christ Church is a growing, caring, sacramental community. We are dedicated to providing an open, Christ-centered sanctuary for worship, reflection, education, and service for our children and all who enter.