"I see a positive future..."

by the Right Reverend Thomas Clark Ely
Mountain Echo, October 2003

Ann and I found out earlier this year that we are going to be grandparents. Of course, we think we are not really old enough to be grandparents, but Katherine and Bernd have made it clear that we are. We look forward to our first grandchild (a girl—we know already!) being born around January 26, 2004.

Often times one thing leads to another, and in this case thinking about being a grandparent in the near future led to some more thinking about the future of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont, and so I want to share some of those thoughts with you. I am mindful that I do so in the context of considerable discussion about the future of the Episcopal Church, as we continue to live with the various reactions to General Convention. I see a positive future for the Episcopal Church and believe that we will find a way to move forward together, even from the many different places where we are, as we respond to our baptismal calling to engage God’s mission. I also see a positive future for the Diocese of Vermont and look forward to our engagement in God’s mission with one another. Three areas of our common diocesan mission help to illustrate this for me.

Diocesan long-range plan
We have embarked upon a long-range strategic planning process for our diocese. The level of local participation in that process has been remarkable, and for that I give thanks. The enormous amount of data collected and the spirit that prevailed in the conversations throughout the diocese serve as a testimony to the love, concern and commitment the people of this diocese have to our life and mission together.

Six major ministry areas emerged from those conversations: Relationships (parish to parish and parish to diocese), Parish Life/Support and Spiritual Growth, Communication, Christian Education/Youth, Social Justice/Outreach, and Organization/Structure/Finance. While these are broad areas, they are also important areas that can and will lead to concrete action plans for our future mission and ministry together. The work of developing those concrete action plans is just beginning, and if you have an interest in being part of one of the action teams, please let me know right away.

Rock Point long-range plan
A complimentary long-range planning process is also underway for Rock Point. One thing we heard in the diocesan planning process was an appreciation of the significant role of Rock Point in the life of the diocese and its people. We also heard a desire to be good stewards of Rock Point and to plan for its future mission with care and vision. There are many “stakeholders” of Rock Point, many ministries that happen at Rock Point and many ministries that “spring forth” from Rock Point. One thing this future thinking and planning will help us do is build upon our past and provide for our future. Please keep this future planning process in your prayers.

Focus on Stewardship
We are taking Stewardship seriously in our diocese. This is manifest in many areas of our common life. In particular, I want to mention here the areas of money, the environment, justice, education and formation, and ministry with young people:

• People are growing in their appreciation of the need to assume responsibility for the financial well-being and future of our diocese and its mission. The Diocesan Council has determined that it will work on a statement of stewardship for itself and for the diocese.
• Our Environmental Ministry Team is working with many partners to help all of us take more seriously our responsibility with regard to God’s creation.
• Our Dismantling Racism Commission is planning educational and training opportunities for diocesan leaders to deepen our awareness of and commitment to a church and society in which the dignity of every human being is respected. People involved in other justice ministries are working hard toward a future in which God’s will is “done on earth as it is in heaven.”
• Many people in our diocese, including those on the Commission on Ministry and Christian Formation Task Force, are working hard to encourage our understanding and commitment to life long learning, discernment and formation for baptismal ministry in daily life.
• We continue to grow in our appreciation of and commitment to young people, not just as the future of the church, but also as a very central dimension of our life and mission here and now.

In these three areas and so many other ways, I think we are blessed with a promising future as a diocese. I look forward to that future with you as together we engage in God’s mission and Pray the Prayer of Christ, Learn the Mind of Christ and Do the Deeds of Christ. With love, joy and gladness for our present and future life together as a diocese, I remain,

Soon to be Grandpa,
+Thomas