From the Rector: The Format of our Annual Meeting
This year we will be trying a new format for our annual meeting, in which the meeting follows the sermon, and the celebration of the Holy Communion follows the meeting. Our intention is to enact what we believe, that in the eucharist all our life and labors are offered to God. When we begin with the liturgy of the word, we create a context for our work together, so that our Who Is My Neighbor report, our election of officers, and our discussion of our budget, flow from our understanding of God’s call to us, as to the faithful of every generation. All these things, done in God’s name, are holy. All are responses to God’s word in scripture and tradition. When our business is concluded, we will gather up symbols of our work as part of our offering: the reports, a ballot indicating the new vestry members and wardens, and a copy of our budget. Everything we do is gathered up and offered at the altar, where by God’s grace, it is transformed and offered back to us as gift. When we see all our work together as done in God’s name, and offered as gift, we receive strength for the journey to come. God is calling to us, and part of our response is the work we do together at our meeting. Please join us as we do “the work of the people.” That’s the meaning of liturgy.
One more thing: as part of our Who Is My Neighbor report, you’ll see some pictures of our neighbors and neighborhood in the church. These will be in place for that one day only. As always, I invite you to contact me with comments and questions.
Peace,
Elizabeth