For parish leadership, a season of reflection and goal-setting

 Dear friends,

Just as the church year follows a calendar of seasons, so too does the “business” year that guides the work of St. Andrew’s vestry.  For your parish leadership, the first few months of the year are always a season of reflection and goal-setting. 
 
We begin the January vestry meeting by agreeing on a set of norms to guide our work together.  I encourage you to read through the norms, which are listed below.  They help us as vestry members not only to be accountable to one another but, more importantly, to follow our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every human being. 
 
In early February, the vestry carries out our annual Mutual Ministry Review, working together through such questions as How does our ministry together as a vestry reflect our vision:  Devoted to sharing the transforming power of God’s love in our lives, our community, and in our world? Where have we made measurable progress, especially on the goals and expectations we have set? and Where are we stuck?
 
After candid, prayerful discussion, the 2024 vestry determined that the three main goals we set last year continue to be relevant: 
1. Nurturing children and young families
2. Enhancing and increasing communication
3. Increasing vestry knowledge and skill about parish finances
We have made progress in all three areas; and we recognize that more progress is needed. 
 
We will be talking more about these goals and also seeking your input during our quarterly congregational meetings, and of course you are welcome to talk with vestry members at any time.  The next congregational meeting will be March 10 between services.
 
Please continue to hold the vestry in your prayers as we work together to honor God and to faithfully serve God’s people.
 
Blessings.  —Anne

St. Andrew’s Vestry Norms
Unanimously adopted by the St. Andrew’s vestry at its meeting on January 24, 2023. From How we live and work together in the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia. Adopted by the Standing Committee and Executive Board of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, 2006

• Listen attentively: Honor the ideas and concerns of others by listening with care.
• Practice courtesy: Observe relaxed courtesy in every gathering.
• Respect all opinions: Respectfully include all opinions, even when there is disagreement.
• Speak for self only: Listen and speak from an “I” position (but do not speak for anyone else).
• Model transparency: Act with honesty, openness, directness.
• Honor confidentiality: Respect private or personal confidences when appropriate.
• Share decision-making: Share the power by including all persons affected by the process of decision-making.
• Refrain from judging: Resist speculation or censure about the motives or spiritual maturity of others.
• Communicate consistently: Make careful, consistent communication a priority.
• Challenge in love: Challenge the times when we are not living up to our norms, speaking the truth in love.
• Forgive generously: Forbear and forgive each other’s failings, with God’s help.
• Admit responsibility: Be publicly accountable for errors, seeking to learn from mistakes.
• Be open to the new: Be receptive to exploring new ideas and possibilities.