Deacon’s Report on Cottage Meetings
Church Identity
OUR CHURCH WELCOMES ALL PEOPLE, INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT FAITH BACKGROUNDS, FRIENDLY TO ALL, INCLUDING WELCOMING CHILDREN TO WORSHIP
A CARING COMMUNITY
MISSION ORIENTED, LOCAL, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
“SMART”
DEMOCRATIC
GOOD CHURCH SERVICE AND SERMONS
GOOD PROGRAMS: MUSIC: Could have more;
EDUCATION- recent excellent adult ed programs and variety;
SOCIAL EVENTS quilting, dinners – could have more.
FACILITIES-
Important place of worship
Ability to hold events in Parish Hall & Sanctuary
“Church on the Green”
The doors are always open
Mary as our Pastor!
“High Potential Church”
WORSHIP
1. THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
Importance of Sunday Hour
Good Service and Sermons
Part of Group
God’s Presence
Deacon Greeter at Door
Music – Choir, Opera North, and Guest Musicans
Congregation of Diverse Theological Perspectives
Children’s Time
2. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS TO MAKE THINGS BETTER
Different Worship Time (9 am in the summer)
Children’s Time
Other Guest Presenters
Increased Men’s Presence in Service
Have Mary Introduce the Worship Leader
Summer Shared Services with other churches
3. ASPIRATIONAL
None listed
MISSION
1. THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
Local, national, and international missions programs
2. PRACTIC AL SUGGESTIONS
More information and updates from Mission Committee
3. ASPIRATIONAL
Organize a unifying church-wide project, for example Dismas House
Increase focus on non-monetary involvement of talents and time
Increase advocacy
COMMUNICATION
1. THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
Lifeline
Emails
Both communication forms are much appreciated and many would enjoy expanded use of each form.
2. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Use social networking channels such as Facebook. This may increase and improve communication with teenagers.
Improve website and use as marketing tool as well as communication tool. Carol has already started this process. Include audio sermons?
Talk to visitors & newcomers
Follow up notes to new members, after baptism, wedding, etc.
Communication with the Town of Norwich; publicize UCC programs, adult education, etc.
Improve communication between church boards and committees
Create a PR committee?
3. ASPIRATIONAL
None listed
OUTREACH
1. LIKE RECENT INITIATIVES
Many of the recent initiatives in communication
Programs for the community: hosting the Library’s First Wednesdays, Music
Volunteer Register
To Teenagers – Mary, effective; Work Trip especially
2. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
To the elderly:
Consider elderly as a focus on outreach, given the demographics of our community.
More 2nd hour adult ed on Sunday
Invite non-members to participate in Sermon discussions at Kendal
Have more chairs in the Parish Hall
Intergenerational pairing
Families with young children: 50% social glue: 50% religious interest;
Get a group together; start young (how to contact nursery crowd?)
More flexible programming for worship and education
To the community:
Sponsor and encourage others to have community events,
Encourage members to think of speaker/entertainer; invite community and have refreshments
New sound system?
Put up sign in Parish Hall, when AA is meeting there to invite to participate in church worship & activities
Outreach through communication (List serve, Norwich Times and VN Calendar ) re existing programs
Have a newcomers’ luncheon (Find out from Tracy Hall, who is new in town )
A gift for visitors (one church gives a loaf of zucchini bread.)
A Sunday for People who don’t usually go to church;
College Students –
To our friends and acquaintances:
Members and friends invite to church and activities;
A “Bring a Friend” Sunday
3. ASPIRATIONAL
For people in transition:
“New Beginnings”: a course/discussion group for those who are divorced, widowed, or changing jobs
SERVICE
1. LIKE NOW: Call to Care
2. PRACTICAL SUGGESTION:
Send cards to ill and shut-in from Sunday coffee hour on a regular basis
3.ASPIRATIONAL
Visits to all congregation by pastor and/or deacons periodically
PROGRAM
1. THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
Music Program
Confirmation Class
Teen Programs / Youth Work Trips
Adult Education
Women’s Retreats
Called to Care
Sunday School
Vacation Bible School
2.PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
More flexible scheduling
More programs on Sunday (before and after church service) when people are already at the church
Earlier (9 am) church time in summer months
Flexible offerings of programs at different times to accommodate seniors and working parents
More social interaction opportunities
Advent / Pot Luck Dinners
Small group gatherings
Possible after school program for kids?
3. ASPIRATIONAL
Intergenerational pairings
Seniors and families
Seniors and youth
Revive Men’s Retreats
Plan more family events
CHURCH ORGANIZATION
1) THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
None listed
2) PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Have fewer committees
Create better communication between boards and committees
Shorten terms on boards and committees
Have the nominating committee chat with new members about their interests
Appoint youth members to some committees
Create short term jobs for people who can't commit to a committee or board.
3) ASPIRATIONAL
None listed
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
1. THINGS WE ARE DOING NOW WHICH ARE GOOD
None listed
2. PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Have arm chairs and tables in Parish Hall for coffee hour.
Change instructions for Coffee Hosts to implement the above.
Ring the Paul Revere bell sometime before church starts (9:40am?)
3. ASPIRATIONAL
None listed
RESPONSE & SUGGESTIONS TO THE DEACONS” PRELIMINARY REPORT
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2010 – 2nd HOUR
Encourage name tag use
Placement of board of name tags
A person to help facilitate on certain Sundays
For better/more PR to the community
Create an Ad Hoc Communications Committee
Celebrate our identity
Use Various Media
Website
Request Woodworth Fund Grant $$ for extra hours for website development
Re Community Events: Have a Spring Fling
Create a Town/Interfaith Gathering/Celebration
Small Groups -Fellowship
