The link in the title will take you to an unusual site showing that God has an ultrasound machine Go to stations 10, 12 and 13. Anyway, how did Jesus find those fish? In the words of the anthem "Disperse the mists of sin, celestial Light, and unto us reveal the things of God invisible to mortal sight." Do fish count as invisible to mortal sight? Does the bare brick behind the rotten paneling in the church count? What I am getting at is the things of God invisible to us are things we may call either good or bad, but they are still God's. Charlie did a good job with the sermon, but went long on his report at the annual parish meeting (no sonar needed to find the good and bad there). Counting the votes for the new vestry took too long. I propose holding the election first to give time for counting those pesky hanging chads.
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I, too, enjoyed today's sermon but among the things which remain "invisible" are the various documents around which the annual meeting circulates. Why is it such a burden to publish the proposed budget and the biographical notes prior to the meeting? It would seem useful to be able to fully digest the budgetary line items in order to better understand the parish needs (and wants). It would also provide the opportunity to formulate reasonable questions about certain items. For example, a budget decision to either stiff the staff on pay raises or to cut programs seems awkward. Should we really continue programs that are financed on the backs of our fine staff? And, biographical notes on vestry candidates should be published well in advance in order that we can determine each one's position on the various issues facing our parish. How can we expect the vestry to represent us if we know not where they stand? It would seem that the Sunday bulletins and the Acorn would provide the appropriate media for more fully informing the membership rather than expecting a rubber stamp after a few perfunctory questions from the floor.
ReplyDeleteThe best media would be the blog! The Finance committee is always lokking for volunteers. No one pointed out the drop in pledge payments has a temporal relationship to the election of the new PB. How should we test the hypothesis that her election causes changes in church finances?
ReplyDeleteThe best media would indeed be the blog---or the parish's own website. However, the powers that be seem loathe to use the available technology. Hence, print media seems the next best choice.
ReplyDeleteAs to decline in pledges after GC2006, the available evidence seems to support that hypothesis. In our own diocese, the election of the PB caused a number of parishes to reduce their episcopal pledge in protest, which caused +Dorsey Henderson to request the rest of the parishes to increase their pledges to cover the shortfall. At COOS, the vestry decided to make an extraordinary contribution (which was not in the budget nor approved by the membership) which added significantly to the budgetary shortfall. Notwithstanding Charlie's best efforts to paint a pleasant picture, the fact remains that there is a significant portion of DUSC which is traditional Anglican and remains faithful to the faith once received. Because no parish has yet to withdraw does not prove that all is well. Stay tuned.
The Church of Our Saviour has been known to withhold our pledge to the Diocese in the past due to a deficit budget. Never in protest for national Church shenanigans. I suppose if our Bishop had voted differently, we might join the protestant chorus.
ReplyDeleteOne other issue which cries out for redress is the proposal to lower the altar. While everyone understands the safety issue, there are several other possible solutions and I, for one, would like to be able to see the celebrant. The "historical accuracy" argument is specious at best. If we really insist upon historical accuracy, we should move the altar back against the wall. Particularly when the choir is in residence, a celebrant will not be visible if the altar is lowered and that will be everyone's loss. There is no historical precedent for a portico over the front door, or even for a bell in the tower. If this parish were flush with cash, those would be nice things to have but lowering the altar is an expenditure that is not needed. Our parish website says that our parish life centers around the Eucharist. Keep it visible.
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