It’s nearly time for Zion’s congregational annual meeting, which this year is on Sunday, Feb. 5 immediately after worship and includes a potluck lunch. Congregational Annual Meetings are a chance for church members to make decisions that affect their common life together and grow out of the Reformation idea of the “priesthood of all believers.”
The ELCA Constitution for Congregations states that the powers of the congregation are vested in the congregational meeting scheduled, called, and conducted as provided in both the synod and congregational constitution and bylaws.
The purpose of the annual meeting is to conduct the church’s official business for the year and includes review of finances, receipt of committee reports, pastor’s report, a vote on the 2023 budget, and election of council members, among other tasks. So far, seven people have indicated an interest in serving on the council, for which there are three open slots. As church council president, Julie Wersal will preside at the meeting.
Those attending the meeting and providing input should do so prayerfully and with respect for the church and for each other. An anagram of the word respect demonstrates how that should happen, as shared by ELCA for annual meetings:
R=Responsibility for what you say and feel without blaming others
E=Empathetic Listening
S=Sensitivity to differences in communication styles
P=Ponder what you hear and feel before you speak
E=Examine your assumptions and perceptions
C=Confidentiality with a focus upon keeping confidences
T=Trust ambiguity because we are not there to debate who is right or wrong
Most of all, the annual meeting is a chance for the church to celebrate the congregation’s life, where it has been and where it is going.
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