Wardens’ Report: April 2019
The Wardens’ Report: a brief summary of highlights from monthly Vestry meetings, designed to provide information about our growth, finances, priorities and progress towards our strategic plan.
At our April 30th Vestry meeting, we enjoyed dinner together, and we prayed before starting the meeting. This month, we read Psalm 145 together, and we prayed for our church. We prayed for the amazing Restoration staff team and we prayed for RILA. We prayed that God would reveal His vision for our Church as we work on a new strategic plan, for energy and God’s love to be poured out on the staff who are serving our church-family in so many ways new and old, and for wisdom and provision as we seek to hire key roles in a time when our finances are tighter than in the past. We also gave thanks and praise for RILA’s recent successes, which will bring both security and opportunity for clients and a sense of divine encouragement for the RILA staff and volunteers who serve so many in times of deep practical and spiritual need. As always, we hope that you will pray with us for all the staff, vestry and God’s work here at Quincy Street.
In our meeting, we discussed the progress of the strategic planning process, as well as exciting ideas for how Restoration will celebrate its tenth anniversary (!) this fall. If you can’t wait to share an idea, vision, or dream you’ve received for Restoration in 2025, use this email address or this form to submit that important information. And be watching for other upcoming opportunities to pray and give input about the next chapter in our life together.
We also received a great update from Incarnation Anglican Church. Our Vestry serves as Incarnation’s vestry during this interim phase as Incarnation builds its own foundation within our diocese. This month, we also approved Incarnation’s recommendation for one of their members to proceed toward ordination as a Vocational Deacon. God is good! And it is so exciting to watch our friends at Incarnation to continue to build community together and share God’s love in South Arlington.
The Vestry discussed conversations and questions received from the congregation in connection with Matt Hoppe’s resignation earlier this month. The Vestry discussed ongoing efforts to gather information from and care for people inside and outside our congregation during this time of transition.
This month, the Vestry also received a financial update from Brad Jones, our Treasurer. March giving was again below anticipated levels. Giving in March was 17% below our budgeted or predicted giving. This continued a general trend that the Finance Team and the Vestry have been closely monitoring since the beginning of the fiscal year last September. While Restoration’s expenses also have been running under-budget, the Vestry discussed how this may impact next year’s budget as well as hiring decisions in the coming months. The Vestry also decided that we will not pursue a capital campaign in 2019, which had been previously considered after suggestions from Vision Night last fall.
David led a discussion about several staffing needs, some of which have gone unfilled for some time. Our staff work so faithfully to serve our community in ways visible and invisible. They are constantly taking on more responsibilities and opportunities to serve. We are so grateful for them. Please pray for them and say “thank you” in whatever way you feel led over the coming weeks. Another way we can care for our staff is by identifying and hiring new colleagues to share the work involved in making Restoration an attractive and powerful place to experience God and a community of believers. The Vestry discussed some proposals for specific potential job descriptions that would serve Restoration very well in the months and years to come. This was an initial discussion, but stay tuned for possible job postings that could be a perfect fit for you or your friends.
The Vestry also discussed extending the normal summer “time-off” for the 5 p.m. service in order to support our staff by changing their Sunday schedule. This break will begin on Sunday, June 23rd and continue through the end of August. If you have questions about this change in Sunday schedule or are looking for alternative ways to receive Holy Eucharist, please check out this blog post.
As you can see, our meeting included discussion of significant topics, but—through it all—we were reminded by the Psalm we started with. God is with us, He is steadfast and faithful, and we are excited to see how He leads us forward in accordance with His plan. Want to be a part of what’s next? Join a small group. If you’re new-ish, come to the New To Restoration Dinner on May 7. Give your time, talent, and treasure to what God’s doing. And, above all, pray for our staff and vestry, and praise God for all He has done and is doing through Restoration.
As always, if you have questions, concerns, words of wisdom or encouragement, please know that we are open to your feedback. 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.’ You can also plan ahead to attend our next Parish Meeting on June 2nd.
God’s peace to all of you,
– Chris Belen and Johanna Montague, Wardens