I am always amazed at how fast time passes. Already the days are lighter longer, the temperatures are warming and the robins have shown up in abundance. Winter is giving way to spring (even here in the northern parts of Florida :) and in the blink of an eye this year will be a quarter of the way done.
I believe St. Matthew’s is off to a good year; I am pleased with everyone's efforts to step up and do God's work here in Arlington. Early in January, we had a Council retreat and adopted some pretty bold goals for ourselves. Increase membership by 30, increase our revenues by 5%, increase Bible Study and Sunday School attendance by 25%, start 5 new small group ministries. These sound to me like a church on the rise!
Last weekend, we followed this up with a church-wide retreat to help develop action plans to achieve these goals. Over 50 members gathered together and brainstormed on how to make each of these goals a reality. The group was a mix of long time members like Janice Hunter, Ed Mueller, and Alan Armstrong and newly new members like Candy Schell and Tom and Christine Monroe. Additionally, all of our staff was present. Please give each of them a big word of thanks for dedicating an extra day of their week to helping in this effort.
We started the session with an ice breaker (ask anyone who was there about the Human Taco) and then got right down to work. Talk about a lot of good ideas - if brainstorms were measured like hurricanes then we had a Category 5 on our hands. After 2 hours of non-stop discussion and evaluation, we ended up with over 50 concrete action items guaranteed to bring success to our Congregation.
Here's where I feel the rush of time. With a quarter of the year soon gone, there is only nine months left to put these ideas into action and do the work required to bring us success. It is clear to me that if we are to achieve the bold goals we set for ourselves, then we need a lot of hands all pulling on the same end of the rope. St. Matthew’s needs the entire Congregation to get involved in some way and share in our success.
As of this writing, there are 5 committees - Stewardship, Social Ministry, Evangelism, and Administration/Personnel - in need of someone to pick up the reigns and lead. We have 10 committees that all need more people to help lighten the load. Additionally, we need help with our Nursery and Youth Group. Please consider becoming an active part of our ministry here at St. Matthew’s. If you cannot make a full time commitment, then volunteer to do just one task. If everyone did just one task, we would quickly achieve our goals and much, much more.
Lent is upon us and soon we will celebrate the death, and resurrection of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have much to celebrate here at St. Matthews and so much left to accomplish. Please join me in Doing God's Will and Sharing in the Joy of Christ.
Will Schaet
23 January 2012
Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I offer greetings to each of you and ask God’s Blessings upon you. What an exciting time at St. Matthew’s! I have to confess that I am a little anxious and much energized by the possibilities that lie before our Congregation.
We begin the year with 5 new Council members – Bob Cronin, Tonya LaBarbera, Angie Thacker, Dave Llewellyn, and Judy Smith. At the end of last year the Council elected new officers who took over beginning January 1.
President – Will Schaet
Vice President – Dave Llewelly
Treasurer – Jill Anderson
Secretary – Tonya LaBarbera
The Council started the year on January 14 with a day long retreat held right here at St. Matthew’s. The purpose of the retreat was to explore where St. Matthew’s stands right now and to chart a course for where we want to go. We reviewed our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and discussed our vision, mission and goals for the Church. The day was long and the work was strenuous, but we labored together with a purpose. At the end of the day, the Council adopted the following goals for St. Matthew’s for 2012:
1. Increase our membership by 30 members by 1 December 2012
2. Increase revenue over budget by 5% by 31 Dec 2012
3. Repeat the success of VBS and November Fest and add at least one more church-wide/community-wide event to our calendar
4. Identify/evaluate a conflict resolution process and communicate to congregation
5. Increase participation in Bible study/Sunday School by 25% by 31 December 2012.
6. Establish partnerships with Lake Lucina Elementary School and Lake Lucina Athletic Association to support the education and development of our youth.
7. Increase church wide communication to & from council to foster a “working together” approach to goals/tasks immediately.
8. Develop a personal and congregational commitment to the “New Creation” concept
Having set the course, it is now time to recruit the Oarsmen and Women who will propel us forward on our journey to success. On February 18, we will hold a church-wide workshop from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. All Council Members, Staff, Committee Chairpersons, and Committee members are strongly encouraged to attend. For the rest of the Congregation, attendance is mandatoryJ. The purpose of this workshop will be to take these goals and develop specific action plans to help achieve them. We will engage in some creative brainstorming, prayer, and lively discussions. Every voice will be heard and all ideas are welcome. Together, we will chart the course that will lead to the fulfillment of our mission, To Do God’s Work and Share the Joy of Christ. Please join us in the journey!
As we discussed last year, our current budget has us operating on a much reduced staff. As of February 1, Ashley Parsons, Juanita Murray, and Sue Kibler will no longer be with us. This was one of the hardest decisions we have had to make. Each of these folks served this Congregation faithfully and dutifully during their employment here. Please remember them in your prayers and offer them your thanks. In addition, both Linda Elian and Don Grimm will be operating on much reduced hours. Please be patient and tolerant as we all adjust to this new reality.
Keep in mind that we have some immediate needs. Our Youth need support, guidance and leadership. Our young families need help in the nursery. Our Staff need willing hands to help manage the day-to-day tasks necessary to keep our Congregation running. Please find a couple of hours in your week and lend a hand. Get involved and I promise you – the blessings will be yours!
As we embark on this new year, I pray for God’s Blessings on each of you. I look forward to working with you and serving this Congregation. I ask that you lift each other up, that you love and cherish one another and that you share the joy of God’s Greatest Gift with the world around you.
Peace and Blessings,
Will Schaet
