Microsof Tranfiguration TranScript APRIL 2016
Living Into the Decisions We've Made 03.10.16 Author: The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde By your fruits you shall be known. Matthew 7.16 What happens after we make a decision matters as much as the decision itself. That s true for us in our personal lives and certainly in our faith communities. In the five weeks since Diocesan Convention made two significant decisions on our collective behalf, your diocesan leadership has taken to heart its responsibility to discern the first steps toward the vision set before us. As a reminder, at convention we unanimously approved a resolution to foster deeper collaborative relationships through a reinvigorated regional structure, and we unanimously passed a budget that includes significant resources for congregational grants and the goal of establishing a long-term financial strategy for all congregations. Since then, your diocesan leaders have been praying and working our way toward the first steps in the post-convention implementation process. On our collective behalf, I offer deep gratitude for all who have given so generously of their time and energy toward our common mission. After a day-long retreat with more than 50 diocesan leaders, followed by several small group conversations and times of quiet reflection, Diocesan Council approved this week the following course of action: Congregational Visits: Four teams of diocesan leaders will share the work of making individual visits to every congregation in the diocese over the next year. Each team will consist of a senior member of diocesan staff (Paul Cooney, canon to the ordinary; the Rev. Paula Clark, canon for clergy development and multicultural ministries; Kathleen Hall, director of human resources and administration; or myself) and two or three members of either Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, or the Diocesan Finance Committee. We will ask clergy and wardens to determine what members of the congregation should join the conversation. Some may choose to include the entire vestry and financial leaders; others may opt for a smaller group or wider representation. The purpose of the congregational visits is to listen and strengthen the relationship between congregational and diocesan leaders, so that we might better understand the opportunities and challenges our congregations face. In particular, we seek a better understanding of the financial realities of each congregation. Such an understanding is essential in developing a comprehensive financial strategy for congregations and thus for the diocese. We will pray together and listen to the vision and dreams God has entrusted to our congregational leaders. We want to hear about what gives you joy and what might be holding you back. We ll explore practical matters: stewardship initiatives, capital campaigns, financial planning resources, physical plant needs, and opportunities for growth. We ll also be prepared to discuss all aspects of diocesan ministry and where congregational resources are invested. As we consider diocesan level ministry and staffing for the next decade, we want to know what would be of most help and support to congregations. We are forming the teams now and will begin the scheduling process after Easter. Our goal is begin our conversations in May 2016, to be completed by June 2017. With 88 parishes, each group would make two to three visits per month. We have made bold decisions together and now is the time to live into what we have decided. We know that the challenges before us are bigger, the opportunities are greater, and the vision God has entrusted to us is larger than any one congregation can realize on its own. But with God s help and alongside one another, we can accomplish far more than we can ask for or imagine. I believe our best days as a church are ahead of us. And I m honored to walk alongside you in the way of Jesus.
New Regional Structure: Our first task is to convene an exploratory conversation in each of the new regions. We will ask one or two leaders of each region to assist in that convening role, with the goal of holding the informal conversations between Easter and July 4. At those initial meetings participants will consider possibilities and gauge energy and interest. Joey Rick, canon for congregational vitality, will participate in all conversations and assist in identifying next steps. Thanks to the clergy of the new Central Montgomery County region, who have already held such a meeting and followed up with in-depth conversations, we have a working template for these first regional get-togethers. Given the diversity of our congregations, we anticipate considerable variety in these first gatherings and will rely on the Holy Spirit s guidance and the initial group s wisdom in moving forward. First Congregational Grants Our best estimate, based on increased congregational giving, is that we will have approximately $100,000 for growth and opportunity grants this year. This is wonderful news! Diocesan Council has asked a small working group to meet and bring to our April meeting proposed guidelines for the grant-making process. Our intention is to begin receiving grant applications in May. The first steps I ve outlined here are in service to a larger vision of fruitful ministry that will take years to realize. And even as we take these first steps, we know there is much that we will learn along the way. Good Friday Offering Supports Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East Presiding Bishop Michael Curry asks all congregations to participate in the Good Friday Offering, a decades-old tradition that serves as an important statement of our solidarity with the Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Diocese of Washington has maintained a companion relationship with the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East since 2009. Our own Lois Manderson pictured with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry at the Absalom Jones celebration at the Cathedral in January. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East operates dozens of parishes, numerous schools and institutes of learning for children K-12 and adults, and several clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation centers. The school and medical facility serve Muslims, Christians and people of all faiths throughout Palestine and the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.
Transfiguration Youth to Attend New Beginnings Tracy Kamwasi Andrew Kasule Hazael Magino Jonathan Mwesiawa Samantha Nmai Danielle Omaboe Sophia Sutton...will be attending this 3 day course in Christianity. What can you do to support them? Pray for them & sign cards that Jacob and Christine Kasule have been hand drawing for us. Let these kids know how much we appreciate them. (Cards will be in the narthex.)
TRANFIGURATION TRANSCRIPT Page 8
Page 9 APRIL 2016 HomelessWalk 2016 As we enter our second year of partnership with Samaritan Ministry, we plan to take part in a walk for the Homeless among us. We will walk a distance between Our Saviour and Transfiguration. The beginning of the walk starts at MLK Park. Spring Spruce Up Day Transfiguration will host the registration table. Cost to walk is $25 including your T-shirt. April 10 at 3 PM. Be there to walk with us. April 17, bring food to share after the 10:15 service and plan to stay and help get the Community Building Spruced Up before summer. We will be doing indoor chores. Hanging white boards. Throwing away unneeded materials. Organizing closets and classrooms. It will take all hand to help us make a miracle April 17. Be a part of the miracle. Named Seabury Seniors of the Year Each year Seabury Resources for Aging partners with the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and the United Church of Christ Potomac Association to honor older adult members of our congregations and affiliated organizations. Each congregation or organization is invited to nominate honorees age 60+ by March 31. At the event honorees receive a special certificate acknowledging their contributions to our collective ministry. Our honorees this year are Ruby Brackett for her service with the Thrift Store and shepherding the Altar Gild Tea, and Lloyd Brooks for his 7 year tenure as President of TMG. Congratulations. Senior Celebration will take place at the Washington National Cathedral at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, with a reception to follow next door at St. Alban s Episcopal Church.
Transfiguration Parish 13925 New Hampshire Silver Spring, MD 20904 301-384-6264 We're on the web: www.transfig.org April Meetings/Events 8 4 PM New Beginnings Kids meet at church 9 11 AM Mission Strategy Team (Library) 10 11:45 Vestry (Focus on Fundraising) 3 PM Samaritan Walk for Homeless 17 11:45 Potluck/ECW&TMG Joint Mtg/Spring Spruce up in Community Bldg 24 12:15 Altar Guild Meeting May 14: Confirmation at the Cathedral (Keep the Date) Office closed Easter Week. Wednesday Worship and Bible Study will resume April 6.