MISSION STUDY
Scripture Guidance Approach to Mission Study Lenten Reflections Our Community Congregation Engagement – Mission Sunday MIF Preparation Appendices A – History of First Presbyterian B – Statistics C – Report from Holy Conversation Task Force D – Actions supporting Mission Study
The Mission Study Committee chose Isaiah 43:16-21 to help lead our work. This Scripture was written during Israel’s exile in Babylon in the sixth century B.C. The God who saved the people from Egypt will also be the God who saves them now. It is God’s grace which enables the people to look forward in hope and to not remember their sins of old. The passage is full of joy and anticipation of the future! The Mission Study Committee, the Session, and the Nominating Committee asked members to read this and pray for the new thing God will create for First Presbyterian Church.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) 16 Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings out chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. 19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.
Approach to Mission Study Valued our Traditions and History Continued Work began with Holy Conversations Started with Personal Lenten Reflection Viewed Community Needs Engaged our Congregation on Mission Sunday
In the spring of 2012, Reverend Black invited several members of the church to participate in a process to discern the feelings of church members about their spiritual development and discipleship. This group, now known as the “Holy Conversations” Committee, included Megan Crum, Chris Gulotta, Jen Patterson, Bob Read, and Sylvia Thompson. Reverend Black and Debby Madden provided valuable support to this group as it worked through the best way to listen and learn from church members about their thoughts. Jon and Debby shared several resources with this committee, including but not limited to demographic information about the surrounding community, information about the characteristics of different size churches, and the church’s mission and vision statements. Each member of this committee was also provided a copy of a book, Holy Conversations… Strategic Planning as a Spiritual Practice for Congregations . (Report is included as Appendix C)
FIRST RST PRESB SBYTER TERIA IAN CHUR HURCH CH MISS SSION ION STUDY DY During this time of transition in the life of First Presbyterian Church, our leaders and congregation embarked on the important journey of examining where our Church is, where we want to go, and the qualities that we seek in a new pastor. As part of this journey, the Session will be leading discussions, activities, and opportunities for reflection that will allow our entire worship community to have a voice in this exciting and critical process. During Lent, a season of contemplation and introspection, the congregation was asked to reflect upon and respond to important questions to guide our next steps. The thoughts and opinions of all were welcome and were necessary to complete a meaningful mission study for our Church. The results were compiled and shared with the congregation at a Mission Study Sunday on April 27 th .
LENTEN REFLECTIONS - Week One Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in our Church? (What renews, refreshes, quenches thirst for God?) What drew you to First when you came? What about First inspires you to continue attending?
LENTEN REFLECTIONS – Week Two How does First feed your heart, help to grow your faith, and strengthen your Christian living? How could First further enrich your faith, its growth, and strengthen your Christian living?
LENTEN REFLECTIONS – Week Three How can we at FPC further our efforts to “unbind” people and meet the needs of our Church family? Where is our congregation already addressing the needs of our community so people are “unbound?”
OUR COMMUNITY Community Leaders in our congregation helped us examine the needs of our community.
Mission Study Sunday Sunday, April 27, 2014
Information Gathered From: Community Survey Key Informant Surveys Focus Groups Demographic Information
Population increased by 10% between 2000 and 2010; this compares to the statewide increase in population during the same period of 3.4%. The Child and Youth Population (under 18 years of age) is 21.7% in the UWCCC, compared to 22% for the state.
The population of the UWCC service area was 92.8% White in 2010, compared to 81.9% statewide. While the population 0f the African American and Latino populations was 2.7% and 2.3% of the service area, respectively, these populations grew considerably in Cumberland County between 1990 and 2010. In Carlisle Borough the per cent African American is 8.3. The per cent Latino in Carlisle Borough and Mount Holly Springs is 4.5.
Comparing the service area to the state, a larger percentage of households in the service area had incomes above $50,000 (58.6%) compared to the state overall (49.7%).
The percentage of households in the service area receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and public assistance income is less than the state percentage (29.0% compared to 31.2%).
The percentage of persons age 25 and older who are high school graduates or higher is larger for the service area than the state (88.5% compared to 86.9%).
Reduce Drug Use Increase Employment Opportunities for Adults Increase Affordability of Medical Services Alleviate Poverty (cont.) *Based on 414 random sample surveys
Improve Quality of Teaching at Schools Alleviate Homelessness Reduce Crime Increase Number of Small Businesses Increase Youth Employment Opportunities
Increase Access to Mental Health Services Increase Availability of Public Transportation Increase Supply of Affordable Housing Increase Employment Opportunities (cont.) *Based on Community Stakeholders Focus Groups
Reduce Environmental Pollutants Improve Race Relations Increase Affordable Medical Care, especially for the elderly Increase Labor Force Education and Training Programs
Carlisle Census Tracts
Area Poverty Level Borough Overall 15.3% Census Tract 120 10.9% Census Tract 121 15.1% Census Tract 122 18.1% Census Tract 123 34.3% Census Tract 124 13.3%
Area Mean Household Income Borough Overall $44,215 Census Tract 120 $62,875 Census Tract 121 $48,054 Census Tract 122 $39,831 Census Tract 123 $38,563 Census Tract 124 $76,312
African American Borough Overall 8.3% Census Tract 122 12.8% Latino Borough Overall 4.5% Census Tract 122 2.9%
WORSHIP (Led by Session Members) PRESENTATION: OPEN-ENDED SURVEY QUESTIONS PRESENTATION: “WHO ARE OUR NEIGHBORS?” VISION and MISSION STATEMENT REVIEW REVERAND MARK ENGLUND-KRIEGER DISCUSSION OF VISION AND MISSION MINISTRY INFORMATION FORM NARRATIVE QUESTIONS DISCUSSION OF PASTORAL TRAITS/CHARACTERISTICS
Why are we here? The mission is our church! The purpose of our mission today is to give everyone the opportunity to have a “voice” during this exciting transition time at First Presbyterian Church.
Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in our Church? (What renews, refreshes, quenches thirst for God?) 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 133 Itemized Responses
Where do you find “Living Water” flowing for you in our Church? (What renews, refreshes, quenches thirst for God?) Seeing people set aside time to worship God Quality sermons and worship services Sitting and thinking quietly Having a place that makes you feel “grounded” where you are not judged Relationships and interactions with and support from other members Children participating and learning, enlivening and enlightening Singing words of anthems and hymns Mission Sundays Sunday school, small group study Flow of time, wherein we, in our time, act & serve to link our heritage to our promising future
What drew you to First when you came? 25 20 15 10 5 0 105 Itemized Responses
What drew you to First when you came? History, character and beauty of the church FRIENDLINESS!!! Size of the congregation Leadership, sermons, welcoming nature of Rev. Black The MESSAGE – how it is given, more teaching and sharing than preaching Couples’, children’s activities Traditions; traditional services and atmosphere
What about First inspires you to continue attending? 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 106 Itemized Responses
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