Warden’s Report: November 2019
Wardens’ Report: a brief summary of highlights from monthly Vestry meetings, designed to provide information about our growth, finances, and priorities.
At our November 19th vestry meeting, we enjoyed dinner together and prayer before starting the meeting. This month, Sean Burke led us through prayer which included praise and intercession for Director of Operations Kat Downs. We thanked God for Kat’s patient, steady hand that leads so many aspects of our church-life, many of them behind the scenes. We also prayed for energy and joy as she grows in her new role as a mom, for peace and wisdom as she balances many competing demands for time and attention, and for continued spiritual guidance and protection. As always, please join us in praying over the staff, vestry, and all of God’s work on and through Quincy Street.
In our meeting, David and Kevin Marshall shared some takeaways from the Diocese’s recent Synod. It was a fresh reminder of how blessed we are to be a part of a wider community of believers. Kevin also led a discussion about Restoration’s practical, local outreach through Glebe Elementary: we approved outreach funding to purchase grocery gift cards for 63 families in need and the Star Tree is back, starting this Sunday!! (lots of ways to get involved — click here) Kevin presented information about some upcoming special events that outside groups will host at Restoration in early 2020 (stay tuned!). Although vestry’s role in those matters is limited, it is a good reminder of how our building on Quincy Street is a gift from God that, if we steward it well, He can use for all sorts of Kingdom work, all week long.
Brad Jones, our treasurer, gave a brief financial update and led a discussion about topics that we can expect to consider in the months ahead: monitoring our financial situation, weighing options for the mortgage, and discerning options for gifts that come in through the special giving opportunity in connection with Restoration’s 10th Birthday.
David led us through a fantastic report from the Strategic Plan Advisory Team, presenting a solid and action-ready plan for the next 5 years. The report reflects a tremendous amount of work by those folks; the vestry is so grateful to the SPAT: Clark Herndon, Marlee Kingsley, Lorene Eberhardt, Drew Bond, Mary Breed, and David. And to Restoration’s staff who, in addition to their normal workload, plus preparing for the 10th Birthday celebrations, ordinations, Advent… already devised specific goals and projects that will help them to dive right in. After hundreds of sticky notes and lots of prayer… we are excited for what God has in store for this community and our neighbors. Join us in praying boldly!
We also continued our discussion about the possibility of hiring a curate in 2020. As we mentioned last month, a curacy would be designed for a new priest who could join our staff to learn from and serve our congregation at the start of this exciting next chapter in Restoration’s life. The Finance and Personnel Teams shared their invaluable wisdom and advice, and we hope you will join us in praying over this opportunity in the weeks ahead.
Finally, Johanna led us in a conversation about the results of our end-of-year, self-reflection survey about vestry. As we have in past years, each vestry member completed a survey, evaluating the past year in various ways: for example, how we served individually, how our prayer life has changed, what it means to serve on vestry, and ways to improve. At the end of this hard but good year, it was a welcome moment to reset and remind ourselves of the good Father that guides us as we help guide the church in practical ways, in supporting David and the staff, and through prayer.