Chapel of Our Saviour

Many thanks to Tom Templin and his crew of gourmet chefs – Duane Herrman, Phil Rische and Guy Theriot – for their handiwork last Sunday. The breakfast of biscuits and gravy was exceptionally tasty. It was to warm and full stomachs that Father De, George Hammond and I were able to kick-off the 2012 Stewardship campaign with an overview of activities and goals planned.

 Speaking of which, another round of thanks are in order to the Stewardship commission – Cynthia Nimerichter, Terry Thatcher, Amanda Bristol, Hendrika Layton, Tom Templin, George Hammond and Gut Theriot – whose expertise guided the campaign’s planning over this past summer. Above all, the commission wanted a strategy that would allow every single member of our congregation to make direct contact with Chapel leadership, to discuss the role of stewardship and the ministries and activities your gifts of time, talent and treasure will support in the coming year.

This year’s campaign is themed ‘Participate!’. It is to encourage all Chapel members to prayerfully consider their investment in Chapel beyond attending Sunday services. Time and talents are equally as important as money in stepping up the ranks who volunteer regularly. We also ask that all Chapel members engage in a long-overdue dialogue about Chapel’s recast mission and vision which will become the Vestry’s roadmap to achieve excellence in all activities and ministries Chapel supports, as well as how we answer Father De’s call to increase evangelism and discipleship (a call that has also come from Bishop O’Neill).

During October and November, please anticipate an invitation to attend a Stewardship Soiree at a home of a fellow parishioner. Besides a fun Friday evening of fellowship, it will provide an opportunity for your input and dialogue on important mission, vision and stewardship topics. The Vestry does not want to finalize these key directives without your thoughts heard! Invitations will come via email or phone call in the next few weeks; please be on the watch for yours.

In December, we will conduct a phone-a-thon to reach out directly to any Chapel member missed by either the kick-off breakfast or the stewardship soirees in order to achieve 100% participation in this fall’s campaign. Please muster your views, input and suggestions so the Vestry can benefit in their decision-making for the 2012 budget and agenda.

Prayerfully,

Tom VanBenschoten