By The Rev. A. Wayne Schwab
VESTRY RETREAT
St. Paul’s Cathedral, Buffalo New York; 2/7-8/03
Theme: Each Member a Missionary
Friday Evening:
Overview of the Retreat
- Sharing
- What led you to become active in the church now?
- What led you to become to be a member of the Vestry?
Saturday Morning:
Practice in discerning some of our present missions – distinguish between “body missions” and “member missions” – sample worksheet reviewed:
1. Individual reflection – each pair or trio assigned a specific mission field
- a mission is specific
- a mission includes both direct and implied tasks to achieve it
- a mission is discerned as what God is calling one to do, to be, or to change
2. Work individually to complete worksheets provided – at least 7 minutes
3. Sharing in pairs or trios; then, in plenary, one from each mission field – leader presses for specifics, for seeking a teammate, and for actual words that might be used
Repractice as time allows
What are some of our observations or learnings?
Saturday Afternoon:
Consider: a vision that draws you on – every member on mission wherever they are all the time; and a structure – a mission statement calling for supporting the members in their daily living as Christians; and an action – the members discerning their daily missions in their mission fields
- Implications for reorganizing the congregational life of the Cathedral*
- Eucharist
- *Areas for possible consideration
- A look at the mission of St. Paul’s
- Integrating any modifications into the life of the congregation
- Forming members as missionaries
- A spirituality of being co-workers with God
- Helping members to name their present missions
- Change and feedback – for individuals – for organizations / systems
- Small groups
- Worship and preaching
- Training leaders
- Other implications
