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This past Sunday the congregation gathered in the Lower Hall after worship, split up into table groups, and talked about what we enjoyed in 2017 and what we hope to accomplish in 2018. Lots of good discussion followed.

When we reconvened as a large group a number of ideas were shared and were noted on the chalkboard.

What did the people of St. Andrew’s enjoy about 2017? Let me establish some loose categories:

Fellowship/Learning:

  • Food! Food! Food!
  • Home bible studies
  • Women’s bible study
  • Picnic
  • Library

Worship:

  • Solid preaching
  • Drama
  • Children’s Stories
  • Good Friday Service
  • Christmas Eve service
  • Participation in services
  • Music/Singing

Positive Changes in the Congregation:

  • New life (Braeden)
  • Hearing loop
  • Baby showers
  • Babies
  • Younger congregation
  • Baptism

Service:

  • Christmas boxes
  • Nursery

What are the people of St. Andrew’s interested in exploring in 2018?

Service to community:

  • Connection with the neighborhood group
  • Movie nite outreach
  • Prayer shawl ministry
  • Serving food at focus club
  • Community BBQ
  • Shared Mission

Fellowship & Support:

  • Games Nite
  • Conversation about death & loss

Changes to worship:

  • Saturday evening service
  • Videos in service
  • Children singing special songs
  • Song-board/projector/videos

Changes to space:

  • New/better space for Sunday School
  • More inviting entrance

Better information:

  • More updates on website

What seems clear to me is that in 2017 we have enjoyed spending time with each other in fellowship and worship and study. What also seems clear is that we feel blessed by the presence of children and young people in our community. Moving forward it seems clear that we are interested in in taking opportunities to serve the broader community. There is also a desire to make our space more hospitable to our young people and our visitors, as well as to broaden our worship with new opportunities to gather, more involvement from our children, and the application of technology to teaching.

Many of these ideas could take off with just a little support from a few people. Others will require further consideration and discernment and the coordinated effort of many. If you are interested in seeing any of these dreams become a reality please talk to pastor Steve or your elder.

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