This has been a humbling experience, as I would not have guessed that much of anything could have derailed my focus on keeping commitments made to myself and First Trinity. Out of this journey into humility has come a new sense of appreciation for the people that form the First Trinity family.
- Many thanks to Greg Nelson for not only leading the program planning retreat but also opening his home and hosting it when the G-20 Summit security arrangements required us to abandon plans to hold it at the church. I so appreciate Greg's leadership on all matters financial and his reasoned and wise approach to the broader issues that confront us. I was here during the time we learned we needed to move, and so saw how quickly he and Jennifer offered their home.
- Thanks also to Ron Morgan, First Trinity's intrepid and experienced VP, for stepping in and providing all kinds of logistical support, leadership and documentation services for the retreat when I had to take off unexpectedly for Minnesota. I am so grateful that Ron agreed to move from past president to vice president to help me navigate through my first year.
- I also deeply appreciate those Council members who made it a priority to attend the retreat when my meeting communication was late in coming and the location was moved. I have asked the Council members to make even deeper commitments to their role this year, and it was good to see so many keeping theirs when I could not keep mine.
- Thank you also to our wonderful pastors who have been so conscientious about checking in with me, keeping my family on the prayer list and offering both their prayers and their concern. We are truly blessed by having two pastors with such strong pastoral care skills. From my experience this is not necessarily the norm, so I am even more appreciative.
- I was touched by the concern and well wishes expressed the two Sundays when I was able to be in church in the past six weeks. I have missed worshiping with and visiting with everyone - it was good to be back, and especially good to be so enveloped in care and concern. Thank you to all who have kept my family in their thoughts and prayers.
In my absence we began the program planning process. Greg has taken the information shared at the retreat and turned it into a draft budget for 2009. While budgeting is necessary, we really need to stay focused on mission and program rather than numbers. In Executive Committee today we talked about the dual role of council members, both as advocates for their own areas of responsibility and as stewards of First Trinity's overall mission, programs and finances. We also observed that stewardship has at least three components, monetary, time and talents, and we need to be equally focused on each.
However, this week's upcoming Council meeting will focus fairly exclusively on finances, though examined through the broader lenses of mission and program. I look forward to the discussion and the opportunity to hear from each Council member. We each come to the table with individual attitudes and values regarding money and we will need to listen closely to understand each other and seek consensus at least around our response to the challenges before us.
We know these are indeed challenging economic times for individuals and institutions. However, we have much for which to be thankful and so I hope we can enter our mission, program and budget discussions with a spirit of abundance. First Trinity has much to celebrate and many strengths with which to meet any challenges which might arise. It is my prayer and expectation that we will make wise and courageous decisions in the coming days and weeks leading up to the January Congregational meeting. At that time we will review the many ways we have grown in our capacity to, as our mission statement says, "celebrate and demonstrate our faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ through inspirational worship, prayer and selfless, loving service to others."
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