All-Church Survey -- Last Chance !!

Having reached the end of April, we're getting ready to shut down the online strategic planning survey and begin digesting the results.  If you still wish to participate, please do so before the end of Sunday, May 3rd.  After that -- but only through the end of the following week -- paper copies will be available at the church office.

And to you, the more than 150 members who have submitted completed surveys:  Thank you!  You've helped us build the foundation of our ongoing planning efforts.

Watch Pastor Brian Paulson's Video

Take a moment to hear our Pastor describe what this spiritual experience is - and is not.  Join in!

Thank you for taking the time to watch and participate!

3 Key Ways to Help

Please pray! Our work is more than just meetings, talk and paperwork. It's about discernment, and that means conversations with each other ... and with God. Go to God and pray for our Church’s work this month, as we seek to discern God’s direction for us. We request your prayers:

~ for our Strategic Planning Team and church leadership: that God would bless our work, give us energy and dedication, and help us to encourage full participation by all.

~ for our survey participants: for God’s blessing on time filling out the survey, for high interest and strong participation, and for members’enjoyment of the opportunity to share ideas and hopes.

~ for our Listening Circles: that leaders and participants would enjoy time in conversation about our Church, and that the Holy Spirit would be present as we join in looking back at our past and forward to our future.

Online Survey Today

Start the Online Survey now.  Just Click! and begin.  It's that simple!  Plan on about 20 to 30 minutes for completion - but you can leave off and return to the survey.  It will return you to the place you left off.  This is a very important part of our congregational discernment.  We are hoping to have as many members of the First Pres family as possible taking part in the survey.  Start now!

Are you in the survey?

(Painting of George Washington as a surveyor.)

Sign Up!

Sign up today to participate in one of our Listening Circles this April.  People are already talking about the spiritual joy they are sharing in these circles.  Perhaps the easiest way will be to stay after worship on April 12th.  No matter when you schedule to share, it will be a blessing.  Don't miss out!

(Have you put your signature on the line?  

We need you to make this work of art!)

An Overview of our Process

Where are we headed?  We know that, individually and as a congregation, we are on a spiritual adventure following Jesus Christ.  But down what paths will that adventure take us?  What roles are we called to play, either within our own walls, in the surrounding community, or beyond?  What values and activities are at the core of our church, and how can we best strengthen and build upon them even as the world changes around us?  With your help, the Strategic Planning Team (SPT) is working to answer these questions.

From discernment to initiatives to action.  Through a process of research, dialogue, prayerful discernment and – most importantly – listening to what all members of the congregation have to say, the SPT will assist Session in identifying several broad-based initiatives to be pursued in years to come.  By early next year, we will have formulated and begun carrying out specific action plans by which those initiatives can be implemented.  As a whole, the process aims at two primary results:  a better understanding of who we and who we are called to be, and a church that is better positioned for the future.

A key ingredient:  your input.  At the core of this process are our members, whose voices will be heard in at least two ways.  First, an all-church survey will be released this month for completion either electronically or in paper form.  While the questions are many, they are meaningful ... and you may find that, as you reflect on them, they lead you to new insights about your church experiences.  Second, all are invited to participate in a so-called “Listening Circle”.  These facilitator-led, small group discussions will be held at various dates and times during the last three weeks of April.  By taking part in one of these sessions, you can share your thoughts and deepen mutual understandings.

Join the conversation!  In addition to the kick-off presentation on Sunday, March 22nd, the SPT will be providing current information on the planning process  in Parish Life and on the church website.  Please support their work by responding to the survey, by participating in a Listening Circle, by engaging others around you in discussion, and in praying for guidance.  Also, if you have any questions, suggestions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact SPT co-chair Andy D at 224-280-2123 or email the team. (In the April First Word)

(From overview to liftoff!)

Participate! - Links!

(Use Links Below)

Online Survey     Listening Circles   

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)