Common Ministry Stakeholder’s Gathering at Procter September 11, 2009

A message from the bishop

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ, As you know, our diocese is embarked on an exploration of what common ministry means and might mean for Southern Ohio. This exploration is being guided by a diocesan design team in consultation with Susan Nienaber of the Alban Institute, with all costs underwritten by a grant from the DuPont Foundation. The first and most pressing phase of this exploration has to do with congregational life: how should clergy be trained and deployed? What role might lay leadership teams play in the pastoral care and oversight of local congregations? How might larger congregations share gifts and resources with smaller ones, and vice versa? How are diocesan resources to be used to best overall effect in the raising up of strong urban, suburban and rural congregations? How can we best work as one body to witness to Christ in Southern Ohio? These are long-term questions, but they are also present and urgent challenges. I have some concrete answers to these questions that I would like to share, but I also want to hear from clergy and lay people in key leadership positions who have wisdom to offer, unique perspectives to share, and an immediate stake in how we answer these questions. So I am calling a meeting of stakeholders to hear what I have to say and come back at me with ideas, concerns, offers of help, and further questions. I have invited members of various diocesan bodies to attend this meeting (e.g., The Commission on Congregational Life, The Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Council, The Standing Committee, The Trustees of the Diocese, The Deans and Provosts, 412, Sycamore, Inc., The Church Foundation, The SOLLI Coordinators, the executive and program staff of the diocese, the Convenor of the Deacons, and the Superior of the Community of the Transfiguration). I urge anyone who is interested to attend, whether or not you serve on one of these groups. The stakeholders' gathering will be held at Procter from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 19. We will begin promptly at 10 a.m. with an address by me, followed by ample opportunity for plenary and small-group discussion. We'll break for Noonday Prayers and lunch, and conclude at 3 p.m. Our facilitator will be Susan Nienaber, whom I mentioned above. The cost of this event, including lunch, is free (it is covered by the DuPont Foundation grant). To register, please fill out the online registration form by September 1. I look forward to seeing you at Procter on September 19. A written piece outlining my own current thinking on common ministry will be made available prior to the gathering.

Faithfully, + Tom Breidenthal

800.582.1712 tbreidenthal@diosohio.org

Sunday Service Volunteers Through July, 2009

Sunday June 28, 2009

• Lector Hawley Todd
• Usher Florence Poyer
• Altar Guild Florence Poyer, Tammy Robertson, Lisa Perry
• Flower Guild Carol Lyon
• Counter Bob Poyer
• Prayers of People Florence Poyer
• Chalice Bearer Bob Poyer
• Healing J White
• Acolyte Hawley Todd

Sunday July 5, 2009

• Lector Belinda Perna
• Usher Susan Givler
• Altar Guild Jackie Lewis. Chuck Bowles
• Flower Guild Jackie Lewis
• Counter Roger Perna
• Prayers of People Chuck Bowles
• Chalice Bearer John Thayer
• Healing J White
• Acolyte Hawley Todd

Sunday July 12, 2009

• Lector Florence Poyer
• Usher Wanda Miller
• Altar Guild Chuck Bowles, Jacquie McCray, Bob Poyer
• Flower Guild Chuck Bowles
• Counter John Thayer
• Prayers of the People John Thayer
• Chalice Bearer Carol Lyon
• Healing J. White
• Acolyte Hawley Todd

Sunday July 19, 2009

• Lector Bennyce Hamilton
• Usher Florence Poyer
• Altar Guild, Carol Lyon, Wanda Miller, Susan Givler
• Flower Guild Wanda Miller
• Counter Florence Poyer
• Prayers of People Grace Staples
• Chalice Bearer Carol Lyon
• Healing J. White
• Acolyte Hawley Todd

Sunday July 26, 2009

• Lector Ken Lyon
• Usher Albertha Howard
• Altar Guild Florence Poyer, Tammy Robertson, Lisa Perry
• Flower Guild Carol Lyon
• Counter Bob Poyer
• Prayers of People Florence Poyer
• Chalice Bearer Bob Poyer
• Healing J White
• Acolyte Hawley Todd

Mission Council Minutes, June 17, 2009

Grace Episcopal Church

Mission Council Meeting

June 17, 2009

Members Present: Carol Lyon, Justine Matovu, Wanda Miller, Belinda Perna

Others present: Ernestein Flemister, Gary Givler, Roger Perna, Jim Edgy.

Absent: David Mukasa was absent because he was out of the country. The reasons for the following absences was unknown. Bennyce Hamilton, Jackie Lewis, Charles Bowles. It was not certain if Bret Bernard had resigned from the Council or not.

Vicar’s opening Conversation.

The Vicar opened approximately 6:15 p.m. with a conversation rather than a meditation stating that she has been thinking about her last sermon and would like to focus on “what she has learned at Grace” but asked the council for suggestions of other things that should be included. Several suggestions were made, including not to make it easy, that there be words or encouragement to keep going. During the discussion, the continuing poor attendance at Mission Council meetings was brought up. Wanda Miller asked how could we consider Common Ministry if we couldn’t even get a core group to attend the MC meeting on a regular basis? This led to the discussion of how do we do business without a quorum? Several ideas were discussed, including changing the bi-laws to allow a “majority vote of those present” or of adding other members to the MC, with the assurance that they would attend. Carol Lyon asked that this be placed on the agenda for the July meeting.

Approval of Minutes

Carol Lyon moved, and Wanda Miller 2nd that the minutes from the May meeting be approved. Carol asked Roger Perna for one clarification about his statement that we have enough money to last until Dec 2010 if giving and expenses continue at the same rate as current. Roger confirmed this. The motion was approved.

Vicar’s Report.

The Vicar discussed her written report. (see attached). She especially urged Grace to continue its presence at the Block party in August as it is a excellent way to keep Grace Church visible in the community.

Administrator’s Report

Jim Edgy discussed the fund raising concept of a celebratory dinner to honor someone from Grace Church not only to recognize people for their work but also as a means to raise some money from the profit on the dinner. Belinda Perna moved, 2^nd by Carol Lyon and passed.

Old Business

Montessori School

Wanda Miller began the discussion by stating that she had changed her mind on the school and would like for them to use a different room than the Small Assembly Room. She said she had come to that conclusion when they had the coffee hour there on May 31. Carol Lyon said she had not had time to read the memo Jim Edgy sent outlining his concerns about the project and asked if he would summarize it. He did . Wanda Miller stated that she had overlooked the memo, and that her decision was not because of it. More general discussion followed. One issue discussed was “would the parolee project be allowed to continue at Grace Church if the school were present. Both Belinda and Roger Perna stated that they would hesitate to send their child to a school if they knew parolees were present. Since we do not know the offenses of the parolees but assume that some of them are sexual offenders and offenders must stay 1000’ away from schools, playgrounds, etc, the question was asked if it would even be possible. Gary Givler stated that he though the law only applied to public schools. It was determined that there are too many unanswered question to make a determination at this time. They asked Jim to check with the Parole officers and report back to them asap and they would then determine if another meeting with Mrs. Farfsing is needed. A vote was taken asking that if it came down to a choice of having the school or the parolee program, which would be chosen. 3 votes were for the parolee program with Justine Matovu abstaining.

Common Ministry: Carol Lyon reported on the meeting of the committee considering Common Ministry. They defined the role of the Mission Council and the committee as guiding the process until the congregation makes a decision. She outlined four action steps.

1. Place articles in eGracenotes, the bulleting, and have stand up announcements to the congregation each Sunday.

2. Preview the DVD on Common Ministry, Wade in the Water, and determine how it is used. Ernestein reported that because of a generous gift, Grace church now owns its own copy of the DVD.

3. Check with the Diocese to insure that we are doing what is required.

4. That Wanda Miller will talk with The Church of the Good Samaritan in Clermont County which is undergoing this process to learn about what they are doing.

New Business

Ernestein had covered our talks with Brian Eastman about being included on his web site as a wedding chapel in her report. Jim reported that Holly Chapman, who has played the harp several times for us here at Grace and who has a group of musicians who promote themselves for wedding, has asked us to share cost of exhibition space at a Wedding Expo in the fall. It was agreed this was a good idea.

Treasurer’s Report

Roger Perna distributed the treasurer’s report. Questions were raised the previous meeting with people wanting to know what specific expenses were in two line items since they were already over budget. Roger gave the list, showing that most of the problem was because items had been placed in the incorrect line item. He will work to correct these line items. Wanda Miller moved, 2^nd by Belinda Perna that the Treasurer’s report be accepted.

Wanda then asked if the Worship Committee could make a report at the next meeting about what they are doing. Ernestein briefly reported on the meeting, saying that the meeting were open to all and are being held the 2^nd Tuesday at 6:00 p.m.

Belinda Perna then shared that she had been very disappointed and disheartened by the actions of the Diocese in hot assisting Grace Church to allow us to keep Ernestein as our Vicar.

Compline:

Ernestein led the service of Compline.

The meeting adjourned approximately 8:15.

Respectfully submitted

Jim Edgy

Acting Clerk

VICAR’S REPORT JUNE 17, 2009

Eucharistic Minister Training – Training for Eucharistic Ministers will be held on July 28, 2009 from 9am -1pm. In addition to the in-house training, Safe Church Training is also required by the Diocese.

Common Ministry

I contacted Canon Johanssen as suggested by Fr. Fetz to get the DVD “Wade in the Water” but was told to contact Fr. Fetz instead. Anyway, through a generous donation, we were able to purchase the DVD. The committee will be viewing it before the next Mission Council meeting in July.

Grace – Use as a Wedding Chapel

I spoke with Brian Eastman from the Revelation Spiritual Church of Christ and he wanted to know if Grace was interested in being a Wedding Chapel. He said the low figure for rental would be $375.00 and the high would be between $450.00-550.00. He would like to list Grace on their website. He said other churches in the area that are currently listed are: Word of Life Christian church, North Presbyterian and St. Aloysius Chapel. Jim is scheduling meeting with Mr. Eastman.

Cincinnati Boy Choir

Chris Eanes, Director of the Cincinnati Boy Choir stopped by Grace a week and a half ago and said that he had visited many churches looking for a site for their performances. The only one that excited him was Grace. He called back yesterday and wants to talk about using Grace. I called but he was not in. I left a message and I hope we will talk tomorrow.

Block Party 2009

I hope Grace will participate in this year’s Block Party. It is a good way for us to get our name out in the community.