If you are sitting near your calendar, please mark this Sunday, January 22, on it. After Sung Mass, in accordance with our parish bylaws, we will hold our annual parish meeting. As I mentioned last week, we will elect new vestry members and lay delegates to diocesan convention. We will learn more about the 2023 budget. But most importantly, we will be together as a parish family. Please see this occasion as more than a business meeting; see it as an opportunity to meet together in one space (other than for worship) and to talk about what God has in store for our future. Before Sunday’s meeting, I ask you to please read the 2023 Annual Report. Although I will offer an oral report at the meeting, it will be different from what is written in the annual report. I hope that Sunday’s meeting will be more conversational in tone. Please bring your questions about the 2023 budget or anything else related to the life of the parish. The vestry and I want to hear from you.
In particular, on Sunday, I would like all of us to reflect on our individual role in this parish’s life. We will hear more from St. Paul in Sunday’s second lesson at Mass (as well as in the sermon!), but suffice it to say that St. Paul gives us a robust theology of the Body of Christ. It should go without saying that each of us has particular, unique gifts given by God, not to be squandered or filed away, but to be used for his kingdom. They are to be used in this place. I have said before that I believe each of you has been brought to Good Shepherd because you have some specific role to play in building up the Body of Christ in this local community. It requires prayerful discernment to figure out what that role is. At the end of Sunday’s parish meeting, we will look at all our parish ministries, and I’ll invite you to consider playing an active part in sustaining those ministries. We need your help. But above all, God’s mission needs you, too.
And at our meeting, I will also be asking all present to take a brief survey. Part of this survey is a direct ask for your participation in living into a parish rule of life. Some of the questions will pertain to the need for a slight shift in our daily Mass schedule (not Sundays), and some of them will ask about what other parish ministries you hope might be created and formed over time. For us to grow as a parish, we need to give voice to our hopes and concerns. This Sunday’s meeting is an opportunity for you to do so. I do hope you will make attendance a priority.
As you will read in the Annual Report and hear about on Sunday, despite our challenges (which every parish has), the state of the parish is strong. Hardly a day goes by when I’m not surprised by what God is enabling us to do through his grace. Thank you for your commitment to walking the Christian Way in this place, for sharing your gifts, time, talent, and money. I will look forward to seeing you on Sunday!
Yours in Christ,
Father Kyle