Newsletter 

Pr. Jon's January letter - - - - - - -

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who

promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love

and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,

but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.                                                                                           (Hebrews 10:23-25)

The end of 2024 has come, Advent has just finished, Epiphany is upon us, and with all of that comes the annual meeting.  A time for congregations to come together that is often mandated by the order of the church’s bylaws, or of traditional ways.  Many look at it as a time to look at where the church as a whole is going, and to renew the leadership of the congregation.  It is a time to review the past year, assess where things are in the congregation, and point the direction for the upcoming year.

         As David Roseberry puts it in his article, The Annual Meeting: A Rookie Anglican  Guide, “The Annual Meeting is not a command performance for church members – they don’t have to attend.  However, they should.  The Annual Meeting is a time for the rector to teach the congregation about the church’s purpose and definition. It is an excellent opportunity to set the context of this congregation within the broader Church Universal—that their congregation is part of a worldwide, longest-lasting, and ever-renewing mission.”

         He goes on to explain just what an annual meeting should touch on.  David lists 10 things:

1)    Worship – as a gathering of believers, the church should always express their love and devotion to our loving God through worship, whether short or long.

2)    Vision – Help members understand the faithfulness of God in the past, challenges that face the congregation in the present, and needs and steps for the future.  Setting a clear vision is a crucial way to maintain the ministry focus of the church.  As Proverbs 29:18 points out, “Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint”.

3)    Testimonies – It is always good to hear what God is doing in the lives of church members.  What has God been doing in your life?  How have you grown in your faith?  How has the church been a part of that?

4)    Reporting – Seeing the different ministry reports shows a wonderful record of the church’s work, and how much of an impact the church has on the members, the community, and all of God’s world.

5)    Honor Retiring Leadership – Showing the gratitude to anyone who has heeded God’s calling and given their time over the year is important.  Most people find ways to not volunteer.  Those who do have a lasting impact on the life of the church.

6)    Elect New Leadership – Serving God’s church is one of the greatest ways we can show our love and thankfulness for what God has given us.  This is a time to elect new leadership, and to bring them into God’s mission here at the church.

7)    Budgeting – Looking at the budget of the church and how it is used to further the mission of God is an important task for any council.  The council spends time to create a budget that meets the missionary means as well as showing that we can be the best stewards of the resources we are given.

8)    Don’t Vote the Budget – The budget is a strategic working document for the church, and might need to be revised during the year.  For that reason alone, the budget should be accepted by the church body, but know that it is not a “final draft” for the year.

9)    Conflict Resolution – Most attend an annual meeting because they care about the church and love their congregation.  This is a time to meet any worries, concerns, or controversies that might have arisen this past year.  Luckily for St. Matthew’s, those are not common, and are usually addressed at council.

10) And finally, A Call to Action – People should take action to support the mission of the church, and the ministries of the congregation.  This means not only attending the annual meeting, but also participating in various worships throughout the year, committing to grow in your generosity to God’s greater mission, reaching out to neighbors and friends who may need a support in their own faith life, and growing in your own faith.

As the youth of St. Matthew put it in their Christmas Program that was performed on December 15th, God is our light in a world of darkness.  The church is an establishment that points to, shines bright with, and is a vessel for God’s light to shine in the darkness of the world.  As the words in Hebrew show us, “let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”  Let us meet together during this once-a-year event to give thanks for the past, look to the present, and hope for the future. 

We’ll see you on January 26th, 2025.

Pastor Jon Wendt