Discernment Process 2009-2010
Goal: To set aside time for prayerful reflection that will educate the congregation about our current crisis and solicit input about the core values of First Church. This will be a multi-pronged approach, led by a Discernment Process Ministry Team accountable to the Council of Deacons. The purpose will be to get as much input from as many members and constituents as possible. The congregation will be kept informed through regular updates in worship, Tower Topics, the web site and emails.Welcome to Our Year of Discernment!
{Click on blue links below to read more}
May 17, 2009 Sermon kicking off our Year of Discernment:
"Change Is Inevitable, Progress Is Optional" by the Rev. Dr. Ned Edwards, Jr.
Congregational Prayer for Discernment
October 25, 2009 sermon preached in preparation for our Congregational Discernment Meeting:
"TRANSFORMING OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES: FROM AMNESIA TO MEMORY" by the Rev. Dr. Ned W. Edwards, Jr.
The Congregational Survey was the first step of a 3-step process of discernment we commenced this fall.
Step 2 was to attend a Neighborhood Meeting to which all were invited.
Step 3 was to participate in the Congregational Meeting after worship on October 25, 2009.
FIRST CHURCH SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!!
Congratulations! We achieved a 40% return rate! (18% is typical)
Thank you for your responses to the Survey!
An Executive Summary of the results can be found here.
Quantifiable Survey Data results can be found here. (This is the Complete Survey Data Report)
Open-ended responses can be found here.
Hartford Seminary's guide to interpreting the data can be found here.
For more information on the discernment process click here.
RESULTS FROM THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: October 25,2009:
Instructions for understanding the photos of our participatory exercises.
Results in pictorial format. (See *Congregational Discernment Meeting* Album)
Information Sheet: Answers to questions raised in the survey and house meetings
Final report of the Discernment Ministry Team to the Council of Deacons{Click on blue links below to read more}
May 17, 2009 Sermon kicking off our Year of Discernment:
"Change Is Inevitable, Progress Is Optional" by the Rev. Dr. Ned Edwards, Jr.
Congregational Prayer for Discernment
October 25, 2009 sermon preached in preparation for our Congregational Discernment Meeting:
"TRANSFORMING OUR CHRISTIAN LIVES: FROM AMNESIA TO MEMORY" by the Rev. Dr. Ned W. Edwards, Jr.
The Congregational Survey was the first step of a 3-step process of discernment we commenced this fall.
Step 2 was to attend a Neighborhood Meeting to which all were invited.
Step 3 was to participate in the Congregational Meeting after worship on October 25, 2009.
FIRST CHURCH SURVEY RESULTS ARE IN!!
Congratulations! We achieved a 40% return rate! (18% is typical)
Thank you for your responses to the Survey!
An Executive Summary of the results can be found here.
Quantifiable Survey Data results can be found here. (This is the Complete Survey Data Report)
Open-ended responses can be found here.
Hartford Seminary's guide to interpreting the data can be found here.
For more information on the discernment process click here.
RESULTS FROM THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING: October 25,2009:
Instructions for understanding the photos of our participatory exercises.
Results in pictorial format. (See *Congregational Discernment Meeting* Album)
Information Sheet: Answers to questions raised in the survey and house meetings
PRESENTATION FROM THE JANUARY 17 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.
RESULTS: 83 for, 12 against, 6 abstain. The Motion passed
Rassalin': Check out the GREAT sermon delivered on January 31st by our member and special guest preacher, the Rev. Dr. Ronald B. Brown