Sabbatical Planning meeting April 16, 2008

Attendees:  Connie Morton-Ewbank, Thelma Hutton, Angie Robidoux, Nancy Gallant, Beth Bell Lavoie,

Agenda

• Finalize Timetable for Grant Preparation
• Review Proposal content and Lilly Grant Documents and requirements
• Identify data needed to prepare grant;
• Describe Worship within the context of congregational renewal.
• Define the specific activities the congregation will be completing within the grant proposal timeframe

Time table:

1^st meeting 4/9 – Kickoff and set up framework for Congregational Renewal Program

2^nd meeting 4/16 – Focus on Worship and proposal content

3^rd meeting 4/23 – Collect and share background information

• Parish narrative from Search Committee
• Capital Campaign Planning information from seminar that Connie attended
• Budgets
• Archived Bell Articles from last sabbatical
• Clergy Compensation guidelines for Supply guidelines

4^th meeting 4/30 – Draft Activities, Timelines and costs

5^th meeting 5/7 – Conclusion, finalize details and review draft proposal

Lilly Grant Requirements:

We reviewed a document from the Lilly Grant website that gives examples of:

 “What makes a high-quality proposal?

1.       A sense of purpose

2.       A sense of balance

3.       Evidence that the congregation understands and affirms the value of a renewal program for its leader

4.       Benefits both the pastor and the congregation

Above all else, the Endowment seeks proposals that exhibit coherence. In a coherent proposal the character of the congregation, the personal and professional needs of the pastor, the proposed activities and accompanying budget, and the shape of the planning process come together in a way that makes sense and indicates a meaningful and efficacious renewal experience.”

Activities funded by the grant must be completed between Jan 1, 2009 and Dec 31, 2010.

We reviewed each example and brainstormed ways that we can assure that we will have a coherent proposal.

The Lilly grant will probably not fund any capital improvements, and we will need to develop a plan for additional funding.  However, the grant will fund speakers, books, study series, etc.

Supply Needs:

We currently have $3600 set aside in the Sabbatical Fund for Supply Clergy.  Without having the Clergy Compensation Guidelines available for reference, we would guess that it will be around $6500 (13 weeks at $500).

We may ask the supply clergy to lead some study, to incorporate a children’s worship service, etc.

Congregational Renewal:

During our Congregational Renewal Program we will

·         spend time at renewal, spiritual growth, study, rest and refreshment. 

·         reexamine, renew, and revitalize our worship liturgy, ritual and space

·         begin preparation for a capital campaign

·         share worship experiences with each other during a service, possibly before Sue leaves on sabbatical, or as a kick off event.  There are many places in scripture and gospel that speak to us of worship.

After Susan returns, we will spend time reintegrating and sharing our renewal journeys and updating our Mission Statement.

Brainstorming/Discussion:

What does refreshing our worship look like?

• Music
• Symbols
• Words
• Senses
• Intentional incorporation of children
• Interactive
• Include our study and discussion as part of the worship, during the sermon
• Develop a Transfiguration liturgy
• Alternative services
• Evening worship with Compline
• Inspire the imagination

What does refreshing our worship space mean?

• Making the space more child friendly
• Making the space more handicap friendly
• Different layout
• Using media, like projectors
• Extending our reach to people that cannot physically be in our church – virtual worship space
• Invite a worship space architect to speak
• Paint, lighting, flooring and seating improvements
• Relaying out the worship space.
• Preserving what must be preserved

Add a new forum item for books that we are using;

            Celtic Benediction – Morning and Night Prayer by J. Phillip Newell

            ISBN 0-802839045

Actions for our next meeting:

Collect copies of the last Parish narrative (Connie will contact the diocese, Beth will email Rae S, Maggie and Bob Francis to see if they might have a copy)

Locate a copy of our 1st mutual ministry cycle report and or survey results since Sue joined us.

Connie will locate a copy of the latest clergy compensation guidelines

Get latest estimate of projected Sabbatical Fund balance from Ed.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 23, 2007 at 6:30 in Sue’s office in Lower Meeker.  Connie will order Pizza.