“Doing for the
community, not simply for the church and the church’s survival; rather,
witnessing for the community itself.”
Attendees: Pastor Lee Brumback, Melinda Jud, Pastor Lucille Mills, Bill Smith, and
Pastor Tim Waltonen.
Opening
The meeting opened
with prayer for God’s guidance during this challenging time for the ELCA, our
Synod, and members of our team.
Old/Continuing Business
Follow-Up to Synod Assembly
·
Team members discussed a tip sheet entitled “Outreach Ideas” prepared
by Pastor Waltonen in response to requests from our luncheon attendees.
Pastor Mills pointed out the need to present the
list of ideas as part of a larger conversation about outreach; otherwise, the
list could be seen as a “quick fix.” Outreach
to diverse populations needs to be understood as a spiritual pilgrimage in
which a transformation takes place. The
pilgrimage begins with prayer that uplifts those undertaking it. A subsequent process is required to deepen understanding
of the targeted community.
Team members determined that the sheet will be
distributed in the context of a forthcoming dialog about outreach, to be
conducted on the team web site.
·
Melinda Jud will look into information on the Black Church, past and
present, also to be included on the web site.
·
Regarding Project Connect, memorialized at Synod Assembly, and
endorsed by a vote at the Church-Wide Assembly, Pastor Mills reported that she
has been designated chairperson for follow-up.
She will assemble a committee of ten.
Rejoice Report
·
Condition of Use permit – Requirements yet to be met include a deep sink
and a “high and low” drinking fountain. In
addition, an architectural drawing needs to be submitted in support of a
request for revised maximum occupancy (currently 28, under zoning for business
use). These requirements are not
difficult in themselves; the more serious issue is that the caterer (building
neighbor) who has responsibility for the build-out has run out of funds needed
for completion. Rejoice’s leadership
team will first meet with the caterer, and in the event of a negative response,
the landlord. The goal is to have
worship in the new space by December/January.
In the meantime, Rejoice meets for Bible study.
·
Ministry Review – This went very well. However,
Rejoice will need to supply $18K toward Pastor Mills’ salary during the next
fiscal year, in addition to paying rent.
This will result in a shortfall of $55K.
The Review Team asked for discernment as to whether the congregation
wishes to continue with its plans to locate in the new space. If so, the Review Team will help as asked. A question as to whether the congregation
should sign no more than a one-year lease (which would include a provision that
the rent will go up at the end of the lease) is yet to be determined.
Note:
Resurrection Lutheran, in Fredericksburg has donated its $2700
anniversary offering to Rejoice. Our
Saviour, in Warrenton will repeat its $3000 2009 donation again in 2010.
“Seven Cities Revival”
Planning
·
Churches that will definitely take part along with Rejoice are St.
Andrews and Faith, in Suffolk. Immanuel
might be willing, but is uncertain because its pastor will be leaving.
·
Tentative date for the revival is October 2-3, 2010, with a rain date
of October 9-10. Melinda Jud will check
on scheduling this with Elise Brown (associate of Dr. Love) at the Church-Wide
office.
·
Target time frame for a revival task force meeting is no later than
January 2010.
Pastor Brumback’s Report on
Flow of Funds
·
Pastor Brumback explained a change in the way funds will flow to
support the ministry of new/developing congregations. The reason for the change
is that a significant number of congregations and/or synods have failed to send
in their portion of funds to the ELCA’s Evangelical Outreach and Congregational
Mission (EOCM) Unit, leaving the EOCM to make up the additional amounts from
its own resources. With the recent economic downturn, this is no longer
possible.
In the past, the EOCM paid the entire salary and benefits package for a mission
developer, with synods and congregations remitting funds to offset a portion of
this amount. These amounts were agreed upon in advance, with the EOCM and synod
support funds decreasing each year and the congregational portion increasing.
Beginning February 1, 2010, the EOCM will send only its portion of committed funds
directly to the synod, and it will be up to the synod and congregation to pay the
developer’s salary and benefits.
·
During fiscal years 2008 and 2009, the Virginia Synod contributed its
$15K to the EOCM for salary and benefits. Rejoice has failed to contribute its
designated portion of Pastor Mills’ salary to the EOCM, which means that the
EOCM has made up the shortfall, in addition to its established commitment.
·
The Budgetary Problem – For fiscal year 2010, it is estimated that
Rejoice will require $73,100 for salary and operational expenses (in addition
to the amount committed by EOCM). With anticipated receipts of $12K plus $5K in
other donations, that leaves a shortfall of approximately $55K (or about $5K
per month).
·
Team Discussion – Discussion centered on Rejoice’s inability to attract new members
(and thus, support) in the absence of a Condition of Use permit. Team members expressed frustration that no
help has emerged from nearby congregations or Synod entities for completing the
relatively few remaining requirements. Melinda
Jud will check on the cost of these requirements. Perhaps Jean Bozeman’s office could get the
word out. Otherwise, perhaps a letter
could be written to the Dean of the Tidewater Conference, with copies to Bishop
Mauney and his assistants. In the
meantime, Pastor Brumback recommended that team members to focus on creative
solutions to Rejoice’s $5k per month budget shortfall.
Region IX Plan – Melinda Jud will submit team comments on the Region IX Plan to Dr.
Flanigan, as follows:
1. We have submitted goals in support of the
plan, and will support the plan itself, assuming that the other Synods of the
Region likewise submit goals.
2. We
suggest that the goal of multiplication of leaders, at the top of page 12, be
expanded to include the multiplication of teams.
3. Regarding the implementation of the high-level
goals stated in section 6.1: We hope to
hear more!
Matters Pending
·
Team Banner
·
Team Input to
2020 Vision
Future Meeting Dates:
·
January 17, 2010
in Fredericksburg
·
April 25, 2010 in
Chesapeake
·
July 18, 2010 in
Fredericksburg
·
October 17, 2010
in Fredericksburg
(Note that Rejoice’s Ministry
Review will be October 9-10, 2010.)
Closing
Pastor Waltonen closed with a
prayer.