State of the Church

Come to the Forums

The lazy, hazy days of summer are gone and it’s time to focus on the future.  To what is  God calling our congregation?  What do you hope to see happen here at 4th Pres?  And how will we accomplish this?   All these questions and more will be the focal point of  five Dinner/Forums to be held one Sunday a month (and repeated on Wednesday) in October, November and again in January, February and March 2011.

The first Forum will be held on Sunday, October 17 immediately after the 11:15 a.m. worship service and  repeated on Wednesday October 20, during our Wednesday Night program.   At each Forum  “Chef Tony”  will provide our meal at a cost of $6.00 per person (with a reservation) and $7 at the door on Sundays only.  Children under sixth grade will have their own lunch menu at a cost of $4 and activities will be provided at another location in the building.   Following the meal guided discussion around the tables will take place focusing  on a particular area of ministry in our church. (e.g., Congregational Care; Facilities & Financial Resources;  Youth & Christian Education;  Mission,  and Worship & Music.)  Committee members from each Ministry will lead their particular Forum in an active discussion of the  strengths as well as areas for growth that we envision in the future.  It will be a time for each of us to voice our own personal interests and concerns, as well as sharing our hopes and dreams for our future.  The Congregational Care Committee will lead our first Forum in an active discussion of the kinds of caring ministries our church will seek to address in 2011 and beyond. 

The information gathered will be written down, and shared with the Session and eventually the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) for  use in writing our church’s Mission Study document and in discerning the kind’s of gifts and talents needed by our next pastor. We guarantee you good food and fellowship, meaningful table conversation and ample opportunity to express your hopes and dreams in the presence of current church leaders. All this -- and you  will  still  be  out no later than 2:00p.m. on Sundays, and 7:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. 

Please help us prepare enough food and resources by making your reservation early.  Space is limited so please RSVP by calling the church office or signing up on the tear off reservation form at the bottom of each week’s bulletin insert. (If you have children who will be using the children’s menu and activities  it is essential that reservations are made.)

Faithfully, 

R. Bruce Meyer

P.S.  Everyone is welcome to attend both the Sunday and Wednesday Forums if you so desire.  Future Forums are scheduled for Nov. 14 &17, 2010; Jan. 9 & 12, Feb. 13 & 16, and March 16 & 20, 2011.