Friday March 18 Holy Conversation Notes

Friday March 18, 2011

1. What do you think "Church" means? What do you think is the purpose of OUR church? Can you put it into one sentence?

• Family where you have a similar mission or belief yet can disagree in an atmosphere of safety.
• Where everyone is comfortable in being there. People come who are Catholic or Jewish, married to members.
• For kids to be participating with kids they don't go to school with.
• The outreach to the broader community.
• Even if you come alone, people reach out to you.
• A community like a family. A chosen family or community Based on a higher set of values and commitments.

2. What brought you to this congregation? What keeps you here?

• A church that's engaged with the world. The Sri Lanka gifts. Fellowship Hall, one of very few church based senior residence in Westchester. Katrina mission trip. Women's Council packing kits for PDA.
• Closeness and having been raised Presby. Felt an affinity to the church. Not involved until after Jack left. A church that knows where it's going.
• What keeps you: close to a lot of people in the church. Loyalty. some people taking a wait and see attitude.

3. What are important qualities of this church?

4. What would you like to find in this church if you were suddenly transported five years into the future?

• Important to be open to new ways of worship and new times of worship. The more things we can schedule at times different from Sunday morning. New formats. New times.
• A big church that's also small. (various communities). More diverse in ethnic background. Ongoing vitality.

5. Now that you've thought about our church's purpose, what gifts would you see a new pastor bringing to this place?

• A fabulous preacher.
• Someone with family experience.
• Hire someone on their own merits, not to compensate for lacks of the past.
• Counseling ability.
• Make connections with the elderly.
• Technologically savvy.
• Social justice commitment.
• Skilled in growing a church.
• Knows how to motivate volunteers
• Knows how to discern and motivate the various gifts members bring to the church.