Vision 2015: New horizons and Projects

Introduction

In the middle of the word “opportunity” we find the word “port.”  A port is where the water meets the shore and people cast off in their boats for new horizons and new adventures.  These words share a common root with words such as “portal,” “portico,” “porch,” and “pores” – all of which refer to some kind of opening which lets something enter from one place to another.

Opportunities take us someplace new, and the work of the vision team has been to identify a broad range of new opportunities for our congregation.  We have asked: “With God’s help and guidance, where can we go from here?  What new horizons are waiting to be explored, and how do we bring God’s Word and love into new territory?”  The opportunities in this new revised vision represent some of the many open doors or “portals” through which God may be calling us.

In January 2014, Atonement Lutheran Church began a planning process to follow up on our previous “Vision 2009” which was now over 5 years old.  Changes in our membership and changes in our community had already moved us into new territory, so it was time for a new map.  A vision team was assembled to direct the work of preparing a revised plan for mission and ministry, including Pastor Scott Lindner, Laurie Chiaramonte, Robin Boyd, Gus Alexakos, Ken Patten, Caitlyn Ungerer, and Linda Greene.  Additional help and input came from Salli Stupp-Conover and Nils and Brenda Lenz.

What we did:

Meetings were held at least monthly beginning in February of 2014.  We began with a review of the Vision 2009 document, determining which goals and ministry ideas had already been completed or no longer seemed relevant.  The previous vision document underwent further review during a council retreat at Luther Springs, June 27-28.  Remaining ideas were saved in a LIST OF CARRY-OVER ITEMS.

For the first time this year, the Florida Bahamas Synod opened up the 2014 synod assembly WORKSHOPS to lay visitors.  For $20, non-delegates could attend the assembly on Saturday, June 20.  Laurie Chiaramonte, Salli Stupp-Conover, Nils, Brenda, and Nick Lenz, Detlev Aeppel, Cotta, Hannah, and Caitlyn Ungerer and Marcia Weil all attended workshops, which we debriefed at subsequent vision team meetings.

As a helpful way to see where current congregational ministry involvement was already taking place, Laurie Chiaramonte created a cross-shaped bulletin board divided in sections representing our ministry teams and areas of service.  Involved members were asked to indicate where they were serving by push pins.  This CROSS OF MINISTRIES[i] stayed on display for several weeks.

A centerpiece of the planning process focused on congregational input.  This coalesced around the events of September 7, 2014, “God’s Work, Our Hands Sunday,” a day set aside by our denomination to lift up outreach and ministry in all congregations.  We held a luncheon following worship which led into a session of ASSET MAPPING[ii] where members helped brainstorm and vote on new ministries.

The Florida Bahamas synod began an emphasis on ministry planning in the midst of our own process.  They distributed a mission planning guide to all congregations in the synod, and asked congregations to report on their level of engagement with mission planning.  Though we were already engaged, the synod’s planning guide included a component of CONVERSATION WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS[iii], which we added to our own process.  A Community Leaders forum was held on Tuesday evening, October 28, with guests representing medical, political, business, and law enforcement fields.

What we found: New horizons and Projects

Jesus welcomed and invited people into the life and experience of his kingdom.  By atoning for our sin on the cross, he makes us children of God and citizens of that kingdom.  Now God calls us to welcome and invite everyone to that same awareness and life.  We do this through sharing faith and loving others with the same unconditional love which we receive from God.  Our ministries are the organized expression of that love as we…

            share the love of Jesus,

                        glorify God
                                    and extend his kingdom…

God is calling Atonement towards new horizons as we continue to grow in the depth of our faith, the number of our members, and the scope of our ministries.  Ultimately it is the Holy Spirit which guides and directs our life together, not any ministry plan.  You could say this vision is a collective glimpse of future possibilities which God is moving us toward.  New ideas will pop up in the meantime and new possibilities will arise.  But this is what we see, and what we know about where we are going on the threshold of 2015.

However, we have grouped these ideas and directions together in a way that seems most useful:  as a to-do list.  The pastor and church council will shepherd this list over the next 5 years as the members, ministry teams and volunteers work with it.  It will be returned to and reported on regularly in council meetings as we keep an eye on how we’re doing living out the vision. 

The first section, “new horizons,” contains general observations, ideas and practices that pertain to all the ministries.  The next section “projects” are the tasks and growth areas grouped under the umbrella of specific ministry teams. Some of these projects will necessitate creating new small groups to manage them.  Some could be done in collaboration with other ministries. 

Items have been assigned to particular ministry teams as a logical starting point for the planning and initiation of each task.  We ask that each team, in partnership with council, prioritize their list and develop a timeline and strategies for working on them.  We will work through this together as we cast off from this port called today in search of God’s tomorrow.

NEW HORIZONS

Ministry teams can increase the awareness and maintenance of sustainability for each ministry

Team leaders will work on identifying and nurture a successor

• Each team will find ways to promote greater involvement and participation
• Ask: how can we expand the scope of this ministry?  Who else can we serve?
• Ask: how can we increase the quality of this ministry?  How do we do better?
• Ask: how can we let more people know about this ministry?  How can we promote it?

 Atonement has the potential be a “go-to” place for the community for community connections and conversation

• We can host community conversations between pastors & community leaders
• We can sponsor informational forums on health, financial and community info

 There is big potential in partnering with other agencies and in stepping outside the congregation

• Can we partner with organizations like PHSC or Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel?
• Can we meet for planning or events in public places offsite from Atonement?
• Can we ask people in the community about their needs and opinions?

Community leaders identified a “lack of traditions” as a challenge in the Wesley Chapel area…so lots of people go out of town for events

• What would it take to turn our regular events into “community traditions?”
• What celebrations of our faith tradition have that potential?
• Is there a possibility to develop or be part of a kind of local “fair”?

There is big potential in telling the story of our ministries to the public.  Ministry teams can use:

• Tables at chamber breakfasts; booths at the Grove fall festival, etc.
• Displays at ministry “fairs”; spots at our own SOS/Trunk or treat, etc.
• Use of Thrivent action team money ($250 per event) to fund promotion, direct mailings to targeted mail routes

PROJECTS

 
Fellowship

• New mindset: fellowship is not just coordinating food, but also sponsoring activities
• Develop fellowship team  to plan  a calendar of fun events: (outings and “in-nings”, ie. Church picnic); regular church retreats (Luther Springs, etc); community “loaves and fish fry” celebrating the feeding of the 5000
• regularly occurring meals such as buffet breakfast or spaghetti dinner
• Get-to-know you dinners/activities; help introduce and integrate new members
• A member-served meal as part of each Discover Atonement orientation
• Resume and maintain supper club
• Redevelop men’s group
• “Make a Joyful Noise” group to plan & develop Christian music festival/concerts at Atonement and other venues; groups from community and other churches
• Plan & develop sporting teams/events

Caring ministries

 

• Providing mental health and community forums at church: (depression, suicide, college prep, alcoholism, parenting issues, etc.); use Natl Assn for Mental Illness as a resource (partner with Youth ministry team)
• Transportation is identified as a major need in Pasco county: bringing people to church: Zephyrhills & LOL carpools; transport to and/or pickup things at the store
• Re-develop Parish nursing program: Develop Health ministry team, possibly coordinate health & safety fair; Health survey at Atonement - 10 yrs ago: foot care & blood pressure monitoring were major needs
• Geographical “shepherding groups”
• Ministry to contact people who have been absent
• Assistance and support for caregivers
• Bringing food and flowers (Meals on wheels does not serve Wesley Chapel)
• Health through education: yoga, zumba, essential oils, etc.

Administration

• Develop a professional office manager position: Moving towards full-time, for a consistent presence in the office; Including website maintenance
• Clear sign for doorbell & buzzer for front door
• Regular invitations to all groups that use our church
• Volunteer recognition –  annual dinner; in newsletter/during service                 

Worship and Music

• Involve lay people as hosts/“emcees” for welcome/announcements
• Move birthday celebrations to after service
• Youth oriented worship service at alternate time
• Renovation team for sanctuary  – new stand for baptismal font; Altar area risers: wood flooring, handicapped access; Carpet; Texture for wall behind altar; Statue or cross below stained glass windows; Curtains to conceal sacristy doors; Space/storage for paraments
• Sunday service recognizing community workers (firemen, police, health care, etc.)
• Usher training regularly
• Meditation service with yoga

 
Youth
 

• Possible fundraiser for youth trip: valet parking
• Develop a staff position member for youth and family ministry
• Parents night out program
• Integrate youth and families into the congregation
• Develop recreational facilities: volleyball, basketball, walking trail (wetlands?)
• Family mission trips – plan for a new one; Return to Virgin Islands?

Council

• Develop ELCA Hispanic ministry/service
• make front door handicapped accessible
• Increase engagement with community: community forum, info on resources
• Revisit Atonement’s “branding” –  evaluate logo, name, identity & outreach materials from PR standpoint
• Ecumenical partnering in fellowship & mission
• Work towards an every-member plan for Lutheran magazine

 
Property Maintenance
 

• Develop a part-time “Facilities manager” staff position: 1-2 days a week to cover regular maintenance and upkeep; plus “on call” for emergencies
• Develop columbarium space – access, garden area, fencing, etc. (w/ columbarium team)
• Develop recreational facilities: volleyball, basketball, walking trail (wetlands?)
• Develop playground (planning, fundraising) (partner with Christian ed)
• Repairs on existing building -  finish siding back side of building; Finish bell tower (bell/cross/speakers)
• Replace air conditioning
• Deal with mold on walls in A/C room
• Design and build new building & reconfigure present building (with building team)

 
Technology
           

• Projection based welcome sign over front door
• QR code to web-based credit card donation page
• Increase focus on web and technology – staffing, USF intern, and volunteers; complete transition from be-at-1.org
• Increasing and encouraging use of technology and social media for internal communications,  outreach, and promotion: Examples: “Spread the word challenge” on Youtube; video interviews for youth/confirmation projects; Video histories/ministry intros on web site; Twitter feed for informing about upcoming events, changes, deaths, etc.; Texting the peace at worship

 

Social concerns

• Reshape social concerns with help from WELCA into a Global and Local Mission team
• Studies of social statements (i.e. women & justice)
• Increase hands on involvement in community service projects (not just Atonement)
• Promote awareness and connections to global missions
• Fundraising walks for global issues

 
Pastor/deacons
 

• Confirmation oriented towards ministries & participation
• Sermon topic survey/publicize upcoming sermon topics

Senior ministry and Disabilities task force
 

• Awareness of differently-abled individuals and their experiences
• Make large-print Bibles available
• Income tax preparation assistance

 
Outreach
 

• Promoting the Lutheran grace-oriented outlook – teaching the public
• Business cards w/ service times – distributed by all members
• Brochure update
• follow up visit to worship visitors who leave a local address; bring a gift - loaf of bread?
• Social media team  – facebook, twitter, etc.
• Develop an “Atonement app”
• Open house during week with free coffee/refreshments for people driving by
• Electronic kiosk in entryway
• Drive-through prayer under portico
• Regional mission groups: target neighborhoods for block parties/open house at clubhouse, etc.; “cottage meetings” with members in each area – conversation on outreach

Christian education

• Develop a Christian ed team – program beyond Sunday school
• Plan field trips, outings, and events for children
• Oversee Life-long learning and milestone recognition/celebration: develop a life milestone/faith stepping stone Christian ed plan; use the life-long faith formation grid[iv]
• Continued support for sponsored child
• Develop playground (planning, fundraising)
• increase parental/family involvement
• Intergenerational faith formation/include parents in Sunday school: adult prayer partners/mentors (“Caring Angels”?); Elder youth mentors, attend Sunday school w/ child
• Develop regular curriculum – publicize upcoming lessons
• Christmas program/community Live nativity – resume in 2015
• Maintain a usable nursery - Have a trained nursery staff
• Have Sunday school children give out baptismal gifts
• Develop long term plan for preschool/Lutheran parochial school     

 
WELCA/Women’s group
 

• Expand scholarship program, in partnership with other ministry teams: Annual faith-based scholarships for WC/Wiregrass/Zephyrhills High schools
• Teaching crafts at nursing homes and WELCA meetings
• Baking items to bring to nursing homes, new visitors, homebound, etc.
• Planting a produce garden/network w/ Pasco coop/extension/school ag program

Finance

Maintain a regular finance team: Oversee “best practices”; Regularly  promote and explain simply giving

Develop a legacy giving program/Build an endowment fund
Continue to increase synod benevolence towards 10% of the church budget
Evaluate and develop giving to other ministries: Synod Together in Mission; ELCA campaign; Novus Way Mission Possible; missionary support; Heifer project, etc.

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[i] Image available

[ii] Document available: Vision 2015 Asset Mapping Session

[iii] Guests included Rosie and Scott Paulson (Good Faith Insurance); Bob Hatfield (Congressman Gus Bilirakis’ office); Officer Leslie Strubbe (representing Sheriff Chris Nocco); Elayne Bassinger (Centennial Bank); and Grace Masselli (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

 [iv] Document available: Framing the Vision by Kenny Champagne and Mindy Makant