A Look Ahead to the Annual Meeting

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Download the 2012 Annual Report

by Fr. John Reeves

Our Annual Meeting is scheduled for Sunday, November 18 following the Divine Liturgy. Holy Trinity’s approach to this yearly event is simple. Reports are sent in ahead of time. Resolutions to be voted on are submitted to Council in writing, prior. Comments are kept on topic and within the competence of the assembly. We vote on a budget. Officers are selected. Then we go home. It usually takes 45 minutes, though we have done it in less time. Rarely do we need more.

Of course, this is the easy part. That is, it is easy to attend a meeting, receive reports, authorize expenditures and then adjourn. The real work of parish life goes on continuously. Council meets monthly, and ministries function year around. Hardly a day goes by where a ministry, a service, a meeting is not going on, either at the building or in the parish at large. This constant working together, day by day, by so many people reminds us that the Church truly is not an organization, as much as an organism. Bulgakov, the Russian theologian, made this observation in the last century.

An organism functions, and if healthy, it functions rather naturally. One action complements the other. The Church mutually edifies itself in love. (cf. Ephesians 4). It is not without guidance, but it functions rather harmoniously and above all, it grows. Only when an organism takes on decay, begins to rot, or lacks direction is growth impeded. Its natural function, its mutual edification, can cease altogether. In the case of parishes, if this happens, they can become more like worldly institutions seeking to justify their own existence, and focusing merely on themselves.

Above all, I think this is why our meetings are the way they are. They are not contentious. They reflect the mutual edification and harmony of parish life. And they look to the future, not to the past, because growth always leads us somewhere new. The Church organism constantly takes us forward. Christ guides and leads us onward. Our life together is one of organic movement forward in the Kingdom.

This year, we will be asked to look ahead financially to a budget increase, reflecting our continued growth. It is reasonable and one well within our means to attain (about 7%). The majority of the expense is because of our need to pay our first deacon an adequate salary for his full time work. Until now, we have not provided him retirement or health benefits. The proposed budget addresses this: a five percent raise to Deacon Alex’s base pay, plus allowances for his pension and health insurance. This will put our commitment to him in conformity with the OCA’s Clergy Salary Guidelines. The Budget and Pastoral Care Committees are to be commended for their work and their due diligence this year, making sure that we spend wisely on ministry and meet the moral obligations we have to full time clergy on our staff.

I look forward to your participation at the Annual Meeting. More importantly, I look forward to your participation in parish life beyond the meeting. Passing a budget is only one step. Supporting the budget with tithes and offerings makes that budget a real indicator of where our hearts are in our parish. It is further proof that we are truly an organism, not an organization. For, we seek to build up one another in love, so that Christ is the center of life together at Holy Trinity, in deed and not merely in word.

As with any other call for increased stewardship, my pledge will be raised first. Please pray and consider your commitment as well, as I pray for you to follow my lead.

2012 Annual Meeting Information

2013 Proposed Budget

Holy Trinity Income

Holy Trinity Expenses

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Income

Chapel of the Holy Spirit Expenses

* as of September 30, 2012