About Us
Leadership
Interim Rector's Report
Report for August 2010
| 2006 | 85 | |
| 2007 | 82 | |
| 2008 | 76 | |
| 2009 | 79 | |
| 2010 | 80 |
| Regular | 5 | |
| Homebound | 5 | |
| Hospital | 9 | |
| Crisis/Emergency | 1 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| New | 1 | |
| TOTAL | 21 |
| Holy Eucharist | 8 | |
| Morning Prayer/Hoy Eucharist | 2 | |
| Private Home Communion | 10 | |
| Evensong | 1 | |
| Celebration & Blessing of Marriage | 1 | |
| At the Time of Death | 2 | |
| TOTAL | 24 |
What a busy month for August! In spite of being in the gym for 4 of the 5 Sundays, the attendance for this month has been very consistent for the last 5 years.
Reviewing History
This was a month of reviewing history. I caught up with parish leadership concerning the month of July, and prepared for phase two of my time with Trinity Memorial. This included individual meetings with the chairs of almost all of the committees and commissions. We talked about upcoming events and responsibilities, about goals for the coming year or so, about possible next chairs.
There was also continuing conversation about the events of June and the withdrawal of the call to rector-elect #10. Morgan Silbaugh and I also had an extended conversation about his ministry here in July. He is ready to assist next summer as well.
Reviewing Identity
The D & S Team has meet twice during the month as it prepares for phase two, and I have meet with Marcy Keeler, our new chair, and Debbie Parmelee, our continuing chaplain. There has also been a rich online conversation about re-viewing our online materials for potential candidates.
The sharpened goals are as follows:
- Serve God in our parish, community, and the world
- Strive for excellence in worship, music, and preaching
- Grow through commitment to “radical hospitality”
- Strengthen Christian formation for all ages
I think this revision reflects well the Trinity Memorial of 2010. This was a team strengthening exercise. This team is now three less with Barbara Manzo, Phyllis Amenda and Gerry Hough electing not to continue, yet the spirit continues to be strong.
I was very pleased with the response of Trinity Memorial to the neighborhood Vacation Bible School held at Redeemer Lutheran Church. I think we provided about half the staff on five hot and sticky nights for 31 children. On the night I visited I not only recognized Trinity youth, but also youth from the Canteen lunch. This is yet another example of how Trinity Memorial is taking very seriously our mission to serve Christ.
Reviewing Leadership
“If you are hit by a bus” who will be able to do your job? This is a question I have asked the staff so that increased cross training will happen. Marcy and Arlene will be working together more on the production of bulletins and the Trinity Times. Joan will be sharing detail more with Jim about finances. Arlene and Alice are working together on office routines.
In each of my conversations with commission and committee chairs we talked about a future new chair. Some groups are better staffed for this than others, and this is why we need to one on one invite additional people to join the active ministry teams of this parish.
The D & S Team changes are mentioned above, and we are very fortunate to have Marcy as the new chair. Her organizational skills are greatly valued and are already of great help.
The Canteen lunch on the 5th Sunday, August 29th, was nearly overwhelmed with about 110 people in attendance. Fortunately the women of St. Paul’s Church, Endicott, prepared plenty of food, and had plenty of hands. Susan Thornton as the site manager seemed to be working well with the women. Additional small tables were set up, chairs brought it, and plastic forks found (since we ran out of silver). Frank Donohue has today sent out a very helpful memo to the board about how we might be better organized. Dorothy Pierce has been great at visiting with people during the meal. I agree that individuals need to be invited to join this ministry that enriches the workers as well as the guests.
We also need to review the ministry of ushers, and I will be in conversation with Dan and Ginny Hill about a meeting for all ushers sometime this fall, most likely in October or early November.
The Nominating Commission had a wonderful meal and meeting at the Harding’s. They are already working on the slate for our Annual meeting in January.
Reviewing Linkage to Bishop and Diocesan Staff
It was good to have Judy Fried here with the D & S Team and to witness the leadership and conversations of this team as it continues into phase 2. Marcy has been in regular contact with Judy, and that will strengthen her understanding of us as she begins to collect a pool of candidates for us.
The bishop also continues to be attentive, he has been on the phone with me, and I am looking forward to seeing him at the upcoming diocesan clergy conference this week.
New Possibilities
We really do need to have a confirmation preparation class sometime this next academic year. I was ready to send out a letter to interested people and parents, and have decided to wait. We have just been swamped this August and September. However, this is still on the horizon. I will be talking with district clergy about how they have approached confirmation preparation on Wednesday.
Other
While this has been ongoing throughout our building work, Jeff and I have conversed almost daily. This last phase has been the most challenging with the electrical and lighting work. The delays, and drilling holes in the walls, the dust generated, and now the bulb problem has been difficult, especially with the wedding late last month, and the return for Sunday worship to the gym. The painting and plastering duo has worked around the electrical duo, and they have been making good progress. The hope is that the interior work will be completed by the end of the month.
To insure that this backlog does not develop in the near term, the Building and Grounds Commission will be meeting on the 14th to look at where we are now, what plans we can make for the next three or four years, and how these plans will be funded. All interested are welcomed to attend.
The Treble Camp was just amazing. There were 6 attendees, one from Christ Church. They sang; they assembled wind chimes; they played the chimes and they had fun. Peter is excellent with them. I enjoyed popping in from time to time to check on their fingers, they were using pipe cutters and a drill press, and I had lunch with them as well. What a gift to these young people was the training and the fun they had for these three days. This was a formation event. Thank you, Peter.
This month I spent 266 hours in ministry or 60 hours per week.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul C. Donecker, interim rector