This Sunday is St. John’s annual vestry meeting (vestry is just a fancy word for a meeting of the church).

Like any annual general meeting, there are reports, and financial statements and a budget…

It’s not known as being the most thrilling event in the church year.

But I like it.

Meetings, I believe, are one of the fundamental actions of the church, just as much as worship and prayer, reading and meditating on the word of God, and acts of mercy, generosity, justice and forgiveness.   

Consider this, the history of the Church from earliest times has been defined by ecumenical councils and synods (more fancy words for meetings). It is also one of the things clearly described in the book of Acts – the apostles and church leaders gathering to discuss matters, to make decisions for the good of the community.

Meetings can be deadly, but at their best, they are about stories; they are about celebration; they are about reflecting on what has been and seeing where God has been in it all; they are about dreaming and praying and planning and being courageous together for the future – discerning where we believe God is leading us.  Meetings are a reminder that the work of the Church is fundamentally communal work and that we cannot do this thing alone. 

Therefore, happy vestry Sunday! Know that as we gather, we are in good company, that we are doing important, holy work, and that God is with us in all of it.

Thanks be to God!


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