FALL 2021: THE WHY CONVERSATIONS
Summary
The goal of Union’s strategic visioning process is to identify necessary changes to our church to ensure sustainability and success for decades to come. These were conversations about why different aspects of Union matter to us, which will be important to understand when we reflect, in the next phases of this process, on “what do we want to change?” and “how are we going to implement sustainable change?”
The WHY Phase was completed in Fall 2021. This is a summary of key learnings from those conversations, which took the form of three 2nd Hours and three virtual sessions (one of each for each of the three focal topics).
FALL 2021: "WHY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT?" INVITATION
Why Community Engagement?
From Rev. Dave and Katrina, October 2021:
Ruth declaring to Naomi that “your people will be my people” to the early Jesus community described in Acts, calls to care for one another materially and spiritually are found throughout scripture and in most Christian communities. Our statement of purpose calls us to not only share fellowship but also to support one another’s spiritual growth. Historically we have offered ways for UCC members and friends to relate socially, share meals, learn together, serve together, and care for one another. At the same time, church has moved to the periphery of social life in society at large, and many find the demands on our time greater than ever.
Why are you here?
Why are you still here after all that the pandemic has wrought?
Why does your faith convict you to engage and build community with others in the church (or not)?
Why is it important that you feel a sense of care or belonging at/to Union, specifically, rather than (or in addition to) other institutions or groups?
Why do you feel the church cares about you - or do you not feel this?