Summertime…in the Parish Office.

Everyone looks forward to summertime, with its welcome break in regular routines, opportunities for refreshment and renewal, and a yearly reset to our perspective.

At the same time, the irregular schedules and additional time off can present challenges to a parish staff, especially a small staff. It often becomes difficult to schedule meetings and, in their absence, communication can become spotty. Office coverage is typically a challenge, sometimes leaving parishioners feeling neglected. And the relaxed atmosphere can start to seem like a distinct lack of momentum, even as the busy fall season looms ahead of us.

Here are a few ideas to consider.

1. Prominently post parish office hours for your parishioners in your bulletin and on your web site, especially if you have special summer hours. Also, internally invite each staff member to post their own summer office hours and vacation schedules so everyone knows who is around and who is out. This is a thoughtful courtesy to everyone in the office.

2. When important staff meetings are interrupted by vacation time, make every effort to reschedule at an early date. Keep the communication open and regular among the staff.

3. Challenge everyone on staff to form clear goals and objectives for the summer, especially with a view to the fall. Everyone should know what everyone else is doing and what is being accomplished during this period.

4. Consider an end of summer all staff gathering, with time for updates on summertime activities and a look ahead to fall activities and programs.

5. As things get back to normal after Labor Day, share some of the same information with the parish at large. You can do this after Mass one Sunday or, if you have the ability to do it, produce a video summer “recap.” Press here to view ours from last year!

Summertime can be a great time in our parishes as long as we keep communication open and everyone on staff well informed.