THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
MOVING FORWARD IN FAITH
GOD WILLING:
First, the Vestry is committed to ensuring that Holy Spirit is a place of spiritual nourishment that is inclusive, harmonious and respectful of all members -- collectively and individually. We will keep our doors open to welcome all who seek fellowship with God.- We will improve the worship atmosphere to include pre-service quiet and facilities.
Second, the Vestry will be good stewards of this community by doing the following:
1) Reinvigorating our youth programs by:
- Continuing to integrate our children and teenagers into our worship services
- Supporting and building our Sunday School
- Finding and supporting adult leaders for our youth groups
2) Preparing and staying within a disciplined financial budget and improving the financial health of Holy Spirit by:
- Eliminating deficit spending
- Rebuilding our reserves
- Promoting an increase of parish annual giving
3) Continuing to empower and support ministry committees to take the initiative in their activities.
4) Working with the Building and Grounds Committee to develop a prioritized list of projects that must and can be undertaken in 2007.
5) Ensuring the continuing vitality of the church as we transition to new pastoral leadership by engaging the congregation in deliberate dialogue regarding barriers to growth.
Third, the Vestry, working with the Search Committee, will facilitate a spiritual, positive and discerning search for a new priest.
Vestry Corner - Mission and Stewardship:
We all have an obligation as children of God to obey what Jesus told the Pharisees when asked what the most important commandment in the Torah. His answer was short and sweet: Love your God with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself.
We were also commanded to go out and spread the Gospel and we do that in a variety of ways. We love our Neighbors by being a vital part of this community, contributing our time, talent and treasure.
What is the Mission of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumming, Georgia? How would you define your contribution to our Mission and is there any other mission that we are not doing that, perhaps, we could do? Are we doing everything that we can do to be a beacon of hope for those in despair? Are we comforting the sick, giving shelter to the homeless, feeding the hungry? Are we truly doing the work that God has given us to do?
ECOHS is more than some acreage and a few buildings with a fancy sign out front. We are more than a group of like minded individuals who enjoy each others fellowship. We were planted here to do a job, a mission in Forsyth County. We do the Love thy God thing very well - we observe the sacraments, attend service on a mostly regular basis, and try to stay out of trouble from week to week. But are we doing the Other Thing? Are we giving our time and talent? Are we supporting our mission work with our treasure?
I submit that we are not doing everything that God has given us to do. Our resources are being withheld, our talents are not being fully utilized, and our time is being parceled out stingily. Granted, there are a few individuals who are giving more than their fair share, who work week in and week out, doing work for the greater good of our community. I applaud their efforts, their dedication and their selfless giving.
We are about to start the Stewardship Season - you know, that annual event that makes us feel guilty because we have not pledged our treasure to the degree that we could and should. Each of us will be asked to fill out a pledge card - a promise to give a percentage of our income in support of our mission.
Some of us will give generously, some will give a little bit, and some will give the same amount that they have given every year, regardless of inflation and regardless of their own improved circumstances. Some will not give at all, but will continue to attend services, receive the sacraments and enjoy the fellowship.
You will be getting either a call or a letter or both this fall, asking that you make a commitment to ECOHS in the form of a monetary pledge. Please pray about this request and make the right decision. Without the funding, we cannot hire a full time Rector, we cannot purchase the items for the Pantry that so many depend upon, we cannot do the work that God has given us to do and that is a shame and may even be a real sin.
Chad Cartwright
2008 Vestry & Officers:
Kathy Gibson, Senior Warden
Russ McClelland, Junior Warden
Alice Bryan, Parlimentarian
Chad Cartwright, Shannon David, Steve Howell, Hal Neal, Carmen Smith
Charles McClelland, Treasurer
Staff:
| Jeff Daniel, Organist/Choirmaster |
| Julie Wilson, PreSchool Director |
Vestry "Go To" Liaison List:
Administration/Personnel: Primary - Kathy Gibson, Alternate: Russ McClelland
Finance: Primary - Kathy Gibson
Worship: Primary - Chad Cartwright, Alternate: Shannon David
Evangalism: Primary - Hal Neal
Education: Primary - Shannon David, Alternate: Steve Howell
Buildings and Grounds: Primary: Russ McClelland, Alternate: Steve Howell & Alice Bryan
Parish Life: Primary - Carmen Smith, Alternate: Alice Bryan
Search Committee: Primary: Kathy Gibson & Russ McClelland
