Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Luke 18:1 (NIV)

What’s It All About?

Pilgrim’s Annual Meeting this past Sunday was a great time, and if you missed it, I’m here to tell you what happened and why.

Annual Meeting is where we review 2023, pass the slate of team members and officers, and pass the annual budget. The review is includes what happened over the last year, including as relates to the financial position of the church. But if the phrase “financial position” makes you think, “oh no, this is way above my head,” I’m here to tell you you’re missing out!

Our Financial Resources Team presents information so even I can understand it!

And what exactly does that mean? Well, to be honest, I’m not a numbers guy. I’m the one who nodded all through math class, said “I got it,” then sat down to get a C on every test and quiz. We can debate why that was so, but it set me on a path thinking “I don’t get numbers,” and it became a self-fulfilling prophecy.

This Annual Meeting, Financial Resources used a narrative format to tell the story of how we wound up ahead of where we thought we’d finish last year. They told the story of a deficit reduced even further in this year’s budget. And the stories are what our time together is all about. Just like the story of everyone coming together to paint the church, or the story of a fun (and filling) Christmas Eve breakfast. I understand stories, and I bet you do too!

Scripture is the Church’s story of the past, and our stories of what we do today connect with those stories to illuminate our path forward together!

Is Annual Meeting the most fun you’ll have in the entire church year? Maybe…maybe not. But the information is so clear, and the tasks are so important, and the spirit is so generous…I could have gone another hour. I now understand where we’re at and where we need to go.

But of course we didn’t have to, because our well-organized teams kept the meeting moving right along. Thanks to everyone who came. Thanks to everyone who helped prepare! Special thanks to our presenters from Financial Resources and to Fellowship for a great refreshments before and for keeping the coffee flowing.

With work like this, “See you at Annual Meeting,” is going to be a catch-phrase full of anticipation…and joy!