Summer Recap - This summer season included new ideas and efforts! We experimented with an after-Sunday service Summer Coffee & Conversation Small Groups, which reflected on the sermon. A Young Adult group also walked into town for coffee and back. As mid-summer and all of its special activities hit, this activity became more spotty. That said, we are grateful for the interest and participation, and this experience will serve as helpful information for future summer-time efforts. We also hosted a 25-35-Somethings gathering at Onanda Park on the same day as the Youth Retreat in August (this article was submitted the day before the event, so more recap to come!). This year, we expanded the Mission Experiences Week to include adult-teams, namely a Cleaning Team and a Habitat for Humanity Team. Thank you to the Trustees and the Mission Group for all of their efforts!
Ministry Year Pastoral Vision - Last year, we spent a notable amount of time on the Lordship of Christ. This was largely interacted with during young adult connections, with the 25-35-somethings, and the Ferris Hills group. As a natural outflow of that focus - and with an effort to expand this year’s theme to other adult ministries - we will be focusing on Imitating Christ. Pastor Wally will be speaking on this during a Sunday Morning Small Group kick-off this year. This theme will be integrated into our youth programming, and Adult Ministry leaders will be equipped with this vision as they faithfully serve in their various roles. Join us in prayer as we seek to imitate Christ in our lives.
Sunday Morning Small Groups - When we return in the Fall, we will be starting our young adult and adult Sunday morning small groups with Pastor Wally Fleming (September 20). The following week, all of our small groups will follow the sermon series until the Advent season. We will have a young adult small group, a 25-35-something small group, the Parenting Coffee Hour, and two all-adult small groups. There will also be a “What We Believe” small group, led by Pastor Wade (all adults invited!)
25-35-Somethings Small Group - This group continues to meet on Wednesdays at 4:30, through the summer, and onward into the Fall! Most recently, we covered 1 Timothy (including sensitive conversations around church polity, sexuality, and gender). Moving forward, we are studying various passages in relation to the theme of spirituality and spiritual powers. Join our 8 regular attendees for these fascinating conversations!
Adult Ministry Bible Studies - As always, we have a men’s group that meets every Wednesday at 7 am at the church for breakfast, fellowship, Bible study, and prayer. We also have a group of women that meets every Thursday at 1 pm at the church (also a Bible study). The church calendar provides additional information for open events in the church.
Northeastern Theology Conference - Join Pastor Mark on a trip to Roberts Wesleyan to attend a Theology Conference themed Spirit and Scripture (October 3). We will be covering the Holy Spirit during one of our Sunday Morning Small Groups during Advent, so this will be a relevant topic for our community!
Summer Season Custodial Efforts - We want to thank all those who signed up for various cleaning duties throughout the church this summer. Also, a special thank you to Phoebe Russell and Jini Hildebrandt for their helpful and high-quality support in restoring and maintaining the cleanliness of our beautiful church! Another thank you to the Staff Relations Committee for their help as we navigate change in the custodial position.
Pastor Mark’s Dissertation Support Team - This November, I (Mark) am scheduled to submit my dissertation proposal to Northern Seminary. As part of the process, a group of people from in and around the church will walk alongside me as I develop my paper. The exact nature of anyone’s involvement will be custom to the interests of those wanting to be involved (anywhere from prayer support, joining me for coffee to chat, to carefully reviewing and handling the text). More to come, and if you have any interest in joining me on this multi-year journey, please let me know!
90-Day Outlook
- Intergenerational Sunday School Kick-Off - September 13 - Potluck…. Sign-up in the Welcome Center to support!
- Adult Sunday Morning Small Group Kick-Off (with Wally Fleming) - September 20
- Northeastern Theology Conference - October 3 - Theme: Spirit and Scripture
- Intergenerational Sunday School Class - October 11
- Adult Retreat (w/ Wally Fleming at Onanda Park) - October 24
- Exploring Membership Class - November 15
- Harvest Gathering & Advent Decorations - November 22 - More details to come!
