Reverend Ref +

DISAPPOINTED

Today was my first first annual meeting. My second annual meeting will be next week up in VC. It was everything an annual meeting should be. Talked about the budget, heard from the Sr. and Jr. Wardens. Approved the minutes from last year. Heard where the church has been and where we think it's going. And I got to talk a bit about whatever I wanted to (I am the Vicar). And on top of it, Mrs. Ref made some great casserole things to feed everyone; an egg sausage thing and a blueberry cream cheese thing. Yummy.

However, we had twelve people in church today. My family made three, the Sr. Warden's family made four mour, and then five others. Which meant, if you are keeping score, the only people who were at the annual meeting were the current members of the vestry.

So I'm disappointed at how this thing went down today. It's the first time since I've been here that I feel that way, and now I'm trying to cope with it. It's not even a numbers thing. It's more that I thought people were beginning to feel like we were making progress. But maybe they just aren't ready for the committment it takes to be a successful parish.

And I know all the reasons for why this happened; but still, it blindsided because I didn't mentally prepare myself for the possibility of a low turnout. Anyway, I'll get over it. Things will move forward. I'll be ready for a low turnout in VC. And next year will be better.

Maybe the preacher needs to look at his own sermon -- "It's not our job to convert, just to invite."