of the
Meeting
of the
Greater
Chapter
of the
Archdeaconry
of Fredericton
held November 19th, 2009
The meeting began with a service of Thanksgiving for the Mission of the Church led by Rev. Paul Ransom. Alice played the organ.
Archdeacon Drummond then thanked Rev. Ransom for leading worship and thanked Christ Church (Parish) Church for hosting the meeting. She noted that Synod 2009 was a turning point but now it is up to us to bring the work to fruition and that it would not be easy. It was moved by Rev. Carman Hunt and Seconded by Linwood Hupman that minutes of May 19, 2009 meeting be approved as circulated. Approved.
Rev. Bill MacMullin presented a report from Diocesan Council. He began by giving a brief recap of the events of Synod 2007 and Synod 2009 with respect to the Task Force on Rural and Struggling Parishes, Budget Support, Stewardship Education, the memorial to General Synod on the idea presented by Bishop Salmon at a conference in Saint John of 10-10-10 and the Task Group to assess and evaluate efficiency. He relayed that some of this work has been done and that tasks have been assigned. Rev. MacMullin asked those in attendance to pray for the groups working on these tasks, for what needs to be done and how God can make it happen. Diocesan council had been asked to investigate Church Planting and that job had been assigned to the Mission Team.
Martha Jo Hoyt gave a power point presentation. It included some background information, discussed spiritual, numerical and financial growth. She read the definition of transitional change and gave some information, including a hand out dated November 17, 2009, on the Nicodemus project. She commented the process starts with individuals. Five priorities established by Diocesan Council were outlined:
We will re-learn what it means to be Christian and Anglican - Spiritual Development Team.
We will prepare Our leaders for a different future – Episcopal Team
We will help our struggling parishes – Stewardship Team
We will evaluate the effectiveness of our governance, structures and processes – Finance Committee
We will make transitional change happen – Administration team.
Emily Jacobs spoke about a Diocesan wide Parish Assessment. It is to be done by June 2010. Volunteer facilitators will be available to help people get through this. She also gave more details about priooities 3,4 and 5.
Archdeacon Pat Drummond then took the floor and talked about the Clergy Conference and noted that DVD’s of the conference with Bishop Salmon would be available and mailed out the following week. She relayed her positive impressions of the conference held in Moncton. The Diocesan Budget for 2010 would continue with the same parish assessments, stipends and travel allowance. The budget amount would be up $38, 000 and leadership and other initiatives will require $30,000. She stated that more parishes need to pay what they are asked for. We need 96% and last year we had 92%. If the goal is 10-10-10 we are now at 2 – 15-26. It will take an effort and more than a few years to get to 10-10-10.
Archdeacon Drummond repeated that help would be available for Parish Assessments and that Archdeaconry’s are being asked to do this, we can do more working together. Rev. Paul Ransom’s new position in Saint John was an example of working together. She noted we are in a Mission situation today, that there are lots of ways to start, maybe a breakfast club homework club, parish bus etc. We have to dream and come up with things to reach out to people.
A very interesting presentation, given to the House of Bishops by Rev. Dr. Gary Nicolus of B.C., about connecting with people was read by the Archdeacon. It asked us if we were fishing with strawberries and challenged us to see what people like. It suggested it is time to take Christ to people on their terms.
Those in attendance divided into groups of 6 – 8 people to talk about things we could do working together. Some items shared with the whole group, in point form are –
Asking why people no longer come to church.
Have a cappuccino maker
Do things with other denominations
Will the demographic information be on the web site. Archdeacon Drummond to check how the information is accessed.
Campgrounds – ministry connecting with people.
Be prepared to tell why Jesus is important to us.
List of events we do throughout the year so we can at least know what we do and share with other parishes.
Doing self assessments and pool results, pooling our resources among churches.
Knock down the walls between churches.
Archdeacon Drummond concluded that the sharing had been helpful and that we will do more of it.
Cheryl Jacobs briefed the meeting on the Stewardship conference held October 17, 2009, “A New Day” with Bishop Salmon. She said it was well attended and the Bishop was very vibrant. People were encouraged. The three themes were – Stewardship of the Gospel, Stewardship of the Leadership and Stewardship of Money. Cheryl relayed highlights and main points of these themes as she recollected them. She noted he was dynamic and gave the participants lots to work with.
The next meeting will be a breakfast meeting beginning at 9:00 am with breakfast and finishing at 12:30 p.m. in February or March and St. Mary’s, Devon volunteered to host this meeting. St. John the Evangelist, Nashwaaksis will host the following meeting in late April. A time of sharing upcoming events was held.
The meeting closed with the thought from Bishop Salmon – “Whatever were doing proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord.” And a prayer led by Archdeacon Drummond.
Submitted by Mary Robinson
February 8, 2010