Today the Vestry presented its plan for the future of this parish to the Rector.  The Rector is asking parishioners to study the plan and provide input to him before he submits his response to the Vestry on June 15.

Background

At Parish Annual Meeting in January 2008, the Rector challenged the Vestry to address the long-term financial instability of parish. 

In May 1998 the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Virginia approved indebtedness of the parish to $2,391,000.  At the time the annual parish base was $286,442.

The new Sanctuary was built in 1999.  The parish saw dramatic growth the following year.  In 1998 Average Sunday Attendence was 282.  In the year 2000 Average Sunday Attendence was 462.  Parish growth peaked in 2002 with Average Sunday Attendence of 621.

The parish has been declining in Average Sunday Attendence since 2002.

The parish grew until the year 2002.  However, because spiritual growth of the community did not keep pace with its numerical growth, the parish began to decline. 

In December 2005, the Vestry called our Rector.  The Rector-candidate made a "condition of call."  He would would not come to serve unless the Vestry first committed to providing a $300,000 revenue subsidy.  The Vestry agreed.   A special donation had been made to the parish and secured for the building of Belmont Chapel.  The donor aggreed to release the use of these funds for this purpose under the condition that if Belmont Chapel was not built, the $300,000 would be restored.

This revenue subsidy provided for the re-engineering of the accoustical environment in the Sanctuary.  It also provided for improvement in parish communications and the expansion of ministry to Young Families and Youth.

At the January 2008 Annual Parish Meeting the Rector challenged the Vestry to lead the parish in a collaborative process that would inform their decision on the future of the parish.  The Rector asked for a response by May 28, 2008.

In response to the Rector's challenge the Vestry met in retreat in February 2008 to design a parish process they called, Truth or Consequences.  They invited broad parishioner participation in an experience that helped them grapple with the parish fianancial challenge.

This culminated in the Next Step Parish Convovation held on May 17.  Parishioners provided input into solutions to address parish financial instabiltiy. 

On May 28, the Vestry submitted to the Rector a document simply titled, Vestry Recommendations.  The Vestry decided on a two-step plan to ensure the future of this Parish.

The first step is to call members of this Covenant Community to commit themselves to balancing the Budget for this year and 2009.  The other step will consist of several initiatives to grow this community, by bringing its current members closer together and adding new members.

Call for Commitment

In the first step, the Vestry’s goal is to raise about $300,000 to bridge the gap between this parish’s income and expenses into 2009.  The General Manager, Jim Tracy, will retire at the end of this year.  His position will have to be replaced with someone who is unlikely to donate services as Tracy has done.

The current contract for a live band at the 5:00 service will expire at the end of June.  But a Task Force on the 5:00 Service to be convened under this plan may recommend reestablishment of live music.  A separate Task Force will review the Traditional services for possible improvements.

Unexpected expenses this year, such as a serious sewage leak, flood damage, and Fire Marshall mandates, have indicated the importance of a Reserve Fund.  The balanced budget campaign will seek to increase that fund by about $45,000.

As a sign of its commitment, the Vestry has offered to contribute nearly $28,000 toward a parish goal of $300,000.

Growing the Community

This Covenant Community has a vision:  to be a place “where no stands alone…learning to love one another as we learn to be loved by Jesus, any time, any place.”

“Over 200 parishioners participated in the Truth or Consequences workshop,” said Jr. Warden Stephen Ashurkoff.  “And 83 came to the Next Step Convocation.”

“The Vestry believes that this energy and passion should be harnessed to grow our Covenant Community.”

In addition to the task forces already mentioned, one will focus on welcoming new members and including them more fully in the life of this Community.  Another task force will use an expanded parish directory to enhance communication among current members.

Success Based on Commitment to Vision

Responding to the Vestry’s recommendations, the Rector has released a blueprint for analyzing the potential for success of the Vestry’s plan.  He invites parishioners to study the Vestry Recommendations  and provide feedback to him that he will use in his response to the Vestry on June 15.