Sabbatical Planning Team notes 4/30/08
Attendees: Connie Morton-Ewbank, Thelma Hutton, Angie Robidoux, Sue LeSueur, Beth Bell Lavoie
Agenda:
- Review Susan’s Narrative
- Review requirements for Parish Narrative
- Begin building Parish Narrative
Connie compiled a comprehensive search for materials on worship and liturgy available through the church lending library and distributed an 18 page list. WoW! Thank you Connie!
Grant Proposal Brainstorming
Part A Section 1 thorough 5 Proposal Narrative – Sue will write
Sue distributed a draft of her sabbatical narrative – Part A Sections 1 through 5
Part A Section 6- Proposal Narrative
· Worship is where congregational life begins, and ends for many. Worship is not a Sunday thing. The Holy is with us constantly, therefore worship is unceasing.
· “Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength, for pardon only and not for renewal.†BCP Eucharistic Prayer C
· Worship is the oldest, finest Anglican tradition – everything we do has its roots in worship, empowering us to go out into the world to share the Good News.
· We propose to interweave the Congregational Renewal plans to “explore the evolution of worship and worship space through the development of Christianity†with Sue’s objective to “explore the dialectic between Celtic Liturgy and its impact on culture.†Much of the congregation’s renewal will include workshops, retreats, speakers and study groups. The outcome of our study will enable us to spiritually refresh our worship and physically refresh our worship space. As early worship was focused around the table/home with Jesus active with us and among us, we plan to provide for study and workshops around the table at meals and in our homes.
· Questions for our Study
o When does worship begin?
o What does it involve?
o Why do we do it?
o Where do we hope it leads?
· Guest Speakers: Charles Fulton or John Denson to speak on the “American Airlines layout of worship space.†We need to budget for speaker, travel and accommodations, local speaker $100 plus travel and accommodations?
· Hymn Sing with Gladys and guest musicians – (Nick) budget $500.
o Provide a collection box that parishioners can drop a list of favorite hymns
o New hymnals “My Heart Sings Out†Pew paperbacks estimated $12 each, would need 75, total est. $900.
Part A Section 7- Proposal Narrative
Plans for celebration of Pastor’s leave taking and return
Irish Dinner with Fiddler music
Leave taking dinner - $300 for food, $100 for music
(Check out Peddler’s Daughters in Nashua – they have Irish Stew with Guinness)
Study Series: “That the World May Know†DVD series by Ray Vander Laan, start series during sabbatical and bridge with Susan’s return $120 to $150 for DVD’s
Parish Retreat for Sue’s Return
Saturday to Sunday noon. (Doesn’t have to be on site overnight, can be held at church or Searles Castle or Barbara Harris Center on Sat and back at church on Sunday)
Parish Presentation of Congregational Renewal
Sue’s presentation of Quest
Need funds for projector - $675
Part A Section 8 – Proposal Narrative – Sue will write
PowerPoint presentations
Retreat
Conversations in place of sermons both before and after sabbatical
Part B – Congregational Information
Section 1
Founding: 1901
Years at current location: 44
Illuminating or distinctive historical events in the life of this church:
Helped start a mission in Londonderry in 1987 – St. Peter’s Church
Synagogue begin sharing space in 1993
Transfiguration sold parcel of land to Etz Hayim in 2008 to create an interfaith campus
Meeker Endowment received in ??
Headstart 2005
Started Middle Ground Student Lounge in ??
Section 2
Members: Sue to review parochial report
Average Sunday worship attendance: 48
Section 3
Last 4 pastors:
Thomas Vanderslice – 2000 to 2002
John Bonell – 1990 to 2000
Allan Monroe – 1987 to 1990
Kendrick Child – 1982 to 1987
Section 4
Lay Ministries, both internal and outreach, in which the church is involved
Outreach:
Food Pantry
Soup Kitchen
Our Little Roses
Antrim Girls Shelter
Lutheran Social Services
United Thank Offering
Gifts to Children of Incarcerated Parents
Prison Ministry
Prison Concerns Ministry
Upper Room
Millennium Development Goals
Episcopal Relief and Development
Community Care Givers
Groups:
AA Young at Heart
Girl Scouts
Music and Drama
Heifer Project
Headstart
Toddler’s Play Group
Youth Orchestra
Internal:
Mary Ellen’s Kitchen
Committee to Cook Corn beef
Mabel’s Guild ECW
Bible Study
Interfaith
Awesome Mountain Camp
Interfaith Study
Thanksgiving Service
Traditional ministries
Altar Guild
Sunday School
Adult Ed
Pastoral Care Committee
Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visiting Eucharistic Ministers
Worship
Leadership
Childcare
Acolytes
Section 5
Connie to compile summary annual budget from the church budget
Part C – Pastoral Information
Sue to provide
Supply:
If clergy is retired, we may not have to make a contribution to the pension fund. Sue is checking on emergency coverage for funerals, so that maybe we can plan for â…“ coverage vs. ½ time.
Actions for Next meeting
Sue to finalize her portions of the narrative and provide parochial report data.
Sue to register on Lilly Grant website and see if there is an editable version of the proposal template.
Connie to compile summary annual budget for 2008
Beth to prepare parish narrative portions
Next Meeting:
5/7/08 in Sue’s office at 6:30 PM. Objective of the meeting is to finalize the proposal. We will order subs for dinner.
Submitted by Beth Bell Lavoie