When I read the lists of "seedlings" for radical hospitality and passionate worship I am pleasantly surprised at how many of these ideas are already in place at our church. We are actively working on welcome, our worship services seem to be touching people given the numbers of folks in worship every week and the numbers of visitors that return week after week. Of course there are areas that we could be doing better at...
I am curious what you have identified on the lists of "seedlings" that we might want to focus on. What thoughts do you have about welcome and worship for the next three to six months? What seeds might you be interested in planting in the days ahead?
As I look out into the Sunday morning congregation I feel a bit overwhelmed. Mostly because it is very hard to keep up with all the new faces. I generally am able to keep peoples names and faces in my little brain but lately I feel less able to keep up. I wish and pray for us a more streamline way of tracking visitors, getting contact information, following up, and helping folks get involved. Also, helping connect older and newer members or guests. Let's think through what are our next steps....
Yes this is an amazing journey. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Rev. Patty
Hello, all. I am excited to be starting up again on the blog and looking forward to what else it has to offer us.
ReplyDeleteAs far as planting seeds, isn't it the perfect time of year for us to be doing so? Spring is right around the corner - I can feel it- and I just ordered my first lilacs of the season today.
I have had a couple of ideas that have been rolling around in the back of my head for a while and not sure how feasible they are but they intrigue me.
First of all, I know that sometimes it seems like the children don't want to be "Up in front of the congregation" but I am wondering if there are a few or possibly even several who would like to form a youth choir and/or band? I know we have attempted the band part (most recently at Christmas - but that was mixed age) and then last spring, with the "rock band" - but how about something more simple - a few of the younger singers working on a hymn or current gospel piece? I know we have a few children and youth who study voice as an extra curricular activity and I would be willing to do the research on current music if Scott did not have the time.
Second, Sue Dickow and I have been ruminating on a Cocktail Party - to be held "off campus", so to say. What a great way for current members to mingle with new members and friends in an informal atmosphere? We have talked of everything from hosting at a house to a country club or a function hall. Music, or not; black tie or blue jeans; lavish or simple - we have talked of many options. Just a thought and another option for a way to put fun in fun-d raiser. Plus we could invite the new potential members at no cost to them; but current members/friends would donate towards the fundraiser?
Thirdly, about tracking visitors, I do try to go up to new people each week and ask if they would like to be put on our email distribution. Most say yes, but I am also sure that with all of the new faces, there are some that have fallen through the cracks. Would it be conceivable for the Deacon of the Month to stand at the back of the sanctuary or in the narthex at the end of the service each week to ask the same question or to be a 2nd "welcomer" to help Rev. Patty out? Then, the Deacon could forward that info on to me and in turn, I could give it to the Finance Committee members. I would commit to it myself but am often pulled in other directions at the end of the service. But we could streamline the data gathering that way, could we not?
We could welcome the new comers first on their arrival, but not bombard them with too much at first. Then after Rev. Patty has greeted them at the end of the service, the Deacon could be on the "data gathering mission" and also give them one of the Welcome Packets that I believe are still being worked on. As far as the Welcome Packets go, do they already include a "survey" like we have passed out before asking the visitor/member for their strengths and if they would like to get involved in a particular part of the church? As the "data gathering Deacon" (or other such designated person each week), that part of the Welcome Packet could be pointed out informally, with the request that they turn it in if they would like the following week in the Collection Plate.
Lastly, to second Rev. Patty's thoughts about all of the new faces in the congregation, I just wanted to share the joy of singing to so many smiling faces yesterday...but it was a little overwhelming when I realized I did not know many of their names....something I continue to work on; but with so many new people coming, it is hard to get to all of them in one Coffee Hour. But when we "divide and conquer" like I see us all doing each week, it will hopefully take the stress off of Rev. Patty and the Welcome Team.
Wow....great ideas, Ellen. I think we can collect all these "seedlings" and then decide how, when and who can plant them and watch them grow. I think the SS is working on a pamphlet and maybe it is time to think of one for the church. I think Jan had one made a some point and it had some good ideas...just needed to be "tweaked" but the suggestions were not met with enthusiasm.
ReplyDeleteI will add a couple more to the mix and hope others will too
1.I had thought of getting the garden group going again..to help with the "beautification" of the church lawn...over and above what Bruce does to keep things neat and tidy and groomed. Also, to help with Lynn's garden.
2. Perhaps some attractice signs for the rest rooms and the nursery would be helpful
3. Info and pictures of new members on a bulletin board
4. A "community bulletin board" where people in the church could put up their business card or notice of willingness to baby sit or other services...we would have to have parameters set, but I think it would be helpful fo all
5. Build a team of people willing to take communion to shut ins.
WE will no doubt end up with mnay more ideas than we can do, but it helps to get the ball rolling and all that we do "for the love of God" will further the work of the church...It is exciting to me to see so much "spirit and Spirit". The combination is unbeatable!
Is it just me? My head is getting dizzy reading all the “seedling” suggestions. I think the comments above are full of useful ideas, as are the ones in the assigned readings. But for me it is starting to feel a bit overwhelming. Since we can’t do it all, how do we discern what is the best fit for NCC? I think we need to distill, to cull from the myriad of suggestions, and focus a bit. I understand sometimes you have to go broad before you go deep…but at some point we need an action plan. One of my most meaningful experiences at NCC was being a part of the Visioning Process. Our church wide retreat at “His Land” where many in the NCC family met, and defined our core values is just one example where we started with lots of ideas, and through a process we were able to refine it - using input from many. I think there is value to this process of gathering ideas. But I also think it will be grounding to take steps and choose to implement some of them.
ReplyDeleteI think one thing I looked for when church shopping was in the newspaper what the sermon was going to be. Not many churches advertise the sermon, but those that did gave the uninformed a choice;I found going to a church interested in a certain topic brought me to different churches; and I finally chose to stay at NCC. I believe we should address the website issue sooner rather than later and keep current events, etc. so that anyone on line shopping will be able to see what we as a church family have to offer. Many people are "connected" these days. Jan
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