Listening Circles Report Elmsdale Pastoral Charge – October 2016 Rev. Catherine MacDonald

Process Present Material Small Group Discussions Reporting Back 30 minutes for each section, 90 minutes total

How did we get here? Conflict, presbytery recommended Interim Ministry, Transition Team formed, I was interviewed, approved and appointed. Transition Team consists of Martha Healy, Reeta Sweeney, Donna Anderson, Vicki McKinnon was with us through the first part of the journey, and we have two presbytery reps: Elaine Gray and Susan MacAlpine-Gillis.

Listening Circles 2 @ Nine Mile River 7 @ Riverview 80% of ASA participated The Transition Team hosted 9 circles; 2 in Nine Mile River, 7 in Riverview, with almost 80% of our average Sunday attendance participating. I want to thank each of you for helping them be safe, sacred spaces.

LOTS OF WORK COMPILING THE DATA! I am sure there is a higher tech way to sort themes than different coloured highlighters! I am going to present some similarities and differences then go through the individual reports.

What Did I Discover?

I asked a LOT of questions… the first one was, “How are you feeling as we gather? Two positives and a negative, as you can see, the overwhelming response was hopeful and apprehensive from both points.

Similarities: Faithfulness Dedication Love & care for each other Desire to let go of past negativity and ways of doing things

Differences: Size Demographics Facilities Assets Expectations of Ministry Personnel

Nine Mile River I am going to deal with Nine Mile River’s report first.

Faithful & connected to God Welcoming and Accepting Nine Mile River Indications of Health Faithful & connected to God Hard working Welcoming and Accepting

Indications of Lack of Health A lot of statements about Nine Mile River Indications of Lack of Health A lot of statements about lacking things. Small, stuck in a rut, lack of people, energy and resources and harbouring hurt feelings.

What Would A Faithful Congregation Look like? Nine Mile River What Would A Faithful Congregation Look like? You used words such as happy, engaging, loving, respective, and serving the community and you wanted to create a culture that was joyful, felt like the best kind of family dinner and to be like Christ.

Purpose Faithful Congregation? Nine Mile River Purpose Faithful Congregation? Purpose of a faithful congregation, your comments could be summed up in Love God and love your neighbour as yourself.

What do we need to do to be a healthy, life giving congregation? Nine Mile River What do we need to do to be a healthy, life giving congregation? You said things like new music, love of Christ, exciting programming, accepting the new ways, advertising and to love one another as Christ loves us and a minister who participates.

What do we need to let go of? Nine Mile River What do we need to let go of? Negativity, old ways of doing things, past hurts and mistakes and judgements.

How are you feeling now? Hopeful Optimistic Connected Nine Mile River How are you feeling now? Hopeful Optimistic Connected

Riverview

Riverview Indications of Health People Programs Facilities Community I grouped these in several categories.

Indications of Health - People Riverview Indications of Health - People People: You spoke of dedication, fellowship, welcoming and young families

Riverview Indications of Health Program: Amazing preaching, thank you for that! Great choir and Sunday School and a place where you had an outlet for your talents.

Indications of Health - Facilities Riverview Indications of Health - Facilities Facilities: chairs in the sanctuary, financial stability, and being a community hub for Sparks, dance, Community Chorale etc.

Riverview Indications of Health Community: Dorcas Place, Miller House, in reach and outreach, suppers

Riverview Indications of Lack of Health Lack of Communication/Conflict Decreasing Membership and Attendance Financial Challenges You named things such as gossiping about one another rather than TO one another and been negative. You are concerned about decreasing attendance and lack of enough volunteers and opportunities. You expressed concern about finances and too many fundraisers.

Riverview - Today’s Environment Faithful Congregation Four Broad Themes: Focus on Faith Welcoming, Accepting & Inclusive Caring & Being Open Connecting with Wider Community Focus on Faith 89.3% 117/131 Responses Welcoming, Accepting and Inclusive 82.2% 106/129 Responses Caring for and Being Open to One Another 79.6% 180/226 Responses Connecting with Wider Community 84.1% 69/82 Responses

Riverview What is the Culture A picture sometimes/often says more than a long string of worlds; there were 80 different statements: welcoming, loving, respectful, peaceful, although the long string of words is in the full report.

Focus on Faith Friendship & Caring Helping Riverview Purpose Focus on Faith Friendship & Caring Helping   Focus on Faith 89.1% 133/160 Responses Friendship and Caring 88.5% 170/192 Responses Helping 88.1% 74/84 Responses

What do we need to do to be a healthy, life giving congregation? Riverview What do we need to do to be a healthy, life giving congregation?

Riverview Four Broad Categories: Relating to One Another Connecting with the Community Governance Faith Based Programs This is where you will focus the discussion afterwards: Relating: 90 % of you, 324 out of 360 responses, wanted to start relating to one other in healthier ways. Connecting with Community: 92% or 194/212 responses want to explore ways to connect with the community better. Governance: not the most exciting topic, but 78% or 100/128 responses wanted to be organized in a way that was efficient, transparent and flexible. Faith Based programs: 64% or 73/114 responses wanted to explore how to best offer faith based programming, whether that is youth activities, offering different styles and times of worship, and being more creative with the special services.

What do we need to let go of? Riverview What do we need to let go of? Negativity, worry and woe x 20 The past x 12 Unhelpful behaviour such as animosity, gossip, blame, guilt, closemindedness, cliques, complaining, secretiveness, judgment and wanting our own way.

How Are You Feeling Now? Hopeful Optimistic Apprehensive Riverview How Are You Feeling Now? Hopeful Optimistic Apprehensive

Elmsdale Pastoral Charge Questions There is some flip chart paper up on the walls, please go to the one with the subject that interests you. As you are working, focus on our assets and what we have, in other words our assets, in order to make any ideas come to fruition. You will need a scribe and someone who is willing to report back. I am going to ask each group to report back after half an hour. These ideas etc. will guide the next part of the interim ministry. The transition team members will be circulating if you have questions. The United Church has grant money available for innovative ministry ideas. The next deadline iss Nov 30th.