Office Manager (Carol Lohrey): Weekly visitor follow up, including assigning persons to make neighborhood calls with a small welcome gift for all first time visitors; administrative support for Mission Teams and the Annual Women’s retreat (as needed).

Director of Children’s Ministry (Deb Soderholm): Serve as staff contact for the annual Women’s Winter Retreat; oversee and care for the Adult Spiritual Formation plan as designed by the pastor and an advisory team; staff support for the Monday morning “Job Transition” group.

Director of Music Ministry (Don Prestly): Serve as a primary contact for all PowerPoint presentations in worship; work with the ushering program for Sunday worship needs.

Director of Youth Ministry (Bob Hohrman): Participate in planning of Confirmation program with the pastor and others; helping to integrate the upper elementary “Bunch of Believers” program with the entire youth ministry; assist with the confirmation program through occasional teaching and recruitment of volunteer group leaders or mentors.

Ordained Deacon (Linda Evans—this position is completely volunteer): Assist the pastor with planning of confirmation and leadership in various classes as determined by the planning; work to develop a system of congregational care, which will involve the congregation in visitation—this plan will be created by Parish Health and several individuals with a passion for this ministry; continue to work with the drama ministry and be available to preach four times per year.

Pastor/Ordained Elder (me): Coordinate and lead the 9^th grade confirmation program with other staff and Volunteers; work with an advisory team to develop a comprehensive long range plan for adult faith formation; work with mission teams to develop a long range plan in raising funds for supplies and scholarships as well as create a design for various mission work teams over a three year period; work with the New Member joining process; work with Parish Health to host the annual “Grief Coalition” which is an ecumenical program.

These are “additional” duties and responsibilities added to the existing and ongoing work of the staff. We cannot do this work among you and with you without your support through prayers and willingness to “pitch in” to keep our ministry moving forward. Each person is making a big commitment to the effectiveness and strength of our ministry, but it requires all of us working together as the body of Christ. What is God calling you to do?

While the changes in staffing responsibilities adds an element of challenge for all of us, it also opens up new ways of thinking about and doing ministry. The word “collaboration” has been key as we make this transition.

Here are several examples:

I met with the Youth Ministry Council in early June and we talked about how to structure our youth ministry in such a way that the work we do helps these age groups grow to live out the core values of the congregation. (See Goal #2 of Vision Statement.)

In late May I met with a group of persons committed to developing a more comprehensive ministry of work teams for mission, both locally, nationally and globally. In addition to creating this plan, there is a desire to develop longer range planning for the raising of funds to be used for work-site materials as well as scholarships to assist persons to participate.

At the last CMC meeting, a discussion was held about the possibility of bringing the youth mission work teams into this discussion, both for coordinating of mission trips and for the raising of money. (See Goal #3 of Vision Statement.)

In July I will be meeting with an advisory group who will focus on Spiritual Formation, one of the goals of our church mission. We will develop an outline of ways to offer classes, retreat, travel/pilgrimages to help members grow in understanding and expression of the faith. (See goals #1 & #2 of Vision Statement.)

The examples above are just a few of the new ways ministry is organically growing up from our congregational vision. Out of the old, God continues to do new things as we re-imagine ministry and re-think church. As the proverb reminds us: “The tree loves calm, but the wind keeps blowing”. Let us allow the God, who is the spirit wind, to give us strength, vision and vigor as we discern God’s call to move forward in faith.

Keep the faith!

Pastor Mike Miller