Dearly Beloved,
Bishop Jeffrey Lee's Visitation was like Easter all over again in the magnificence of our Choir, reprising their Easter Anthem at the 11 am service, the flowers which made the sanctuary glorious, the joyful responses of the congregation, and even the Bishop's talk with the children at the Nine O'Clock Service about his mitre and crozier! And we had the additional delight of the Bishop's wife, Lisa Rogers Lee, who joined both The Gregorys and our Choir as a bravura guest vocalist.
Rector's Quarterly Report, April 19, 2009
During this first quarter we have been blessed with new members from St. Hilary's in Prospect Heights, Sedgebrook in Lincolnshire, and from as close as Deerfield and as far as Mundelein! Thank you for enlivening our parish and joining so quickly in such diverse activities as Buildings and Grounds, Troop Support Ministry, the Labyrinth Restoration Project, and our Confirmation Classes, Lenten Program, Holy Week Observances, and Adult Forums.
This has also been a productive quarter for our parallel explorations into St. Gregory's future mission and ministry by our Master Plan and Sabbatical Committees.
Sabbatical Committee
Thanks to the Lilly Endowment, the Sabbatical Committee has been working with diocesan consultant and St. Mary's, Park Ridge, senior warden Susan Czolgosz to develop the parish's Sabbatical Plan while Ingrid and I are overseas.
Susan led our Vestry Retreat in January, and then gave an overview to the parish at our February 1 Adult Forum.
The Committee then sent copies of the Congregation Assessment Tool [CAT] to our 185 households, comprising 302 members 16 years and older. 120 surveys were returned for a response rate of 40%, well above the 30% participation mark required for reliable results. Congratulations and thanks!
Survey said . . . !
This Sunday, April 26, Susan will return to the Adult Forum to provide an overview and analysis of the survey results. Please plan on attending to learn about our collective experience of St. Gregory's and to get a peek at the ideas offered for our parish's summer sabbatical time.
As a preview, here's what the President of Holy Cow! Consulting, who originated and administers the CAT, wrote in his cover email to Committee Member Karen Dahl: "You have a remarkable church. It makes my day to see a profile like this."
Upcoming Sabbatical Learning Opportunities
Susan Czolgosz will lead two learning sessions, each session offered twice for our convenience, with a light supper, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Monday, May 4 or 6: Learning the Way: How Church is Changing in Society
Susan will explore the church in the 21st century: What is the role of church in our contemporary society? How can church be relevant?
Monday, May 11 or 13: Pathway to Renewal: Practical steps and bold ideas
Susan will outline strategies for congregational growth and development, leading to the renewal of St. Gregory's mission and vision.
Master Plan Committee
The Committee has met five times with Bob Nickola and Doug Lasch, the principal architects at Jaeger, Nickola & Associates, Ltd., since our first meeting on December 2, 2008. Following that meeting, the Committee organized a survey to determine what our parishioners saw as the most pressing needs for upgrading our facility and improving our capacity to fulfill our mission and ministries. In the meantime, our Architects arranged for a survey of our existing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
With the results of both surveys, the Architects brought to each subsequent Committee meeting a series of options for the Committee's consideration and decision.
Granted the diversity of the Committee's membership, encompassing traditional and contemporary views of church and worship, and long-time parishioners as well as newcomers, the Committee and Architects have each been impressed with how quickly we have reached a common mind about the shape of our Master Plan.
At an evening potluck on Sunday, May 17, and again at the Adult Forum on Sunday morning, May 24, Committee member Jim Stone will guide the parish through the same process by which we came to the current Master Plan.
Following Jim's presentation, the Committee will answer parishioners' questions and note any comments and suggestions. These will be brought back to the Committee and the Architects for consideration and adaptation into the Master Plan.
After the Sabbatical, the Architects will make a formal presentation of the Master Plan. After another period of reflection, I will call a Special Parish Meeting to discuss and then vote on the Master Plan.
I urge every parishioner to participate fully in the opportunities which the Sabbatical and Master Plan Committees are bringing to us as we consider St. Gregory's future.
After many years of having the Dismissal follow the closing hymn, the Dismissal now precedes the closing hymn. Either is correct. Both intend to say: "our worship of God is over, our service for God is beginning." The first way sends us out into the world immediately; the second invites us to march into the world with stirring song and ready hearts.
Faithfully yours,
"We are ambassadors for Christ, God appealing to the world through us." 2 Corinthians 5:20
Comments