Committee Minutes

Sacred Space Committee, Feb. 10, 2010

Present:
Doug Anderson, Mimi Arnspiger, Susan Arnspiger, Julie Bryant, Gale Francione, Lois Davis, Kathryn Gutz, Ron Hanson, Steve Meehleder, Ian Montgomery, Martha Rogers, Jim Spencer and Phil Thomas.

Absent:
Janet Leary.

Meeting began with introductions and Kathryn led us in opening prayer.

Ron Hanson, Task Force Chair, asked that before we get into the meeting agenda, members of the group voice any concerns or questions that they may have had from the previous meeting.  He asked that we also share any questions or concerns that we might have heard from congregation members.  Ron said that several members of the congregation expressed concerns to him about funding for the consultant and any renovations that might occur as a result of the Task Force’s decisions. 
Martha stated that the funding of the consultant was built into a donor’s contribution to the organ fund and the donor had given permission for the consultant’s fees to come out of the donations.  She also said that no building changes or renovations would occur without vestry approval.

Mimi volunteered to be the note taker for the meetings and she agreed to email minutes to members of the task force before the next meeting.  Once minutes are approved, Julie will post publicly.

Minutes for the February 3rd meeting were presented for vote.
Lois seconded- Unanimously approved. 

Lois reported on her findings concerning the final resting place for the old organ.  She has gathered names, addresses, and emails for potential options.  Gale suggested that Lois look at financial options as well as removal options.

Mimi reported on the Visioning Team.  She was able to learn that only two items on the list of verbatim had been accomplished-the automatic entry doors into the narthex and the purchase of a new organ.  She handed out the final report of the Visioning Team and asked that Task Force members read over the list in the next week to be able to add input. 

Julie drafted a paragraph to enlighten the congregation about who we are and what we do.   She said she will set the stage for the next steps.  She will share with the group for reactions and edits before she shares with the congregations.  She believes we should communicate multiple times and multiple ways such as web site, Face book, and maybe even letters.  She is also open to suggestions from the group.

Ron has prepared a short and sweet announcement for the annual meeting on Sunday, February 14th, 2010.

Names for the group were suggested and discussed.  The final decision was to call the group the Sacred Space Task Force. 

Members of the team passed around a contact information sheet so we will have a list of preferred email addresses and phone numbers.  Ron will type the list and email to members of the group.

Gale talked about timeline for the task force project.  Martha and Gale will tag team to provide education during the worship services.  The purpose of the Adult Formation will be to give people a broader sense of what worship and liturgy is about. They will talk about the sacraments and access to the sacraments, music, etc. 

Once this stage is set, we will incorporate the use of “brainstormers”.  Brainstormers can be anyone in the congregation who volunteers to commit themselves to two large group meetings to gather information and brainstorm with other members of the congregation. The task force will be responsible for planning and organizing the meetings.  The brainstormers and other congregation members will talk about bigger concepts or Guiding Concepts.   Guiding Concepts becomes the next step in the process.   Discussing the big overarching concepts will lead us into smaller group discussions to talk about details based on those concepts.  The recommendations will come from those conversations and a Draft Recommendation will be formulated.

A further discussion about the time frame led the group to decide that a consecutive four week plan for Adult Formation would be the best idea.   The instructive sermons will begin on Sunday, February 28th and conclude on Sunday, March 21st.  The weeks in April following Easter will be used for large group meetings with brainstormers.   Martha will speak to the other clergy and the worship committee for their input and approval. 

Gale asked the following question:  Would it be possible for the task force to have an underpinning of prayer?  Group members thought that would be possible with the right communication.

Martha came up with a brief statement of purpose for the task force.  “The purpose of the task force will be to develop a clean and concise plan with congregational discernment for our sacred space both now and into the future.” 

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 24th at 7:00 PM.  Doug will lead us in the opening prayer.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mimi Arnspiger 

 

 

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