May activity
Worship
Ministry of Presence and Relationship
- regular communication with Pastor Fue and Kirangare Parish leaders
- one-on-ones with Zion people and guests in worship
- hospital and home communion visits
Formation/Training
- Wednesday morning Bible study - May 15 final gathering before “summer break”
- Wednesday evening - May 15 final gathering before “summer break”
- Pastor’s continuing education: Living School trimester 2 online gathering and modules 1-2
- Youth Service & Fun Day - 9 youth plus adults, a good start!
Admin and Planning
sustainability - did not meet- listening campaign - listening to listeners and supporting effort to move from listening to action
- set up our new Church Management Software (CMS)–Breeze, which is also our new eNews platform
- Colleen’s 6-8 week medical leave started May 30. Many have taken various pieces of the puzzle of Colleen’s tasks; mine is sending the eNews and setting up Breeze. Colleen’s surgery went well and she’s in the thick of physical therapy. Also, in accordance with Zion’s personnel policies and in light of her working many years at Zion with only 1 week of vacation annually, I assured Colleen this leave would be fully paid.
Synod and Colleagues
- weekly Pastor’s bible study
- Synod Assembly
Purpose
Listening
The listening campaign concluded 5/16 with a debrief meeting. We celebrated and heard an initial report of what the team heard on Sunday, 5/19. The listening team meet again on 5/28 and discerned 9 top themes (or areas of potential action) from what it heard.
- Support Zion People Through Life’s Challenges
- Excite and Engage young people
- Make Zion as Inviting as we are Welcoming
- Develop a Vision for Zion’s Sustainability
- Energize Worship and Music
- Heal Wounds from Zion’s Past
- Foster Intergenerational Relationships
- Encourage experiences that bring people of all ages together.
- Provide/Communicate Information about Programs/Activities Available at Zion
- Connect with Neighbors
At council’s invitation, the listening team prepared a written report and planned to meet with council on 6/12.
Break In
On 5/22, Colleen submitted a claim to Church Mutual for repairing property damage and replacing stolen items for just over $15,100. Our deductible was $2,500, so we never expected more than $12,600. On 5/30, Church Mutual sent us a check for a little over $8,800–a shortfall of roughly $3,800. But it appears they made a mistake, and Kathy Morris is contesting their payout amount.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Turner published a news article about Zion on OurQuadCities.com, titled: Davenport church forgives man who robbed them. In response to the article, Trenton’s grandfather reached out to Pastor Clark. He assured Zion that Trenton is not alone but is well-loved and supported by his family. He thanked Zion for our forgiveness, our letters to Trenton, and our prayers. “I was very moved to hear about your letter,” he said.
Finally, office staff and volunteers have decided to keep the main doors locked at all times. Guests can ring the video doorbell, and we can see them, chat with them, and buzz them in.
Rural Shrink Smart
I’m still thinking about this presentation at Synod Assembly by ISU researchers. It is based in research in Iowa rural communities but is relevant for congregations everywhere. Key takeaways are about what to focus on and how to think.
Focus on improving quality of life even while population goes down
New paradigms:
- we’re conditioned to think growth is a sign of healthy community - separate! it’s not true
- it’s about external factors, it’s not caused by what’s going on within our communities, population decline is simply the new normal
- focus on what’s in your control, quality of life not size
- do it for you, not for the people you hope will join you; otherwise you be focused on the people who aren’t there and overlook the people who are there
June plans