On March 2nd, Rev. Stacy and the members of St. Paul's Vestry gathered in the parish hall for a retreat for the purpose of reviewing last year's goals, sharing some honest conversation, and setting new goals for 2013. The Rev. Jim Steen, Director of Ministries in the Diocese of Chicago, joined us as our facilitator in our mutual ministry review.

                 Rev. Stacy reported that at the Thrive learning team meeting in December 2012, they discussed many positive events in 2012 including Holy Week, the pet blessing, garden planting, the dedication of the St. Timothy Center, the choirs, Sunday School, the nursery, the developing a friendship with the Islamic Society at NIU, the decision to offer the rite of Holy Union to same-sex couples, Nets for Life at the DeKalb Corn Classic, and hosting and participating in the Stephanie Spellers workshop on Anglicanism Remixed.

                 We then discussed where Rev. Stacy's strengths lie, and areas where she might be able to grow, and then wardens and the vestry members had a chance to talk about their impressions of how things went in 2012.  Rev. Stacy also gave a similar assessment of the vestry.  I am happy to report that overall, everyone expressed a very positive impression of the past year.  The Building and Grounds Committee has accomplished a lot and the physical plant is in good shape overall.  The energy audit has been completed, and so have the bylaws revisions.  Also, although attendance has leveled off somewhat, it is much healthier (2010 Average Sunday Attendance was 58; 2011: 66; 2012: 68).  Other positive notes were that the Vestry members work well together and are respectful in conversation with each other.  Participation in vestry meetings is high, and everyone is willing to be involved in other ministries at St. Paul's.  We do feel that the vestry needs to be more effectively involved in stewardship, and that we could improve our communications with individual members and  small groups within the parish.

                 In reviewing last year's goals, it was noted that in 2012 a creative liturgy and worship team began. Vestry members now send written reports prior to the monthly meetings, and meeting minutes are posted on the church website as well as on the bulletin board in the parish hall.  Connecting with parishioners we don't know is a work in progress and still needs more work.  But we did manage to spread out some of our outreach ministry giving and not put it all at holiday time.

                 We also set goals for 2013.  Rev. Stacy plans to 1) help connect Thrive with the vestry and congregation with more communication about what's happening in meetings; 2) she wants to implement the integration of the Priest Associate, Rev. Joyce Beaulieu, into the congregation;  and 3) she would like to take a week's retreat for continued education and spiritual development.  The vestry plans to 1) take charge of stewardship involvement; 2) articulate more clearly how the vestry connects appropriately with the congregation; 3) look at how the vestry should configure itself in the future regarding spiritual/business vision and mission, and move beyond just the business aspect to see itself more as lay leadership; and 4) better define our role in ministry by identifying and articulating the changing role of the vestry in ministry and communicating that to the congregation.

                 We concluded our meeting with a celebration of the Eucharist.  As we departed and went our separate ways to lunch and home, I think we all left with a spirit of accomplishment as well as plenty of food for thought about how we might better serve God by working together both within and beyond the walls of St. Paul's church.

-Freyja Rasmussen-Johns, Clerk of the Vestry