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March 17 Community Discussion -
Next Steps & Highlights
THANK YOU to the many members (28) and non-member friends (7) who attended and participated in this past Sunday's Community Discussion. The Strategic Leadership Council (SLC) members provided brief updates: where we are at right now, praying and caring for Pastor Keith as he works through his current medical concerns, celebrating Pastor Keith's 25 years with us later this year (save the date - Service of Departure is Sunday, July 14), and the current status of our finances.
SLC also discussed the near-term path forward including the work of SLC and the Pastoral Relations Committee to establish an interim pastor search team and make decisions on the roles and priorities for an interim pastor. There will be a self-study process later in the year, in anticipation of preparing our church's profile for a search process that would seek to find a permanent (AKA, "settled") pastor.
As a church family, there was a thoughtful and open discussion on many matters. Highlights:
• Many with longtime history and family connections in this church.
• Be on board to do the hard work that lies ahead. Make it fun and not a burden - have joy!
• We all need to pull together to pull us forward.
• Keep the faith as a small church community as we move ahead on a long journey.
• How do we attract young people to our church? How do we reach the new residents in many new apartment/condo buildings that have appeared nearby in NKY?
• Need to review and update our membership rolls, per bylaws process, to be sure we have accurate information.
• Be much more visible as an LGBTQ+ inclusive church - show a Pride flag, have flyers throughout town, have booth presences at Cincy & NKY Pride festivals.
• Be more present in the Bellevue community and activities.
• Bring back online service and grow online presence in a DOABLE way - this is very important for outreach.
• The role of an interim pastor is to ask the tough questions, including questions that require our deep thought and questions we may not want to answer. These will help us present the best congregational profile possible for candidates down the road.
• Our work with Open and Affirming, Accessible to All (A2A), and Ignite visioning are all part of what makes us very special and unique and attractive to a candidate. Also, it is worth noting that Bellevue passed a Fairness Ordinance.
Also noted:
• The church's doors will be open and the restrooms made available for the community during the Bellevue-Dayton Memorial Day Parade (Monday, May 27, 2024).
If you have any questions or wish to talk to a member of SLC about any topic, you can contact SLC President Theo Baldwin at TheoBaldwin@aol.com or cell/text 859-445-3094.
Please continue to pray for the vibrancy of our church's mission and our amazing ability to extend God's extravagant welcome to all.
And remember the power of our awesome mission/vision statement ---
In service to Christ, this intentionally inclusive congregation feeds the body, mind, and spirit,
gives strength, and shines God’s light wherever there is darkness.
We are a beacon of hope and inspiration. This ministry is open, affirming, inviting, and accessible to all.
We extend love and extravagant welcome to all of God’s children without judgment,
no matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey.
We embolden everyone to live out their faith, to engage in ministry, to witness, and to serve.
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