Do you know what the diocesan priorities are? This question is a favorite question Bishop Ketlen likes to ask of Vestries and congregations. In brief, our diocese has three priorities which are: Communications, Growth, and Fellowship.
How are these priorities being advanced? This initial update will give you a glimpse of what is happening behind the scene. First, the process begun with forming three teams of volunteers who were willing to commit to this work. The good news is that many said yes, and each team is meeting regularly with enthusiasm and creative energy.
COMMUNICATIONS
The first team to be formed was the Communications Team, which is chaired by Jon Delano. This team has been meeting since January, and the group has formulated the scope of their work. For example, one of the roles of this group is to “evaluate current communications methods at the diocese and the parishes.” As such, the team has set an ambitious goal of meeting with representatives of each of our parishes to learn how they communicate both internally and externally, and to identify ways the Communications Team is able to help. These conversations are also aimed at finding out how the diocesan staff can better communicate to meet the needs of parishes.
GROWTH
A team named Growth and Revitalization has been formed and is chaired by Bishop Ketlen. This team started to meet in May, and Canon Joann Saylors is deeply involved. A core purpose and role of this group is “to develop and propose guidelines for the varied and pertinent aspects of our growth and revitalization initiatives.” A great part of this work will include looking at specific ways to expand and support mission such as provision for New Episcopal Communities, Campus Mission strategies, and tools for parish revitalization. This effort will involve a lot of listening and discernment.
FELLOWSHIP
The Fellowship Team, chaired by Kathy Baird, has been meeting assiduously and has already identified fun and fruitful ways to foster camaraderie around the diocese. An initiative that this group is working on is a Passport Program designed to promote greater connections between parishes and congregations. More news will soon come about fun initiative.
Bishop Ketlen and the diocesan staff want to thank all the volunteers who have committed to serve on these teams in order to advance our diocesan priorities. We look forward to what’s next!