In
2012, the vision task force completed its work, articulating the vision of First
UMC of Brighton. In addition, the task force created questions that each board
and committee can use in fulfilling the vision as they lead programming and make
decisions for the church.
Our Mission Statement:
Transformed
by God to Transform the World.
Our Vision:
Ø We
are a vibrant, inclusive community of faith, welcoming all people to experience
the transforming power of God through Jesus Christ.
Ø Our
faith formation opportunities and worship are relevant, respecting and
encouraging congregational and individual spiritual growth.
Ø Youth
are nurtured as they grow and develop, and are empowered into faithful
adulthood.
Ø We
serve locally and globally, offering transformational experiences for those
served as well as those who serve.
Questions we ask when making
decisions:
Ø How
are we welcoming to all people?
Ø How
are we engaging people in faith?
Ø Where
are the youth?
Ø How
does our service transform?
How
are we welcoming to all people?
In 2013, we have continued to make
physical improvements to our church campus, including adding professional
signage, in an effort to create a welcoming space for fellowship, worship and
service. In addition, in worship, we have changed format slightly and worked to
create more conversation and connection between worshippers with focus
questions at all services and sermon dialogue at the 3rd service.
However, the question of welcoming
all people still offers First UMC many challenges. Are we welcoming to all ages
and abilities? Do we demonstrate that we welcome children into full ministry?
How does the community of Brighton view our church?
Welcoming must begin before people
get to the doors of the church. In 2014, we will be redesigning our media
presence (web site and mobile app) to create a welcoming platform for those
seeking information about our church. In addition, we will return to the
practice of recruiting and training greeters and ushers to the art of
welcoming. In worship, we will specifically talk about opportunities to invite
friends and family to worship and church programming.
How
are we engaging people in faith?
In the last months of 2012, we have
made an effort to make Sunday morning a time where Bible teaching and real life
meet. Congregation members have responded to messages and themes that confront
real-life issues. We will continue to offer relevant topics for worship. Our
faith formation groups and classes continue, with offerings nearly every day of
the week. In 2014, we will be challenging every church member to participate in
at least one faith formation experience during the year.
Our Sunday School attendance
continues to decline. Attendance for special event activities for children
(Vacation Bible School, Easter Egg Hunt, etc.) is steady. In the last few
years, we have been using the rotation model in our 2nd, 3rd,
and 4th grade classes, covering the same theme for a month. This allows
children with nominal Sunday school attendance the opportunity to learn about a
spiritual theme in some format each month. We are currently considering
expanding this Sunday School format.
The Sunday evening youth group
format is purposely designed for faith formation. It includes scripture study
and intentional prayer in community. Suzy Hutchison has also offered smaller
group experiences for youth.
We celebrate that our children’s
drama and music program offers to large musical performances in August and
December. The first children to enter the program are now youth and two
separate programs for drama have been started to accommodate the different age
groups.
Faith Formation is essential to a
strong congregational foundation. It is part of our vision for a vital, vibrant
church and we will continue to seek a variety of ways to reach all people.
Where
are the youth?
We must continually hold this
question before us if we want to fulfill our vision of empowering youth into
faithful adulthood. The youth group is a solid beginning, but not the only
place for youth in our church. Youth participate in mission, service, and
Sunday School leadership. This work on church committees and serve as ushers.
After an inspirational youth-led worship service in 2012, the youth are
designing a worship service for November 24, 2013 that recognizes the power of
blessing. In 2014, Carolyn Combs will begin her 3rd year as our
confirmation class leader for 8th grade students. This program,
supported by confirmands mentors and parents, has proved an effective place for
faith formation.
Unfortunately, the wisdom and
insight of youth is not fully utilized at our church. We claim in our vision
that we are a place that helps youth to grow and develop. Inter-generational
activity and leadership is a unique gift that the church can offer youth. I
invite all church members to continue to ask the question, for all church
activities and planning, “Where are the youth?”
How
does our service transform?
In congregational surveys at First
UMC, service is consistently our highest value. We serve the community and the
world in a variety of ways. We are not content to let our money fill in for our
time commitment (although we are financially generous, as well). We are
committee to hands on, face-to-face service that improves the lives of people.
While we understand that this is transformational for those who receive, we
must also ask, how does service to the world transform our lives? How are we
shaped as disciples of Christ? We can begin by simply asking the question after
every act of service and outreach, “How did I see God at work here?”
Intentionally watching for the Spirit of God can heighten our awareness of
transformation.
Like our commitment to faith
formation, in 2014, we will challenge each member of the congregation to offer
time for service, mission or outreach in the name of Christ. First UMC has a
very good start and great potential to be a regional leader in faith-based
service and to offer guidance to other faith communities seeking to do the
same.
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