Timeline

Our Schedule of Activities:

LIVE: Start of sign-ups for Listening Circles (small-group sessions of facilitated reflection and discussion) to be held in April.

March 21 (Sat.): Three-hour training session 9am to noon for Listening Circle Facilitators.

March 22 (Sun.): Strategic planning process kick-off, including discussion with consultant and advisor Rev. Susan Beaumont and Q&A with the SPT.

March 23 (Mon.): Launch of all-congregation survey, available on-line or in paper form.

April 7 through April 27: Multiple two-hour Listening Circle sessions held at various dates and times, suitable for almost any schedule.

April 30 (Thurs.): Final collection of responses results from all-congregation survey.
May: Compilation by SPT of information from survey, Listening Circles, and additional input from congregation and external data sources.

June-July: Reflection, discernment, and preparation by SPT of summary report and recommendations to Session.

October: Leadership Summit to review report and recommendations and decide upon one or more broad-based initiatives to be pursued in coming years.

November: Innovations Teams convened to develop specific 3- to 5-year action plans for implementation of initiatives.

1Q2016: Action plans launched!

You will complete the picture!

Brief Discovery - March 22nd - After Worship

Briefly stay after worship in the Sanctuary for a 20 minute overview of the way you will help us discover God's calling for our congregation.  Immediately after worship our Strategic Team will introduce Susan Beaumont, nationally renowned spiritual guide for large congregations.  She will describe the Congregational Survey available online and the Listening Circles scheduled for April.  Child care is provided during this short gathering.  Your involvement in these two simple ways is crucial for our future together - sign up now!

Susan Beaumont

Join in with these two links:

Listening Circles         Congregational Survey

March 22 After Worship - Overview of Congregational Discernment

We begin a time of congregational discernment Sunday after worship in the Sanctuary on March 22.  Our Strategic Planning Team is leading an effort to discover God's calling for our ministry in the next few years.  The outcome of our effort will be a clear definition of our values and the start of two or three new initiatives.  Our nationally renowned guide in this process is Susan Beaumont who will be with us to talk about what to expect after worship on the 22nd.  Plan to stay for a brief presentation of twenty minutes or less that she will make in the Sanctuary after worship.  It is time to get excited about the new directions God is working through our life together!

Help us chart our future!

Help us chart our future!  --  Are you a good listener?  An encouraging leader of conversation?  The Strategic Planning Team is looking for volunteers to facilitate sharing and discussion in small Listening Circles that will be held during the weeks after Easter.  Facilitators will attend a training session on Saturday morning, March 21, and lead a Listening Circle thereafter.   If you would like to assist in this important effort or have questions, please call the church office or Andy D. (From Parish Life, March 8)

Discerning Our Path

Discerning Our Path:  a Strategic Planning Team has been formed to help our congregation reflect on its road ahead.  Assisted by an experienced church planning consultant, the team will gather survey information, facilitate group discussions, and guide us in a year-long process of prayerful discernment  ... starting with an all-church kick-off event on March 22nd.  Please save the date and get ready to participate; it’s your chance to help shape our future! (Shared in Parish Life on February 22)