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Channing Memorial Church |
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A Summary of Responses to the 4 Questions Posted at the
First
"Year of Decision" Congregational Focus Session
November 9, 2006
Preliminary Question - What values do we share?
This question was addressed as a group while the 60 folks who attended shared a communal pot-luck dinner. Although the list of values gathered was not exhaustive (it was compiled while people were eating and socializing as well as thinking), the consensus affirmed two basic reasons why people come to church: meaning and belonging. These core values were also identified by our congregation several years ago when we embraced small group ministry as a practice at Channing.
Participants were asked to place stickers next to the values they identified as most important at Channing. Most stickers were assigned to:
Community – being
part of a loving, caring community
Spirituality
Respect for a diversity of beliefs, the freedom to believe, fellowship and service to others were also identified as important values that members of the Channing community share.
Question #1 – Why do you come to Channing?
Group 1
Opportunity
to grow/learning
Continuing spiritual growth
Interesting sermons,
Recognize
the spirit of God in myself
Freedom
to express my spiritual growth
Community & Fellowship
Music
Social Justice
Group 2
Community, caring, compassion, humanism, values
Search for
and journey toward meaning (Getting in touch with one’s
values,
re-centering,
people here nourish me)
Opportunity for social action
Group 3
Sense
of community
People are welcoming and friendly
I enjoy being part of a community
The great diversity and respect for differing beliefs
The heritage and history of UU ism
Spirituality
Improving their relationship with God
Amy’s sermons
Developing personal spirituality
Spirituality and history of sanctuary – expression of history of UUism
Delving into what is meaningful for me
Sanctuary and surroundings
(and history of UU ism here in Newport) provide peace and grounding
Channing offers sacred space
Group 4
Common denominator was “the people” and the synergy of the people.
The common themes
Inspiration -
Interaction & Fun
Living your beliefs – putting things into action
Caring – within the community and beyond it – interaction with like-minded people – intellectual community
These are
all components of ministry – ministry provides this. Our
shared ministry
provides those things listed above.
Baby-sitting services were very important in allowing some folks to attend services.
The sanctuary that Channing provides was listed as important as well.
Group 5
Individual
growth and spirituality - The opportunity to be my best self, to live
my
values
The opportunity to be part of a caring community, fellowship
Respect for a wide diversity of beliefs
The Channing sanctuary as a place for centering and inspiration
Group 6
Channing has a caring and friendly community with diverse and stimulating people
We do spirituality and caring really well
Fellowship with others
The group
expressed a desire for more adult RE, more intellectual stimulations
in
services, and wanted more “Intellectual WOW”.
Group 7
Spiritual growth & inspiration
Being part of a welcoming, open, caring community
Involvement in the greater world community
“It’s so easy to become a part of this community”
“Do you know, you can believe anything you want to at that church!”
Analysis of Question 1 : Common Themes
Spirituality/Inspiration
Community/Caring/Fellowship
Action/Outreach
Sacred Space/Music
Diversity of Beliefs/Shared values
Growth & Learning
Question 2: What percentage of our time and resources spent on ministry/property?
Group 1
Fellowship happens no matter what happens with the buildings.
The Steeple only happens once every 100 years. This is a one-time investment.
We value the historical building in Newport, building a modern building would not be the same.
A few felt that the sanctuary doesn’t represent UUism to them.
Group 2
More info: what is the norm?
Gut feeling was 1/3 to property and 2/3 to ministry
We need to spend whatever we need to spend to renovate and maintain.
Parish hall is not adequate to accommodate social and fellowship activities.
Group 2
More information needed to make a percentage decision.
We need to do whatever we need to do.
It’s our place to do what we want with. Are there UUA guidelines?
A personal home upkeep is 30% of your salary, should it be the same for a church?
The sanctuary will never be a “Green” building.
We have an obligation to fix and sustain our property whatever it costs.
Group 4
More information requested.
Some felt that we are responsible: we should do what it takes.
Some felt that ministry is much more important and we should spend more on that and less on property.
We need to maintain our property.
Group 5
We are custodians of historic, iconic property and we have a responsibility to maintain it.
Architecture and spirituality are deeply linked.
The quality of our space for RE and fellowship is very important and needs improvement.
The church would be diminished greatly without the sanctuary.
Our rentals should be generating income.
The sanctuary is maybe not the number one reason most people attend Channing but it’s the 3rd or 4th reason.
Group 6
We have to spend more on property not less.
Our non-church properties should be at least self-sustaining if not contributing.
Group 7
Both are important, percentage can vary from time to time.
This is an historic property and that may change how you weigh resources. Property is a legacy that we must maintain.
Common theme: we need more information to answer this.
Analysis of Question 2 : Common Themes
WE NEED MORE INFORMATION
WE need to educate the congregation about property costs.
There was recognition that there are times when more must be spent on property.
There was not a broad consensus – mixed emphasis.
Some folks felt that we have a responsibility to maintain the property
Some folks felt that our buildings are historic and iconic
Some folks felt that our sanctuary is a magic place – a place of sanctuary for them.
Some folks felt
that what goes on in the building is much more important than the
building, and
that minimal resources should be spent on buildings.
There is a mixed emphasis in our congregation on the proportion of time and resources to be invested in our property and ministry.
Summary: Question 3: If Channing Memorial Church suddenly had all the money it needed what would you do?
Expand programs and provide resources (incl. staff) to support & sustain
Repair & maintain & sustain property
Expand local and world community outreach
Visibility & communication (spreading the good word)
Improve and add useable space with adequate parking
Summary: Question 4: Changes you would like to see
We need to involve more people in sharing the load.
We want bigger programs, but want to avoid staff and volunteer burn out.
Recognition of need for more resources (money, staff, volunteers).
Expand our human resource base and make better use of it.
Improve the functioning of our shared ministry (to attract new members, make best use of all individual talents, leadership development)
Improve Lifespan RE.
Better connection with the wider community.