Dear Fellow Church Leader:

In a few days, I will retire from my position as rector here - and I can't wait! But before I head back to my beloved New York City, I'd like to pass on something very simple that has been an important part of the success we've enjoyed in the last 20 years - and suggest a way you can act on it.

All Saints' Beverly Hills is still a work in progress, but our numbers have consistently grown in a notoriously 'non-church' part of the country and we have a reputation for being innovative and open to new ideas. In fact, you may well have attended our All Saints' Association conferences.

We founded ASA for several reasons. One was that I've looked to other churches for ideas and inspiration - and this is the 'very simple something' I want to pass on to you. In the evangelical church world, there are dozens of 'teaching churches', but when it comes to the mainline denominations, I found hardly any. So ASA was formed with the purpose of 'helping liturgical worship churches grow and prosper'.

I'm sure you have goals for your parish. I recommend that you seriously consider the consulting services of All Saints' Association. Whether you want to create a long-term strategic plan, align your mission and values with your ministries or figure out a way for volunteers to augment an over-stretched staff, the ASA consultants bring a solid background in hands-on church leadership.

I believe that looking outside our own situation for ideas and inspiration from other churches has been a key factor in the success of All Saints'. I encourage you to do likewise. Take the time to please call Andy Carmichael at (310) 278-6305 to learn more about how ASA may be able to help.

I wish God's richest blessings on your ministry.

Faithfully

The Rev. Carol Anderson