The Story of Our Ministry Partnership So Far
In this section, links to: Building a Relationship with a 2nd Minister, Creating Systems, Growing Congregational Life, Strengthening UU Connections, Weaving Multi-Generational Community, and Navigating the Transition
My first year, I told myself: "don't do anything, just listen, learn, try not to break the good stuff going on here." And then, I went to my first Membership Committee meeting....The committee spoke about their long-held desire to offer a better follow-up to new members after the Membership Class, something to help people find their way. Before I could even respond, two of the Committee members volunteered to work with me to create a new pilot program using a small group ministry model.
Explorations - a 4 week small group for people who are new, feel new, or are seeking to re-new their connections at Foothills - was up and running within a few months - and within 2 years over 40 people had experienced it. Now, three years in, over 80 have participated. The UU Church in Cheyenne heard about our success, and we willingly said yes when they asked us to share our curriculum. We have a team of 7 experienced facilitators who rotate regularly and who are invested both in the quality of the experience as well as the connections people are making in our community and in their spiritual path.
This is the story of our ministry together. Even if I thought I could keep a lid on it, the energy and yearning for the "next steps" were palpable. Hearing these dreams articulated, I acted to create systems, recruit teams of leaders, provide training and support, and then move out of the way for these dreams to be fulfilled, offering insight and guidance along the way.
Along the way, I have worked with many members of our community to discern if the articulated dream is the right dream for this congregation - whether we have the time, energy or capacity to sustain its support over the long run, and whether it aligns with our growing organizational priorities. Sometimes there is a great synergy - as with the recent One Village One Family initiative - and sometimes the timing or fit hasn't been right. In the coming years, as your senior minister, it will be critical that we develop a clear understanding and buy-in to our congregation's mission and vision, and then use that mission to create a rolling strategic plan. As you'll see in my leadership background, I have extensive experience in this kind of work - and I love it. It will allow us to move Foothills forward, and truly unleash the power and possibility at the heart of this congregation.
Click on any of the headings or photos below to see examples of the ways I partnered with and led members to achieve their dreams for the congregation.
Explorations - a 4 week small group for people who are new, feel new, or are seeking to re-new their connections at Foothills - was up and running within a few months - and within 2 years over 40 people had experienced it. Now, three years in, over 80 have participated. The UU Church in Cheyenne heard about our success, and we willingly said yes when they asked us to share our curriculum. We have a team of 7 experienced facilitators who rotate regularly and who are invested both in the quality of the experience as well as the connections people are making in our community and in their spiritual path.
This is the story of our ministry together. Even if I thought I could keep a lid on it, the energy and yearning for the "next steps" were palpable. Hearing these dreams articulated, I acted to create systems, recruit teams of leaders, provide training and support, and then move out of the way for these dreams to be fulfilled, offering insight and guidance along the way.
Along the way, I have worked with many members of our community to discern if the articulated dream is the right dream for this congregation - whether we have the time, energy or capacity to sustain its support over the long run, and whether it aligns with our growing organizational priorities. Sometimes there is a great synergy - as with the recent One Village One Family initiative - and sometimes the timing or fit hasn't been right. In the coming years, as your senior minister, it will be critical that we develop a clear understanding and buy-in to our congregation's mission and vision, and then use that mission to create a rolling strategic plan. As you'll see in my leadership background, I have extensive experience in this kind of work - and I love it. It will allow us to move Foothills forward, and truly unleash the power and possibility at the heart of this congregation.
Click on any of the headings or photos below to see examples of the ways I partnered with and led members to achieve their dreams for the congregation.