Don’t Tell Me I Have Homework
by Rev. Dr. Donna Schaper
In addition to making your pledge for 2026 through our investment campaign, please read the Convergence report of our fascinating congregation, which is so well told in their report. THANK YOU.
Please also come to the Sunday, November 9 meeting with at least one question, one appreciation, and one demur.
Sometimes at UCG, we can feel like we’re running to jump on a train that’s already left the station, doesn’t quite know where it’s going all the time, but by God is going. Other times the train stops in the station and has a bite to eat and a minute to think. Those are the times we’re very happy.
The Convergence report is a work of art and wants and deserves communal response. Your search committee for the new pastor will be relying on it. Before they give it too much credence, though, we need to have the conversation about it. This will be the most important conversation of all: full of content, full of thoughtfulness, full of deliberation, and full of direction for the future. Please pay attention.
We may not get to all of your comments and concerns on Sunday, November 9 during this seminar but we will collect them all and make sure that the search committee sees them. Comments should attend to whether the Convergence study is accurate and knows us well enough to represent us. You should also know that another professional study has been done by member Jim Harper about our communication strategy and how to make it more outward looking. We believe we have fairly good formal and informal communication structures within the congregation, but less certainty about what to say to the wider community in the days to come. Jim‘s report will also be released following the Convergence study discussion and will be tutored by what we say to each other during that Convergence conversation.
Thanks to you all again. This is a wonderful congregation on the verge of becoming even more so. So many spirits need lifting. So many trails need blazing. Let’s get to play for another 60 good years.