Conducted within the context of the liturgy on Sunday, January 23, the Annual Meeting provided a time four our community to hear about various facets of Cathedral life.
The election of Vestry members resulted in Jan Davis, Yates Pharr, Carla Dimmitt Schell, and David Thompson being chosen to replace those rotating off this year.
Virginia Teel, speaking for the Stewardship Commission, described a new project in which parishioners will be asked to contribute information about ministries and agencies where they give of themselves beyond the walls of the church. This “Outreach Database” will include a brief description of the work and how others can participate.
Shawna Gilmore, our staff person for Youth Ministry, described the flow of faith development supported by programs such as Rite-13, in which youth are matched to adult mentors, Journey to Adulthood and Young Adults in the Church (YAC). She also thanked the parents and adults who support the youth ministry as teachers and volunteers.
Jack Parsons, our Treasurer, reported that we ended the year 2010 with $10,000 in the black. The Vestry recently approved a balanced budget for 2011 which includes an overall 2.5% spending increase, including a modest raise for the staff. Jack expressed his appreciation of the finance committee, the Vestry, our internal audit committee, and our bookkeeper Sue Gervais, all of whom bring great integrity to the handling of our finances. Jack mentioned the upcoming capital campaign to address our roof and other matters and thanked J. Clarkson for agreeing to chair this campaign. He thanked parishioners for their continued financial faithfulness to this Cathedral.
“God’s Loving Hands Awards,” an annual recognition of parishioners who have given many years of faithful service to this Cathedral, were given to Jeanne Cagle, Oz Henry, John Hickman, Jack Ingersoll, Jack Parsons, Bill and Diane Russell, and Linda Spangler. In naming them, David Jordan, chair of the awards committee, spoke of the unique contributions and indefatigable spirit they offer to All Souls.
Lewis Sorrels in his Senior Warden address expressed much appreciation for the many and often invisible tasks which make the life of the Cathedral fruitful. From polishing brass and arranging flowers, to choir practices in support of our liturgy, to meals made and nights spent serving at Room in the Inn, to yard maintenance and hospitality, this Cathedral is enriched by its members.
The Dean spoke of three areas of our Cathedral life. He said that the Center for Spiritual Resource is becoming a kind of ‘google search engine’ where members of the diocese can find resources for congregational life and collaboration with other congregations in that life. Our practices of economics both personally and communally will be a focus in 2011, engaging parishioners and beyond in exploring the intersection of our financial practices and our spiritual life. And speaking of our roof project, the Dean said that we honor the cost of this work to the degree it generates life beyond our doors. He closed reflecting on Jesus’ actions after he hears John is arrested. Jesus does not play it safe, but takes on publicly where John left off, calling the people and the community to repentance from those places where their personal and communal life is broken. We, like Jesus, are called not to play it safe, but to live as Jesus lives.
Editor's Note: If you were unable to attend the Annual Meeting, recordings of the various reports and presentations are available on the “Sermons” page of the All Souls website, www.allsoulscathedral.org