Hospitality Ministries

Over the past several months, we have engaged in numerous discussions and workshops regarding how we should approach growing the Anaheim Congregation. This fall, those discussions explorations became more focused and have led to a plan of action for the congregation that will start in January 2009. Here is a summary of where we have been and where we are planning to go together in growing our congregation.

September 2, 2007 — Review of draft SCMC church growth plan with Anaheim priesthood
November 11, 2007 — SCMC Fall Conference—Introduction and approval of the mission center church growth plan
November 27, 2007 — Anaheim Vision-Mission As Related to the SCMC Church Growth Plan
January 13, 2008 — Launch of the church growth plan implementation
March 29, 2008 — Deepening and Expanding Welcoming and Hospitality Ministries Workshop
May 10, 2008 — Deepening and Expanding Sacred Community Workshop
September – November 2008 — Building Sacred Community Workshop
November 23, 2008 — Formed working groups to develop specific plans and lead their implementation
December 28 — Committed to specific actions to pursue in 2009

Welcoming Ministry

More than just greeting people—process of becoming friends. How can we help both regulars and guests to feel valued and welcomed in all that we do together? How do we help people move from stranger to friend?

Short Term Actions:

Quilt Tie Class — Beginning on January 24th, 9:30–11:30, in the fellowship room at the church. Mary Noble and Mary Mitchell will be the instructors. We will place an ad in the local Penny Saver inviting all persons 10 years old and up who are interested to attend the class. The class will be free, and all materials provided. Each person will make a quilt. Childcare will be provided.
Fun Evenings with Friends — We will schedule three fun evenings in February, June, and September. These evenings will be a time to get to know each other in an informal setting.
Family / Individual Matching — Let’s get to know each other outside of church! Beginning in February, we will come up with a way to match a family / individual with another family / individual for one month. The group or individuals will plan to have breakfast, lunch, dinner or non-food activity together at least once during the month.

Long-Term Actions:

Partner with New Family / Individual — When a new family or individual begins attending the congregation they will be assigned a family or individual member(s) to help them transition into the congregation.
Greeter Coordinator(s) — We will have a person or persons assigned to coordinate the guest book and assign greeters to meet all new friends and members each week. The coordinator(s) will assign person(s) on a weekly (monthly) basis to follow-up with individuals / families that visit the congregation.

Community Ministry

Building fellowship—both among congregation participants and extending into our neighborhood. How do we move from isolated people sharing the same space in worship and other activities to rich friendships that deepen our fellowship and all that we do? How do we grow in our desire for and recognition of our need for fellowship with our neighbors? What do we do to become genuine friends and neighbors?

Short-Term Actions:

Way of the Cross — Lead a “Way of the Cross” on Good Friday....invite neighbors, congregation, other friends. Have a community Posada celebration before Christmas.
Spanish and ESL Classes — Offer a Spanish class and an English as a Second Language class for neighbors, congregation. Check into city or school district offsetting some of costs.
Game Night — Offer a game night (in conjunction with other group as co-sponsor)
Bowling League — Set up a bowling league for bowlers and "fan club" to participate in together.

Long-Term Actions:

Neighborhood Office — Set up a neighborhood office — tutoring, computer lab, etc. providing integrated activities.
Build Relationship with the Christian Family Church — Meet with Christian Family Church for shared time together.
Partner with La Nueva Esperanza en Cristo — Partner with La Nueva.
Build Relationships with L’Arche and HOPE — Link by participating in activities with L’Arche and HOPE charities.
Community Service — Be involved in community service activities.

Bridging Ministry

How do we recognize brokenness and withdrawal among those who actively participate? What do we do to support people in times of struggle and isolation? How do we rebuild fellowship with those who no longer share with us? How do we re-invite people, heal relationships, and restore regular fellowship?

Short-Term Actions:

Rebuilding Fellowship — The focus of the Bridging Ministries group was to rebuild fellowship with those who no longer share with us. We sent a letter to about 70 non-participating members inviting them to attend the Pursue Peace service, the Valentine Potluck and the Easter service. The letter included the church website and information on the quilting class. We want to make follow-up phone calls within the next six months.

Long-Term Actions:

Bridging Ministry Class — We want to conduct a class on welcoming people back into fellowship.

Moving Forward

Our three teams came up with ideas that we feel will be very doable during this next year. We look forward to implementing these good ideas that will make our congregation a more welcoming, community building, and bridging community. We see the Anaheim Congregation moving from a year of church growth discussion / planning to action. The challenge will be for each of us to make the necessary commitment to take the “leap of faith,” knowing that God will open doors of opportunities into our community. We are a faith community that cares deeply for each other, and we have much to offer to the greater community of Anaheim. We know as we take the first steps as a congregation toward our church growth goals, we will each be enriched and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

May this New Year bring many blessings and “open doors” to each of us as we serve in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Your sisters in Christ,

Cynthia, Carol, and Linda