A Joyful and Forward-Looking 77th Annual Meeting (Part 2)

Sunday, June 7, we gathered for Part 2 of our 77th Annual Meeting – this time in the large Meeting Room so we could take advantage of the air conditioning! We began, as always, grounded in prayer.

The spirit of the meeting was one of gratitude, reflection, and anticipation. We quickly approved the minutes from our previous annual meetings and then moved into hearing reports from our staff and ministry pillars. In a sign of both trust and strong communication, the congregation voted to waive the reading of the reports and accept them as written.

We had a moment of appreciation for all the contributions that made this past year so meaningful. It has truly been a year of growth, with new people stepping forward and new energy taking root in our community.

Pastor JT offered a thoughtful reflection on his five years of ministry among us. He spoke about how we’ve navigated the challenges of COVID, adapted long-standing traditions, welcomed new leaders and staff, and explored new ideas—some that flourished and some that taught us valuable lessons. He reminded us that this willingness to experiment, and even to fail, is part of a healthy and evolving faith community. He also highlighted the progress we’ve made through our capital campaign, including renovations to the barn and the Meeting House.

Looking ahead, Pastor JT introduced our theme for the coming program year: Grounding—grounding ourselves as a people of faith and as a community, while remaining flexible enough to meet the needs of the world around us. This theme will shape much of our shared life in the months ahead. Over the summer, we will explore prayer in a variety of ways—through book studies, gatherings, and spiritual practices including making and using prayer beads. In the fall, we look forward to more opportunities for fellowship, including shared meals, confirmation, and new member classes. Plans are also underway for a winter church retreat. All of this will help prepare us as we move toward Pastor JT’s sabbatical in 2027.

We also approved the slate of nominees presented by the Nominating Committee, with several important leadership transitions. I want to extend heartfelt thanks to those stepping into new roles and to those who have served so faithfully. There are still opportunities to get involved, particularly in the Ministry of Education, help with Fellowship, and next year as Moderator-in-Training. Please consider whether you might be called to serve in one of these ways.

A few other highlights from our discussion:

• We were reminded of the importance of participating in the wider church, including regional and denominational gatherings. There will be opportunities in the coming year to engage more deeply, including the annual conference meeting in Worcester this September.

• Plans are already in motion for a sanctuary clean-up in September as we prepare to return to the Meeting House for the program year.

• We distributed copies of our updated church directory. If you did not receive one, or if you notice any information that needs to be updated, please contact the office.

  
  

We closed our meeting, appropriately, with a sense of gratitude and shared purpose.

And the work didn’t stop there! The very next Wednesday, our Church Council gathered to begin brainstorming and shaping our parish calendar for the year ahead. Together, we started sketching out what our programs, events, and rhythms of life will look like as we live into this year of Grounding—all while thoughtfully preparing for Pastor JT’s sabbatical beginning at the end of January. There’s a lot of exciting energy and creativity already emerging from those conversations, and I can’t wait to share more as plans take shape.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Annual Meeting and to all who continue to give your time, energy, and heart to our shared ministry. It is a joy to serve alongside you.

With gratitude,

Mary Masi-Phelps

Moderator