Mission Actions as of 1/06

Mission Actions as of December 2006

Part 1: Connecting with God in Worship: Discerning God’s Word and Calling us to be Faithful Disciples

OBJECTIVES	ACTIONS TAKEN
1. Enhance existing tools: Bulletin, reevaluate communication and worship tools and propose enhancements.	New visitor and all purpose cards were designed to go in the pew racks Member Surveys completed on Rally Day for interests, etc. *New brochures and blue jacket registration pads.
2. Improve the sound system in the sanctuary	The Technology Committee initiated a multi-phased sound system replacement project. At this point it has been funded. Phase 1 and 2 of a multi-phase installation project was initiated with the project completion date estimated to be Feb/March2007.
3. Explore and evaluate service types, formats and times to suit needs of current and future members (traditional, contemporary, blended – experiment, visit other churches, conversations, etc).	Worship and Program initiated communion every Sunday at the 11:00 service. Discussions are in process but nothing has been decided at this point
4. Diversify our already strong music program, by exploring the use of a variety of music styles, instruments and participants; listening to feedback from congregation.	Bringing on staff Lisa Marcelli as Youth Music Director has revitalized the music program from ages 4-18. Rebuilding of the church organ. *New Music Director Ted Barr starting January 2007.
5. Create a climate of acceptance, belonging, caring and support, openness and inclusiveness.	A Membership Committee was formed that reports directly to Session. The Membership Integration subcommittee, with assistance from the office, tracks attendance of current members and calls when they are missing for more than four weeks, to identify concerns/needs and offer support. *This committee is working on this objective with visible results.
6. Develop and implement Concerns of Congregation	*A member of the church speaks about a certain program or concern most Sundays.
7. Explore ways of communicating joys, concerns, and desire for prayer, etc…	Concerns and joys are written on note cards available in the narthex. These are then addressed by the pastor and are included in the service and in the Prayers of the People. This has helped Trinity’s pastors and members to reach out to each other in times of need. *Concerns are brought up in the beginning of church meetings.

Part 2: Connecting with Current Trinity Members to Share our Gifts of Ministry

OBJECTIVE	ACTION
1.Develop communication and relationships with Session – “town meetings”, etc.	Two town meetings have been held with another one planned for early in 2007 to explain Session committees and answer any questions from the congregation. Session minutes are available in the church library.
2. Fellowship hour enhancement –evaluate sound damping to enhance conversation, and have Officers be more visible for interaction with members	Elders and Deacons wear nametags and are available during coffee hour. Membership Committee hosted a “How to Welcome Visitors” seminar for Session and the Courtesy Council. *Courtesy Council (a sub committee of Membership Committee) meets monthly to evaluate this objective. They wear nametags and greeting visitors as well as current members every Sunday.
3. Develop strong and active lay leadership from current church resources such as Courtesy Club, Deacons, Elders, PW, etc…	*Many members have stepped up to lead from all these groups to help the objectives of this Mission Report become a reality.
4. Reinstate and expand adult education.	There have been 4 adult education series led by Reverend Veitche that have been well attended by the congregation. Parent Education evenings have been initiated.
5. Move from a Pastor directed church to a Session directed church	This has occurred with the support of the current interim pastors and congregation members taking on more responsibilities. Every current Session committee has taken on a leadership roll within the church and has initiated new programs.
6. Investigate and develop member oriented small group ministries, such as special interest groups for Seniors, Youth, Sports, Service, Prayer, and Study of Scripture	* Other groups other than the ones stated have formed, mainly within the younger members of the church. A new PW Circle for younger women in the church was formed. A Young Adults group that meets weekly. Parents with Young Children group was initiated last summer and continues to meet. Moments for Mom- a small group that meets with Reverend Witherspoon while their children are in choir practice.
7. Develop fellowship activities such as Senior trips, Marriage enrichment seminars, Movie nights, etc	* Many fellowship activities occur within groups of the church *New activities open to the congregation have been Movie nights, a trip to Israel, and a trip to N.Y City.
8. Develop staffing plan and budget to implement objectives stated within this report.	* Currently the Personnel Committee and Financial Committee are creating budgets for staffing. * Session committees are creating budgets for the objectives that are planned for in this report. * Funding hinges on the financial support of the congregation.
9. Reestablish, prioritize, and fund a technology ministries committees committee, in conjuction with reps from other appropriate committees, by Nov. 2005, will form and fund a technology committee.	*This committee has been formed under the Worship and Program committee. The key project that a sub committee has been working on is the sanctuary sound system.
10. Continue and expand communication to congregation on all aspects of giving, such as revenue v. expenses, pledging, and per capita	*The financial figures are available in Tidings and session notes available in the library. In addition, the Finance Committee provides semi-annual updates during the Trinity Live period at the beginning of worship.
11. Develop a creative stewardship program	*This was planned for this year yielding a higher individual pledge from members that pledged but a lower number of actual pledges at this time.
12. Evaluate and implement Endowment Fund and Estate Planning education for Stewardship	-Not addressed this year.
13. Expand Deacon involvement from service to leadership roles	-This has not been addressed as of yet.
14. Initiate Technology sub-committees	At this time sub –committees are formed on a as needed basis. Currently there is a Sound System sub-committee and a Data Entry Committee that will update membership interests, etc.
15. Expand and maintain member database to support all aspects of Church involvement	*Most members completed a survey in September. A committee has been formed and is meeting to start this objective.
16. Revitalize and maintain web page to enhance Church communication through electronic Tidings and Calendars	* The website has been completely revitalized and is maintained and updated weekly by the church office staff. *An electronic calendar is in the planning stages for early 2007.

Part 3: Connecting with Youth within our Fellowship

OBJECTIVE	ACTION
1.Develop staffing plan including a fulltime youth director	* At this point the Eric Waraas, Youth Director, is a part-time staff member. Making this a full time position, although warranted, is not in the planning stages as of now. Volunteer advisors are helping out by connecting with Senior Highs and attending performances, etc. that the youth are involved in outside of church. Plans are to fund a curriculum for meetings so the Youth Director’s time can be better used for this group.
2. Expand on current Commissioning program to be more spiritually based and continue to expand fellowship opportunities	*Junior High Fellowship has been initiated that provides fellowship activities with their Covenant Partners, service to church members, mission work in the community, and fun activities such as overnight retreats.
3.Support current Christian Ed Director to improve Church School attendance	* A rotation style of teaching that incorporates different mediums to teach church school has been initiated for Advent and will be reintroduced for Lent. *This is an area that needs to be addressed and approved upon since at this point we are in a transition time with the Church School Director position.
4.Provide Youth Director with consistent support	The Youth Director currently has many qualified strong advisors to help support the increasing numbers of this vibrant church group Senior Highs has support from the Christian Ed Committee, parents, and the congregation through fund raising.
5.Encourage youth to be a part of all Church services to help promote connections and develop leadership	Many Senior Highs are teaching church school this year. Senior Highs have also helped out in Commissioning class, ushered in church service, decorated the sanctuary for Christmas and are involved in the Youth Music Program. *A Senior High member is being nominated to become an elder for the next church year.

Part 4: Connecting with Potential New Members to Grow our Church

OBJECTIVE	ACTION
1. Website will be regularly maintained to keep information up to dated	*Diane Owens, church secretary, spends @ 2/hrs a week updating the website.
2. Develop a procedure to connect with visitors to welcome and introduce them to our Church community	*A whole new method of welcoming visitors from the first time they come to the church, following up on subsequent visits, personal invitations to events, new member’s class, etc. has been designed and carried out by the Membership committee with positive results.
3. Utilize Church events such as the Nursery School, Bazaar, Music programs, to invite and welcome visitors and introduce them to our church community	The Trinity Christmas Bazaar, held for the second time, has been extremely successful at bringing in the community and uniting its members in a common goal of local mission support. The children’s music program has seen an increase of numbers from the community due to its popularity. The Advent Festival has been getting other families to attend besides members to enjoy the worship/music and crafts. The reestablishment of the Nursery School Committee has focused on working with the Nursery School to help with its success and to find ways to connect with families who attend the school, respecting the diversity of the school. Plans are in progress to do programs together on parenting issues and to make parents aware of the activities at Trinity.
4. Church information will be mailed to immediate neighborhoods	* The Marketing Committee (a sub-committee of the Membership Committee) is planning to send information to all people who have recently moved into Cherry Hill.
5. Multi-week visitors will be cultivated and encouraged to become part of Trinity	*This is one of the goals of the Membership Committee and this objective is currently in progress consistently.
6. Current members will visit new families moving into their neighborhood	*Membership Committee is concentrating on other ways to bring in new members.

Part 5: Connecting with Christ’s Mission within Our Community

OBJECTIVE	ACTION
1. Explore new exterior sign	*Technology Committee worked on this area and has since delegated it to the Marketing sub committee of the Membership Committee
2. Explore community needs and develop ways to meet them	*This was slated as a long range goal. Opening Trinity’s doors to the community and to its youth is a start in reaching this objective.
3. Make youth our local mission	This was the number one goal on our Mission Statement from the Reflection Studies. Senior Highs is a mission group that reaches out to youth that are members and non members. *Hiring a choir director specifically for the youth of the church is helping to achieve this goal.
4, Offer the facility to community programs	Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Daisy Troop, AA, and the PC club are using the buildings regularly. Many other local community groups use the buildings throughout the year upon application and approval by the Property and Building committee of Session.
5. Continue support of successful mission projects such as; Care & Share, Christmas Sharing, Homeless Hospitality etc.	*These programs are continuing on with strong support from our congregation.
6. Explore new local mission opportunities such as Habitat for Humanity, Urban Promise, etc.	* Trinty is sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity project in celebration of its 50^th anniversary. Construction has started on the house and currently a fundraising drive is in effect to pay for the materials to build the home. *Connection to Urban Promise has been made with several groups within Trinity.
7. Re-evaluate our mission budget in light of identified community needs	*The profits from the Trinity’s Christmas Bazaar and Care and Share are given to local missions designated by the Mission and Outreach committee.

Part 6: Connecting with Christ’s Mission Beyond Our Community

OBJECTIVE	ACTION
1. Build on our current, strong programs such as Senior High Work Trip, PW Mission Projects, etc.	*Senior High Mission Trip was very successful this past summer in its completion of a variety of projects in upper state New York
2. Explore other mission projects that are accessible, applicable and meaningful to our mission statements	Initiated the Peace Offering Habitat for Humanity Involvement
3. Implement and expand projects identified above	*Habitat for Humanity Home
4. Continue to increase awareness of the General Assembly mission activities	*The Mission Committee is doing this through Tidings, Work and Worship and Trinity Live.