Dear Clergy Colleagues,
I hope this messages finds you well and enjoying some of the many offerings of summer whether here in Vermont or traveling.
The Fall Clergy Day will be held
Tuesday, September 9, 2014, at St. John’s in Randolph.
Coffee and gathering, 9:30 AM
Program 10 AM–2 PM (lunch provided).
The following is important information about this gathering.
Please confirm your attendance by registering HERE.
Bishop Tom Ely has invited Del Glover to be with us at this Meeting. Del is one of three consultants working with The Episcopal Church in Vermont during our year-long journey of visioning, discerning, and planning as we “Become More Missional.” You may, if you have not done so yet, read about this journey and watch a video of Del at https://www.diovermont.org/missional.
The focus of Del’s work with the Church in Vermont is to:
• Identify issues related to funding our mission, the personnel needed to support that mission, and the institutional structures that shape and direct our common life;
• Provide information leading to recommendations on income and expenses, organizational restructuring and personnel configurations needed to help the Episcopal Church in Vermont realize and sustain a balanced budget and organizational structure for 2016 and beyond as we seek to be the “Missional Church” God is calling us to be.
This is more than an invitation for you to attend the Clergy Day. It is critical and necessary that clergy be part of this journey and Del’s work with us; your participation is, in fact, essential. Del writes to you…
“The clergy bring a unique perspective to this work. I need their help; my work cannot be done in a vacuum. The laity, especially members of their congregations, will want help in understanding financial and organizational implications of any recommendations that might come from this study coming from this study. Already I am anticipating there will be questions about the connections/distinction between the concepts of “missional church” Baptismal Covenant, the “mission” of the church (BCP, p855) and the ministry of the laity. I understand and appreciate the importance of a Clergy Day as an opportunity for all the ordained to have their own occasions for prayer, worship and community building and am grateful that a portion of the day will be dedicated to a discussion of the work I am doing for Bishop Tom.”
No member of the Diocesan Ministry Support Team will be present for this conversation between clergy and Del. We hope this will offer a greater opportunity for candid and open conversation. The day will offer time for worship, conversation, connections and fellowship.
On behalf our Bishop, I extend this invitation to you. I hope many of you will mark this now on your calendar and plan to participate on September 9th.
In peace,
Susan
The Rev. Susan Ohlidal
Canon for Ministry Development