PATH FORWARD COFFEE HOUR CONVERSATION

HOW IT WORKS

During this season of discussion and discernment we will have theme-based worship that will invite us to take us to Spirited conversations on matters that are as practical as rising utility costs, the expense needs to maintain our 60+-year-old parsonage, and how to bring our beloved church into full form to be utilized when disaster strikes our community.

Each week we will have our discussion questions of the week listed in our bulletin and in our newsletter. During coffee hour we will have a variety of speakers taking 15 minutes or less to talk to the questions at hand. We will the data needed to be examined to fully understand the issue of the week, offer up 15 minutes to discuss at your tables and give each person to respond with one

full sentence of your feedback on the topic of the day. A table facilitator will repeat the sentence to the speaker to ensure it is written as intended and will submit the information for our Trustees and Administrative Council to utilize as we move forward with future planning.

The goal is holy conversation and inspired goal setting. If people would like to speak to a topic that happens on a week they are not able to attend, you can send a response to Pastor Lisa at: pastorlisaconnolley@outlook.com We understand that we may not all be of one mind, but we can all be of one Spirit as we engage in this practice prayerfully and with a great hope for the future of God’s ministry and mission at Coupeville United Methodist Church.

October 6th Questions:  

What would you do if this was your home?

How do you feel about the information presented?

Week September 29th Question 

Responses:

1. How do you see yourself in our ministry going forward as an aging congregation?

Responses:

think we do a good job in spite of being senior – we come to church, we participate in the services, and we are active in the community on behalf of the church. If there are physical limitations, we just ask someone a little more able-bodied to step in and help.

It's important to include the aging members and don't leave them out. 

Dead

There is less to give less energy and more aches and pains. 

Continue to contribute as I can.

That I have learned to appreciate what I have.

Using My talents to contribute where I can.

Visiting and sending cards. 

Let go of what we can-embrace new paths

To be a support to whoever needs it.

Able to help wherever I can.

Continuing to serve especially after retirement in 5 years.

Staying involved.

Volunteering where needed. 

Visiting, calling, and sending, cards.

VFW-bazaars-planting seeds to work smarter raising monies.

As a younger churchgoer, I have more opportunities to volunteer and serve. Bring fresh new ideals.

Continue to make items for the bazaar and coffee hour.

I am happy to be part of a family.

I am older and wiser.

Volunteering and being part of a group

Volunteering until I can no longer do so. 

See themselves in a good place in the church as they age.

Just enjoying, praying, and extending friendship.

When I retire I will be more active in crafts.

I will continue to be a part of the church and the wonderful community of people in the church.

I will serve as I am asked to within my scope of abilities. 

As an example, it is never too late to change. 

2. How do you envision the path forward reflecting our combined wisdom and physical limits?

Responses:

I envision us maintaining all our programs in church and in the community. We may be slower than we were, but we’re still active in the ministry in and out of church.

Serving God and the community in surprising new ways.

As we age in our church we will continue to volunteer and be good stewards of this church we love.

Working as a team to reach our goals.

Volunteering in the church and community.

Supporting issues that are in line with our doctrines. 

Ask for help.

Communicate - God grant me the serenity to accept my disability to ask for wisdom when to ask for help. 

We should put more effort into becoming a community center for Coupeville.

Outreach to the community non-church folks to help volunteer with some of our church events.  -Strawberry festival, Christmas Bazarr, Meals for kids, sewing/craft groups.

Sell the parsonage and make a deal with Habitat to build a home on the property across the street as a new parsonage. The church members can volunteer our labor and maybe cover some of the cost with the monies for the sale of the parsonage. 

So blessed her to have people including elders leading us and with varying talents.

To be compassionate and helpful to others with physical and mental disabilities and listen to them tell their stories. 

Put in more ramps.

Grab bars in bathrooms

Space and accessibility for walkers and wheelchairs.

Receiving new people with an introduction to a "veteran" to introduce them and offer local insight. 

Then we will need to come to some jobs/committees to simplify the work that needs to be done.

We will have the same/similar needs, with fewer able people to fill jobs. 

Asking God to help me be more useful to someone.

My wisdom is to maintain silence and listen. 

To discover what we should let go of and make room for what will work with some of our physical limits.

Keeping open to new ways of doing things.

Maintaining our current building.  Continuing to be welcoming community gatherings. 

Rely on our experiences.

Be open to new things (technology) and younger people and their experiences for answers.

Being open to outsourcing due to physical limitations. 

Week September 22nd Question Responses:

1. How do you envision the church building as a mission for God through emergencies? Did you know the Administrative Council and Trustees approved this?

Responses:

Yes, there should be a church first to show love to all.
I see this as a center of community with a building with assets that can be used in an emergency. 

I see the church as providing heating and cooling centers as well as for shelter in other emergencies, providing water, food, restrooms, etc. No, I didn't know the Admin Council and Trustee approved this. 

Yes, this is definitely can be a mission and ministry. 

We need to be prepared to do all we can. 

We need to offer shelter and care. We are blessed with a large building.

I am very happy the church is a part of the NET and will help our neighbors in emergencies. 

To continue to be an emergency shelter

I believe our church is a perfect hub for emergency shelter.

It is good to be the heart and soul of the community.

It seems that we are directed to help neighbors, and this is what it means to be a good neighbor and do all we can whenever we can for whoever we can. 

Some knew about the AC & T approval.

We have ramps and spaces, bathrooms, and a kitchen.

Would be irresponsible not to share our resources.

Church members may be willing to provide support to the emergency members

Soup Kitchen and Shelter

Shelter for all emergencies like heat/cold advisories. 

2. How do you feel about our congregation being asked to help as a Regional Crisis Center, including having this building emergency ready?

Yes, We want this!

Yes!

I think it is a great idea.

I think this is very important as our chur is highly visible and centrally located. 

Consensus- a good idea. We have the facility and space consistent with our open spirit of the church.

I think this is an important way to prepare for ourselves and the community around us.

I will be good for the community and us members of the church.

Go for it-It what we're all about!

I agree our congregation is a wonderful giving group to help as a regional center.

I think we should do all we can to ensure our place as an emergency center.

Yes, I agree

I agree to be an emergency center.

I think we should do all we can.

I think it's an important mission for our church to help.

We need to be emergency-ready. I am glad a feasibility study is in the works.

 I think it's a great idea and I would be willing to help. 

Week September 15th Question Responses:

Question 1:

How is the impact of rising costs affecting you personally and in the community?

Answers:

Fortunately, rising costs are not impacting me as much as others in the community, thus I feel I have the ability and the obligation to financially help wherever I can – including at the church.

I spend more at the grocery store and more on gas but still have all I need. 

I'm more likely to prepare at home than buy food prepared at restaurants.

Help married children some and I am somewhat careful, but have what I need.

We are fine, but I see our community suffering with an increase in rent and food. 

Young adults cannot buy a home.

Rising costs for electricity, groceries, and other utilities. Auto insurance

Needs to watch spending.

People are spending more on essentials, and less money for going out to eat or movies. 

Wages are increased.

It seems as if I spent twice as much so I now grab nonbrand thins and do not buy as much meets and cheese.

It has slowed my life down doing much less buying less.

Buying less cut out more essentials

I see more people at Grocery Outlet. I am conscientious of my spending and thrift more. 

Less dining out more careful grocery shopping less donations. 

Going out less.

Saving for emergencies.

More closely monitoring the budget specifically groceries, Amazon, and eating out budgets.  These reductions then of course in a very small way affect those businesses with us not using those services to the same extent we were before. 

I am using store brands not buying more expensive cuts of meat.

Finding people to perform paid service for a reasonable price is difficult.

Made me more concerned for young families and very thankful that we have sufficient resources. 

Finding housing affordable housing. 

Less of a desire to travel or patronize small businesses.

Finding contractors, landscapers, or even affordable groceries.

Meat, soda, cereal, and crackers products we are not buying them now. 

I have to go to the food bank to supplement my own, especially for fruits and vegetables. 

Only buy what's in the ads.

We have to both continue to work rather than retire.

Financially ok but I try to help others with money.

I transferred inheritance from my parents to those in need now. 

Sailors and the military can't afford to cover rent. 

Question 2:

What do you see are tangible ways to save funds or raise funds for our congregation's ongoing mission?

Answers:

I can’t see ways to save funds for the church; there is too much that has been let slide and now we are faced with serious repairs/replacements. To raise funds, we need more people interested in preserving the church and enhancing our ministry.

Bake sales, volunteering for donations.

Sale of cookbooks

Movie night donations.

parking lot garage sales.

Big springtime clean-out garage sale. 

Grant writers-community concerts.

Find a way to rent the basement rooms.

Sell the personage lots. Use profit to build a new one on our remaining lot across the street.  

Trustees are working in coordination with other committees and community groups of the church facilities to improve operating cost. 

Sale donuts, strawberry social, special pledges, seek grants.

Aging congregations do not get salary raises and are on fixed incomes.

The only way to cut costs is by contributing less to appointments. 

Share a pastor with other congregations.

Being aware and prepared as able.

Increasing public awareness of non-religious service to the local community.

Raise awareness that we are a community emergency center. Perhaps have a specific fundraiser for emergency preparedness. 

Being aware of our mission. 

Ask for donations.

Just like preparing for an emergency make a plan share the plan build a kit.  What do we need? What do we already have? What is our backup plan?

Fundraising like selling candies, tulips, bazaars other flowers, and strawberry social goods. 

Renting out space to other organizations or to other individual groups like a spring bazaar.

Inviting new organizations to use spaces for meeting celebrations and other activities

Family movie night charging for snacks instead of admission.

Have a bake sale. 

Week September 8th  Question Responses:

Question 1:

How do you see time, talent, and treasure as means to give to God?

Answers:

This is how we give back to the Lord and support our church.

How we create community in Jesus' name.

When we see the need.

As a way to have a sense of belonging to the church by caring for it. 

It is all about everything we give to the church, everything is a gift from God.

If you're grateful it's a natural thing to do.

Community is important to everyone.

You do not have to give monetarily, to support the church. 

All of our giving can be a gift to God.

I am called in response to give all I can give because of my faith. 

I am a fisherman and I have shared my catch.

Music play, time, and money are given to help the church that helps others. 

As a past bartender and transit operator, my gift is a gift of counsel. I like to drive around and stop and talk with strangers. 

Serving for the Bazaar.

Prayer Shawls

Cooking for COA

In the past professions were able to help.

We offer an open ministry-social meeting and coffee hour.

To be used to be of a service. 

It is important.

You do what you can with what you have.

When I do something for God among others I feel that I get more out of it. 

2nd Question:  

Where have you used your gifts in the past, how are you able to share in the future?

Answers:

In years past, I used to be everywhere, but now in limited roles.

I like to be behind the scenes, it is nice to see people grow in their roles.

Manual labor, lay speaker.

Caring and concern.

I have volunteered and continue to volunteer. 

To continue to respond to the needs of others.

Youth, Sunday Studies teacher, Choir Bells, Organ & Piano-All Joys.

Volunteer -offer to the cause your gifts-Craft Classes, decorating the church, financial knowledge. 

Work with worship visuals, preach when needed.

Being able to share creativity is a spiritual blessing. New ideas will enliven our big community events. 

Whatever you have to offer.

All are gifts to be shared, often without being seen.

Share what God has given me back to others.

Drive the prairie and stop and talk to strangers.

Our talents and our time is just as valuable as money

Kind, humble, and nice is a treasure!

Makes me happy doing things for Jesus. 

Good investment in our future.

Rewarding to the giver.

We are doing what God would want.

Representing Jesus to the community. 

Helping others to find recovery and their spirituality. 

I give a lot of my art away.

My service is private.

I have use my gifts in other churches and will continue to serve the church and others volunteer organizations.

Week September 1st  Question Responses:

Question 1:

How do you feel about being invited into the discernment process for the Path Forward?

Answers:

I am excited to hear many people's voices and expect to be surprised. 

Looking forward to hearing other people's options.

It is nice because I  work and I am not able to attend meetings during the work week. 

Just giddy

It is a new experience for me to be asked about sermons or anything.

I don't want to think about it, especially at coffee hour. 

I am afraid to say anything because I don't want another job- I need to learn to dream.

I am curious about what's going to happen, but I am a slow thinker. 

I think I am happy about it being directed at something relevant to my life. 

I have issues with using coffee hour for this activity. It cuts into social hour with people. 

I understand that we need to have discussions, but concerned that people won't stay for coffee hour.

As a shy person, I appreciate having this time and something to respond to. 

Grateful that we are being asked to participate.

Both positive and negative prefer to be asked and told. 

My concern is doing it during coffee hour because this is a time to get to know people.

I miss the fellowship time and I am not sure what our goal is.

It a good idea.

I feel like we all will have a state in our future.

I think this will bring us all together as we look to the future. 

I am empowered by it.

It's good to have a voice in the future.

It's nice to be heard.

It's good to be valued

Everyone's opinion counts.

Grateful for the opportunity.

No problem.

I like that we are included.

Good input.

I feel welcomed.

Our opinion matters.

I feel like I am under a little bit of pressure.

I feel accepted. 

2nd Question:

Why do you think its important to get feedback from everyone in Congregation? 

Answers:

Different opinions. 

Might get lots of different opinions.

To get to know each other better.

Multi-generational input.

Knowledge is power.

It offers balance.

It helps us understand each other.

It keeps us understanding each other

It keeps anyone from feeling they were left out.

It provides a more well rounded picture as to how the congregation want the future of the church to be. 

For a variety of opinions

Because everyone's opinion counts

We are all different. We see things differently

We learn from each other.

 We complement each other. 

You want to know what people are thinking.

Knowing what everybody is thinking about the future will help in the planning.

Sometimes people are dissatisfied and leave instead of sharing their thoughts.

To learn and grow.

Because we are a diverse people.

We are all part of the congregation and if we don't ask we don't know.

Because we are all unique individuals created by God.

We are diverse.

If we don't get everyone's opinions we can get off on the wrong foot. 

Because the church serves everybody.

So you know you are meeting the needs of the congregation.

All God's children have a place in the choir. 

We are all in this together. 

For all voices to be heard and a part of the process

Allows people to feel included in the process

Because there has been conflict when people have not felt heard.

It makes everyone feel a part of the church.