MUTUAL MINISTRY REVIEW REFLECTIONS - July

A new monthly series on thing we're working on at St. Margaret's

This spring the parish conducted a Mutual Ministry Review (MMR). Each parishioner was given the opportunity to complete a survey either online or by hard copy. Out of the 131 eligible survey-takers, 26 surveys were completed, including surveys by the entire Vestry and Rector. The results of those surveys were tabulated and discussed by the Facilitator, Vestry, and Rector at their recent retreat on May 16, 2015. The Vestry, seeing a need to continue working on the comments submitted, met again on Sunday, May 31, to compile its thoughts and to work on action plans to prioritize the needs expressed in the surveys. 

The MMR was designed around 12 marks of health. Of those 12 marks, St. Margaret’s showed strength in the following areas:

  1. Worship, 
  2. Stewardship, 
  3. Cares, 
  4. Reaches Out, and 
  5. Connection.

Our opportunities for improvement were in the following areas:

  1. Knows Itself and Moves Forward, 
  2. Invites and Incorporates, 
  3. Disciples, 
  4. Empowers Leaders, 
  5. Fosters a Learning Culture,
  6. Communicates, and 
  7. Manages Conflict.

In the Retreat, we focused on work around Mission and Identity, Faith Formation, and Communication and Operations. What was clear was that we are doing a lot of great work. What was also clear is that we can work better around transparency and systems. We also talked about some challenges that are specific to St. Margaret’s and Long Island, including that we are a community of commuters and that we functioned in an alcoholic system for many years and are still recovering from that reality.

Over the coming months, you will see full articles about topics that were raised in the MMR. Please read through them so that your concerns and questions are addressed. During the next months, the Vestry and Rector will be meeting and working on various plans to see if we can address some of the relevant issues raised and to work on celebrating what is already working.

The Vestry members want you to know that we have heard your comments and concerns and are working diligently to become a healthy, thriving parish. Please know that with a movement toward health will come many changes, some of which may feel onerous or challenging. But in order to move toward health, we will need your help. In the meantime, please keep in mind that the Vestry is a committee of volunteers who work very hard and will need your support and encouragement in the months to come.

Also remember that there is a lot of goodness happening at St. Margaret’s. We celebrate that with you as well, and hope you will use that goodness as a stepping off point to inviting your neighbors to church.

If you have any questions or concerns, the Vestry, Wardens, and Rector are ready to listen. We look forward to doing this work with each of you! Thank you and blessings on all our work!

~ St. Margaret’s Vestry and Rector