The Strategic Plan provides a measurable plan for collaboration, sharing resources, growth and development to fulfill our mission. This Plan will be continually evolving with evaluation and redefinition of goals and objectives. The plan presented here forms the basic document in this process.

Implementation: The implementation of the Strategic Plan will begin with the acceptance of the Plan by the Vestries of the three parishes, and it will be ongoing. An implementation process is to be developed by the clergy and wardens. The Strategic Plan will be a standing item on this committee’s agenda and will be fully reviewed on a quarterly basis for further refinement. It is important that the vestries have a permanent item on their meeting agendas to note progress and further developments in furthering the mission and vision of the Plan.

Most Important Goals and Strategies: With the formation of the Strategic Planning Committee in May of this year, a disciplined planning process was presented to share our intentions, discuss the benefits of strategic planning, and learning about the several phases of the planning process. Conversations progressed through a review of what would be missed without each church; what we do well; what we would like to do; and what areas of present involvement we need to improve. Members of the Planning Committee developed an understanding of each other’s parish and how our parishioners might begin the process of meeting one another and sharing in worship and social events.

A summary of notes taken throughout meetings identified central areas which called for attention. The following were listed:

1.    Administration
2.    Parish Life
3.    Education
4.    Worship

St. Mary’s Church traces its history to the winter of 1867-68 with the involvement of Brown University students who conducted Sunday School classes and assisted in worship services at the Town School House in East Providence. St. Mary’s was heavily influenced by early Anglo-catholic adherents. The corner stone of the present church building at the corner of Warren Avenue and Fourth Street was laid on June 8, 1870, and the parish of St. Mary’s, East Providence, was officially formed on June 10, 1871.

In addition to a rich liturgical history, St. Mary’s has been noted for its outreach to the community. A thrift shop was organized in 1986 and has had an ongoing presence since that time. Proceeds from the shop help support the general operating budget. The Share Program is another community service opportunity for volunteers to help those in need. In addition there are many social programs, including May breakfasts, a women’s club, Christmas bazaars, and an annual clam boil/steak fry that brings people together from communities near and far. The real parish history is in the day to day activities of people coming together to praise and glorify God in the Eucharistic fellowship and sharing a common life.

St. Matthew’s Church, since its founding in 1891, has enjoyed the presence of “a dedicated group of parishioners, led by an equally dedicated group of clergy, [that has] struggled through flood and fire to worship God.” Today, the parish continues to seek to follow the teachings of Christ and to reach out in love to each other and the larger community.

Among the important facts in its history, St. Matthew’s has undergone several changes in clergy leadership, and it has maintained its building and grounds with the generous help of parishioners and friends. The building is adequate for many activities, but its worship space is relatively small. Membership has grown, there is an active Sunday School, and several outreach programs, including AA, that comprise parish activities. Volunteers work at the Grace Church Soup Kitchen in downtown Providence, and at St. Michael’s Soup Kitchen in Bristol. Additionally, parishioners contribute food each week for Tap-in, and provide cartons of food for Thanksgiving and Christmas that go to the Fall River WIC program. Funds are donated to help children attend the Episcopal Conference Center.

A spirit of generosity is a hallmark of St. Matthew’s parishioners. The determination and devotion of parishioners and their deep faith in God foster a belief that it is God’s will to keep St. Matthew’s a viable parish whose mission is “to worship and glorify God through our Lord Jesus Christ and encourage an environment of love and service for the Parish community and its neighbors.”

St. Mark’s Church began on October 20, 1880 with ten people and was incorporated as a parish in 1883. It came alive through the devotion, hard work and sacrificial pledges of parishioners. The church building seats 400, with a large parish hall, several class rooms and ample space for a variety of activities, large and small. The mission of St. Mark’s is to be a “welcoming community that gathers for faithful worship; nurtures, loves and supports our families; and reaches out to the needs of the surrounding community.”

St. Mark’s, located in Riverside, is in the midst of a predominantly working class community with good schools. The parish has an active outreach program that includes tutoring school children in need of academic support, Vacation Bible School, Meals on Wheels, gathering food for the Food Bank, hosting scouting troops, and AA meetings. There is an annual May breakfast, holiday bazaar, May baskets, and daffodils for the Cancer Society. A strong Church School program and an active youth group are important for many families. Much of the vitality of the parish is due to the dedication and loyal support of the Episcopal Church Women, and a growing number of younger families.

The parish is organized around a commission system under the leadership of the Vestry. Commissions include Worship, Education, Children and Youth, Parish Life, Outreach, Stewardship and Finance, Property, and Communications.

The Appendix to this report includes the Notes from each of the meetings held by the Planning Committee. The Planning process included several steps. At the outset, following introductions of members, we agreed on organizational readiness to undertake the task of developing a plan.

One of the first steps was to develop and clarify our collective mission and vision for the Episcopal Church in the East Bay area of the Diocese. There was considerable discussion as these statements were drafted. The result was achieved through unanimous consent.

An important step in the process was to assess both the internal and external environments of our parishes. We identified programs and their effectiveness, and we listed those more critical issues that yearn for attention and action.

In examining our worship, educational, and overall parish strengths and weaknesses, we identified not only strengths and weaknesses but also threats and opportunities in the areas of worship, education, parish life, and administration. Finally, a financial “audit” of the three parishes was done by a subcommittee. This proved to be an important step in determining the realistic writing of goals.

Assuming the Plan is accepted and adopted by the Vestries and Congregations of the three churches, the next phase involves implementation. It should be the responsibility of the clergy and wardens to see that the adopted goals are implemented and done so in a timely fashion. This can be accomplished by the following: