Deacon’s Desk – April 2023
Siblings in Christ,
Over the past year we’ve taken steps as a congregation to lean into the future. We completed the listening project and experimented with the 3B (Bonfire, Brats, and Bombpops) community events through the summer. These practices were tools for learning what God is calling us to as a congregation and to glimpse the future God desires for this church. On Saturday, March 18th, the church Council gathered for a day of imagining. We went beyond our learnings of the past year to envision our potential based on the gifts and skills present in the congregation.
Grounded in prayer and scripture we worked in small groups to create newsletters for one year from now. What stories do we hope to be telling next year? I invite you to consider for yourselves what you might hope to read in a future newsletter. The council members imagined strong music and worship with more guests, expanded community events and ministries, and more.
We spent time in a visioning meditation to look further – 3-5 years into the future on any given day. Imagine you are in a hot air balloon hovering over the church and surrounding neighborhood. What do you see, hear, taste, smell, and feel from 500 feet or so above ground? What’s going on in the church, around the church, and through the neighborhood? Common impressions for the council members included vibrant worship and music, a diverse and joy-filled population, and people of all ages happily engaging together in worship, service, and companionship with one another. The council envisioned a safe and happy neighborhood, where people feel good about being out and active in the neighborhood, and the church as a gathering place for everyone. A place where good things are happening in the community and people are happy.
Creating a First Lutheran tree, where the church is the trunk and ministry areas are the branches, stimulated ideas taking the church beyond what’s currently happening to enhanced offerings and possibilities.
Finally, we took our gleanings and applied them to SMART Action Plans (specific, mission focused objectives with designated accountability, resources, and timeline).
Ultimately, five SMART plans were written and initiated! Not in any particular order: FLCOC now has an Instagram account to reach more of our neighbors and a younger population; the 3B events will be expanded by adding karaoke and switching up the Bs – burgers, brownies, bacon, bars? Monthly community events will happen year-round, with a meal and game night being offered in April! Bingo, board games, pot-luck, soup suppers, pancakes in the parking lot , etc. A monthly mission focus will be designated – March has been focused on feeding ministries, April will have a creation care/eco friendly emphasis. And, the Household Helper group is up and running, so a SMART plan was written to publicize and promote the service. Much was accomplished! I imagine if you asked any of the Council members present, they would say the day was Spirit filled, full of positivity, inspiration and hope for the future. How might you engage in this awesome church God planted for a purpose?
Blessings and peace to all,
Deacon Kirsten Kessel