2009 RECTOR’S REPORT
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
As we begin our second post-Ike year, I look forward with all of you to enjoying the fruits of our labors from 2009. Much of the work of restoring and rebuilding has been done, and I hope to redirect the energy that we used to work on our buildings toward our ministries in 2010. Our church has never looked better; our offices and classrooms are refurbished and more comfortable to use; and our parish hall has all that we need to gather for food and fellowship. Therefore our mission in 2010 is to use those benefits to work for the expansion of God’s kingdom.
The above scripture reminds us that God’s purpose can be found in every circumstance that we encounter in life. God encourages us in our struggles and provides sustenance in our times of need. And God invites us to utilize our times of great difficulty as opportunities to draw closer to him. As we have struggled together to repair our lives in 2009, I pray that all of you have been comforted by your faith in a loving God and have been strengthened by the support of your Grace Church family. As we begin 2010, I believe that Grace Church has become a closer community in Christ because of our common struggles. While we are smaller in number, new people have stepped up and assisted in our ministries. You have seen what needs to be done and have helped without waiting to be asked. Because you have been so supportive and uncomplaining about the inconveniences caused by the storm, we have accomplished an amazing amount in 2009.
I mentioned in a recent sermon on stewardship that my three priorities for Grace Church are hospitality, discipleship, and outreach; therefore my goals for 2010 reflect those priorities.
Hospitality – The budget for 2010 includes increases in our investment in hospitality. Grace is well known in Galveston and in the Diocese as a welcoming parish, but hospitality is always about what we do for the NEXT person who comes through our doors, not what we did last week or last month. Therefore it is important that we continue to allocate our time and energy to providing for our guests. In addition to our after-church fellowship and Graceful Gatherers, we are planning more events such as newcomer receptions, movie nights, game nights, etc. as an easy way for new folks to meet us.
Discipleship – In our baptismal covenant, we promise to continue in the apostles’ teaching. In other words, part of our job descriptions as Christians is to continually improve our knowledge and understanding of our faith. Grace plans to offer those opportunities – primarily on Wednesday nights. We will have our annual Lenten educational series on the Wednesday nights in Lent and are also planning a Wednesday Bible study series for the Spring. In addition, if a group of folks want to meet on some other day of the week, I will be happy to support them.
Outreach – Outreach is the work that we do and the support that we lend to those outside our immediate circle. This comes in many forms – from the buying of jewelry to aid the Anglican mission in Africa, to going on mission trips to help restore places that have suffered loss. We also host meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas and provide regular opportunities for our neighbors to earn money with odd jobs around the church. This year, I plan to increase our participation with the two Episcopal institutions on the Island. St. Vincent’s House is in regular need of food for its pantry and volunteers to work with their clients. And William Temple is scheduled to host more than 100 volunteers every month, with whom we can interact and provide meals. There are great opportunities for all of us to be involved in Outreach in some way – please make it a priority to participate in at least two outreach projects this year.
God continues to abundantly bless our Grace Church in many ways. And I pray that as we begin a new year together, each of us will share those blessings with someone who has not yet heard the good news of God in Christ. Invite a friend (or a stranger) to join us on Sunday or at one of our other functions; and let the love of God and the warmth of Grace work together to bless that person’s life.
May God bless you and keep us all.
Faithfully,
Fr. Paul+