Story by The Rev. Cn. Debbie Low-Skinner, photo Cn. by Amy Cook
It was such a rich, informative, positive-energy, spiritually engaging, and relationship-building Executive Council Retreat these past three days (January 17-19) at the Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg. spiritually engaging
Also kudos to the Rev. John Kirkley for leading us an exploration of the Diocese of the Future by breaking us up into six small discussion groups to talk about: The Quality of Our Relationships, The Quality of Our Thinking, Our Willingness to Contribute, The Role of Money, Fear vs. Love, and Crisis Management.
Bishop Marc concluded our discussions by pointing out that for years we have said, because we have had a flat income/budget, we can’t do this or that. But, if we place a high priority on love (and by extension building Beloved Community), then we would/should willingly work to include and fit in what we love and have a passion for.
Also making presentations to the EC were the following Senior Staff members who spoke about:
- The Rev. Canon Michele Racusin (CFO) on Diocesan Budget
- Canon Christopher Hayes (Chancellor) on Governance
- The Rev. Canon Debra Low-Skinner (CTO) and Canon Amy Cook (Canon for Formation) on the Vital + Thriving Congregational Development Program
- Canon Davey Gerhard (Canon for Development & Stewardship) on Stewardship Trends and the Expanding Horizon Capital Campaign
- Canon Stephanie Martin Taylor (Canon for Diocesan Communications) on the many things her Communications Working Group has accomplished over the past 5 years.
The Standing Committee (who was also on Retreat at the Bishop’s Ranch) joined with the Executive Council for the concluding Holy Eucharist in St. George’s Chapel. The Celebrants were EC Chair Rev. Kirsten Snow Spalding and SC President Rev. Dr. Mauricio Wilson. The Gospeler was the Ven. Carolyn Bolton. Bishop Marc was the Preacher.
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