February 2011 – Rector’s Ruminations
My ruminations this month consist of my Rector’s Report to the Annual Meeting, January 23rd 2011:
I began my report to you last year by quoting a portion of The Catechism entitled “The Ministry” with the question, “What is the duty of all Christians?” (Book of Common Prayer p. 856). The answer: “To follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray and give for the spread of the Kingdom of God.” This year I would like to begin by raising three related and prior questions, again from The Catechism: “What is the mission of the Church’ how does it pursue its mission and through whom does it carry out its mission?” (BCP, p. 855).
Let’s begin with a consideration of the first question; “what is the mission of the Church?” The answer: “The mission of the Church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.” In short, the mission is accomplished through the ministry of reconciliation. Next, “The Church pursues its mission as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel and promotes justice, peace and love.” Finally, the Church carries out its mission through the ministry of all its members.” That would be you and I; all of us working together given the gifts that God has given each of us for ministry.
The various reports, statistics, and proposed actions that comprise this Annual Report disclose and reveal the fact that we are a “missional“ Church as outlined in The Catechism. Evidence of this can be seen in our outreach efforts to address basic human need through “hands on ministry,” our 17% tithe to charitable organizations here on the Island that support the common good and our support of the mission and ministry of the Diocese.
We have pursued our mission through pastoral care, e.g., contributions of time and money to Noramise; The Food Bank (to include their new building); The Dinner Kitchen; helping those in need of shelter and financial aid; as well as financially supporting and being involved with a variety of organizations, e.g. OPAL, that address affordable housing.
We have pursued our mission by expanding our prayer and worship services, e.g., the Labyrinth, our recent Advent evening services, taking the sacrament and God’s word to those who cannot get to church, and those members of our family in hospitals and care facilities.
We have pursued our mission by proclaiming the Gospel through word and action, e.g., through prophetic preaching, Education for Ministry, Rector’s Forum and working with other religious groups in expanding the ministry of the Orcas Island Council of Churches.
We have pursued our mission by sharing our facilities with others, offering hospitality to organizations that foster love, peace, healing and promote intellectual and spiritual growth.
We have pursued our mission by caring for and stewarding our resources, e.g., the new roof for the church and Benson Hall and the commitment to a permanent outdoor community labyrinth. We accomplished these extraordinary projects in the midst of difficult economic times while concurrently increasing our pledged financial support to the parish this past year and again for this coming year. We have lived within our financial means, controlled expenses and have been supportive of The Diocese through our assessment and support of Diocesan Committees engaged in ministry in and beyond The Diocese.
Finally, “Through whom does the Church carry out its mission?” Each and everyone of you. I say this with appreciation. On a per capita basis, you are one the hardest working parishes I have known. The level of commitment here is inspirational and often overlooked, e.g. the quiet work of the Altar Guild and Flower Committee, St. Agnes Market Day efforts, Mr. Fixit, Dick Thompson, and Mrs. Fixit, Beth Jurgensen, our chefs, coffee hour volunteers, the Garden Gang, our choir and musicians, our ushers, lectors, worship leaders, lay Eucharistic ministers, and those under Jan Titus’s leadership in visiting the sick and helping with transportation, Cathy Clemens behind the scenes efforts in organizing parish events, having Wray, Kate and Nancy share in leading worship. I could go on, and I apologize for any omissions – evidence that member involvement is truly exceptional given our size and resources as a parish family. Exceptional and significant is the number of our members who sing and play instruments in various musical groups on Orcas Island, serve as volunteers and board members on the seventy not-for-profit organizations on Orcas and give generously to support both charitable and philanthropic organizations that not only address human need, but improve and enrich the quality of our life as members of this island community.
All of which is to say that it has been another “missional” year for us to celebrate especially in the midst of difficult times and circumstances in our community, the nation and the tensions that exist between nations, peoples and religions. For the ministry we share, I thank you and God for the service that binds us, the love that unites us and the hope that sustains us.
Having expressed my appreciation, please do not interpret my affirmation and gratitude as complacency or satisfaction. We have challenges and opportunities that will demand our best efforts and God’s grace. On the upcoming Sundays and weeks of this season, I shall be giving you the results of what we as a parish have identified in the discernment process explained in the “Rector’s Ruminations,” (January 2011). In short, while we have much to celebrate and be thankful for this past year opportunities for mission abound. And mission is that which funds our shared ministry, perhaps best said by Emil Brunner, “The Church exists by mission as fire exists by burning.”
In Christ,
+Craig
By Bishop Craig B. Anderson