February 2010 – Rector’s Ruminations
According to The Book of Common Prayer (p. 856), “The duty of all Christians is 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.”
As I reflect on our shared ministry at Emmanuel over the past year, I am thankful for the members of our parish family in worshipping, working, praying and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God here on Orcas Island. The various reports that follow in this annual report give evidence of that fact. In addition to ongoing and expanded ministry in the areas of worship, pastoral care, education, outreach, stewardship and evangelism, new opportunities arose for us to minister in Christ’s name. Without an exhaustive rehearsal, let me highlight a few.
An ongoing issue and goal for Emmanuel has been better communication. Our new website and expanded use of technology have made a significant difference in coordinating our ministry with members, committees and within our staff this past year.
Outreach was an area of expansion both in terms of financial support of organizations that promote the common good and service in supporting the food bank, Tuesday community lunches and the new Thursday evening community suppers. Especially gratifying is how these efforts have resulted in increased ecumenical ministry. In addition other new events such as the Advent dinner and “Searching for Mozart” evening event allowed us to exercise hospitality and affirm our commitment to the arts as an important aspect of being an “incarnational church.”
In the areas of pastoral care, worship and stewardship, we have experienced growth and increased involvement on the part of many parishioners. This has been especially important in helping members of our parish family, and the wider community, who have experienced difficulty in what has been a trying year in terms of the economy and the need for emotional support. Increased involvement of children in worship, a nursery for younger children, and using first of the month Sunday services for more innovative liturgies has enhanced our corporate worship life. Last summer’s experiment with the outdoor labyrinth proved to be such a success that the Vestry voted to develop plans for a permanent outdoor labyrinth in support of a very hard working Labyrinth Committee.
The beauty of our sanctuary has been enhanced by new altar rails, credence table and cornice for the reredos thanks to the carpentry skills of Thomas Wendland. The ongoing work of the Benson Hall Committee has helped us see the need for addressing deferred maintenance, such as the need for a new roof for the church building, and perhaps most importantly, to discern how Benson Hall should best be renovated to serve specific ministries.
As outlined in the Stewardship and Treasurer’s Reports, despite a difficult economic year, our resources in support of ministry have increased given the commitment and generosity of many members of our parish family. To responsibly ensure the financial future of the parish, the Vestry voted to establish an Investment Committee and Deferred Giving Committee to manage and increase our parish endowment.
I conclude this brief overview with some observations regarding my goals for 2009 as your rector. In the area of teaching, an Inquirers/Confirmation class this past spring with 26 participants resulted in four individuals desiring to be confirmed and four received into the Episcopal Church sometime in 2010. “Lakota Spirituality” was a presentation I made in December at the Universalist/Unitarian congregation that was open to the Orcas community.
In the area of lay and ordained ministry, progress was made in developing youth ministry, evangelism and establishing a Hospitality Committee to be lead by Barbara Evans. A newly formed Discernment Committee presented Scotty Whitney to the Vestry for recommendation to the Diocese of Olympia as a Postulant for Holy Orders. Although Scotty has moved from Orcas to seek employment, the Vestry will continue to maintain communication with him.
In terms of Diocesan and community involvement, I continue my membership on the Board of St. Paul’s Academy and serve on the Administrative Committee and the Search Committee for a new Head of School. On Orcas I serve as the chaplain for the American Legion and recently became a board member of the Orcas Island Community Foundation.
As we enter the New Year and the season of Epiphany, I am confident and hopeful that we shall continue to manifest Christ’s love as the village church here on Orcas Island. To that end the Vestry will gather for a retreat in February to develop a vision and plan for ministry not only for 2010 but also a five-year plan to help us chart the future for our life together as members of the Emmanuel Parish family.
I end this report with thanksgiving and a prayer for the Parish. My gratitude to all who have given their time, talents and money in support of our common ministry, and our staff, organist, officers, Vestry, committee heads, program leaders and those who have exercised initiative in exploring new ways to serve Christ by serving others.
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayer for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer p. 817)
By Bishop Craig B. Anderson