Rector’s Address - Annual Meeting - October 21, 2007
“Look carefully how you walk…make the most of time…understand what the will of God is…be filled with the Spirit…and always and for everything give thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”
Ephesians 5:15-20
It is a privilege and joy to serve as your Rector – a privilege I recognize with deep sincerity. This December 18th I will celebrate the 33rd anniversary of my ordination to the priesthood; December 18th will also be the 58th anniversary of my baptism, I was ordained on the 25th anniversary of my baptism - and I say to you
- I have never loved being a priest as much as I do today
- I have never been happier nor more excited and challenged as a priest, as I am today
- I have never been busier or working harder than I do today
And for all of this – Thanks be to God!
I personally thank you for continuing your support, love and ministry to me and around me. You are indeed my family in Christ and Sunday by Sunday, Bible Study class by class – I am nourished, renewed and made new in Christ’s love by the gift of this place and your faith in me.
Today, in the 296th year in the history of this congregation, and my seventh as your Rector, I come to you with words of hope, promise and challenge.
Today we will elect five parishioners to the Vestry from an excellent field of six candidates. Tuesday evening, the new Vestry will begin its work with a celebration of Thanksgiving – the Holy Eucharist, and then, proceed into the business portion of the evening. We will go about planning and working for the present and future of this church – but we will do more than maintain what we have.
Buildings and grounds and programs are what people see but they are all symbols and tools allowing us to proclaim and live that We Are One Body in Christ -. That is what our ancestors in faith did – and this is why we are here today. We Remember!
Month after month, as your Vestry gathers, we share a meditation and a small meal, and the events of our own lives – then we go about the business of this parish – and they do it well – Pray for your Vestry – and Trust them – they earn that trust every month by their work and loyalty to this Church. To the whole Vestry – on behalf of the entire congregation - I say Thank You!
A special thanks to the Wardens –Ralph Adams and Carolyn Mitchell who have helped guide this parish over the last year, and have been of tremendous help to me personally.
Thanks also to the steady hand at the helm in the person of Diana Hall, our outstanding and dedicated Treasurer. And thanks also to Rick Dean, our Registrar. - the Vestry will elect new officers on Tuesday, and the Church will continue to move ahead, but let us stop for a moment and say thank you for their encouragement, dedication and support - For the gifts and talents of these individuals who have served as officers of the Vestry over this last year – We Rejoice!
When I came to Christ church, at the turn of the Millennium (Doesn’t that sound ancient?) – a Search Committee recommended to the Vestry that I be called as Rector. Of that committee, only about two thirds still attend Christ Church; The same is true of that original Vestry. With the exception of our devoted and gifted Treasurer, no one from that first year will now serve on your Vestry.
In other words, this is a whole new ballgame! The relationship is changing, and I am getting older. From my perspective - as long as this congregation (and the Lord) seek for me to be here---I plan on being here. But we all know the work and ministry of this exciting place is too much for one priest alone.
ChristChurch is blessed to have two assistants of exceptional quality and caring spirit. After discussion with both, it is my expectation that Mary and Andrew will serve this congregation in 2008 – both continuing on a part-time basis. Mary wants at least half the year on a part-time basis to continue her love and ministry as “mother to Andrew – While Andrew (the other one) continues work on his doctorate. I have never had two better assistants in my entire ministry – and believe me, for this I give thanks from all of us. Mary and Andrew – thank you!
Every one of our lay staff goes far beyond what the job description requires – What a joy it is to lead this staff -Maggie Caldwell, our Parish Administrator, Jane Bowie our director of Music, Jenifer Johnson, our sexton, Cynthia Willis, our Parish nurse, Mary Keath, our Parish Coordinator, Linda Hayes, our Christ Church Link Coordinator and Kristin Archibald, our Nursery Care Provider -!
Each of them is with us today, for you to see and to for us to extend our appreciation... I ask them all to stand – and to receive the thanks of this congregation for their care and guidance and extraordinary hard work.
A special word of thanks to Jenifer Johnson, who fulfills her responsibilities as Sexton, but then throws in extraordinary hours beyond that for which she is paid - to conduct the business of her passion – Old Brick. We do not have enough words to adequately express our thanks and appreciation – so we hope the flowers from the altar will at least let you know, Jenifer, that we hold a special place for you in our hearts.
Our goal of making a decision concerning the Altar wall has taken time; but the Liturgy & Worship Commission Task Force has a final recommendation. We have moved slowly because we wanted to listen, but now it is time to Reveal! That report will come soon after I am finished with this address.
A look back at my years here will certainly indicate the goal of updating and maintaining our buildings and grounds. We are working hard to overcome years of not having enough money to properly care for the fabric of our property. As good stewards of this place, we recognize that maintenance is not a budget item that can be ignored. We must fix the broken, replace the worn out, modernize the out-dated and make these properties reflect our belief that they are gifts from God to be given as gifts to others. We will do this by putting money aside for the absolutely necessary and anticipated costs of living in this place –
Much of the work can be done by volunteers, but it is not always easy to get people to give up a few hours and work at the church – except that is, on that Saturday in September when over 60 gathered to get Old Brick ready for the landscaping company - and again we say thanks.
The other exception is the Scouting Programs who regularly come to us seeking projects for their Eagle Scout candidates. The latest project for an Eagle Scout is the replacement of the handicap ramp to the offices and Old Brick, a work that has begun and will be completed next weekend.
As a growth goal for 2007, I asked us to raise our average Sunday attendance from 285 to over 300 by making sure our own attendance was strong, our children are with us and our friends know they are invited. We did not make that goal, holding pretty stable in numbers from 2006. This is life-changing community we share here – and more in this community need to hear of it and accept your invitation to join us in worship. Don’t wait – do it!
“We Are One Body in Christ” is our common prayer and commitment as we approach Pledge Sunday in two weeks time on November 4th. Our pledges are the core of continued growth, and I ask each of you to increase your support of the work before us. I repeat my words of last year:
Pledges are not dues – They are tools to change the world – one person at a time; Pledges are not membership fees – they are resources to bring good news to at times a bad world; Pledges are not burdens, but they are gifts returned to God, blessed by God and used by God.
My goal and expectation is that every household will make a financial pledge to God’s work here for 2008. The mailing with Pledge cards goes out on Tuesday. The Lord is calling you; You, whose home this is, whose family we are, whose faith we count on, whose life we honor and respect – You.
When I came in 2001, we spoke of a distant time when Old Brick would be 200 and Christ Church would be 300 years old - There is now only a little more than one year until Old Brick is 200 years old – the oldest active church building in Howard County; there is only a little more than three years until we celebrate our 300th year of Christian life and witness in this place.
When I came, we spoke about the goal of making sure Old Brick was around for the history of people in future generations to experience. The report contained in our booklet, along with Tim’s words, tell us how faithful we have been to that journey.
The building is structurally secure with trusses repaired and a new roof added. This week, construction begins to landscape the area with a new brick walkway with a larger area to gather or sit and meditate in the front. Three benches will adorn this spot, all to be auctioned off at the Parish Auction on November 3rd. (Hold up commemorative brick) – 108 Commemorative bricks will mark the spot – Our second order will be sent a week from tomorrow, so if you would like to buy a New Brick for Old Brick – do so this week. Of course, our plans allow for bricks to be added for many years to come – To complete our task of getting ready for 2009 – we need the following:
- Sponsors for the 7 clear windows at a cost of $4,000 apiece
- Sponsor for the restoration/repair of the bell and belfry @ $8,000.00
- Benches – (3) - Auction
Last year in this address, I called upon the Vestry to establish an Historical Celebrations Committee with specific responsibility to research and plan ways we can lift up these important milestones, and to report to us. I am excited about the possibilities. Steve and Linda Alpern head up that committee.
Our re-cycling bin continues to be filled with papers, as we seek a way to be good stewards of the earth. In a conversation held this week, we discovered that of all the Episcopal Churches participating with the Abitibi Recycling Program, we are the fifth largest contributor in the nation. Every dollar goes to support Coalition for Compassion, a community effort to house the homeless and feed those who are hungry. Keep those papers coming.
A goal from the past had been to sponsor a Boy Scout Troop. We are so honored and happy to have become the sponsor of Troop 617, with the continued liaison of Kent Riggins. Troop 280, out of the Home School Association that meets here, also seeks our sponsorship, with the Vestry pledging to support it in every way as we discover what it means to be a sponsor.
Day after Day, our buildings are used by community groups coming together, knowing that Christ Church is here, and often “sneaking upstairs for a moment of quiet prayer or reflection. We have increased the fees we charge over the past years, and the Vestry keeps an annual watch over this, but this is a good thing we do. How much more the property is enjoyed when we offer the expanded Playground, completed in September, thanks to donations and hard work led by Rick Dean and friends of Christ Church.
Why did we come to you with the dreams of RRR? We realized that the campaign was not about highly polished ads or gimmicks or a strong-arm mandate. We realized that eradicating the mortgage by the end of 2010 not only made good sense; it was long overdue and would result in an explosion of ministry opportunities.
In September, Jean Bunker and Jill Robinson presented our campaign – and on the next Sunday morning, we presented our gifts – and more have come in since then:
Today, we stand at:
84 Pledges for a total so far of $234, 310.00
We have already received $22,525.00
Brochures and envelopes are on the table –
Received a note – from former parishioners – telling me how much they enjoyed receiving the news of life at CEC. They sent a gift, along with a note and pledge for RRR – the largest pledge received to date. People care about this place, and for good reason! Our goal is challenging – but our goal is reachable. By the end of 2010, when our mortgage payment is callable, have nothing left for the bank to call. I call upon the Finance Committee to begin planning for the appropriate and intentional use of that $65,000.00 per year we will not be paying to the bank. I ask them to consider the regular investment of a portion of that savings for the ongoing and anticipated maintenance needs of this plant, along with creating new opportunities for funding our Spiritual Life, Outreach and Formation endeavors.
For my birthday in September, my 15-month-old granddaughter bought me a CD with duets starring Reba McIntyre – I play it over and over again in my car, - one – a duet with Carole King is called Everyday People. It tells a story of:
College kids – heading on spring break not to the beach but to repair houses in Louisiana
Friends and neighbors of a 30 year old single mother of two, diagnosed with cancer caught early enough – who discovered her bills were paid; by whom - she’ll never know.
A little girl holding the hand of her mother who cries as they enter the house built just for them by people who offered their time and energy.
BUT - the Chorus reminds us who –
Everyday People – are the ones who are making miracles
Everyday People - lifting up the world, like an answered prayer
I thank God they’re there – they’re the ones who care
Everyday People
I would change the words to read –
Christ’s loving people – are the ones who are making miracles
Christ’s loving people – lifting up the world, like an answered prayer
I thank God that they’re there – they’re the ones who care
Christ’s loving people
Do you realize, that one person’s home, left to CEC in their will – would eradicate the mortgage? Do you realize that remembering CEC in your will in any way assures the continuation of projects and ministry – small and great?
Do you realize that end of year gifts substantially change the way CEC operates for the better?
Every once in a while, I am asked if we might be overdoing the requests for monies – after all, there is Old Brick and the Playground and the Altar Wall and the Mortgage and the Pledge drive. Not every asking appeals to everyone, and I firmly believe that you respond as best as you are able – Different projects touch different people – so we will keep planning, and I will keep asking. The most oft heard response from people who are asked why they didn’t give – is – “You never asked me” We will only ask for that we truly believe we need. – but we will ask.
Nine months ago, this diocese began the process of selecting the next Bishop of Maryland, as Bob Ihloff officially retired in April. As one of the Co-chairpersons of that committee, I commend our work and all who are being considered to your prayers. The next two months will be filled with activity and my need to be away a few Sundays to make visitations for interviews. We present a slate of candidates to the diocese on January 7, 2008 – and the Convention will elect our next bishop on March 29th- the Saturday following Easter. To say this is an immense responsibility is certainly an understatement, but we have entrusted ourselves, the candidates and the process to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
It is time to update our Pictorial Directory – and we will do so in November and December of this year. The charts are up – make your appointment and get your picture taken, so that we can reach our goal of 100% participation. Fred Hannasch is chairing this endeavor – so let’s give him all the help we can. The directory will be out around Easter of 2008.
There is work to be done, and lives to be changed, and we need to look within for the gifts that are needed to accomplish this. I know there is much work to do – but together, with Christ as our center… we will get it done.
Not concentrating upon what we lack, but rather on the abundance of what we already have, our goal is to open our hearts, our lives and our doors to all who seek the knowledge and love of the Lord. For those that seek refreshment, and for those that seek renewal, let us dedicate ourselves to the ministry before us, here and now, in this place.
And now a personal note – According to my letter of Agreement, signed by the Bishop, Myself and the Vestry in 2001, I was supposed to take a sabbatical in 2007. With my involvement with the Bishop’s Search Committee, the election and the Consecration, I am not sure when time will allow for a sabbatical, but I will be talking with the new Vestry about the possibilities. I am leaning more and more to using the time to research the lives and ministries of the prior rectors of Christ Church, with names like MacGill, Claggett, Aydelott, Harrisson, Wheaton and others. There is much to plan and discuss before any of this happens, and I will be counting upon your new Vestry.
My largest goal for the coming year- to make this a place where people can come and find God's truth for themselves but not by themselves; A place where our hearts are partnered with our minds, where each individual is loved and supported, and where gifts given by God to one of us are shared with all of us.
I conclude as I began – with gratitude, and with the simple request that you hold me in prayer. May God continue to bless our life together, those whom we love and this parish.
Amen.
The Rev. Richard A. Ginnever +