May'26 Interim Update

Interim Update – Elder Edition

May 2026 Discernment

I'm sure you have read and heard about our discernment process, about big group meetings and small group meetings. I'm here to give you an update.

We entered this process to prepare ourselves for a new minister by arming that person with good input from a unified faith driven congregation. Everyone was invited to take part.

So what is discernment?
It is a process for making decisions that draws on wisdom and requires opening oneself to outside sources such as friends, experts, community and literature; spiritual practices and faith in God.

The process of discerning requires us to: Slow down, reflect on our experiences, and listen to external voices. It means setting aside our ideas, wants and needs so that we can entertain new insights and see things from a new perspective. Discernment opens us up and allows for the possibility of being changed, gaining a deeper understanding, and/or discovering different pathways for living and serving God together.

So where are we?
The 24 or so folks that are taking part have worked hard together and have had fun, too.

• We are getting to know each other better. 
• Most of us started by reading the book called the "Weird Church", which provided insight on the struggles of the church today and what some churches have done to adapt.
• We have reviewed the history of our church from its beginning to the present.
• We have discussed ways to communicate better.
• We have shared what the church means to each of us and how it has impacted our lives.
• We have reviewed what things we do well and what things we could improve.
• We have explored how we can serve our community better and how we can serve our congregation and each other better.

The goal is to use all the above to gain a clearer understanding of our church's identity, what we stand for in our community and where we want to go. Then, use all that as input for a new minister.

We are well into the process – it is not too late to join in. 

Respectively, John King

May'26 Words from the Pastor

I want to take a moment to review some of what has been accomplished through the monthly Dinner & Discernment and Small Group meetings. We first began by looking at the church’s history so that we might better understand how we have come to need a pastor. At the same time participants were introduced to Change theory and Family Systems theory and how groups respond to change and the obstacles to growth that can occur. 

As we moved into the Fall – small groups engaged in Listening Circles so that we might better understand the full range of feelings experienced by the congregation as the decision was made by Pastor Cara to leave. As a result, for some, healing has begun. 

Throughout this time, we have looked at our values – both individually and as a church. We took an inventory of our personal giftings and how they might be used to help the church grow. At the same time, we identified what the church does well and should be celebrated as well as areas in need of some attention. 

Committees have begun evaluating what they do and how they do it in preparation for updating the church’s Manual of Operations. Communication between committees has increased – with tasks being reassigned based on a more complete understanding of how committees and the church work. A committee workshop day is in the planning. The new Prayer Chain app is a wonderful example of growth that came from this process. 

Cathy Foerster – our COM liaison – spoke at the April Session meeting. She explained in detail the current process for forming a PNC. Many were unaware that a Self-Study has become a requirement. While this was a surprise for many – I want to assure you that the work that has been/continues to be done during Dinner & Discernment and Small Groups has been designed to prepare the congregation to complete the Self-Study. 

While the Self-Study might feel like another box that needs to be or another hurdle to be overcome – the Self-Study has been designed to involve the entire congregation in the process of preparing for and forming a PNC. Ms. Foerster reminded us that more participation means that 

1. the pastor you call will be the best possible fit for the needs of the congregation and
2. takes some of the burden for preparing the MDP off the PNC members.

This process works best when more of the community participates.

It is not too late to begin participating in a Small Group or Dinner & Discernment.

Your voice matters!
Blessings, Pastor Lynda