Our Director of Operations has a book on her desk titled Death by Meeting. The book presents itself as a “leadership fable” about one of the common realities of all organizations: the need to gather for the purpose of disseminating and processing information. Which, as the title of the book suggests, can be a burdensome—if necessary–expectation for the people in attendance.
We at Holy Apostles had a meeting scheduled for this coming Sunday. Because of the impending winter storm, we have rescheduled our Annual Meeting for next Sunday, February 1st. I hope as many of you as possible will be there. It’s important (and I hope it won’t be deadly dull!). The Episcopal Church encourages every congregation to meet formally once per year, and our parish bylaws require it.
While we gather for worship every Sunday, the Annual Meeting is an opportunity to focus on the business aspects of what we do. We hear about all the ways in which our community sustains itself; our finances, our primary mission, our initiatives, and the many and varied ministries that support the discipleship nurtured at Holy Apostles.
While we try to ensure that communication is clear and consistent throughout the year, it is also important to set intentional space for coming together in the same place at the same time. The Annual Meeting provides a forum in which to hear from leadership (both lay and ordained) and from one another about the details that support the context in which we worship; the practical foundation of our spiritual “home away from home.”
I can’t promise that our Annual Meeting next Sunday will be especially entertaining, but I hope that our gathering will be edifying—and that it will support the ongoing culture of transparency and fellowship in our common life. Please attend if you are able. Bring your questions, your observations and your witness. Our community will be stronger for it!
