vastryretreat-2011

ST. BRENDANS ANGLICAN CHURCH

Vestry Retreat

Bellingham Cold Storage Meeting room

June 11, 2011

Vestry and Officers Present:

Bruce Litherland, Sr. Warden

Cavin Philbin, Jr. Warden

David Baines

Curry Miles

Mary Mattison

Darlene Wagner

JoElla Eriksen

Graham Johnson

Hugh Foulke

Clergy Present:

Fr. Kevin Allen, Rector

Clergy Absent:

The Reverend Gerry Swieringa

Officer Absent:

Susan Hess, Vestry Clerk

Vestry Retreat Recording Secretary:

Maddie Baines.

Kevin+ welcomed new vestry members and thanked Cavin for hosting the event and welcomed and thanked Maddie for being our recording secretary for the meeting. He proposed a round table prayer time, each person to ask one personal prayer and one for St. Brendan’s, followed by a quiet time, then prayer.

Bruce introduced the following agenda items:

Ice Breaker: round table sharing what would be one’s ideal vacation of a lifetime.

Election of Vestry Officers:

Moved and seconded (Bruce/Cavin) that Susan will continue as vestry clerk. Passed unanimously.

Bruce agreed to continue as treasurer, seconded by David, agreed unanimously.

Cavin agreed to continue as Jr. Warden, seconded by Curry, agreed unanimously.

Fr. Kevin re-appointed Bruce to continue as Sr. Warden. It was moved and seconded (JoElla/Curry) to accept the appointment. Agreed unanimously.

Question – Hugh Foulke asked for an explanation of the constituency of the Diocesan Council and related positions of St. Brendan’s members on the Diocesan Council.

Transition Time:

It is necessary to discuss transition time as Kevin+ becomes Bishop, and who we are at St. Brendan’s.

Fr. Kevin - We need to consider who we are; what is our mission in Bellingham and in the diocese.

He asked for feedback on The Three Streams of Anglicanism document. Consensus was that each person found something useful and enlightening in it. Kevin+ noted that while still at St. Paul’s, some people jumped into the “lifeboat” for survival of their spiritual life. Once ashore everyone was glad to be together. As the church has grown, inevitably diversities of experience have crept in, demonstrating that there is the need to fully understand all the aspects of Anglicanism deriving from historic practice of the Christian faith. It is important to be sensitive to these differences while not allowing them to come between being a loving congregation and their worship of God. He sees the vestry as Christian Elders. Will St. Brendan’s choose to grow into a bigger church or will it go out and plant new churches with slightly different “flavors”? Either is possible.

Discussion followed:

Embrace all the aspects we didn’t realize we are and have been all along
Turn negatives into positives
Need for good teaching and theology
Book of Common Prayer is the common glue that binds Anglicans together worldwide
Need to bring the BCP into everyone’s focus, especially newcomers to the faith
Value of instructed Eucharist

Fr. Kevin cont. – A new edition of BCP 2011 based on 1662 and 1928 versions with updated language and scriptural references by Bishop Boyce is in process of being published.

· What is it to be an Anglican in our community?

· How are we meeting the needs of small groups?

Discussion Points:

Common worship time may not meet all needs; small groups help to affect this.
How many are in small groups? Of those, how many are committed attendees?
A survey would give baseline information.
Small group leadership committee could be reactivated.
Need to educate “re blended Anglicanism.”
Consider what God is calling St. Brendan’s to do to be a Christian witness to community.
Discipleship model

Who are we?

Anglican, prayerful, welcoming, Celtic Christians, loving/caring, apostolic, keepers of tradition, prayer book church, evangelical, ministers out to community, scriptural, exist for those here and now and those to come, Christian melting pot, Holy Spirit alive and well, Trinitarian, Miraculous, thankful.

What are we called to do?

Evangelize, teach, and be well equipped in faith, church goes home with us, nurture inwardly and outwardly, keep focused, challenge ourselves, lead by example.

Question – Mary: How can we help to strengthen marriages and the sacrament of marriage?

Consensus that this is important and needs our attention – offering some kind of marriage counseling/support/encouragement.

Question – Kevin+: How do we support discipleship?

By corporate teaching/fellowship topic on being Anglican with supper perhaps twice per year.
Establish a sequenced structure for progression into full understanding of faith and discipleship.
Orientation (Alpha), catechism, baptism/confirmation, small group study discipleship, special focus groups.

Discussion followed:

Concern was raised that we no longer have expectations that people have been baptized or confirmed; that these are unspoken assumptions.

Fr. Kevin cont. – What does this call St. Brendan’s to do next year?

Plan for 2011 – 2012 and Responsibilities:

· Hire new Youth and Families minister as Stephanie will be accompanying Kevin+ on his Bishop travels and John Mansell will likely be attending UW in the fall. (executive committee)

· A-Z Christian walk – corporate education and identity, needs of our people. Transportation needs of aging members of congregation. (Maddie, David, Mary, Gerry+ and Kevin+)

· Discipleship education – Alpha, faith formation groups, small ongoing groups, children’s ministries as in dealing with grade schooler gaps, toddlers, new youth leader, new Sunday School leader. (Curry, JoElla, Darlene, Bruce, Cavin, Gerry+)

· Developing marriage ministry – Exploratory meeting to recruit suitable persons. (Hugh, Graham, Mary, Cavin, Kevin+)

Diocese and Bishop Elect. Fr. Kevin Relationship:

Presently Kevin+ has 25% financial support from Diocese, 75% from St. Brendan’s, proportional to time spent. St. Brendan’s tithes 10% to DOC. DOC tithes 10% to ACNA.
As Kevin’s+ diocesan duty time increases, Gerry+ will assume a greater roller. We can expect 50% increase in “Bishop time” this year, 75% next year and afterwards only in the capacity of overseer. Opening exists for search for younger ordained post-seminarian to assist with family/youth activities primarily, and as relief for Gerry+.
Bruce anticipates an increased need for church budget next year from $175,000 to $180,000. He plans to present next year’s budget at the next vestry meeting Sunday June 19 after church.
Need was expressed to ensure the importance that Gerry+ is in consent regarding his own needs with future planning.
Kevin+ noted that DOC has been officially approved by ACNA and his acceptance as Bishop Elect will be given within a few days from now.

The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted

Maddie Baines for Susan Hess