Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Vestry members,
It has become apparent that the Vestry is considering eliminating the associate rector position. The signers of this petition strongly urge the Vestry to abandon this plan and keep the associate rector position. The Vestry embarked on a plan several years ago to put the necessary staffing in place to grow the church and meet our goals both inside the parish and in the community. This plan is already showing signs of success. We are on the right track, and the parish is filled with positive energy. Why would we abandon the plan now, just as we have turned the corner?
Trinity is too large a church (and growing) to be handled by one fulltime clergy person. A staffing reduction may result in a short-term financial savings, but will likely inhibit future growth. An understaffed parish in the current climate of nationwide church decline will likely result in a steady decline in membership
Furthermore, having a rector and an associate rector allows the following:
- Diversity of preaching
- Diversity of skills (different staff members bring different skills)
- Level of staffing to meet our internal needs as well as community involvement goals
- Continuity with regard to the high level of youth programming we have become accustomed to over the last few years
- Enhanced pastoral care
- Increased community involvement
Recent surveys and listening sessions have revealed a challenging list of goals, including high quality liturgy, increased community involvement, high-level pastoral care, excellent Christian education, and variety in preaching styles. Trinity needs, at the very minimum, to maintain our current staffing level to satisfy parish needs.
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Updates
July 24, 2017
I have been reviewing the comments left by many of you and find the shared commitment to our parish growth deeply encouraging. My focus remains on ensuring these concerns reach the Vestry members before their upcoming deliberations. We must insist that our current staffing model stays intact to preserve the momentum we have built together.
July 24, 2017
The response to this petition confirms that many members of our parish share a deep commitment to maintaining our current staffing model. This momentum demonstrates that the goals we set for our growth continue to resonate with the entire community. We are now well positioned to discuss the importance of this position with the Vestry.
26 Comments
As a parishioner, I feel like it would be a mistake to remove an investment when the investment is returning measurable value. As a vestry member, I would say the evidence for decision making in this matter is clear in the increase of goodwill in our parish, less and anxiety, and less urgency for retiring the debt. Addressing low hanging fruit has done much to help, but the vestry decision to staff for growth is to plant and to tend fruit-bearing decisions. Let's not grub them out before the fruit ripens and nourishes us all and strengthens us to do God's work in our community.
I truly enjoy the diverse sermon styles and topics we receive from our clergy. I can't imagine Trinity with only one rector.
With no hesitation, I maintain that Trinity needs the Associate Minister, as well as the Director of Christian Formation. Trinity is a community of learners, and each office contributes in ways that nourishes members of all ages. Monetary costs alone should not be the only consideration, when the gains are so significant from having these leaders!
Soon after I came to this church I discovered there was a schism. It troubled me greatly. Fortunately I am reassured by the growth of ministry in this church which could never have happened without the two rectors to guide and nurture. One rector could not sustain this kind of growth. It would be a huge step backward.
I feel this is an important position especially at this time. We will be losing our Curate and there are some things our Deacon cannot do if the Rector is away. Yes, there is access to other clergy, but, in many situations, we want our own priest.
I am in favor of keeping the position.
I think Greg Gemeinhardt said everything that needs to be said
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Final supporters
Vestry members,
It has become apparent that the Vestry is considering eliminating the associate rector position. The signers of this petition strongly urge the Vestry to abandon this plan and keep the associate rector position. The Vestry embarked on a plan several years ago to put the necessary staffing in place to grow the church and meet our goals both inside the parish and in the community. This plan is already showing signs of success. We are on the right track, and the parish is filled with positive energy. Why would we abandon the plan now, just as we have turned the corner?
Trinity is too large a church (and growing) to be handled by one fulltime clergy person. A staffing reduction may result in a short-term financial savings, but will likely inhibit future growth. An understaffed parish in the current climate of nationwide church decline will likely result in a steady decline in membership
Furthermore, having a rector and an associate rector allows the following:
- Diversity of preaching
- Diversity of skills (different staff members bring different skills)
- Level of staffing to meet our internal needs as well as community involvement goals
- Continuity with regard to the high level of youth programming we have become accustomed to over the last few years
- Enhanced pastoral care
- Increased community involvement
Recent surveys and listening sessions have revealed a challenging list of goals, including high quality liturgy, increased community involvement, high-level pastoral care, excellent Christian education, and variety in preaching styles. Trinity needs, at the very minimum, to maintain our current staffing level to satisfy parish needs.
Updates
July 24, 2017
I have been reviewing the comments left by many of you and find the shared commitment to our parish growth deeply encouraging. My focus remains on ensuring these concerns reach the Vestry members before their upcoming deliberations. We must insist that our current staffing model stays intact to preserve the momentum we have built together.
July 24, 2017
The response to this petition confirms that many members of our parish share a deep commitment to maintaining our current staffing model. This momentum demonstrates that the goals we set for our growth continue to resonate with the entire community. We are now well positioned to discuss the importance of this position with the Vestry.
26 Comments
I feel our current level of growth can only be sustained or improved upon with a robust and diverse staff. I appreciate a Vestry trying to work within a strong budget framework, but I feel reducing staff at this time is not a viable path to serve all who worship or seek help through Trinity.
As a parishioner, I feel like it would be a mistake to remove an investment when the investment is returning measurable value. As a vestry member, I would say the evidence for decision making in this matter is clear in the increase of goodwill in our parish, less and anxiety, and less urgency for retiring the debt. Addressing low hanging fruit has done much to help, but the vestry decision to staff for growth is to plant and to tend fruit-bearing decisions. Let's not grub them out before the fruit ripens and nourishes us all and strengthens us to do God's work in our community.
I truly enjoy the diverse sermon styles and topics we receive from our clergy. I can't imagine Trinity with only one rector.
With no hesitation, I maintain that Trinity needs the Associate Minister, as well as the Director of Christian Formation. Trinity is a community of learners, and each office contributes in ways that nourishes members of all ages. Monetary costs alone should not be the only consideration, when the gains are so significant from having these leaders!
Soon after I came to this church I discovered there was a schism. It troubled me greatly. Fortunately I am reassured by the growth of ministry in this church which could never have happened without the two rectors to guide and nurture. One rector could not sustain this kind of growth. It would be a huge step backward.
I feel this is an important position especially at this time. We will be losing our Curate and there are some things our Deacon cannot do if the Rector is away. Yes, there is access to other clergy, but, in many situations, we want our own priest.
I am in favor of keeping the position.
I think Greg Gemeinhardt said everything that needs to be said
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I feel our current level of growth can only be sustained or improved upon with a robust and diverse staff. I appreciate a Vestry trying to work within a strong budget framework, but I feel reducing staff at this time is not a viable path to serve all who worship or seek help through Trinity.