Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Sitting Strong in the New Year
When January begins, we'll have a new emphasis to focus our attention on in worship, Forum, and Book Group - The Book of Job.
The Book of Job is the story of being strong in the midst of adversity. Something tells me that, as this new year begins in all its unpredictability, preparing ourselves to be strong in tough times is an appropriate thing for us to do.
In Forum we will walk through the Book of Job chapter by chapter, as we try to unpack this important, but sometimes complex book.
In worship, we will share a few sermons from the Book of Job as well, along with some stories of finding God in adversity.
New in 2009, the Book Group will be moving to Tuesday Nights at 7 p.m. And to complement this study, we will be reading and discussing together Jeanie Miley's Sitting Strong. This is one of the most important and insightful books I've ever read. It has important things to say for anyone who has gone (or is going) through a Job-like experience. A Job experience is one of those times when easy answers just aren't enough.
I hope you'll consider joining us for one or all the parts of this new study in the New Year. In particular, if you've never read a book with the Book Group, I strongly encourage you to join us for this one. I have no doubt it will be a life-changing experience for you.
I'll see you in January,
Tracy
The Book of Job is the story of being strong in the midst of adversity. Something tells me that, as this new year begins in all its unpredictability, preparing ourselves to be strong in tough times is an appropriate thing for us to do.
In Forum we will walk through the Book of Job chapter by chapter, as we try to unpack this important, but sometimes complex book.
In worship, we will share a few sermons from the Book of Job as well, along with some stories of finding God in adversity.
New in 2009, the Book Group will be moving to Tuesday Nights at 7 p.m. And to complement this study, we will be reading and discussing together Jeanie Miley's Sitting Strong. This is one of the most important and insightful books I've ever read. It has important things to say for anyone who has gone (or is going) through a Job-like experience. A Job experience is one of those times when easy answers just aren't enough.I hope you'll consider joining us for one or all the parts of this new study in the New Year. In particular, if you've never read a book with the Book Group, I strongly encourage you to join us for this one. I have no doubt it will be a life-changing experience for you.
I'll see you in January,
Tracy
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Monday, December 08, 2008
Servicemen Care Package Update
We've received word that Tommy and Eddie Evans have received their care packages and are incredibly grateful. Haven't heard yet from Jackie or T.K., but Lajean passed along this great story about the work that Jackie is doing in Fallujah. You can ready about it here. Jackie is Joe & Lajean's nephew.
Good Job Church!
Good Job Church!
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
2009 FOB Teams and Tasks
After six conversations during Forum over the last few weeks, these are the teams and tasks that members of the congregation have dreamed for the coming year. Take time to look this over, pray, and consider where you might be involved in the life and ministry of our church in the coming year. Involvement can happen on any number of levels, including team leaders, activity planners, and participants. The activities under each team will be prioritized by the team in the coming year.
Congregational Care Team
• Homebound Check-In
• Birthday cards to members – this task is already begun by Charlie Cobb, others welcome to help.
• Food to the ill and bereaved, and a system to organize it
• A casserole brigade - a group to make and freeze casseroles to be shared with those who need them
• Keeping contact with infrequent attendees
• A system of notification of hospitalizations, deaths, illnesses, etc., so that no one is missed
• Dinner groups
• Fun stuff
• Better communication
Outreach/New Member Team
• Recognition of guests in worship
• New member/Welcome baskets
• Visitor Follow-Up
• Explore Advertising
Missions Team
• Invite people we help in the community to church activities
• Christmas Caroling to those we helped in the year
• Provide More follow-up with the families we help
• Have church members involved with helping others, more than just giving money
• Provide Rides to Amarillo for doctor appointments
• Renew first Sunday food pantry collection and recruiting more pantry volunteers
• Servicemen care packages
Worship Team
• More church
• More music in church, including exploring contemporary music that is easy to sing
• More “special” music
Discipleship Team
• Plan a discipleship event for the community
• Explore expanding joint children’s programming with FBC
• Explore renewing our relationship with the Episcopal Church
• A regular Men’s activity (perhaps a monthly men’s breakfast)
20th Anniversary Planning Team
Knowing that the church’s anniversary is coming in February 2010, the Forum participants thought that a team focused on that particular event would be important for this year. This team’s tasks might include:
• Venue and menu
• Decorations and Program
• Invitations and contacts
• History of church, picture gathering
Administrator’s Team
This team will assist next year’s administrator in accomplishing some very specific goals, including:
• A plan of how to direct memorial funds
• A system of continuity from administrator to administrator
• A plan to have overlapping terms for administrators so that the incoming administrator can learn alongside the outgoing administrator
• Quarterly reports
• Goal setting
• November Meetings – Forum during November will repeat this planning process, reviewing what happened in the previous year, dreaming of what will happen in the next
• Minister support and oversight
Congregational Care Team
• Homebound Check-In
• Birthday cards to members – this task is already begun by Charlie Cobb, others welcome to help.
• Food to the ill and bereaved, and a system to organize it
• A casserole brigade - a group to make and freeze casseroles to be shared with those who need them
• Keeping contact with infrequent attendees
• A system of notification of hospitalizations, deaths, illnesses, etc., so that no one is missed
• Dinner groups
• Fun stuff
• Better communication
Outreach/New Member Team
• Recognition of guests in worship
• New member/Welcome baskets
• Visitor Follow-Up
• Explore Advertising
Missions Team
• Invite people we help in the community to church activities
• Christmas Caroling to those we helped in the year
• Provide More follow-up with the families we help
• Have church members involved with helping others, more than just giving money
• Provide Rides to Amarillo for doctor appointments
• Renew first Sunday food pantry collection and recruiting more pantry volunteers
• Servicemen care packages
Worship Team
• More church
• More music in church, including exploring contemporary music that is easy to sing
• More “special” music
Discipleship Team
• Plan a discipleship event for the community
• Explore expanding joint children’s programming with FBC
• Explore renewing our relationship with the Episcopal Church
• A regular Men’s activity (perhaps a monthly men’s breakfast)
20th Anniversary Planning Team
Knowing that the church’s anniversary is coming in February 2010, the Forum participants thought that a team focused on that particular event would be important for this year. This team’s tasks might include:
• Venue and menu
• Decorations and Program
• Invitations and contacts
• History of church, picture gathering
Administrator’s Team
This team will assist next year’s administrator in accomplishing some very specific goals, including:
• A plan of how to direct memorial funds
• A system of continuity from administrator to administrator
• A plan to have overlapping terms for administrators so that the incoming administrator can learn alongside the outgoing administrator
• Quarterly reports
• Goal setting
• November Meetings – Forum during November will repeat this planning process, reviewing what happened in the previous year, dreaming of what will happen in the next
• Minister support and oversight
