I love this time of year, standing on the precipice of a new season of church programming – new classes, new life in the parish, new members. (In fact, just yesterday, we formalized the membership of three folks new to the parish!) One of the programs I am most excited about is the launch of our weekly Adult Forum.
Every Sunday at 9:30, while our children are in Sunday School, we will gather for a class of our own. This fall, our Adult Forum will be called Rooted and Renewed: Living the Tradition, Growing in Faith, Discerning Our Future. Together, we will explore each of the pillars of our common life. We will learn about the “why” behind our identity in order to gain a common language with which to articulate a vision for the parish’s future. The classes will feature both lecture and discussion (much like the community conversations you enjoyed earlier this year.)
Each module will center around a question like: What do we believe about the Bible? Why do we use traditional language in the liturgy? What theological commitments guide our children’s ministries, outreach and mission, and full inclusion of all people? If there is an area of our common life or a piece of our identity which you would especially like to explore, you can email me or you can anonymously fill out this Google Form. If you think it’s important, I am committed to exploring it with you.
The Diocese requires that every parish which has called a Priest in Charge engage in this kind of exploration, visioning, and discernment. At the end of the program year, we will show the diocese our “Vision Document” which articulates who we are, highlights our strengths, and articulates those places in which we can grow together. This document will contain your vision, which I will give you tools to articulate. And, I think that this document beautifully lays the foundation of a Strategic Plan which can thoughtfully and prayerfully guide the parish’s growth and development over the next five years.
Where will this good work happen? One parish family very generously donated the funds necessary to turn the Parish House basement into usable space. It will function like a Parish Hall – a place to learn, to eat, to gather, to serve, to pray. This transformative gift provides us with the space we need to expand our ministries. I am so grateful, and I know you are too.
The work we will do together in the Adult Forum is important. Joining us at 9:30 on Sunday mornings gives you a chance to make your voice heard and to leave your fingerprints on the future of the parish you so love. Everyone is welcome. No one is too new, too young, too “un-churched” to join us. Every voice matters.
I am excited to learn with you and from you this year!