Proposed Bylaw Revision
The Leadership Team has approved the following proposed revision to our Parish Bylaws. It is to be brought before the upcoming Annual Congregational Meeting for a vote.
4.5.4 Existing:
(4) The Chair of the Leadership Team, also known as the Sr. Warden, shall be appointed by the Pastor. The Chair need not be appointed from among the members of the Leadership Team. In such instances however, the nominee shall be subject to the consent and approval of the Leadership Team by majority vote, and shall be limited to a one (1) year term.
4.5.4 Proposed: (Revised portions in italics)
(4) The Chair of the Leadership Team, also known as the Sr. Warden, shall be appointed by the Pastor. The Chair shall be appointed to a four (4) year term. The Chair need not be appointed from among the members of the Leadership Team. In such instances however, the nominee shall be subject to the consent and approval of the Leadership Team by a 2/3 majority vote.
Rationale:
I am the one who brought the proposed revision forward. I did so because throughout my ministry, the position of Sr. Warden (Chair of TLT in our vernacular) has been limited through Bylaws to a short tenure. In reflecting on over 25 years of experience, I believe this weakens lay leadership. Typically, it takes at least a year for the Sr. Warden/Chair to grow into the job. He or she then has a solid and productive year or so, and then is gone. This cycle repeats itself with the next Chair.
We have been blessed to have had two longer-tenured Chairs with Ernie and now Eric. CTR is better because of their strong and consistent leadership. Our current Bylaws restrict us to repeat the cycle mentioned above, and the proposed revision would allow us to continue what we have enjoyed with longer tenured Sr. Wardens/Chair of TLT.
Other:
-The proposed revision does not conflict with any Diocesan or National canons.
-As with any member of TLT, should the Chair feel worn out and in need of a break, the Chair is able to resign before her or his 4 year term expires.
If you have questions or comments about the Proposed Revision, I would be happy to talk to you, as would any member of TLT.
Speaking of….
I figured it would take the snow a while to get here yesterday, so I decided to go ahead with our Wednesday Men’s Breakfast Study. Upon arriving at our regular location Jus’ Enuff diner, we learned they were closing. We then decided to go to Eggs Up Grill (which I find to be a not-as-good-as-yet-more-expensive version of Jus’ Enuff…) Halfway through breakfast the idea hit me.
“Rollin, have you ever been to Waffle House?” I asked. Rollin replied that he hadn’t. “Dang” I said. “We could have gone there, just to give you the experience.” A scintillating discussion regarding the merits and deficiencies of the franchise ensued. Did you know that emergency responders use Waffle House as a barometer following hurricanes and other large scale events? If Waffle House is closed, they know the situation must be bad. (That was Rob’s contribution to our discussion.)
Our latest snowmaggedon finally arrived, and it did not disappoint. In the midst of it all, around 5:30, my power went out. I grabbed my trusty hiking headlamp, wrapped myself in a blanket, and spent the next several hours reading and playing with my phone. Then I started to get bored and hungry. I was ready for an adventure, so I decided to head out and brave the roads in search of food! The roads were better than I thought they would be. I followed the plow down Highway 42 into town and was able to drive around a bit to survey my options.
Sheetz was open, but I figured that would be the case. I reserved that for my final option. Gas station food should never be one’s first choice… To my surprise Cook Out was also open, but that meant I would have to stay in my car. All other restaurants, especially the sit down kind, were closed. And then I remembered our conversation from earlier that morning. It must have been a prescient sign. I turned around and headed for you- know-where.
Waffle House is there all the time, yet I never think about it. Hidden away between Arby’s and the shopping center, Waffle House is out of sight and forgotten. And then there’s the matter of its reputation… But any port in a storm, and last night certainly qualified.
I’m not saying I’m ready to become a regular, but I was both grateful and pleasantly surprised. Waffle House gave me a warm place to relax and kill some time, and I had a fine plate of hash browns with fixin’s for about $5. I even witnessed someone mopping the floor and cleaning up! (Not so much with my counter though…) I stayed until I got notice my power was back on, drove home without difficulty, and happily resumed watching the incessant local snow coverage on TV.
So let me say loud and proud and not be ashamed: Kudos to you Waffle House, we shall meet again! On a dark, snowy and cold night, I am glad you are there!
See you Sunday!
-Bill
