Wardens’ Report: March 2016
The Wardens’ Report: a brief summary of highlights from monthly Vestry meetings, designed to demystify our work and provide some information about our growth, finances, priorities and progress towards our strategic plan.
The Vestry gathered on Tuesday and began our meeting with prayer at the rail. This month we gave thanks for Nathan and his work in shepherding small groups, in organizing the newly formed Church Planting Steering Team (or CPST), and in his preparations to preach on Easter Sunday. We also prayed for Women Unscripted gathered in the fellowship hall, the small groups which are concluding another trimester, and many of the other ministries which are connecting people to God, to others and to the needs of the world.
Our business meeting included consideration of Facility Team requests, a monthly financial update, discussion of increasing our building reserve fund and a look ahead as we work through the budget process for next fiscal year which begins September 1.
Ramsey provided an in-depth Treasurer’s report for the first six months of FY16. Monthly attendance was up nearly 14% over last February, which is an encouraging sign of growth. Similar to last month, giving is at 95% of plan while spending is at 100% of our budget. In conjunction with our tireless staff, the Finance Team is carefully and prayerfully helping to keep us financially on track. In addition, we are considering the feasibility of growing our budget in order to undertake new discipleship, evangelism, and church planting efforts.
We spent a significant amount of time discussing our recent dinner with Bishop John Guernsey. Each year our Vestry has the opportunity to meet with Bishop John and we always walk away humbled and thankful for his leadership and great wisdom. He was able to provide practical and experiential advice about church planting and challenged us to think boldly about how we fund such initiatives. We left more thoughtful and more encouraged in the work God is doing in our midst.
As we anticipate Holy Week together, we invite you to intentionally join others in the events leading up to the incredible celebration of Easter. It is a story not to be missed and we hope you will bring others who have never grasped the amazing news of Christ’s resurrection!
If you have questions, concerns, words of wisdom or encouragement, please know that we are open to your feedback on all aspects of life together.
You can read an archive of past Wardens’ Reports on our website or Vestry Meeting minutes on CCB, under the ‘Files’ tab in the ‘Entire Church Group’
-Carolyn Weimer and Hannah Royal, Wardens