Envisioning Our Future

Thank you to the many people who attended our All-Congregation Visioning Meetings!

During the first Visioning Retreat, we conducted polls on the "2007 Appreciative Inquiry Themes."  These results tell us which Themes are still relevant to our 2014 Church life and allows us to adjust our trajectory, by focusing on the Themes and areas that need further 'tweaking', work, and Visioning now. Of the nine Themes from 2007 (see immediately below) - the polling revealed that all of the Themes were still relevant, and in addition, which three Themes/areas require the most Congregational focus in the next Visioning Meeting, May 17th.

The 2007 Appreciative Inquiry Themes: •Welcoming and Open to All: Visitors are welcomed before and after church; New members are supported and matched to NCC opportunities. •Creating Inspired worship: Services encompass progressive theology, relevant message; thematically integrated words, music, dance, silence •Creating Inspired Music: Worship music is vibrant and varied; inspiring and relevant. •Speaking and Acting on Justice and Service: Action on challenges to justice in community/world •Growing Spiritually: NCC is a center for spirituality, progressive Christianity study, and for wisdom from other faith traditions- via classes, informative programs. •Serving Children and Youth: Use a variety of progressive Christian curricula; fully staffed w/ teachers for all age levels •Healing Through Touch and Prayer: The healing gift of the Holy Spirit is available to church members, friends, community •Communicating Who We are and What we are Doing Here: NCC implemented aggressive Marketing strategy- articles, website, events,, email; we are branded as dynamic, diverse, progressive, family oriented, welcoming. •Supporting Our Ministries through Stewardship of our Resources: Good stewards of facility; equipment, financial assets; and personnel. We planned to focus our attention to three Themes/Areas – Communication, Branding/Marketing, and Welcoming at the May 17 Visioning Meeting.  For the 'second tier' Themes/Areas – Serving Children & Youth, Spirituality, and Music we hoped to break into small groups by interest. 

When we met on May 17, our Conference Minister Libby Tigner led us through several valuable conversations.   She explained about our connection to the larger UCC and our UCC Conference, and also explained to us the importance of finding and naming our focus. 

ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE - WHY?

• Clarity about priorities and values determine where we put our money and efforts
• Differentiate us to the larger community
• Fosters sense of community and common ministry
  • A bunch of individualized ministries doesn’t build community

REQUIRES

• Realistic assessments of:
  • Needs of the community
  • Passions of the congregation/Sense of call
  • Resources, financial and human
  • Changing needs and situations (ie Duke & the toolbox story)

COMMON PITFALLS

• Trying to be all things to all people
• “We’ve always done it this way”
• Once on board, you can’t get off
• Biting off more than we can chew
• Insider speech
  • i.e. ONA, JOY, Stew & Fin
  • Speaking for others
    • i.e. “people have said”
    • “John feels”
    • “Jane thinks”
    • Ground rule should be:  We speak for ourselves, not for others.
    • Wandering off topic

In the afternoon, we discussed the recent controversy about moving the Madonna & Child artwork from Bridge Hall, and proposed methods for improved communication and decision-making methods moving forward.  We agreed by consensus to speak for ourselves, to speak directly, to avoid gossip and “parking lot conversations,” to announce agenda items beforehand for Church Council meetings, to address larger issue agenda items at at least two Council meetings prior to decision-making, and to post minutes both in the office and on our website. 

During the first Visioning Retreat, we conducted polls on the "2007 Appreciative Inquiry Themes."  These results tell us which Themes are still relevant to our 2014 Church life and allows us to adjust our trajectory, by focusing on the Themes and areas that need further 'tweaking', work, and Visioning now. Of the nine Themes from 2007 (see immediately below) - the polling revealed that all of the Themes were still relevant, and in addition, which three Themes/areas require the most Congregational focus in the next Visioning Meeting, May 17th.

The 2007 Appreciative Inquiry Themes: •Welcoming and Open to All: Visitors are welcomed before and after church; New members are supported and matched to NCC opportunities. •Creating Inspired worship: Services encompass progressive theology, relevant message; thematically integrated words, music, dance, silence •Creating Inspired Music: Worship music is vibrant and varied; inspiring and relevant. •Speaking and Acting on Justice and Service: Action on challenges to justice in community/world •Growing Spiritually: NCC is a center for spirituality, progressive Christianity study, and for wisdom from other faith traditions- via classes, informative programs. •Serving Children and Youth: Use a variety of progressive Christian curricula; fully staffed w/ teachers for all age levels •Healing Through Touch and Prayer: The healing gift of the Holy Spirit is available to church members, friends, community •Communicating Who We are and What we are Doing Here: NCC implemented aggressive Marketing strategy- articles, website, events,, email; we are branded as dynamic, diverse, progressive, family oriented, welcoming. •Supporting Our Ministries through Stewardship of our Resources: Good stewards of facility; equipment, financial assets; and personnel. We planned to focus our attention to three Themes/Areas – Communication, Branding/Marketing, and Welcoming at the May 17 Visioning Meeting.  For the 'second tier' Themes/Areas – Serving Children & Youth, Spirituality, and Music we hoped to break into small groups by interest. 

When we met on May 17, our Conference Minister Libby Tigner led us through several valuable conversations.   She explained about our connection to the larger UCC and our UCC Conference, and also explained to us the importance of finding and naming our focus. 

ENVISIONING OUR FUTURE

• WHY?
  • Clarity about priorities and values determine where we put our money and our efforts
  • Differentiate us to the larger community
  • Fosters sense of community and common ministry
    • A bunch of individualized ministries doesn’t build community
    • REQUIRES
      • Realistic assessments of:
        • Needs of the community
        • Passions of the congregation/Sense of call
        • Resources, financial and human
        • Changing needs and situations (ie Duke & the toolbox story)
        • COMMON PITFALLS
          • Trying to be all things to all people
          • “We’ve always done it this way”
          • Once on board, you can’t get off
          • Biting off more than we can chew
          • Insider speech
            • i.e. ONA, JOY, Stew & Fin
• Speaking for others
  • i.e. “people have said”
  • “John feels”
  • “Jane thinks”
  • Ground rule should be:  We speak for ourselves, not for others.
• Wandering off topic

In the afternoon, we discussed the recent controversy about moving the Madonna & Child artwork from Bridge Hall, and proposed methods for improved communication and decision-making methods moving forward.  We agreed by consensus to speak for ourselves, to speak directly, to avoid gossip and “parking lot conversations,” to announce agenda items beforehand for Church Council meetings, to address larger issue agenda items at at least two Council meetings prior to decision-making, and to post minutes both in the office and on our website.