“An Annual Parish Meeting of the Church for the election of Vestrypersons, presenting annual reports, and the conducting of such other business as the Rector and Vestry deem necessary shall be held in the first half of the year.” These words from our Bylaws may sound dry, but they call us to an important part of our life together as a church family. The Annual Meeting gives us the opportunity to be together, to review the Lord’s faithfulness from the past year, and to look ahead to God’s future for Immanuel in the coming year.
When you arrive for worship on Sunday, please stop by the table in the hallway displaying the voters list. Initial next your name, if you have not already done so. One-fourth of voting members need to be present for the election of our Vestry, so both your signature and your presence are important!
Since we didn’t get to hand out the Vestry Candidate biographies this past Sunday, we’ve made them available on our website. Please download and read them ahead of time. This year, since we have only have three Candidates who have applied for the three vacancies, I will simply call for a vote by acclamation. In the remainder of the meeting we will hear brief reports from various leaders of Immanuel (including time for questions), welcome our newest Immanuel family members, and conclude by commissioning our new Vestry members, and decommissioning the outgoing one.
The Annual Meeting will begin after the conclusion of the second service. You’ll have some time to enjoy the food provided by the Fellowship Committee (and initial the voter list!), then at the ringing of the bell we’ll return to the Nave to begin the meeting by 12:15pm. The youth and children will have pizza and activities with Melissa, Fr. Drew, and our volunteers. The nursery will also be staffed and available. The meeting will conclude no later than 1:30pm.
At both services on Sunday, I look forward to sharing with you how the Lord is calling us to engage our new mission statement this year, providing clear direction on how we will grow in offering Refuge, Reconciliation, and Renewal to our communities and the world. I hope you will join us for this important time together.
Your Pastor in Christ,
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