St. John s Parish Mission Statement and Long-Term Vision St. John s is a diverse Christian community, following Jesus teaching through liturgical worship, transformation in the mind of Christ, and the pursuit of reconciliation and justice in God s creation. This is summarized by our motto: Worship God, Be Transformed in Christ, Change the World. Our long-term vision is to be a fully diverse parish wherein people can deeply experience God through worship, transformation, and ministries of reconciliation. We will make concrete steps towards welcoming Latinos in our community to engage fully in all areas of our parish life. We value our Anglican traditions of worship, music, and fine arts and seek to see them continue to grow. We hope to deepen our Faith Formation and Pastoral Care ministries so that they transform us even more powerfully as Christians, enabling us to learn more about our calling and equipping us to step out in Christian ministry in our daily lives. The bedrock of our parish is the mission of the church, as described in the Book of Common Prayer: to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ. This ministry of reconciliation will be enacted through programs that are fully funded by the budget and abundantly staffed by the members of our congregation. St. John s Parish Five-Year Plan Worship God For all members of our parish to find the way in which they are called to take their place in worship of the church particularly through increased parishioner involvement in the Altar Guild, ministries of music and fine arts, and a Spanish-language service of Holy Eucharist. For our worship space to be welcoming and enable a transformative worship experience. For our music program to be staffed by a ¾ time Director of Music & Fine Arts who will oversee existing ministries and will also renew those that have gone dormant over the years. For our music program to have access to funding from a Music & Fine Arts Endowment, enabling consistent excellence in music and art regardless of temporary stresses of financial resources. Be Transformed in Christ For all members of our parish to find the way in which they are called to take their place in the faith formation and pastoral care of our church particularly through increased parishioner involvement in Children s Faith Formation and the Youth Commission. For the entire lower level to be updated so that it looks like a place where children are valued. For a Pre-School to be established that reaches out to diverse communities if the Vestry determines that it would be a feasible project. For our Nursery hours to be extended and staffed by employees of the parish, so that parents of infants and toddlers can take advantage of faith formation ministries, worship services, and other important church events at various times. Change the World For all members of our parish to find the way in which they are called to take their place in the mission and outreach ministries of our church particularly through increased involvement in a quarterly Mission Gathering and our Loving Spoonfuls Ministry. For the Mission & Outreach Commission to be transformed into an incubator for ministries of reconciliation and justice, enabling them to grow, thrive, and become self-sufficient. For at least 10% of our budget to go to ministries of the parish or outside organizations that pursue reconciliation and justice in God s creation. Our Vision and Five-Year Plan will be executed by all members of the parish, supported and enabled through clergy, staff, and Governance Ministries. All lay ministries and commissions will practice an ideal of rotating leadership so that people do not burn out and new ideas are always welcome. Within the next five years, we believe this growth will result in the hiring of an Associate Rector. In this and all hiring decisions, we will pay attention to minority candidates and the provision of a living wage.
COMMMISSION AND MINISTRY STRUCTURE I. Worship God Ministries of Worship, Music, & Fine Arts All Worship ministries are overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff. Various Ministries of Worship are the creation of the Rector and report regularly to him. The Rector will attend Ministry meetings as requested and able. The Rector also hosts a quarterly Worship Gathering to provide a context for prayerful conversation among parishioners with regard to the worship of our congregation. Altar Guild Ministry Statement of Purpose: As an offering to God, the Altar Guild serves the congregation by preparing our sacred space for worship. 1. To warmly welcome more members, particularly young people and men, to join in this sacred ministry. 2. To explore whether a formal training program might assist the Guild in the execution of its ministry. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector, assisted by a Sacristan who is elected by members of the Guild each year. Guild members are generally communicants of St. John s, regular in attendance at worship, and faithful in the execution of their duties. They should always be mindful of the high privilege of serving God in the sacred sanctuary. They must have a sincere devotion and a desire to make their work an acceptable offering to our Lord. In short, they must view their ministry as a sacred trust in conjunction with all the other members, not only of the Altar Guild, but of the entire parish. Music & Fine Arts Ministry Statement of Purpose: Using the rich musical and artistic heritage of the Anglican tradition, to lead the congregation s worship of God through the singing of psalms, hymns, and anthems in our services of Holy Eucharist and the Office and to provide for other artistic engagement with the divine. 1. For this program to be staffed by a ¾ time Director of Music & Fine Arts who will oversee existing ministries and will also renew those that have gone dormant over the years. 2. For our this program to have access to funding from a Music & Fine Arts Endowment, enabling consistent excellence regardless of temporary stresses of financial resources. 3. To increase the involvement of our members in ministries of music & fine arts. 4. To find ways of incorporating the rich Latino culture of music and art in a new Spanish-language worship service and in other areas of our parish life. 5. To organize regular rotating art exhibits in the church, perhaps in a renovated Guild Room designed for that purpose. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff member currently our Interim Director of Music. Together, they oversee the ministry of our volunteer St. Cecilia Choir and St. Benedict s Ensemble, the SJE Brass, and other musical and artistic experiences at St. John s. Vergers Ministry Statement of Purpose: The ministry of Vergers is focused on liturgy. Vergers assist the Celebrant in all worship services as the Master of Ceremonies for the liturgy. Vergers check that the worship space is properly set up for the service, confirm that lay leaders are present (and make substitutions when people are not in attendance), and assist in the movement of all participants during the service so that worship flows smoothly and other worship leaders can focus on spiritual aspects of the service. 1. Under the direction of the Rector, Vergers will plan and execute worship so the liturgy is edifying to the People. 2. For the Vergers to assume fully training of the various worship ministers of the parish, including Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Intercessors, and Acolytes.
3. Develop an Emergency Procedure Manual for worship. 4. Conduct training so that all Vergers know how to conduct the liturgy in the event of a sudden illness of clergy. 5. Annually, assist in updating the Saint John s Customary. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector, assisted by the Head Verger who is elected by members of the Vergers each year. Vergers are called and serve in this ministry upon nomination by current Vergers and appointment by the Rector. Usually, a person called to the servant ministry of Verger has previously served faithfully as a Worship Minister and has demonstrated a deep devotion to worship and knowledge of the liturgy as put forth in the Book of Common Prayer. Vergers must be familiar with: the movement of all participants of the liturgy, the seating and role of all worship ministers, and the conduct of special services, including the liturgy when the Bishop is in attendance. II. Be Transformed in Christ Ministries of Faith Formation & Pastoral Care All Faith Formation & Pastoral Care ministries are overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff. Commissions and Ministries in this area are the creation of the Rector, with Faith Formation ministries reporting regularly to the Vestry. The Rector will attend Commission and Ministry meetings as requested and able. Children s Faith Formation Statement of Purpose: To provide a welcoming, safe atmosphere to teach children a Biblical foundation consisting of Old Testament and New Testament stories and Christian teaching, with the goal of helping each child develop a personal relationship with God. Also, to promote intergenerational interaction by encouraging other members of our parish to share their gifts with the youth, including special events to cultivate a church family atmosphere among the parish. 1. An updating of the entire lower level so that it looks like a place where children are valued. 2. A larger group of willing (Safeguarding God s Children certified) volunteers to work as "second sitters" for Sunday school, Center Time and to help out during special events. 3. Nursery hours should be extended and staffed by employees of the parish to allow parents with infants and toddlers to take advantage of Sunday school and Youth Group (for their older children), as well as Adult Faith Formation for themselves. Nursery/childcare could also be extended to special services and other important church events at various times (e.g., Vestry meetings, Choir practice, etc.). 4. During the school year, the Parish needs to become more directly involved with our children, as many do during VBS, with better attendance to special events. Attendance (as well as volunteering) shows a committed church family with an active, ongoing interest in our children, which then translates to parents as a place they would want to send their children. Membership: This is ministry is overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff member our Church School Director, assisted by the Children s Education Commission. The commission s membership comprises any adult interested in helping this ministry be accomplished. Members do not need to be experienced child-care providers, parents of Sunday School attendees, or young, but simply willing to help form the faith of our children. All who work in this ministry are certified by Safeguarding God s Children. Stewardship Commission Statement of Purpose: To maintain year-round stewardship education that seeks to help parishioners find new ways of generously offering their time, talent, and treasure as an act of spiritual worship. In particular, the Commission encourages the discipline of proportional giving, underscoring the belief that all we have comes from God.
1. To help cultivate the pool of talent at our parish, putting our members talents to work for the furtherance of God s kingdom. 2. To encourage people to understand and move into the practice of proportional giving. 3. To engage a professional consultant so that we may grow our parish understanding and practices surrounding Planned Giving, believing that the long-term health of the parish is significantly impacted by legacy giving. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector, working with the Stewardship Commission, comprised of members of the parish who have a particular passion for prayerful disciplines surrounding the use of time, talent, and treasure. The Commission meets as needed throughout the year and assists the Vestry in the oversight of the Annual Pledge Campaign. Youth Commission Statement of Purpose: The Youth Commission is the backbone of SJE Youth Ministry, a team of adults who commit to building relationships with the youth of St. John's. They are consistently present as mentors, friends, small group leaders in faith formation, helpers at youth events, and partners to the Youth Coordinator. 1. To encourage involvement among current teenagers at St. John s and also to cultivate those now in Sunday School into a cohesive group that will be the SJE Youth in the future. 2. To give the youth a space and time where they can explore and deepen their faith particularly through ecumenical and multi-cultural experiences where they can ask questions freely and be heard, where they can they can realize how great God s love is for them and continue to form their identity in Christ 3. To give the youth a space and time where they can further form their community and figure out how to integrate that into the larger church and Christian community. 4. To ensure that our youth know they are valued by the church, not just by the person paid to hang out with them. To that end, the Commission is involved in the life of the youth so that the whole church is part of guiding them as they build their life in Christ, just as we promised at their baptisms. Membership: This is ministry is overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff member our Youth Coordinator, assisted by the Youth Commission The Youth Commission is comprised of adults of all ages who not only help to make decisions about the program, but who enter into relationship with the youth, who form pieces of the constellation of adults who surround and support the youth of St. John's. All who work in this ministry are certified by Safeguarding God s Children. Hospitality Commission Statement of Purpose: To organize the hospitality ministries of the parish, providing resources and leadership for special events, receptions, and other times of fellowship among parishioners. To oversee the welcome and incorporation of visitors and newcomers to the parish, providing opportunities to get to know other members and to find one s place in the parish life. 1. For the parish budget to support these ministries fully, rather than relying on volunteer donations. 2. Continue to develop the parish campus so that it has a more welcoming atmosphere. 3. To help parishioners learn new ways of being welcoming to any person who comes through our doors. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector with the assistance of the Hospitality Commission, comprised of members who have a particular passion for welcome and fellowship. The Commission oversees the work of two ministries: Hospitality Workers who provide treats and coffee in an inviting atmosphere to encourage fellowship after worship and at other special events; and, the SJE Guides who assist newcomers during worship.
SAVVY (Seniors Acting Very Very Young) 50+ Statement of Purpose: Provides fellowship, pastoral care, and faith formation for senior parishioners through dinners, field trips, lunch dates, and informative guests. 1. To create a sense of belonging together. 2. To organize our older members for service in the parish and in the community. 3. To offer opportunities for learning and faith formation that are specific to this stage of life. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector and the SAVVY Commission, comprised of members who are fifty or older and have a passion for building community among older parishioners. Stephen Ministry ~ TO BE ESTABLISHED Statement of Purpose: Membership: III. Change the World Ministries of Mission & Outreach The programmatic Mission & Outreach of the parish is overseen by the Rector and his delegated staff. The financial choices regarding Mission & Outreach of the parish are overseen by the Vestry. Various Ministries and Commissions for Mission & Outreach are joint creations of the Rector and Vestry. Formal Commissions report regularly to the Vestry. The Rector will attend Ministry and Commission meetings as requested and able. Food Pantry Ministry Statement of Purpose: The Food Pantry provides nutritious, easy-to-prepare foods, personal care items, and baby supplies to those in need in our community in a neat, orderly, and welcoming environment. 1. To encourage healthy habits and the use of nutritious foods in an environmentally friendly manner, being responsive to our Food Pantry guests and ensuring we are providing for basic needs. 2. To ensure we always have funds available to meet the needs in our community, improving and clarifying budget management and the stewardship of our resources. 3. To coordinate with, cooperate with, and support the Loving Spoonfuls Meal Ministry. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector and food pantry co-chairs and is accomplished through the parish staff and volunteers. Loving Spoonfuls Meal Ministry Statement of Purpose: Loving Spoonfuls provides a nutritious meal, fellowship, and a safe and joyful environment to anyone in our community who is hungry. 1. To have our kitchen workers ministry fully staffed by a growing and rotating group of volunteers at each of our meals, particularly encouraging greater community and ecumenical involvement. 2. To reach out to more potential guests and families, perhaps with a specific volunteer position focused on connecting with those in our community who are in need of a meal. 3. To expand volunteer work to include people who would be able to pick up food donations each week from local businesses, such as Panera, Grand Haven Bakehouse, etc. 4. To ensure that our kitchen equipment meets the needs of this ministry, making provision for updates and changes as determined by our Kitchen Managers and approved by the Vestry. 5. To cultivate increasing resources for the possible provision of additional meals during the week.
Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Rector his delegated staff our Parish Administrator, who is assisted by our certified Kitchen Managers. Each Manager rotates responsibility for overseeing the preparation and service of our regular meals. Kitchen Managers and volunteers are not required to be members of St. John s, but simply people who have a passion for service. Kitchen Managers are certified by Safeguarding God s Children. Mission and Outreach Commission Statement of Purpose: This Commission exists to carry out the commandment to Love your neighbor. To further this, the Commission has three specific tasks: recommendations to the Vestry with regard to the provision of resources that meet human need on a local, national, and worldwide scale, to facilitate connections between all the mission and outreach projects of the parish through quarterly Mission Gatherings, monthly Parish Page articles, and regular reports to the Vestry; and, to provide an incubator for ministries of reconciliation and justice, so that those that need to may grow to become stand-alone ministries of the parish, overseen by the Rector and Vestry. 1. To expand from simply making donations to facilitating connections and ensuring effective ministry both locally and in the larger world, including getting more people involved in our parish ministries of reconciliation and justice. 2. For at least 10% of our budget to go to ministries of the parish or outside organizations that pursue reconciliation and justice in God s creation. Membership: The programmatic aspects of this ministry are overseen by the Rector while the fiduciary aspects are overseen by the Vestry. The Rector and Vestry are assisted by the Mission & Outreach Commission, comprised of members of the parish who have a passion for justice and meeting human needs in our community, nation, and world. In particular, the Commission ensures that ideas that come up in the Mission Gathering, and that are embraced by the whole, are implemented well, facilitating the involvement of those who come up with ideas and other gifted parishioners. Any ministries that grow particularly significant in scope (such as the Loving Spoonfuls Meal Ministry or the Food Pantry), shall be broken off into their own ministry, making regular reports to the Vestry. IV. Equipping for This Work Ministries of Governance All Governance ministries are ultimately overseen by the Vestry. Formal Commissions are the creation of the Vestry and report regularly to them. The Rector will attend Commission meetings as requested and able. Endowment Commission Statement of Purpose: The Endowment Commission assists the Vestry in selecting an Investment Manager and then monitors, reviews, and corresponds with the manager to be sure the funds are prudently invested. They also oversees distributions from the funds in compliance with the approved Spending Rules of the Parish and in accordance with the purposes and distribution policies defined in the St. John s Episcopal Church Consolidated Endowment Fund Policies and Guidelines. 1. To encourage, receive and administer bequests in a manner faithful to the loyalty and devotion to God expressed by the donors and in accordance with the canons of the Episcopal Church, the canons of the Diocese of Western Michigan, the policies of this Parish, and socially responsible choices. 2. For the existing Idema Mission & Outreach Endowment Fund, Landscaping Endowment Fund, and Building Endowment Fund and the new Music & Fine Arts Endowment Fund each to reach the minimum invested threshold of $10,000. 3. To educate the parish with regard to our Endowment Fund purposes, policies, and practices. 4. For our total invested funds and promised bequests to reach at least one million dollars.
Membership: The Commission consists of three (3) regular members, all of whom shall be communicants in good standing of St. John s Episcopal Church. They are appointed by the Vestry at or before the December meeting, for terms that will begin in the following calendar year. Additionally, the Rector, Senior Warden, and Treasurer are ex-officio members of the Commission without votes. No member of the Commission shall be a current member of the Vestry or employed by the parish. Except as herein limited, the term of each appointed member shall be three (3) years. The Vestry will stagger the terms of members to maximize continuity over time. No member shall serve more than two consecutive three (3) year terms. After a lapse of one (1) year, former Commission members may be reappointed. In the event of a vacancy on the Commission, the Vestry shall appoint a member to complete the unfulfilled term. Upon the completion of the term, that person would be eligible for reappointment to a normal three (3) year term. Members of the Commission shall serve until December 31 of the year in which their term ends, so long as a successor is appointed and begins work by that time. There are two possible structures envisioned for the Finance Commission. On this important question, the Vestry was not sure which would be the best. Thus, they would prefer to submit each to the Parish for consideration at the Annual Parish Meeting. Finance Commission (Option A: Favored by Ad Hoc Team) Statement of Purpose: This Commission provides recommendations to the Vestry related to budgets, financial statements, unbudgeted expenditures, and other questions that might have financial implications, ensuring these recommendations are aligned with the Parish Vision and Five-Year Plan. In particular, they participate with the Vestry and staff in the development of Annual Budget Priorities and they work with the Treasurer in the facilitation of open reporting of financial statements and audit reports. 1. Recognizing that the financial expertise of Vestry members may, at times, be limited, this Commission ensures that the financial expertise that exists in the parish is able to provide clear recommendations for policy and practice. 2. To ensure that we are always following good financial practices, as published in the Episcopal Church s Manual of Business Methods in Church Affairs. Membership: The Commission consists of three (3) regular members, all of whom shall be communicants in good standing of St. John s Episcopal Church. They are appointed by the Vestry at or before the December meeting, for terms that will begin in the following calendar year. Additionally, the Rector, Senior Warden, Treasurer, and Assistant Treasurer (if any) are ex-officio members of the Commission without votes. No member of the Commission shall be a current member of the Vestry or employed by the parish. Except as herein limited, the term of each appointed member shall be three (3) years. The Vestry will stagger the terms of members to maximize continuity over time. No member shall serve more than two consecutive three (3) year terms. After a lapse of one (1) year, former Commission members may be reappointed. In the event of a vacancy on the Commission, the Vestry shall appoint a member to complete the unfulfilled term. Upon the completion of the term, that person would be eligible for reappointment to a normal three (3) year term. Members of the Commission shall serve until December 31 of the year in which their term ends, so long as a successor is appointed and begins work by that time. NOTE: Currently there are three regular non-vestry parishioners on the Commission (Elizabeth Clark, Joan Hilarides, and Doreen Wegener). Those three would select one, two, or three year terms among themselves, these terms beginning in 2014. Then, in the December 2014, the process outlined above would begin Finance Commission (Option B: Current Practice) Statement of Purpose: This commission provides a place where parishioners who have an interest in financial matters can discuss the budget and finances of the parish making their own recommendations to the Vestry. 1. Through open membership, to encourage interested parishioners to participate in discussion regarding the financial life of the parish.
2. To offer an opportunity for the Vestry to be in conversation with parishioners interested in financial matters, particularly through the Annual Vestry Budget Retreat and other times when the Vestry desires to listen more closely to the parish on a particular question. Membership: The Finance Commission is open to any member of the parish and there are no set terms of office. The meetings are open to parishioners and invited guests. When parishioners attend a meeting, they are accorded both voice and vote on all questions. The Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer (if any), and Senior Warden are ex officio members, with both voice and vote. The Treasurer chairs the Commission. The Rector attends and is accorded voice, but does not vote on questions before the Commission. Property Commission Statement of Purpose: To ensure that our historic church is adequately maintained, with recommendations regarding the property and plant being made with a concern for the longevity of ministry, environmental impact, and our Parish Vision and Five-Year Plan. 1. To ensure that the Building Fund Budget each year is adequate to current capital needs and required savings for future significant expenditures, with some years using prior reserves to undertake these significant projects. 2. To participate in our current Capital Needs Discernment and Capital Campaign, ensuring that this process addresses any issues with the building. 3. To increase parishioner participation with special building and property projects throughout the year. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Vestry and is comprised of parishioners who have a passion for our physical plant and an interest in its upkeep. It is chaired by either the Junior Warden or Senior Warden, depending upon how they decide to divide their duties. Sesquicentennial Commission Statement of Purpose: This ministry organizes, presents, and celebrates the rich history of our parish, working to prepare us for the future. The commission recognizes our history of social activism which continues today, and seeks to ensure that our parish will make a difference in the community for many years to come. 1. To inform the congregation and our broader community about the history and ministry of this parish, celebrating and honoring our traditions. 2. To create an organized digital archive that may be accessed and updated in the future. Membership: This ministry is overseen by the Vestry, assisted by the Sesquicentennial Commission, comprised of a diverse group of parishioners, both cradle Episcopalians and those who are new to our parish. The Commission oversees the work of various sub-committees who are working on a variety of projects related to our Sesquicentennial anniversary in 2016. Following 2016, this temporary Commission will be reorganized into a permanent Historical Commission.