2012 Newsletters

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Rector's Report for Annual Meeting 2012
 

“In God whose word I praise, in the Lord whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid.  What can a mere mortal do to moe?"
~Ps. 56:10-11

We began the year 2011 trusting God, but a little afraid. We had no program budget and all of our staff had taken a 5% salary reduction. We finished the year with all programs being funded and a small surplus (the first in 3 years!). Needless to say, we are grateful for God’s blessings and your trust and participation in this very lean year.

As we begin 2012, I look forward to a year of continued growth in our parish – in all ways. We have several active ministers working on our Adult Forums and bringing us some exciting presentations. Our Youth ministry and Children’s ministry continue to thrive. Due to a record breaking year in Pumpkin Patch sales, we have more money than ever to dedicate to local outreach ministries, and 2012 will see our second annual Oysters for Outreach program with an invitation to the general public.

Our Holy Cross 2012 Campaign gave us the opportunity to meet in small groups and discuss our hopes and dreams for this year. We were successful in accomplishing many of our goals, but not all. Linda’s salary has been increased, but we only got 1/3 of the way to our goal of meeting the diocesan minimum. The rest of the staff has their salaries restored to the 2010 level, but no increases were possible. This will make 2012 the fourth year in a row with no raises for staff. On the other hand, about half of our program budget has been restored and it appears that with the reserves we have in some of our program restricted funds we will be able to do the ministry we believe we are called to in 2012 without asking for extra funding. Our desire for paid singers and a Sexton (Facilities Maintenance person) could not be funded.

Our 5:00 pm Sunday service continues to grow and we are finding ways to include Spanish in those services that we do together. (A veces difícil) Our average Sunday attendance has risen to 299 which calls us to a continued responsibility to be clear in our communications and to work with our system of Vestry and Program Council in all of our planning and ministry.

On January 28^th we will sponsor a Disciple Development Coaching Workshop led by Mark Tidsworth of Pinnacle Leadership Associates. The training will help us learn how to help one another find our ministry and support each other as we live into our call from God. Every week new people come here seeking God’s grace and love, but also seeking a place to belong and a place to serve. Our call as followers of Christ is to help them find that place where they too can know, love and serve in the name of Jesus Christ.

So may 2012 be a year in which we lay aside our fears and trust in the God who has saved us to continue to show us the way to a deeper relationship through Christ who calls us his own.

Mike+

rector@holycrossep.org

*Editor’s note: A program church, the next step in growth for a pastoral church, has between 150 and 350 active members with many cells of activity headed by lay leaders. Clergy are still at the center of the program church, but their role has changed. Much of their time must be spent planning with lay leaders to ensure the highest quality programs. More information can be found at http://www.congregationalresources.org/article0132.asp.