By Bob Carey
A major item of discussion in the vestry has been--and is--how the programs and "ministry" of St. Saviour supports and is part of the ministry of the Cathedral. Our ministry as a congregation happens through the committees we create and sustain and the work that they do. How might we then think about what they do in some integrated fashion? How might we begin to approach what we are called upon to do in ways that allow for people to finds ways of contributing time and talent to make our ministry happen?
One way is to see ourselves as part of a larger community, in this case, the Anglican communion of churches and connect with and work with parishes, peoples, cathedrals who themselves are working to ameliorate desperate conditions, to stand with the forgotten, the overlooked , the marginalized . One such program is the program that Bishop Roskam has been instrumental in developing, a program linking the Episcopal Diocese of New York and of Central Tanganyika. The dioceses will identify parishes that can enter into a "multi-year engagement" with New York parishes provides support for children to be able to get their education. The program is described in detail on The Episcopal Diocese Website--click on Congregational Life and Mission. It is concrete, focused, and very do-able.
This is a place where we can begin. But our efforts do not need to be exclusively focused on "those who are far off." What about those who are near? What communities should we reach out to, to stand with and welcome as we develop our congregational life and our capacity to create programs that can make a difference?
This might sound attractive in a large and somewhat flowery sort of way, but what we are in the process of developing and what we will be talking about in Crossing and in our several gatherings is quite concrete. We want to identify programs that we can contribute to and enlist the energies of those who want to contribute to make them happen. We want to collaborate with offices like Congregational Life and Mission and learn from Yvonne O'Neal who is the Commission Chairperson and others how our resources can best be used.
As this take shape, it will also inform the work of committees, so that our members--and others-can find ways of participating and supporting this effort. My expectation is that as we give this discussion shape and direction, it will be part of what we will be sharing with Canon Dennis when he arrives so that the several particulars that we want to deal with can be fully developed and inform the work of the coming year and beyond.
As they used to say in the old road side Burma Shave ads - Watch this space.
A major item of discussion in the vestry has been--and is--how the programs and "ministry" of St. Saviour supports and is part of the ministry of the Cathedral. Our ministry as a congregation happens through the committees we create and sustain and the work that they do. How might we then think about what they do in some integrated fashion? How might we begin to approach what we are called upon to do in ways that allow for people to finds ways of contributing time and talent to make our ministry happen?
One way is to see ourselves as part of a larger community, in this case, the Anglican communion of churches and connect with and work with parishes, peoples, cathedrals who themselves are working to ameliorate desperate conditions, to stand with the forgotten, the overlooked , the marginalized . One such program is the program that Bishop Roskam has been instrumental in developing, a program linking the Episcopal Diocese of New York and of Central Tanganyika. The dioceses will identify parishes that can enter into a "multi-year engagement" with New York parishes provides support for children to be able to get their education. The program is described in detail on The Episcopal Diocese Website--click on Congregational Life and Mission. It is concrete, focused, and very do-able.
This is a place where we can begin. But our efforts do not need to be exclusively focused on "those who are far off." What about those who are near? What communities should we reach out to, to stand with and welcome as we develop our congregational life and our capacity to create programs that can make a difference?
This might sound attractive in a large and somewhat flowery sort of way, but what we are in the process of developing and what we will be talking about in Crossing and in our several gatherings is quite concrete. We want to identify programs that we can contribute to and enlist the energies of those who want to contribute to make them happen. We want to collaborate with offices like Congregational Life and Mission and learn from Yvonne O'Neal who is the Commission Chairperson and others how our resources can best be used.
As this take shape, it will also inform the work of committees, so that our members--and others-can find ways of participating and supporting this effort. My expectation is that as we give this discussion shape and direction, it will be part of what we will be sharing with Canon Dennis when he arrives so that the several particulars that we want to deal with can be fully developed and inform the work of the coming year and beyond.
As they used to say in the old road side Burma Shave ads - Watch this space.
You can email us at wardens@stsaviour.dioceseny.org
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