The Congregation Council met June 17-18 to build our relationships with one another, to review the past few years of our congregation’s history and to sketch plans for the next 6-7 months. On Friday night we met at Phelps Park for a potluck, welcomed new Council member Kara Franke, and reflected on Jesus’ call to be salt of the earth and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16). On Saturday morning, we reviewed the key themes and recommendations from the 2018 Focus Groups, the 2019 Kairos Listen Report conducted before covid which led to the Capital Campaign, and the 2020-2022 Action Plan and Ministry Site Profile. Then we considered the themes that rose up during this year’s Lent Small Groups. We ended our time by stating the tasks the Council needed to guide over the next 6-7 months. These included: the Building and Sanctuary remodeling and additions; the Call Committee and staffing process; continue to help new and long-time members connect and build relationships with each other; support high school youth trip and ministry, meet about middle school ministry and confirmation, and provide Orange and other youth and family ministries in the midst of the building renovation; prepare the 2023 budget and nominate new members to serve on Council; continue visitations with people who are homebound and/or ill; prepare for how to provide funeral ministry when the sanctuary is being remodeled; determine times and locations for Sunday morning worship, education, and fellowship ministries while the buildings are being remodeled. Pastor Mike will also call initial gatherings of interested members to consider the following service and justice issues: mental health, addictions, affordable housing, and anti-racism. He’ll continue to meet with leaders to support the Free Clinic, Food Pantry and Creation Care boards and teams.
