Ø Connected/content – open for change
Ø Feel welcome and involved because of position
Ø Ambivalence – preserve and enhance today’s foundation while building for tomorrow
Ø More dynamic service
Ø Like scripture included – education
Ø Start with core agreements rather than differences – then move to resolution
Ø Build on past but not live in it!
Ø Habit – comfort
Ø No strong connection
Ø Not meeting all of our needs
o Strength of children’s program (more physical presence, support, people helping out)
o Worship style (more exciting yet still somewhat traditional)
Ø Good strong family feel
Ø Feel spiritually nourished
Ø Feel like I’m growing in spiritual knowledge
Ø Feel like I’m on the edge looking in to a wonderful community
Ø Feel very comfortable with my “extended (Church) family”
Ø Feel like the Church opens my eyes to the larger community (World, Marin etc.)
Ø Feel safe and secure
Ø Feeling fulfilled through individual reaching out – one on one – like I’m finding my own purpose – God’s purpose for me – (thru small Church groups – games, computer, book etc.)
Ø Proximity of Church to homes is important
Ø Member since 1970 – must be OK!
Ø Friendliness of Church members
Ø Follow up with shut in members and those who have left
Ø Visitation with new members (Dr. Eason!)
Ø Blessed by the Blands and the choir. Don’t want to trade the Blands for a jazz group
Ø Somewhat confusing (under present administrative setup)
Ø Basically comfortable with our Church
Ø Hopeful
Ø We are known as asset to community
Ø Beautiful facility
Ø Concerned how to draw new younger families
Ø Change is a part of life, and is to be welcomed for revitalization of the Church
Ø We have program for both spiritual and community outreach
Ø We all have a great relationship in this group
Ø WE NEED PEOPLE
Ø We are open for change in our worship too!
Ø The people who are here feel welcome, but we feel we need to care more for members i.e. postcard to friends who haven’t attended for a few weeks
Ø Greeting – refine our greeter to try to get names and addresses of visitors – follow up with postcard – call from Pastor
Ø Bible studies – Villa Marin, Drakes Terrace
Ø Programs:
o Cooking classes – flyers to community
o Bible Studies – flyers to community – hand delivered
Ø Choir – perform Sunday’s anthem at Villa Marin – short prayer?
Ø Aldersgate Reunion – invite all old! Members – “Sept.” Lists – phone calls – great choir – Minister – Youth Group – Flyers
Ø Kaiser – hold Bible Study – hold Healing Service
Ø Things are going well, fine, OK, pleased
Ø Feel very welcomed
Ø People care about each other
Ø Concerned about membership – more younger families
Ø Missing opportunity to minister to elderly
Ø But:
o Too much load/financial responsibility
o Can be gratifying or negative (resentment)
o Why did the people stop coming?
Ø I feel comfortable – enjoy singing in the choir
Ø I feel the Church is my second family
Ø I feel better all the time
Ø I don’t feel like I am getting the spiritual leadership I need
GRIPING leads to GROPING leads to GRASPING leads to GROUPING leads to GROUP ACTION which leads back to GRIPING and continues in a spiral of improvement.
Ø Children’s programs
Ø Midweek nursery
Ø Crying room (for adults)
Ø Taking turns with kids (to relieve Sarah)
Ø Hopes:
o Happy, involved, fulfilled, retired in 10 years
o Healthy
o Time – keep up with family friends
o Sound health – physical, mental, spiritual
o Seeking greater biblical knowledge
o Family stability
o Future security
o Spiritual support group (move from work to retirement)
o Hope I can contribute to the Church in concrete way – I feel intimidated by some tasks so don’t volunteer
o Hope to share the load - work and $’s
o Hope to discover individual gifts – in myself and others – and use them for the greater good of Church in small group format
Ø Dreams:
o To travel (including space)
o Desire to give back
o Create viable youth ministry
o Build cross section of age groups
Ø Priorities:
o Work in Church, family
o Learning to let God be first and add energy
o Values clarified
o Balance Church needs with family needs and community
o Feel a need to outreach to the local community (battered women, shelters etc.)
o Feel need to be involved in small group Church activities to grow in faith and friendship
o Want to have relationships with youthful people – brings energy to life
Ø Youth response (under 20) – more fun, BBQ’s, better connection to adults, adult support (physical presence) at youth events
Ø More gospel, spiritual from the heart. Lively
Ø Contemporary hymnal WITH “old” one
Ø Contemporary service
Ø Small group for “young” (middle aged!) adults on setting priorities
Ø Combine physical health with spiritual (weight watchers? Yoga?)
Ø Inviting new members (phone/person/messages brochure)
Ø Outreach program
Ø List of our program (what we have to offer)
Ø Providing information to local hotels
Ø Have others in Church contact your friends to invite them
Ø Aldersgate needs:
o Aldersgate is comfortable now!
o It would be more comfortable if there were programs for children, youth, yuppies, seniors
o Activities:
§ Social (Ice Cream social, Crab Feed Etc.)
§ Groups (Drama, Golf, Bowling etc.)
§ Educational (Computers, Travel, Fitness, Construction – Fix it)
o Religious Studies
§ Bible Study
o Health (Kaiser resource)
o Parents (Robin’s Nest)
o Renters (Involve in Church activities)
o Breast cancer – awareness through music – choir
Ø Want people to sit closer together during the service
Ø Bring back “Passing the Peace”
Ø Special Event
Ø Special speaker (well known)
Ø Have pastor play guitar
Ø Have a youth – children event
Ø Have a short, children’s minute in service where children go up front
Ø Host a low cost spaghetti dinner – baby sitting included – for the neighborhood
Ø Keep service to one hour
Ø Have our own children’s choir or percussion section for main choir (i.e. visible young participation)