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We first want to thank everyone in the congregation for their prayers and support. We have completed a series of mediated conversations about our working relationship. These meetings have proven very fruitful. We both have come to understand better how our personalities and communication styles have, in the past, made it difficult to work harmoniously together. We have also examined the challenge Melissa has had with keeping her work hours contained within the time that she's contracted for, while also maintaining the choir's high standards and keeping her life in balance. We have committed to regular meetings to ensure that our communication remains open and productive.
We have come up with a few solutions that we think will take some of the pressure off Melissa. These include:
· reducing planning time by utilizing our archives more;
· setting limits on the choir's need for individualized tutoring;
· possibly shifting her title, in the future, from "Music Director" to "Choir Director."
We have also come to accept the Vestry's decision that the children's choir be suspended at the conclusion of this school year due to budgetary constraints. Together, we will be exploring different solutions as to what will be offered on the Sundays when the children's choir would normally provide the anthem.
Finally, we have clarified Fr. Matt's vision for how we will move forward together as a parish - a vision that embraces change in an open and transparent process that includes lots of conversation with the parish. We both have great faith in the ability of our congregation to enter into this period of change in ways that do not allow our anxiety regarding change to sabotage our efforts to meet the challenges that lie ahead.
We call on the entire congregation to remember that our church does not exist to please ourselves but to bring the Gospel to generations that have not been well-served by some of our traditions. We ask the congregation to keep an open mind, remain playful and flexible, maintain a sense of perspective, and listen in love to the voice of the Spirit. We are reminded that if the Holy Spirit were not surprising, She would not be necessary - so we ask everyone to be open to delightful surprise.
Melissa is committed to supporting Fr. Matt's leadership during this time of change, and to helping the choir engage this time with a positive and playful attitude. We pledge to work together to challenge the formation of any factions that threaten our unity, and to increase the trust that we all have in one another, by the grace of God.
Again, we thank you for your support and prayers, and we look forward to working together with renewed respect and affection for one another, ever more strengthening the Body of Christ that is the Church of the Incarnation.
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