Outreach Planning RetreatParlor In attendance: John Ballard, Robin Krause, Betsy Turner, Erwin Greene, Robin Bewley, Gillian Ball, Penny McClanahan, John Becker, Wren Howard, Phillip Cofer, Amrey Harden, Bill Connerat, Katherine Byrne, Naomi Norman, and Father Robert. Opened with a meditation led by Robin Bewley. Robin B. then led a brainstorming session on Outreach and Extended Ministries. The topic was what do we think of when talking about those two things. Mostly one word answers speaking to both the emotions conjured up as well as to the “spirit” of outreach and extended ministries. From there we moved on to craft a new mission statement for the MEMC ( New mission statement for the MEMC at Emmanuel:
To give and receive Christ’s love with intention by serving the poor, the hungry, the sick, the marginalized, the oppressed, and the outcast within our community, the nation, and the world.
Then Naomi led a discussion on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the ONE campaign. We discussed what the MDGs and the ONE campaign were which then led to a discussion on what it meant to be a ONE Episcopalian parish. The culmination of that discussion was that the vestry of Emmanuel voted to become a One Episcopalian parish. Our reasoning came out of the following: 1) The ONE Campaign already is a framework for what we are wanting to do. 2) The campaign has information readily available, and plenty of it. 3) The overall campaign is ecumenical, making us a part of a much larger community. 4) The campaign lets us have a focus on areas in the local community that can tie in the larger world. 5) The program is catchy and easily recognizable. 6) It allows the parish the freedom to select something and then pay attention to, focus on, and get behind it. Gillian moved that “The vestry desires that Emmanuel Episcopal Church become a One Episcopalian Parish.” Seconded. Discussion: John Becker wanted a clarification on whether this action would automatically trigger the 0.7% gift to Episcopal Relief and Development that is recommended by the national church. Naomi said no, that is not part of this program. Penny then requested a reread of the 8 MDGs. Motion passed unanimously. Fr. Robert next led a discussion on the “Who” aspect of outreach. The bulk of this discussion resulted in the revelation that there are three basic priorities for our MEMC when considering which programs to help, create, or fund as based on prior discussion within the vestry and, more importantly, throughout the parish. 1) Children. Children have been the primary focus of what has come up during our discussions. Wanting to care for them in one way or another has dominated our thoughts this past year. This focus does not preclude helping their families and caretakers as a means to help children. For example, CASA, foster care programs, and so on. 2) People who are homeless. 3) The rest of our outreach and mission concerns and efforts, not prioritized, but neither forgotten nor discarded when viable. We next divided into three groups—Local, National, and Global—to brainstorm on the “Whats” and “Hows” of outreach, given those priorities. Local Group: Penny, Naomi, Bill, Gillian, and Katherine Children: • There seems to be a strong interest in after school tutoring/assistance. There are already groups in town like • A lot of children-oriented programs already fall under the OneAthens* program, which is something readily available for us to become involved in. *We need to research the OneAthens program as to what is being done and how we can best help. • Our day school is not very diverse and there are scholarships that aren’t being used. The Homeless: • Building a Habitat House would be a great way to start, both in that it meets a need and it is something the parish can get behind and get excited about. • Increase the rector’s discretionary fund. • Work with the • Continue working with IHN. • Create a medical closet at Emmanuel for those in need that supplied low cost or free non-pharmaceutical medical supplies and equipment. • Help programs like the Nurse’s Clinic and the East Athens Development Corp. National Group: John B., John B., Erwin, and Betsy • Work with ERD both with funding and mission work. • How do we reach children on a national level? Look at Native American Reservations, research national initiatives, and do mission work. • Establish a sister parish on the national level. It could be inner city, extreme rural, or whatever. Don’t forget small markets. There are people in need everywhere not just large cities. • Be mindful that “national” doesn’t have to be far from home. Emmaus House and The Holy Comforter are great examples of that, as are looking at impoverished communities elsewhere in our own state. • Work with the • Maybe develop a scholarship fund to a college/university in Overall, we felt that a portion of our funds should be set aside for national outreach, but we should also create an opportunity for hands-on mission work for our parish on an annual or continuing basis. We need to be mindful that some of the mission work is already being done by our youth and we should encourage and enable them to continue doing so. International Group: Robin K., Wren, Amrey, and Phil The OneEpiscopalian Initiative • Tie in with efforts undertaken by our own diocese for mission in our sister dioceses in • Evaluate our relationship with Bethlehem Ministries and our continued efforts in • Dedicate 0.7% of our total budget as requested by ERD. We next moved to some discussion and decided that part of the charge of the new MEMC should be to communicate clearly and articulately to the parish what is being done in the way of outreach and mission work, as the Cathedral in We set our next meeting date for discussion on the MEMC for December 9 at The last item before adjournment was to elect a new clerk for the vestry as Clairelis Baxter is completing her three-year commitment. Robin B., Robin K., and Fr. Robert lifted up Lee Albright for the position of clerk of the vestry. Seconded. No discussion. Passed unanimously. Faithfully submitted by John Ballard, vestry member Approved by vestry
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