Tom
1. Our congregational life is centered in God’s compassion as we experience it through Jesus Christ.
2. We are a welcoming group of people. We are an RIC congregation in which we welcome people of various sexual orientations.
3. We strive to make people included and to listen to one another’s insights.
4. We are engaged in our community both as individuals and as a congregation.
5. Our worship style blends a variety of musical types while using a type of service which features Holy Communion and Scripture.
6. We have various opportunities for musicians. Our creative music director leads the ensembles.
7. We believe that following the “Golden Rule” is a good guide for living.
8. We have a good mix of ages.
9. Our youth program is active for children and teens.
10. We have a number of educational offerings in small group and large group settings.
11. Our congregation’s size allows everyone to know everyone else as well as being large enough to offer various programs.
12. We have an evening midweek meal from which a number of groups leave for their activities.
1. The sanctuary is warm, inviting, and intentionally prepared with art and living decor for the season.
ReplyDelete2. We use real bread during communion!
3. Members invite one another to dinner and spend time together.
4. A Roller Derby Fellowship Event is in the works.
5. People participate during the sermon; we respond, call out, ask questions, and listen to one another, as well as to Pastor Tom.
6. The church supports pastoral interns as important leaders and partners in ministry. This is a vital service to the greater church!
7. The music is accessible; all are welcome to participate, whatever their skill level.
8. We affirm our RIC status publicly; I love that it's on the navigation bar of the website and on the reader board in front of the church. This was vital to our deciding to join last year.
9. I love to bring friends to our church because they're welcomed by this progressive, embracing community that seeks to know God and share His love.
10. Our church has bike racks!
What I value about United:
ReplyDelete* The music. Good worship music is important to me and we have a good mix of contemporary, global, and traditional church music. Our music leadership team is terrific, including our volunteer worship ensemble.
* United is welcoming, friendly, progressive, and inclusive.
* United members have social concerns and take ministry beyond the church walls.
* Our Liturgical Arts team enhances our worship with seasonal art and decorations that are beautiful crafted.
* The internship program not only is a ministry to the larger church by training future pastors, it also keeps the congregation refreshed and renewed annually.
* We commune every Sunday.
* We have a variety of fellowship opportunities including our weekly Wednesday dinners and events.
* We also have frequent opportunities to learn, in the Sunday School classes, and in events throughout the week.
* Open to the community: United hosts many 12-step group meetings and our worship space is frequently used for community music recitals and events.
* Our sanctuary is beautiful and the acoustics are very good.
1. United has a great leader and true man of God in Pastor Tom. He is a wonderful speaker and brings Gods word and presence to us every day, week and year! He is a great faith example!
ReplyDelete2. United is not concerned with origin, we welcome everyone from the stranger to my Jewish wife, always with open arms. We do not care where you have been or where you are from, we are glad to have you worship with us at anytime.
3. We offer wonderful faith stories from members and beyond that bolster our foundations in God and Jesus.
4. We are a healthy congregation that loves and does not judge. We are there for each other and the community at large.
5. Our building is strong, beautiful and well maintained and is a wonderful place to worship with friends and family. I have never been embarrassed by anyone or anything at United.
6. United is a place you can always come to be listened to, supported and loved. There is always a good bit of guidance when needed or asked for.
7. You do not have to have a Lutheran background to be accepted.
8. United knows how to have fun and throw a darn good potluck. People are very generous!
9. When someone at United passes away, we offer a heart felt service that everyone should have as a final send off and everyone pitches in to make it a great tribute to a passing member or friend or relative.
10. The Bower/Dodd tomato connection. United has some of the best growers around and these fine specimens are shared all summer long. Best Tomatos EVER!!!!!
I find the sermons very invigorating and personally empowering regarding compassion and care for others.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the people as friendly and solid.
The musicians are excellent and I love many of the songs. One thing I would like to see is some weekly music that teen agers would like. There are lots of simple sing alongs that are used in a variety of local churches and I think this reaches kids and unites them with other teens from other churches. I understand that when you are used to professional and excellent music, this seems a step down. But really it lifts kids up and I hope at least one of these songs will be incorporated each week eventually - for the younger set. Candy Neville
Hi! This is just a test. My last post went somewhere in cyberspace and I want to see if this joins it or stays here.
ReplyDeleteDonna Glass
ReplyDeleteI value the community at United. It doesn't matter how long it has been since we last crossed the threshold, we are literally welcomed with open arms.
The compassion of Pastor Tom and the whole community when a member is ill is priceless. The desire to check in, see how someone is doing and just keep in touch are so important, especially to the one who is on the receiving end. I know from personal experience!!
Of course, the music is such a vital part of the worship experience in so many ways.
The intern program keeps the church vibrant and relative to today's world. Fresh ideas are always coming in.
Connection to Camp Lutherwood, the understanding and priority placed on outdoor ministry and what it means to our youth. Priceless!
A place to learn, to welcome and be welcomed, a place to be renewed, refreshed and prepared to live the Gospel in our daily lives.
What I love about United...
ReplyDelete*All of the above...
*We have a meaningful, liturgical worship with beautiful music, the opportunity to offer personal prayers and...
*Great sermons by our very knowledgeable, insightful, caring, funny pastor who encourages congregational participation in the sermons.
*Classes and Bible studies led by our (very knowledgeable, insightful, caring, funny) pastor.
*Opportunities for people other than clergy to lead classes.
*Our beautiful, light-filled sanctuary with it's ? (I can't remember what the seating arrangement is called) seating where we face each other, as well as the altar. No staring at people's backs! It creates a very personal worship experience.
*We share responsibility for Vacation Bible School and Church Day Camp with two other Lutheran churches. This helps develop relationships between the adults and children of the different congregations. Led by Camp Lutherwood's outstanding counselors and our members, they help develop the faith of our children and the children in our community in a really fun, caring way.
*We have an ongoing relationship with Camp Lutherwood.
*Staff youth worker.
*Yearly youth mission trips
*Ongoing evaluation of where United has been and where we want it to go. Everyone in the church has the opportunity to give imput.
*Very involved congregation. Things are accomplished by a lot of different people, not just a few or one group.
*We have a process through which people can determine their gifts and where they can best put them to work for the congregation.
We are open, creative, inclusive and progressive.
ReplyDeleteWe have an ongoing program of a one year internship with new pastors-to-be that is a little like student teaching and we share that Intern with Good Samaritan Care Center where they also serve as chaplain. They enhance our worship and worship life with their different perspectives.
We have a wonderful pastor and music leader that have created some of their own liturgy and music that we use, along with what is provided by the greater church.
Our pastor is consistently challenging us to connect with each other and the community/world and walk the walk. He and his wife Gay are examples of that.
Our pastor empowers the members of the congregation to go with their ideas for groups and leadership in areas and we are not micromanaged in that process. It feels co-creative.
We have members of our congregation that are really wonderful people with deeply held values that they live by.
We have opportunities to get to know one another through bible study, potlucks, Wed. dinners, faith stories and some goofy fun.
-Members take ownership of events/activities
ReplyDelete-Strong pastoral internship program
-Strong focus on service/stewardship for a small(ish) congregation
-People know how to have fun and insert just the right amount of humor
-Excellent pastoral leadership
-We embrace people of all religious/social backgrounds
-Members are genuinely caring and supportive of one another
-A congregation that supports youth activities (mission trips, camp etc.)