Transformation To-Go: October 2016

By

CAT Team (Milt Cox, Mary Holland, Jeff Johnson, Pastor Kristen Larsen, Paul Metz, Cindi Perrine, Vicki Spiller, and Jason Tews)

Welcome to the Transformation to Go Kit! With this kit, you can help us transform from anywhere and anytime.

This kit covers three topics that are vitally important to our congregation:

Mission/Values/Guiding Principles Worship Hospitality

For each topic, you will be asked a few questions or given an exercise to explore new ideas. We encourage you to complete the topics as a family or with others as it’s more fun that way!

The first two topics are suitable for older children, youth and adults. The last topic is designed for an adult to complete with a younger child.

You can complete as many activities as you like.

Please return the kits by October 23rd and let us know if you have any questions. Kits can be dropped off at the church office or given directly to any member of the CAT team listed on the front of this kit.

Any questions can be asked directly to a CAT team member or you can email Cindi Perrine at Cynthia.perrine@yahoo.com

MISSION/VALUES/GUIDING PRINCIPLESBelow is a draft of our congregational mission, values, and guiding principles based on the CAT survey results, listening sessions, and conversation. CAT team will seek congregational input and alignment in the upcoming all-church meeting. Please refer to this page to answer the questions on the next page.

MISSION:Create a vibrant, engaged and open community of disciples who transform our world through acts of compassion, prayer, and connection.

VALUES: Mission and service A multi-generational community Relationships Prayer and religious study beyond worship

GUIDING PRINCIPLESCongregation-Led – We believe great things happen through the church community working as the body of Christ.

Interactive – We seek and encourage church members to engage with each other and the community outside of worship, sharing their voice and gifts.

Open - We respect our differences and welcome authentic conversation and questions as it enables us to achieve our mission.

Empowering – We equip our leaders with skills and knowledge to be effective. We empower everyone to fulfill the mission through hospitality, service and connection.

Intimate – We seek direct and meaningful contact with everyone around us including those we serve, our community, and our congregation.

Everyone in Ministry – Everyone in the Church can be in ministry in some way and we are a community of believers who will support each other in finding and growing their personal ministry.

Agile and Adaptive – We recognize that the world is rapidly changing and we must be responsive to the evolving needs of our congregation and the community. We use methods and best practices to be adaptive and flexible.

Responsive – We are biased toward action and strive to respond to needs. We focus on DOING good work.

Transparency - Our leaders speak openly about plans to achieve congregational goals. They welcome accountability for remaining true to our mission.

Questions: Individually or with others, discuss and answer the following questions.

The mission statement is a reflection of what we intend for our church to be and do. When you read our mission statement, what comes to your mind? Is this a mission you see for our church?

Values are the ‘non-negotiables’ for this congregation. We will not compromise on these items in pursuit of our mission. While there are many things we might do as a congregation, the values help us prioritize what we choose to do. Do you agree with these values? Would you change anything?

Guiding Principles are the standards to which we hold ourselves while achieving our mission. All our actions should be consistent with these principles; they are the building blocks of our culture and what makes First Church unique and adaptive. What do you think of these guiding principles? Do they reflect a church that you would want to be part of? What would you change?

WORSHIPThis exercise works best with partners or small groups so first find someone who you can work with.

Your partner does not have to be a member of our church; in fact, partnering with someone who goes to another church might be even better!

1. Separate from your partner, spend about 2-3 minutes recalling your ‘best’ worship experience. Jot down some words or images that come to your mind in this space.

2. Now recall your ‘worst’ worship experience and do the same noting some words or images in this space:

3. In your group, tell the stories of your best and worst worship experiences. Provide as much detail as you can recall. If you are listening to the story, ask questions to learn more. Who was there? Where was it? What did it smell like? How did you feel? What sounds did you hear?

4. Now fill out the grid on the next page capturing details and ideas.

Good/Bad/Ideas/QuestionsWhat are all the things that make worship a good experience for you?

What are all the things that make worship a bad experience for you?

What ideas do you have for improving our worship experiences at First Church?

What questions do you have about worship in general or worship at First Church?

HOSPITALITY (younger children with adult helper)Adult: Discuss these images with your child and discuss the questions. Then see the next page for a coloring and drawing activity.

What do you see happening in the picture? How do you think the people in the picture are feeling? Is everyone feeling the same way and doing the same thing?

Can you remember a time when you didn’t feel welcome? Or can you remember a time when someone made you feel welcome? Talk about those times.

Draw a circle around the picture or pictures that show everyone being welcomed to a group.

Coloring PageThese children are saying WELCOME to you! Color the picture and then draw a picture of a time when you felt welcomed. Tell your welcome story to an adult friend.