The End is Near!

Summary of Vision Team Work and Recommendations
Hudson UMC


The purpose of the Vision 2012 Team is to help the church identify what sort of church First United Methodist Church can be in 2012—the year of the building’s one hundred year anniversary on this site at 34 Felton Street, Hudson.

The team worked through the Fall of 2008 into the Spring of 2009 with consultant Bonnie Marden of the New England Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. The group included Dorris Rosen, Jim Niro, Matt Williams, Jayne Beairsto, Christie Vaillancourt, Mary Collins, Carolyn Paskavitz, Rosanne Roberts, and Pastor Doug Robinson-Johnson.

Using input received at the Stone Soup gatherings as well as the each team member’s sense of what is best about our current ministry at 34 Felton Street, the team selected six Categories (see previous blog post from March) and then identified Affirmations or Recommendations deserving further consideration by the Council or visioning team. These recommendations are listed as 2009-2010 short term goals or 2012 long-term goals.

The Affirmations are listed below with the suggestion that they be used through the next year in communication pieces to affirm the congregational input. When shared, an explanation of the source of these affirmations is encouraged. For example, “Congregation members attending the Stone Soup gatherings affirmed our children’s ministry: Sunday School is fun and safe. We have good space for kids.” Carolyn was identified as someone who could work with communications systems and integrating these affirmation statements with adaptations as needed.


Affirmations Summary
Sunday school is fun; safe…we have good space for kids
Children’s time in worship
Intentionally welcoming of families with children
All inclusive Communion, especially the way children are involved
Youth Group makes all feel welcome
Children’s programs (Sunday school, VBC, etc.)
Family – all of the individual families, church family

Encouraged and challenged to be best that I can
Sense of community and genuine warmth
Everyone is welcomed; How people greet each other.
Coffee Hour
Sincerity of community – sense of caring

This church has a “can do” attitude, people always step forward
Everyone seems friendly - they love me
How we take care of each other in times of trouble
Sharing joys and concerns

The dedicated staff that go above and beyond their job requirements
Food and music is pretty good
Feels like a giving church – Care Team, Open Door, Agape Café
Agape Café and the way people are invited to socialize
Reaching out to the community with Outreach
Being at Pumpkin Fest – good to be visible
Known by our actions, not just our words
The way sermons relate the Bible to modern living
The look of the sanctuary

2009-2010 Recommendations, based on Stone Soup gatherings from Fall, 2008:
Proposed action items are in italic with the name of the team identified, current status described and next steps proposed.

1) The expansion of opportunities for young people in music.
Staff-Parish Relations Committee has discussed options with Music Director.
Next Steps: Lay Leadership Committee works with staff to find committed volunteers and a practical plan for youth bell choir, children’s choir and youth band.

2) Create a ministry ‘book’ for the pews allowing people to see volunteer opportunities
where they might serve.
Next Steps: Form should be created by staff and updated by church council.

3) More small group Bible study.
Next Steps: Adult Spiritual Life Team should set goals for greater number of
offerings.

4) Increase communication about changes and clarify how to have voice in decisions about programs and ministries
SPRC co-sponsored conflict training workshop held March 14 and additional follow up underway.
Next Steps: Council should work to promote transparency in all committees while the Communications Team should work to make decision-making processes more accessible.

5) Create prayer partnerships
Next Steps: Adult Spiritual Life Team should create a plan for one-on-one prayer partnerships.

6) Expanding visitation and care of the sick, homebound and those in crisis.
Care Team will continue care for sick, homebound and crisis while Stephen Ministry Team is
created.
Next Steps: Stephen Ministry should assume responsibility for longer-term visitation while Care Team focuses on shorter-term visitation including inactive members and newcomers. Staff-Parish Relations Committee should monitor the pastor’s visitation with the sick, homebound and those in crisis.

7) Increase training and participation in hospitality ministries especially to newcomers
and visitors.
Next Steps: Each Council Member whose team connects with the public should create intentional plans in each ministry area for making the most of first-time visitors which would include intentional hosts (such as ushers and door-keepers), personal connection with a long-timer and follow-up within 24 hours.

8) Make it easier for more and more people to come for food and expand Angel Food type
ministries
Next Steps: Jim and K should continue and expand Angel Food ministry and other co-op programs.

9) Constructive suggestions about increasing lay speakers involvement, exploring
worship styles for different ages and more contemporary worship music.
Next Steps: Worship Committee should review suggestions and plan with staff.


2012 Recommendations, based on Bible study and Vision Team members’ discernment.
The following recommendations are longer term goals that will benefit from further exploration and assessment. The Vision Team offers the five recommendations below as priorities as we continue to discern how God is guiding us toward the future through the ideas and visions of our members.

1. In 2012 FUMC could be the place neighbors in need turn when they are in trouble!
Next Steps: A community needs assessment should be undertaken by a small, passionate team of researchers, coordinated by the Pastor, who will talk with social workers, city planners, business leaders and local residents. This research would allow FUMC to respond to actual, unaddressed needs and even plan for changes on the horizon.

2. In 2012 FUMC could offer a week-day, Christ-centered, affordable program for school-aged children in the community!
Next Steps: Building on data from the community needs assessment, a team of planners, coordinated by the Education Coordinator, should develop a business/ministry plan. The congregation would be welcome participants in that process.

3. In 2012 FUMC could have in place a plan for stewardship of this 100-year-old building for the next 20 years!
Next Steps: The Finance Committee should work in harmony with the Trustees to develop a strategy for raising capital, retiring debt, scheduling maintenance and improvements to 34 Felton Street so that, by 2012, church members fully understand and can be invested in the long-term well-being of this building.

4. In 2012 FUMC could be a church where everyone loves their job!
Next Steps: A combination of follow-up on 2009 recommendation #2 and the consistent application of personal mission or gift-assessment surveys should be in place by 2011. By 2012 all members should be participating both in church and in professional/family work that is deeply fulfilling because it is based on real needs and authentic calling. In the short run, “Project Partnerships” should be formed so that newcomers in the church can apprentice with long-timers in roles such as TV ministry or Sunday School Teaching, for examples.

5. In 2012 FUMC could have new interior space for personal prayer, a café, and worship!
Next Steps: Plans for building expansion are currently on hold, but the data collected in 2003-2004 should be analyzed and updated by a short-term team focused on interior space use in the current building footprint. New data should be presented to the church for action in the coming three years.