“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29: 11-14.
Approximately 30 people attended the retreat that was led by Rev. Mary Tumulty. The session lasted throughout the day, gathering and exchanging information. The discussion ended with discussing the current identity of the congregation and with a communion service.
Here are some of the results of the discussion.
• Emphasis was placed on the need to know who we are before we move towards what we want to do, or prepare a vision for the future.
• Focus on our identity and how we are distinctive, how we are different from others
• That any time there is change, there is loss, and we should be respectful of that loss and how it impacts others.
• That the future will bring change, and to succeed with that change we need to increase communication and trust each other as we move through that change.
• Explore ideas for new programs that will thrive and bear fruit.
• As we explore and discuss an idea, we should always add on the words “so that”….. so that we understand the “why” we are pursuing that project. Ideas were collected during the day and a list compiled and will be updated as other’s make recommendations.
• Prayer life is essential and that for the first quarter of this year we should sit quietly alone with God, and sit quietly with each other with God, and seek guidance. Make no major decisions, start no initiatives or programs, but continue to exchange information, learn from each other and about each other. Meet intentionally to pray together, listen to the Holy Spirit, for God’s Voice. Be Still.
• To keep moving forward, and to strengthen our gifts and graces.
Next steps include a meeting of the Vision 2020 ministry team and to ask the chairs of all ministry teams and committees to share the results with their groups and provide feedback to the Vision 2020 team.
Ideas that were provided by attendees:
Purchase curtain for Asbury Hall stage
Sponsor more “open to the public” activities; example: Wylie College Choir activity was excellent. Public can see how great a church we are, offering food and with no admission cost.
Plan to focus more on service and less of physical facilities, so that we can be more of what the church should be
Purchase and maintain new 12 or 15 passenger van so that youth and families may travel to mission and field trips together
Start a summer program for students on free/reduced lunch where children can receive a full meal five times per week so that we might fulfill our call to feed the hungry so that we might extend our mission outreach to our local community. Possibly combine with our planned Fun Science Fridays
Start a prayer quilt ministry to those who are ill so that they receive a visible sign of love and warmth
Have a weekly meal served/delivered to poor or shut ins so that we can feed the poor
Plant a community garden so that we can feed the poor
Provide adult ESL classes so that ministries to other ethnic groups can be initiated. Might/should include babysitting which offers Bible stories/songs.
Local missions on a regular basis, greatly involving the youth or a committed basis; so that the church leadership and good news of God/Jesus/ Holy Spirit can be passed on. And the youth will see God’s love in action and the rest of the church will see the Youth as servants of God.
Children’s after school program (once weekly to begin) which would have snack time, homework time, puppets ministry, maybe drama class, hand chimes class and possibly move children’s choir to this or other similar program so that children are taught fine arts classes and learn Bible stories through classes offered along with a safe and fun place to be once a week
Convert old youth building to bunk house/shower facility so that we might extend hospitality to those in mission and also to respond in times of crisis or emergency, so that we might be Christ’s presence in our community.
Church wide study (possible 40 Days with the Word)
