February 18, 2015

Vital Practices Digest: Vestries - 5 Things for February

Vestries: Five Things for February

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This month we’re featuring 5 ways to help your newly forming vestry get off to a strong start, the 5th being a resource to aid in developing year-round stewardship in your congregation.

1. "Be Not Afraid" - Is Our Role Business or Faith?

What might be different if our vestries engaged in formation, and set up similar opportunities for the congregation? “Be Not Afraid – Is Our Role Business or Faith?” explores this and other questions of getting the vestry past anxiety of being managers of the congregation.

2. Simplify Scheduling and Sign-Ups

Meetings, events, and volunteer sign-ups can be difficult to manage. “Simplify Scheduling and Sign-Ups” shares two free and easy to use services that can help church staff and volunteers.

3. I Miss Vestry Meetings

I Miss Vestry Meetings” shares experiences that can help make vestries vital, and potentially add some joy and vitality into your vestry service.

4. Reframe Vestry Meetings

Does your vestry feel like it's getting stuck in the weeds at every meeting? “Reframe Vestry Meetings” shares how vestry members can transform their governance responsibilities into a “generative, sense-making experience.”

THIS MONTH IN YEAR-ROUND STEWARDSHIP

5. A Lenten Carbon Fast

“Lent is a time to restore our life of natural communion with God, which includes understanding both our limits and the limits of God’s creation.” Consider using this resource during Lent to reflect and take action on being better stewards of our resources and the environment.