Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

When I set out to write my annual report this year, I thought I’d start with a biblical text to illustrate my thoughts and concerns about our parish. Instead, I have decided to use today’s collect. These words are not only our prayer for today, but my hope and vision for the parish as we turn the corner from what has surely been a challenging 2007 to an equally challenging, yet hopeful, 2008. Indeed, the purpose of our parish worship and ministry is that we will answer readily the call to proclaim to all people God’s Good News, and that, hearing that news, more and more people in our community and world will come to perceive God’s marvelous works. This prayer surely sums up our call as a parish, and a year in which – despite the aforementioned challenges – we have much to be thankful for.

It’s been almost exactly seven years since I came here to the Church of Our Saviour and this parish began a new chapter in its history. Those of you who were here then may remember that, in preparing to call a new rector, you met together in cottage meetings to talk about what the Church of Our Saviour means to you, what your vision for your parish community at that time was, and where you felt God was calling this community. A huge part of that vision was the desire, at long last, to do something about the inadequate facilities we had to carry out that mission.

This fall, I felt confident we were about to take the big, bold step that would make that vision a reality. Twenty months of study had led us, in 2003, to a decisive vote to base our capital campaign and other planning on the building of a new church facility and not to continue pouring resources into our present, outmoded one. A strong, well-produced Strategic Plan followed – and its recommendations were the basis for the building plan our Building Committee labored to put forward. The parish was asked to support the plan with its Capital Campaign pledges – and it did to the unbelievable tune of over $800,000 in pledges – over $150,000 more than our feasibility study had said we’d likely raise. That same feasibility study had asked how much debt the parish felt could be handled, and the plan presented met that goal. A study group was formed to make sure we’d covered all the bases – and the result of their work was a Majority Report that said, yes, it not only is feasible, it’s necessary if we are to grow and flourish. A small minority on that committee disagreed – and was given more than ample opportunity to express that disagreement. Alas, you and I know what happened next. Even though a majority voted in favor, the parish failed by 14 votes to endorse the plan put forward by the two-thirds margin necessary – and we were back to the drawing board.

Curiously, this may have been the best thing that could have happened to us. It forced us to listen more closely to God’s voice in all of this – and to one another’s voices as they expressed legitimate concerns over how best to move forward in the face of significant budgetary challenges. Along the way, we discovered some issues related to the overall health of the parish that needed to be addressed. Some of these the vestry and several of our parish leaders began talking about last spring in the context of our Mutual Ministry Review. Others emerged in a very productive session our Vestry had with Canon Tim Rich last November. We deliberately backed off from focusing so exclusively on the building issues so we could take the time to listen to God’s voice in our midst, to re-focus on our core mission and ministry as a church and discover together how we can live more fully into God’s call and invite new people into our faith community.

Some significant efforts to invite new people were already underway even before this conversation began. What began last spring as a “Defeat the Deficit” committee evolved into a more comprehensive “Grow the Church” committee. The key element in inviting new people was seen by this committee as making the Church of Our Saviour more visible in the larger community. Increased efforts were made to “get our name in the paper.” Invitation postcards were designed and produced, which are now sent on a monthly basis to new movers arriving in the area. Attractive, eye-catching ads are now being placed in the local newspaper. The parish web site was revamped to include more invitational language and information newcomers would need to help them discover our church. The final piece in this effort will be a display ad in the next edition of the Yellow Pages – which research indicates is the first place newcomers look when trying to decide what church to try.

The key to turning our growth situation around, however, is what we do once people are here. Getting them to the door is hard enough – especially given our parking situation! – but what about once they’re through the door? Is our worship engaging? Is our Church School one that children will want to come to and enjoy? Do we reach out to the community in significant ways? What about our youth programs? And – most importantly – are we a loving family in Christ? Do people see and know that tremendous pastoral care awaits them when they become part of this family?

The reports in this booklet will give ample testimony to the fact that all of these ministries are alive and well. They are well-led and they are generally well-received. Let me cite just a few pertinent examples – not nearly all that could be listed:

·              In the area of adult Christian education:

o        We offered a very fine Lenten series based on the Revised Common Lectionary Gospel readings for Lent: “Signs of Lent”

o        We have just begun a comprehensive Bible Study focusing on the Sermon on the Mount that will continue through the spring of 2008

·              Our Christmas Fair had best “spirit” of any in recent memory; a wonderful fair – and it was a financial success to boot!

·              Our Church School continues to offer the acclaimed Godly Play program at the earliest ages and an innovative and effective curriculum to older kids. Alas, it seems fewer families are taking advantage of these offers, and we need to examine more closely why that is and what can be done about it.   

·              We have a new Focus editor as of this month: Mike Catalanotti; and we have revamped some of our other communications vehicles as well to make them more effective.

·              We re-established our Foyer Groups this past fall, bringing revitalization to our ministry of fellowship with one another. Efforts are underway to start a series of monthly dinners and/or breakfasts to further increase our fellowship (and raise a few funds along the way).

·              In our Liturgical ministry:

o        We had a wonderful Parish Acolyte Festival in December to recognize our graduating seniors and uphold this important ministry on behalf of all our young people.

o        Our combined Christmas Pageant/Lessons and Carols service played to a packed house and was a great success.

·              In Outreach

o        We continued to grow our WorkCamp ministry, with more youth and adults going than ever – and an even larger delegation heading for Walpole Island, Ontario next summer.

o        We have continued to support a variety of local ministries such as the Greater Nashua Interfaith Hospitality Network, Habitat for Humanity, SHARE, and a host of others.

o        We hosted Ambassador to Angola Cynthia Efird and are well on our way to sending a delegation to our companion parish in Ondjiva, Angola, this summer.

·              Our Stewardship “Making Connections” campaign drew a healthy response despite some of the attrition we have faced. Average pledges were up nearly 5% and over half of those making a pledge increased them. Additionally, the simplified Time & Talent form we used this year got more response than in previous years.

·              The Peach Festival was a huge success – and rain-free for a change!

All of these ministries – and many more – are possible because of the tremendous support each of you offers. We are blessed with a truly remarkable family of people in this parish. Our folks “pitch in” and work hard to make our parish a vibrant and welcoming one.

And yet…you and I know all is not entirely well. Attendance took a fairly serious dip this year – and giving was significantly below the levels originally pledged. Had each parishioner simply done what he or she said she’d do when the year began, we would have ended 2007 with a balanced budget – or even a surplus. But, alas, that is not what happened. Several pledges went unfulfilled or under-fulfilled – and that hurt us not only for the present, but for the future we are trying to build together.

At today’s Parish Meeting, the Finance Committee will be presenting a budget that has undergone significant reworking since the version printed in your Annual Report Booklet. I am pleased to report that it is a balanced budget, thanks in part to the generous pledge increases several of you made in response to our appeal. But even more thanks are due to Bishop Robinson and the Trustees of the Diocese, who have made a one-time grant to the parish to close our budget gap.

This grant comes as a direct result of a conversation I had with Bishop Robinson last Tuesday, in which I invited the bishop to think with me about how we could partner together to bolster the financial position of the parish. To my pleasant surprise, the bishop was immediate in his response. He made it very clear to me that he 100% supports our building a new church and that he wants to do whatever is possible and necessary to facilitate that. To that end, he considers it a good investment on the diocese's part to see to it that we have the balanced budget we need to move forward.

 The grant, a portion of which comes from the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund, and the rest of which comes from the Trustees of the Diocese, will allow us to have a balanced budget for this year, and thus facilitate our acquiring bank financing should the parish, God willing, approve moving forward with building. This is something we all need to be thankful for – but let’s not be lulled into complacency. We need to pull together over the next year to grow ourselves out of the position we have found ourselves in and restore the vision God places before us.

That growth, however, and the restoration of that vision, will not come easy – and it will not come cheaply. There’s an adage in business, “You have to spend money to make money.” While surely we are not in the money-making business, the reality is, we have to take bold risks to achieve bold growth. I know that, even with this significant help, our house is not entirely in order. With the help of some really talented people, we’re on our way, but we’re not there yet. And yet, it is my conviction we cannot wait until we are “there” (however “there” is defined) to move forward. Our neighbors at Milford United Methodist Church ran five-figure deficits each of the last three years before they moved – but they stepped out in faith and built anyway. This year, they grew by 75% - and ended 2007 with a significant surplus. Do I think, given some differences in “culture” between us and them, we will match that? No. But we surely will continue languishing if we do not step forward and intend to grow by boldly working, praying, and giving to grow. And that dream of a new facility? I know some call me foolish for continuing to push it, but if I am, let me be a fool for Christ. The experience of numerous churches across the country confirms it will make a huge difference – and will jumpstart us to a new chapter of growth and revitalized ministry.

Before I conclude this report, let me take a few moments to offer thanks for just a sampling of the many people without whom this ministry would be impossible. I begin with our Wardens, Peter Ten Broeck and Elizabeth Rotch; and our Parish Administrator, Valerie Hungerford. Your support of the congregation and of me during this time of transition and challenge has been deeply appreciated. When things seemed unbearably difficult this past fall, you kept us focused. When “behind the scenes” details needed attending to, you were right there, and for that I rejoice.

To Suzanne Cleverdon, our parish musicians, our liturgical coordinators, lay Eucharistic ministers, acolytes, altar guild, ushers, greeters, and all who helped us have a smooth and inspiring worship life, I add particular thanks. There were so many wonderful occasions throughout the year, capped by the beautiful Christmas we just shared. It means a lot.

To our retiring Vestry members, Amy Facey, Lisa Saunders, and Brian McGuire, I offer thanks not only for the many hours you have given, but the energy with which you have served. I say the same to our “rookie” treasurer, Kim Bock. She stepped into this ministry at a time that could have daunted any of us. She performed it with accuracy, skill and diligence, and all I can say is that those of you who have never been in her shoes will never know what dedication it takes. I am particularly grateful that she has consented to stand for re-election today.

Last, but by no means least, I offer a word of thanks to Cindy. I’m not sure how many in this congregation realize and appreciate what a true partner in ministry she is. She’s supported me in moments of small victory and comforted me in moments of great defeat. She accompanies me on many of my hospital and shut-in visitations, and lends a hand in myriad ways many of you in the congregation will likely never know. I could not do what I do without her – and it is to my deep shame that, entirely too often, I take that incredible ministry for granted. I want you to know, Cindy, that I do deeply appreciate all you do. I pray the parish does as well.