From the Desk of Pastor Ted…

Month of January, 2009 (the most recent material is on last page)

Sunday Bulletin Articles, Newsletter Information, and Report to the Council

 

Newsletter – January 2009

A New Year – Setting a Course

I think that St. John’s enters 2009 in a better place emotionally and with more clarity than a year ago.  Much time and effort has been devoted in the past year to identify underlying issues and to develop more effective leadership perspectives.  While everything has not been managed or resolved, many aspects of congregational life are more settled.  We are shifting the interim process toward setting a course for the congregation’s future… the immediate future and a few years out.  Be part of discussions that will help to carry out the tasks of the interim time and of the call process.

A Couple Thoughts on Committee Structure

I mention this in my part of the Annual Report… I invite people to consider a couple of changes or developments in committee organization. 

      The first idea is to form a committee that combines a number of existing committees.  Four words describe the areas and purposes… Learning, Evangelizing, Growing, Serving.  Note that the four words are participles, a type of grammar that combines elements of verb (action) and adjective (description).  The word,participle, connects with the roots of the word participate, which itself means: to have or take a part or share with others (in some activity, enterprise, etc.)  Enough of the grammar lesson… in a sense, this kind of committee would be action oriented… doing the stuff that puts “legs” to the mission of the congregation.

      The second idea is to reshape the current Stewardship Committee into three sub-groups called: Ask, Thank, Tell (or the acronym: ATT).  This model has been shaped by the person who wrote the stewardship program used this fall (Charles Lane).  Each of the three sub-groups focuses on one of the three words (notice that each word is an action word… a verb).  For instance, one group’s task is to Ask… to keep providing giving challenges to the people of the congregation.  Asking might be a monthly emphasis for monetary giving (such as to a specific project of the ELCA or local concern).  The asking might also include inviting people to participate in a particular ministry activity.  The Ask group spends time together deciding what to ask for and how to ask.  The same holds for the other two words: Thank and Tell.  The Thank sub-group thanks people for their gifts of time, talent and treasure… over and over… in creative and real ways.  Imagine how such thanking could benefit and strengthen the congregation.  The third sub-group (Tell) does just that… it consistently informs the congregation about the activity and ministry that the church is doing, locally, synodically, through the ELCA and in world.

Help to Write the Congregational Mission Profile (CMP)

This multi-page document needs to be created before the congregation enters into the interviewing parts of the call process.  Watch for opportunities to contribute to the creation of this document.  Plan to be a part of the process.

January 11, 2009

Update on Renovation Task Force – Some Decisions

The St. John’s group that has been working a few years to develop a renovation plan met on Thursday with new information relative to some cost breakdowns.  The following is what I heard the group discuss and decide:

•          There are now two renovation plans, one for the sanctuary and the other for the entry area by the elevator and in front of my office.  Both plans are considered viable ways to change and modify the building to meet present and future needs.
•          With current economic realities (Oshkosh Truck stock prices in particular) the primary funding resources decreased substantially.  If I understand this correctly, and I might be off, the truck stock has decrease to about 20% or so of its earlier value.  Other funds dedicated to renovation work (not invested in stock) are holding their value adequately.  The task force decided that moving into the full renovation plan right now would not be in a good interest for the congregation’s financial realities.
•          The two architectural plans put together over the past years will serve as a “master-plan” for St. John’s.  The bulk of the two plans will be “shelved” for now… perhaps five years or so.  Any smaller projects emerging during the present or near future should reflect the general thrust of the two “master-plans”.
•          The Renovation Task Force decided to promote three specific smaller renovation projects, likely using existing funds for the most part:

1.      Expand the entryway into the sanctuary (the door nearest the elevator), making its width close to that of the hallway itself and pushing the floor level space to the existing column by the lectern.  (This is the space where – I believe – the organ console used to be before it was moved to the balcony.)

2.      Create a up-to-code bathroom (unisex) in the space now containing a set of steps to the stage and a storage closet (another set of steps to the stage will be maintained as well as existing portable steps.)

3.      Remove the walls around the reception office to create a gathering space that will also eliminate the narrowed hallway in front of my office.  The existing bathroom would be converted to a small service counter with a sink.  The glassed-in small office could become the space to house office machines.

These three smaller projects might generate some positive rallying in the congregation to make “do-able” changes that promote and enhance the relational climate of St. John’s.  These three projects are all part of the master-plan. 

      With this decision, efforts are beginning right away to define details, obtain actual contract bids, define which existing funds best match these projects, inform the congregation of each step, and seek whatever congregational approval is needed in the near future to make these decisions become realities.

      This approach to limit current renovations to these three specific aspects of the master-plan will go a long ways toward settling these issues for the near future as well as a 5/10 year period or so.  The general developments of the next few years will inform such reconsideration.  Particularly important to future discussions will be whether St. John’s experiences further overall decline or if it experiences actual growth and expansion in its congregational life and strength.  Settling current renovation issues is a key task that the council identified as determining the initiation of an active call process.

Council Meeting Yesterday – Begin the Call Process: CMP and Call Committee

The “CMP” stands for “Congregational Mission Profile” and is the document needed by the office of bishop to present to pastoral candidates.  It’s primary to initiate the call process.  The council decided to begin this work immediately.  The vision conversations of the past week will be helpful to some of the questions, but the council would like to organize a group to help write responses to all of the various questions.  I’ll have a copy of the blank document available on Sunday. 

      Also, anyone who wishes to obtain their own copy via internet can do so at: www.elca.org, clicking the word “Forms” at the bottom of the page under the heading “Resources”.  Then, under the heading “For Congregations” click “Congregational Mission Profile Form”.  You will need to download the little program available on that page by clicking “download Full Formatta Filler” that lets you open the form.  After installing the small program, click “download Congregational Mission Profile Form”.

      Watch for more information about this project.  Consider being a part of the group that will be formed to create a CMP for St. John’s… and plan to contribute some of your thoughts and ideas.

A Call Committee Will Be Formed Soon – Informational Meetings: Jan. 25, Feb. 1

The council is given the task by St. John’s constitution to form a Call Committee of six people.  To help with that task, informational meetings are scheduled immediately following worship at 10 AM on two Sundays… January 25 and February 1.  The informational meetings will help people learn what will be expected by a call committee and its members.  Attending at least one of the meetings is a great way to indicate your interest in being considered for this committee.  Also, be sure to directly notify a council member and/or the council president, Peter Hanson of your interest.

      I think that the council will intend to appoint the committee by the middle or end of February.  The council didn’t state this in their specific decision in yesterday’s meeting… this only reflects my opinion about what the council might do next month.

      So… the intentional and active aspects of the call process are beginning.

January 25, 2009

Informational Meetings for Those Interested in Being Part of a Call Committee

The council is beginning to consider the appointing of a Call Committee for the call process that is underway.  If you are interested in learning more about this, two informational meetings are offered right after worship this Sunday and next.  Join Us!!