What would you say? (Spring 2010)
Those of you who attended our Vestry meeting agreed once again that the visioning process should continue. For this to work, we need more of you to tell us answers to the six questions below.

What would your answers be?

• When did you first become part of or connected to the church family?  What most attracted you to    St. Anne’s and why do you stay?

• What have been or are the best and most memorable moments or “high points” of your time as part of a faith community, either at St. Anne’s or another parish?

• Where did/do you see God in these moments?

• Can you tell us briefly about the times perhaps when you felt or feel most inspired, challenged, engaged, or spiritually nurtured; times you were most proud about being part of this church family.

• What, in your view, are the 3 most important qualities, practices or spiritual strengths of St. Anne’s Church from our past and present that you want us to keep and build upon, even as we move into the future?

• What are your hopes and dreams for the future of St. Anne’s?

A great many things have happened at St. Anne’s over the last 156 years.  Please tell us about your experiences here at St. Anne's and what your church family means to you.  It has been said that you can't really know where you are going unless you know where you have come from.  Let's listen to each other so together we can map out the future of our church community.

Once enough people have contributed, the Visioning Team will build a summary of your responses and ask you to help construct an action plan to follow.  It is not all about you or me, but about us.

Whether you have been a member of St. Anne’s for several months, several years or even a lifetime, we need you to take the time to tell us your answers to the above questions.
Our continued commitment to daily prayers for God’s guidance in seeking His will is the key! Thank you!

I can’t see unless you tell me where I need to go (Jan-Feb '10 newsletter)

I was reminded at a recent visit to the optometrist that only by testing and gathering information could the doctor determine any change to my eyeglass prescription.  I had to not only follow the light from her flashlight but also tell her when I could clearly see letters on the chart.
 
Is this is a familiar exercise for you?  And what does this have to do with St. Anne’s?
 
Just as the optometrist has to ask me questions and get my feedback on whether I can see clearly or not, we have to ask ourselves how clearly we see the present and future of our church community. 

Can we see clearly the writing on the wall that God has left for us to read and follow?  If we don’t respond to the prompts given to us, how can we be sure of any diagnosis or path to really see what is before us?
 
During the month of November a number of parishioners were gracious enough to host fellow parishioners in their home for two hours of focused sharing about their experience as part of this faith community.  Ask anyone who participated in those sessions or one hosted at the Parish Hall after church and you will hear about how good it was to tell and listen to stories about St. Anne’s, past, present and future.
 
These are the questions asked during those get-togethers – what would your answers be?

-When did you first become part of or connected to the church family?  What most attracted you to St. Anne’s and why do you stay?
-What have been or are the best and most memorable moments or “high points” of your time as part of a faith community, either at St. Anne’s or another parish?
-Where did/do you see God in these moments?
-Can you tell us briefly about the times perhaps when you felt or feel most inspired, challenged, engaged, or spiritually nurtured; times you were most proud about being part of this church family.
-What, in your view, are the 3 most important qualities, practices or spiritual strengths of
St. Anne’s Church from our past and present that you want us to keep and build upon, even as we move into the future?
-What are your hopes and dreams for the future of St. Anne’s? 

Here are some answers already shared:

- “It’s a beautiful spiritual place to come to on Sundays.”

- “No particular “high point” but things that come to mind – working at the Fair, Christmas Services”

- “I see God in the kindness people show to each other; at times during worship”

- “We look back more than look ahead in our efforts towards progression.  Sometimes we are afraid to try things again or new things as we feel they didn't work before.”

- inspiring times - "During worship services, sermons preaching and teaching about living the way Christ wants us to, our good choir anthems."

- “Music, message in homily, growth are important don’t be afraid of change”

- a hope shared – “To provide a welcome Church for people to worship and be nurtured in their faith and encouraged to help others.”

Plainly speaking we need your answers to these questions.  One parishioner told me when asked about participating that they had “been there and done that”.  Speaking for the Visioning Team, this exercise is not about spending time gathering ideas so they can be put in a report and achieve nothing concrete.  This is about listening to the people who share the pew with you at St. Anne’s as you each speak about what was and is important to you and consider what you hope for our time together as the years ahead unfold.  Once enough people have contributed, the Team will build a summary of your responses and ask you to help construct an action plan to follow.  It is not all about you or me, but about us.
 
A great many things have happened at St. Anne’s over the last 156 years.  Only by voicing your own experiences can we look to what we might get involved with next month or next year or five years from now.
 
What’s next?
You will have a chance to get together and share your thoughts in the early months of 2010 either at a home meeting or a Sunday session organized after our church services.  Refreshments will be served.  Announcements will be made in the pew bulletins or before services about when these sessions will be offered.  Whether you have been a member of St. Anne’s for several months, several years or even a lifetime, we need you to take the time to tell us your answers to the above questions.
 
Remember…
It is very important to know:
•     This prayerful approach is not about “creating programs.”
•     It is not about “bricks and mortar.”
•     There are no preconceived notions already in place.
•     There is no advance agenda associated with this from any individual/group.
•     This is not about us as individuals.  It is about where God wants us to use His resources and how we can work together as a church to do that.  It is about ministry, service, and God’s will.  If we trust God to lead us, His will shall be revealed to us.
 
What do we hope to achieve?
God’s Will – Nothing More,
Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

Our continued commitment to daily prayers for God’s guidance in seeking His will is the key! Thank you! Please contact the office or Keith B. with your questions or to sign up for a Sunday session.

Visioning (November-December newsletter)
The brisk fall winds have come upon us and with Western Fair behind us and the Christmas Bazaar before us, it is time to turn our thoughts more toward family and home.  Your church family and home.

If you took a look at the map in the vestibule, you would have noticed the locations of all our parish families and where they call home.  So, why do we come together as a community, as a church family to this home we call St. Anne’s?  It is time to find out.

Last month you read that the visioning team had encountered delays.  Delays that meant our goal of workshops in October 2009 to create a vision statement and a corresponding action plan would not happen.  So what now?  Well, as many of you might say, better late than never!!

During the month of November all parishioners will be invited to another parishioner’s home for two hours of focused sharing about your experience as part of this faith community.  Those that cannot make a home session will be able to share their ideas on November 28, from 10 – 12 noon, in the Parish Hall.

Each gathering will have a chance to offer their ideas and thoughts on a few key questions such as:
• What most attracted you to St. Anne’s and why do you stay?
• What have been the best and most memorable moments or “high points” of your time at St. Anne’s? And let’s learn about those important moments in your faith journey that influenced you before your arrival here!
• What are your hopes and dreams for the future and what are the most important qualities of our church that we need to keep and improve upon?

We need everyone’s involvement in this effort as we commit to gathering your ideas and experiences together.  Your experiences will form the foundation for further discussion and decision making.  This is your turn to consider how your past and current experiences will allow you to see our future in order to stake our parish's claim in this community.

It is critical that: this process is supported with prayer,we understand there are no preconceived notions or agendas associated with this this journey is not about us as individuals, but rather about how we can work together to do God’s will and there is not an end to this process, but instead ongoing efforts to seek and to serve God as He directs us.

Our vision for the future is about building upon the great foundation laid over the last 156 years.  It means taking note of the best of what we have been; a good look at who we are today; and understanding God's vision for us.  In all of this, we need to listen respectfully and love each other as we are, even as we seek God’s best.

As we begin to gather your comments and experiences, remember that you agreed to a process that would chart the future course of our church community.  The Bible speaks of both “dreams” and “visions” as opportunities for the people of God.  We are keeping with these biblical references as St. Anne’s seeks to find God’s will for our future through the work of a “dreaming/visioning team.”

Next steps:   
So after much talking and note taking and coffee drinking, what comes next?
This information will be compiled, and then further discussions will be held to assemble and synthesize this feedback into a comprehensive report to be given to the church at Vestry in January 2010.

The report given to Vestry will include observations and ideas for us to consider.  To continue with our original motion to create a vision statement and a corresponding action plan, we will need to come together again in the spring of 2010 to develop a “big picture” of the future of our church.  We will aim to build on our strengths and our opportunities, so that we can determine how, with God’s help, our church body can expand our ministries in ways appropriate to His mission for our church.  At that time, another summary report will be given to you for your consideration, which might include new mission and vision statements, in addition to recommendations, and a path forward for implementation of the “dreams/visions.”

Last, but not least, remember to pray for our parish.  Pray for not only the work of our visioning team, but for our whole congregation, that as we enter this busy period, we would remember to take a moment to capture God’s vision of St. Anne’s future. Prayer is powerful. Vision is energizing.

A few questions answered
1. What is this about?
This is a focused effort of our church family, earnestly seeking to discover God’s will for the work He would have us do in the future as St. Anne’s.  This is a collective prayer, asking God to direct our thoughts and dreams and reveal to us His will and plan as we work together for His glory.  This is a time to look at where we have been, where we are now, and share our thoughts for the future.

2. Why are we doing this?
Our church has a wonderful history of ministry and service, and we continue our ministry and service today.  We want to collectively ask God for his “big picture” for how St. Anne’s can serve Him in the future.

3. Who does this involve?
All who want to participate in prayer and sharing.  All who seek to discover God’s will for themselves and our church’s future.

4. What do we hope to achieve?
God’s Will – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.

5. How do we work together to discover God’s will and plan for the future of our church?
Church-wide prayer and sharing.  We will look back at our history, identify current ministries, identify what’s working well, examine community demographics.  We will seek input from all who would like to pray and share their thoughts.

6. When will we do this?
We ask the prayers of all who want to be involved now, and daily as we move forward.  You will be invited to attend a two hour get-together during the month of November to share your experiences and ideas.  Most of these get-togethers will be held at another parishioner’s home.  For anyone who missed the home meetings, a catch-up session will be held from 10 - 12 p.m. in the parish hall on Saturday, November 28.

7. Is there anything else that we should know about this?
Yes, it is very important that we understand:
• This prayerful approach is not about “creating programs.”
• It is not about “bricks and mortar.”
• There are no preconceived notions already in place.
• There is no advance agenda associated with this from any individual/group.
• This is not about us as individuals.  It is about where God wants us to use His resources and how we can work together as a church to do that.  It is about ministry, service, and God’s will.  If we trust God to lead us, His will shall be revealed to us.

Our continued commitment to daily prayers for God’s guidance in seeking His will is the key! Thank you! Please contact the office or Keith with your questions or offers of help.

• What activities or groups have highlighted your St. Anne's experience? 
• What events have really spoken to you about this community and its values and strengths? 
• What has made your day, either as a giver or recipient?

Our vision for the future is about building upon the great foundation laid over the last 156 years.  There have been joys and challenges along the way and they have all built character, perseverance and even tested our faith.  To move forward unhindered by any past hurts we need to connect to each other and understand our underlying strengths and look forward to what we at St. Anne’s have the potential to accomplish.

One way for us to consider a future vision is to know who we are today.  We hope you have noticed the map on display in the vestibule of the church that shows where we all live. It is amazing to think that our parish community draws people from such a wide territory. Does this map give you ideas on how we can reach out to others in our community?

The visioning team is still working on a process of inviting you to share your visions, values, needs and hopes for St. Anne's family. We have encountered delays in executing our plans but are committed to gathering your ideas and experiences together.  Your experiences will form the foundation for further discussion and decision making.   Look for more details over the next few months.  And don't be surprised if you get a call to encourage your participation!

Remember, creating our vision for St. Anne’s means taking note of the best of what we have been; a good look at who we are today; and understanding God's vision for us. In all of this, we need to love each other as we are, even as we seek God’s best.  There is no predetermined outcome for our vision process, so your involvement makes a difference.

Last, but not least, remember to pray for our parish.  Pray for not only the work of our visioning team, but for our whole congregation, that as we enter this busy period, we would remember to take a moment to capture God’s vision of St. Anne’s future.

Please contact the office or Keith with your questions or offers of help.