As part of our continuing series on new diocesan structures, today’s video introduces Mission Regions, a way for congregations, seasonal chapels, companion ministries, and programmatic organizations in our diocese to collaborate more closely as we live into our Organizing Principle across our geographic area. Standing Committee President the Rev. Molly Bosscher and Interim Executive Officer the Rev. Alan James explain how this structure will nurture mission, foster communication, and build deeper relationships across the diocese.
We invite you to watch, reflect, and stay tuned for new videos each day this week. And we’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your feedback with us in the comments or during the Diocesan Townhall on Tuesday, September 16, at 7 p.m.
5 Responses
The links for “Mission Region Structure” and “Mission Region Map” both take you to the map. Should there be two different documents for the two different links?
Thank you! We’ve corrected the link!
In Region 1, clericus meetings will have only 3 people. About one-third of our congregations in the diocese do not have installed clergy leadership. In these congregations, the senior warden holds the responsibility for assuring that worship is planned and staffed, that administrative tasks like the parochial report, qualified voter list, and communications to the diocese are managed, that pastoral care is provided, that community presence and outreach are maintained and improved. Please explain why it is they need less communication and support than clergy.
Thank you for your questions David. The design of the map sought to balance having a reasonable critical mass of congregations while also having as small a geographic footprint as possible. Too few people (clergy and/or lay depending on the topic) or too large of geographic span are both impediments to sustained regional collaboration in mission and ministry. As to attendance at clericus gatherings, remember that it is not limited to just full-time active priests. All of the priests and deacons of the region are invited to participate in clericus gatherings (full-time, part-time, active and retired). As to support of lay led congregations, that issue is very much on our mind, in our discussions, and our planning. In tomorrow’s video we will discuss the restructuring of the diocesan staff. One of the driving factors was to create a model that could increase our effectiveness in supporting all congregations, including those who are fully lay led, without any resident clergy (priest or deacon). To that end, we are redefining roles/responsibilities and initiating a new way to collaborate internally in order to better leverage the gifts and experiences of individual staff members in supporting the particular and varied needs of our congregations.
Hi Dave, I’m not sure I understand your concern. Are you concerned that congregations without clergy aren’t getting the proper support?