Rector and Associate Priest’s Letter to Vestry February 2010 Dear Friends, 2009 – a year of steady and faithful ministry from all of you, the people of Christ Church Deer Park, the clergy and staff. We extend our genuine and heart-felt thanks to all of you for everything that you have done to enhance the ministry of our parish, and for the energy and hours of time and commitment that you have so faithfully and generously given. We acknowledge your many and various contributions with deep gratitude. Following the energetic launch of There’s Life Here with the accompanying implementation of the vision of GROWS: growth, reaching out, worship and sustainability during the past two years, 2009 was a year when we settled into its realization and accomplishments. In nautical terms, we characterize 2009 as a year of “steady on” ministry as we held to the rudder of ministry and mission as a community of faith. Highlights of this year included the visit of Christopher Boyle, Bishop of the Diocese of Northern Malawi, and the implementation of our partner program there where many expectant mothers experienced healthy pregnancies and deliveries as a result of the financial generosity of the people of Christ Church Deer Park. They have expressed enormous gratitude. The Kids of PromiseLand had growth in numbers and active involvement in worship and spiritual formation. Our music program experienced a significant change with a new Director of Music, and we discovered an energy and enthusiasm in additional combined Sunday worship services. A new model of Parish Council was recommended and re-named, Parish Forum that would bring together a larger constituency of people in order to address significant issues and concerns affecting our parish and the Church. We upgraded our building with renovations and repairs while also increasing our rental revenues. We entered into the changing landscape of church attendance, remaining mostly steady in this declining shift across main-line denominations. The economy had a significant impact on our individual resources as well as our givings to the church that resulted in a financial deficit and a considerable challenge to future budgeting. In this shifting landscape, there are many challenges ahead. Our Worship Committee has recommended a trial period of two Sunday morning services to amalgamate our liturgies and music, providing us with a wonderful opportunity to bring creative energy to our worship and community life. Our Associate Priest and Director of Children’s Education are both moving on to new ministries, which will mean changes in staffing. The reality of alternative Sunday activities will compel us to an introspective exploration that perhaps we have not faced for some time. Some of our children and young people are no longer finding the same meaning in what others have heretofore believed, and some are losing interest in the worship and beliefs that their parents and grandparents have long cherished. We have a beautiful church building that is in need of considerable maintenance and repair requiring substantial financial resources, and the economy continues to present a challenge to charitable givings.
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