Calvary Episcopal Church
Vestry Retreat
Wooded Glen Retreat and Conference Center
Henryville, Indiana
Present: H. Nicholas Baker, James M. Barnes, Noel R. Booker,
Laina Brown, Carolyn C. Frazier, Downey M. Gray, James R. Hendon, Andrea E.
Morris, Virginia L. Ray, Mary M. Sachs, Margaret Scharre, David L. Stewart,
Clyde K. Warner, David L. Webb; The Rev. J. Edward Morris, The Rev. Rhonda Lee.
Absent: Nancy Anderson
First
Session Notes: evening of Friday January 27, 2006
Ice
breaker/get to know each other activities opened the session.
Open
discussion of the theme of the retreat – A Vision for Growth (of Calvary
Church)
What
do you see as growth for Calvary Church?
We need to utilize current talents
better in order to grow.
We need to advertise and promote what we
have.
We need events for young families.
The Vestry needs to take a leadership
role in getting people to come to Calvary.
An outreach program involving UL is
needed.
When people visit Calvary, provide a
tour of the church building.
We need to list Calvary’s strengths and weaknesses so that we can understand who we are first (SWAT: strengths, weaknesses, attributes, threats)
We need a summer camp at Calvary- immediately after school is let out for the summer (music, art, computers, etc.)
The culture, feeling of Calvary is
paramount.
If there is not something there, create
it.
We need brochures for the Greeters –
hand out to newcomers.
More newcomers dinners and perhaps a
newcomers class.
We need to recognize the downtown (not
inner city) syndrome and deal with it.
Second Session Notes: Saturday morning, January 28,
2006
Present:
all above except Nancy Anderson, Virginia Ray; staff members Margaret
Dickinson, Callie Hausman, Anita House also present
The
Rev. Rhonda Lee opened the session with prayer.
Further
activity to get to know each other better: What book or movie most influenced
you?
Recap
of Friday night.
Growth
theme activity: What would growth at Calvary look like?
We would be marketing out product;
advertising, promoting what and who we are and have> family
We would take a look at our image – how
we see us and how others see us – what we want versus what we need
Confidence, trust, hope
Location as an asset
Untapped source of alumnae - a coming home activity
Diversity
Involvement with Diocese
Stewardship – taking care of what we
have, the people, the building, the programs
The physical space and the parking lot
would be filled throughout the week
Spiritual growth – a loving, connected,
involved, prayerful, joyful community
Evangelism – sharing what we have,
witnessing our faith
An energy, a spirit; Experience the Holy
Spirit in all its forms and experiences; a spirit of comfort; rushing flames, a
mighty wind; empowering, prodding.
Change and permission to initiate change
and involvement; growth = change, if change stops, growth stops. Change is not
necessarily a negative or fearful thing. We cannot be afraid of failure –
failure teaches too; failure or death and destruction can lead to new life. Change
can be immediate or evolutionary. Change can add or build on to something
already good – not always destruction or replacing.
Leadership – we cannot have positive,
intentional change without leadership; new ministries to ensure growth
Third session notes: Saturday afternoon,
January 28, 2006
Present: all above except staff
Leadership of parish committees was
discussed and vestry liaisons to the committees were set.
Possibility of a long-range capital
campaign (for major maintenance, clergy assistants, sexton, etc) was discussed
as well as the need for a long-range plan.
Next year’s retreat: Wooded Glen; build
in time for walking and reflecting; should take parish directory to the
retreat.
The Rev. Rhonda Lee celebrated Holy
Eucharist
Adjournment and departure at 2:30 p.m.
James
M. Barnes
Secretary