Duncan’s Diary 2011-06-01 “Parish Vestry 2011”

The Annual Parish Vestry Meeting held at Church of the Holy Spirit last night received with thanks and appreciation the report presented by David Newby on the state and future of the Parish. David spoke to his report that involved extensive interviews with key leaders from across the Parish, an analysis of his findings and recommendations about how to journey on together. (Hard copies are available and it can be downloaded by clicking here.) The meeting received the report as an accurate expression of where we are as a Parish and a helpful guide as we seek to journey on together and respond to God’s call to us as the six churches of the Parish of St. John’s Wynberg.
Responses to David’s report underlined the importance of setting in motion a process towards reconciliation and creating fora where issues that hinder us moving forward together can be addressed. The meeting also asked the Parish Wardens and the Parish Leadership Team (PLT –the Clergy in charge of the Parish Churches and the Manager of the Warehouse) to engage with the recommendations with regard to the appointment of a full time Parish Rector (Leader); changes to the governance and administrative structures of the Parish; and gaining greater clarity about our vision and identity as a Parish.
In this regard it was proposed that a Special Vestry Meeting be held on 2nd of August to consider firm proposals. The Wardens of Emmanuel Church asked if more time could be given for the process of reconciliation and consultation. The meeting agreed to this request and a new date of 4th October was set.
The meeting also approved a proposal brought by the Parish Wardens that Andrew Gready be asked to extend his term of office as part time Parish Rector (in addition to being Minister in Charge of St John’s Church) while this process continued and until a new arrangement was agreed and an appointment made.
Earlier in the meeting Janice Dreyer reported back from a special prayer meeting called to pray for the Parish and the Vestry Meeting. She invited members of the Parish to join the group praying for the Parish at their next meeting on 20th June at St John’s Cottage. In the resolution passed the Vestry Meeting committed the Parish to pray for those who exercise leadership in the Parish as they guide this process.
We can give thanks to God for David’s report and a good meeting which brought some much needed clarity as we look to the future and apply ourselves to some definite tasks to be addressed. There is work to be done but all this needs to be under-girded and saturated with prayer. Without it we will be building a house on the sand.
Pressing on …
Duncan
P.S. The text of the resolution passed by Vestry reads:
This Vestry Meeting
1. Receives with thanks the David Newby report on the Parish acknowledging that the picture it gives and the choices it sets before us are accurately and helpfully expressed and that they provide a valuable guide to us as we look to the future and consider how we respond to God’s call to us as the Parish of St John’s Wynberg
2. Asks the Parish Wardens and Parish Leadership Team, exercising their leadership ministry in the Parish, to a. guide a process towards reconciliation and healing where there are particular issues of conflict preventing groups and individuals from exploring a common future together b. consider and engage with the recommendations in the David Newby report and to create fora for meaningful discussion so that firm proposals with regard to
 i. the appointment of a full time Parish Rector
ii. changes to the governance, leadership, management and administrative structures in the Parish
iii. the Parish’s identity, including a succinct uniting statement of its collective vision can be brought to a Special Vestry Meeting which will be held here at CHS on Tuesday 4th October 2011.

3. Commits itself to pray for this process and for those who are called to exercise leadership in the Parish. (Author: Duncan Mclea)

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