2008 Annual Meeting January 19, 2008 St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church, Rio Vista, California A Parochial Mission of Grace Episcopal Church, Fairfield Diocese of Northern California 2007 saw us consolidating our strengths, trying new things, saying some farewells and accomplishing some goals, as we: Held our third annual meeting. Filed Treasurer’s Monthly Reports with the Diocese of Northern California; Gave a monthly free-will offering of 10% of each month’s contribution to the Diocese; Disbursed $1,500.00 to worthwhile agencies and institutions; Developed our website stbrigidsriovista.org. Relocated to Lighthouse Church, where we have storage and space; Worshipped together, and prepared to celebrate the Eucharist weekly in 2008. In 2007 we continued to hold a monthly mid-week in-home Eucharist, changing from the second Wednesday to the second Thursday to try to increase attendance.  In June the two regular attendees and the Rev, Ann Hallisey concluded that the service should go on summer hiatus; it has not started up again due to lack of interest and to some extent funds to pay a priest.  It was, in Ann’s words “Not good stewardship”. Evening Prayer continued on the first Tuesday of the month.  Eucharist with music was celebrated on the fourth Saturday of each month.  We celebrated Easter as our final service at the Senior Center and on 4/28/07 held our first service at Lighthouse Church, 101 Montezuma Street.  In addition to our regularly scheduled services Deacon Susan Reeve carried the reserved sacrament to folks in their homes when they were unable to join our community at services.  Special services included Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes, an Easter Vigil, attendance at the ecumenical Advent Lessons & Carols service at Grace Fairfield, where St Brigid’s folks read two of the Lessons, and a Christmas Eve service.  We have shared several meals together. We have been especially blessed by the Rev. Ann Hallisey who served as the primary presider at both Saturday and mid-week Eucharists until other church and family commitments brought her time with us to an end.  Her letter is on the website.  In 2007, besides Rev. Hallisey, we welcomed the Revs. Warwick-Sabino, Phelps, Gilmore, Cavanaugh, Brannon, Bogart and Allagree, for 19 Eucharists.  Others who have served as preachers have included Deacons Derek Jones and Susan Reeve; we have yet to raise up a lay preacher in our midst.  Carol Dugger has officiated at Evening Prayer.  Our musician, Lee Muller, has accompanied our Saturday Eucharists.  Other musicians in 2007 were Robert Train Adams, Donna Harris and Rob Sabino. This year St. Brigid’s continued to support a website stbrigidsriovista.org to share information about our congregation and our services and activities.  We owe appreciation to our Webkeeper who designed the website and keeps it current.  Please visit it often!   Deacon Susan Reeve handled our general publicity again this year.  She placed ads in newspapers, wrote articles andsent out notices via e-mail and the postal service to inform our members and friends of our services and activities.  Deacon Susan led two classes, one during Lent on “Visioning for the diocese” and one in late summer “Sacred waters”. At their annual meeting in January 2007, the people of Grace Church elected Carol Dugger as First Alternate Delegate to Diocesan Convention 2007.  This was a generous gesture on the part of our sponsoring congregation as it grants us some official standing in convention that would not be ours for some years otherwise.  Unfortunately, Carol was not able to attend and exercise her vote. The importance of outreach efforts is a founding value of this congregation.  Though we were unable to staff many outreach efforts of our own, we were able to help provide financial support to a number of organizations.  The Rev. Derek Jones is an icon of service in the community for us, especially in his smooth handling of the closing of the RVCAC and the reshaping of the Food Ministry.  Many members were involved in the CAC, Food Ministry and Christmas 94571.  Some contributed to an Easter basket for the Boy Scouts raffle.  Heather House was generously supported, as St Brigid’s sponsored a table at the Taste of Solano fundraising dinner and auction. What is ahead for St. Brigid’s?  With prayerful discernment and the help of our members, we are discovering our path.  In the short term, we will welcome a new leadership team with the election of the next Warden and Mission Committee.  We are challenged to: •        Continue to articulate our vision for God’s presence through our Episcopal congregation here in Rio Vista; •        Attract new members, diversifying our membership as we welcome families, singles, young and older members; •        Increase the participation of members in worship services, educational opportunities and congregational projects; •        Expand our worship schedule to weekly Eucharists with the Rev. Donna McNiel as our presider; •        Increase our contributions and budget as we expand; •        Develop meaningful outreach opportunities; •        Connect with other churches in our community; •        Move over the next few years toward status as an organized Mission of the Diocese of Northern California. In closing let us thank those who have supported us: •        Our gracious God for the abundance of blessings on our congregation; •        Carol Dugger, for her vast efforts behind the scenes in multiple areas of our congregational life, including our intercessory prayer group, worship committee and the training of our altar guild; •        The Mission Committee members who serve with prudence and thoughtfulness. They are Warden Larry LaFleur, Treasurer Chandra Drury, member at large and Worship Committee Carol Dugger, and Clerk Debbie McNamara.  Deacon Susan and Deacon Derek are non-voting members; •        Eamonn Drury, our acolyte; •        Jessie Kelly, for creating a beautiful altar cloth; •        Fr Harry Allagree for the splendid white set of vestments; •        All who have opened their homes to host services and other gatherings; •        All who have served as readers, greeters and hospitality providers. Let us pray that St. Brigid’s Episcopal Church in Rio Vista will “Focus on the Mission, Stay Together, and Keep Moving Forward in the Name of Christ.” Respectfully submitted, Deacon Susan M. Reeve On behalf of Warden Larry LaFleur                                                                      1/16/08