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Greetings!
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Here is the latest Vestry eResource, featuring stories of planning and preparedness. We hope you find the articles useful as you think about how to help your church be ready for anything that comes your way.
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Vestry discernment: Setting the stage to hear God's call to your church
Vestries make all manner of decisions -- everything from the purchase of a new lawnmower to the hiring of a new rector or the launching of a capital campaign. This pair of articles from ECF Vestry Papers helps you frame important decisions for better results.
Vestry Discernment Begins with the Soul
According to Episcopal priest and licensed clinical social worker Will Thompson, the best way to solve problems is to bring people's souls and joys into the equation: "Identifying strengths, enthusiasm, and passion is more effective (and fun) than focusing on what is wrong, or reminiscing about 'the good old days.'" Here's why it works.
Why Not, if it is for Christ?
Certified spiritual director and Episcopal priest Denis C. Brunelle tells about a man whose response to any proposal was: "Why not, if it is for Christ and his kingdom?" One day, "the vestry decided to see how far they could go and still get the same response. They came up with a lavish proposal, an idea that seemed totally ridiculous." There was no way the parish could ever pull it off -- and yet together they accomplished the impossible.
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Is your church prepared?
Now is a great time to review emergency plans.
Houses of worship may seem immune to emergencies or violence, but experience shows that's not always the case. And since emergencies can happen with little or no notice, you need to develop a reliable plan ahead of time.
The Federal Emergency Management Association has put out a guide for churches that helps identify the spectrum of threats that a plan needs to cover and walks you through how to set up an effective response.
Don't forget to think what your church can provide to the outside community:
Safe space? Wifi and cell phone charging? Prayers? Twitter and Facebook are a great way to let neighbors and local businesses know you are there to help both physically and spiritually.
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Cathedral Brainstorming Session
Tues., May 20, 7 to 9 pm
at Redeemer, Providence
Please RSVP online
Please join us for the final cathedral brainstorming session! All are welcome, and we ask that you make sure your church's delegates to Diocesan Convention know about this event.
We will be presenting concrete options for the future of St. John's, and we hope the feedback we receive will enable the Cathedral chapter to present a plan at this year's Diocesan Convention, which is why we'd love your delegates to be part of the conversation now. An RSVP is requested.
Also, Morning Prayer at the Cathedral has begun again for the season. We meet weekdays at 9 AM in the Cathedral's side chapel, using the Church Street entrance. The Bishop's staff joins every Thursday. Come pray with us!
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Getting ready for the summer
Summer presents hidden opportunities to reach out.
You're probably looking forward to the change of routines that summer can bring. Perhaps you are planning a vacation or hosting friends or just eager to hang out on a Rhode Island beach.
Summer is also a great time to welcome visitors.
If you don't believe it, read this New York Times article about vacationers who have found a spiritual summer home and return to it year after year.
So, what has your parish planned for vacation season? How can you reach out to summer residents and vacationers? If you're doing VBS or other summer events, let us know the dates so we can help spread the word.
Searching for ideas? Check out the Open Doors program. (If you log in as a Rhode Island church, you can download it for free.)
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