Plans are being developed to enhance the use of our Parish Hall. We plan to restore what was formerly a smaller stage on the south end of the hall. That will enable us to host more kinds of parish events, and it should provide an income stream when used for private events such as wedding receptions, speakers, etc. We plan to paint and make more attractive the meeting space formerly used by the Guild as well as another smaller meeting space. We expect to convert former office space into a parlor that can be used by the rector and others to take meetings without parishioners needing to go through school security. We must now focus on how to pay for updates and establish policies for usage and fees of the space for outside groups.
Saint Mark's Episcopal Church | 1750 East Oakland Park Boulevard | Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 | Call Us Today! 954.563.5155|info@saintmarks.com
Before making structural changes now would it be better to wait until the new Rector is onboard ? There is no question that the Vestry has the authority to do these things, but input from the new Rector could be valuable,
and also show that you seek and respect his / her opinion.
Tom, thank you for your concern on this matter. We’re deferring major changes, such as the question of whether the Rector’s office should remain at the school or be moved to the Parish Hall. Yet we want to provide the best, most stable setup that we can for our new Rector, so that he or she will have a great opportunity to thrive in his new position.
One of the lessons that has arisen over and over as we sought to learn more about ourselves is that, in order to be a viable, living church, we must empower our parishioners – it just doesn’t work in today’s world to depend on the Rector for every detail. We will seek and respect the Rector’s opinion, and when it comes down to it he/she is in charge. With God’s help we are laying a new foundation for a sustainable future.