MISSION AND MINISTRY PLAN
On Sunday, November 11, 2007 the Vestry approved a Five-Year Mission and Ministry Plan for Saint Paul's. Over the last 5 years we have been guided by that plan as we carry our our Mission and Ministry. At the end of 2012 we completed the five-year period of that plan. While we did not accomplish everything that we wanted to, we made great strides in builidng our Parish Family, caring for our facilities, and reaching out to the wider community through outreach ministry and ecumenical endeavors.
In anticipation of the end of that first Five-Year Mission and Ministry Plan, the Vestry formed a Mission and Ministry Committee in June 2011 to begin working on our second Five-year Mission and Ministry Plan. Over 20 months this group worked to involve every member of the parish in helping to plan how we will continue to Build the Kingdom of God here on earth in our time and in our place. Through a process of Appreciative Inquiry the Parish Family has decerned what are its strenghts, what are its challenges, and what does God want us to do as we grow and thrive as a Parish Family. The Mission and Ministry Committe has produced a final draft of a plan that is currently being reviewed by the committee and is scheduled to be given to all parish members during the week of February 18. There will be one final opportunity to provide input into the plan on Sunday, March 3 at 9:05 a.m. (in the church). The Vestry will vote on the plan at its meeting on Sunday, March 10. Once the plan is approved by the Vestry it will be put here on the website.
This new Five-year Mission and Ministry Plan will be our guide as we continue to move forward and "Together Build the Kingdom of God." Status updates will be added at the end of each calendar year so that everyone will know how we are achieving our mission and our ministry.
The plan has five areas of concentration: Leadership, Spirituality, Outreach, Finances, and Property. The plan cleary outlines goals, expectations, timeframes - and most importantly - responsibilites. The Vestry each year at its annual retreat will review where we are in relatonship to the plan and make adjustments as necessary. It is important that every member of the parish read the plan and realize that we can only continue to thrive and grow as a parish if all are involved.
Saint Paul Episcopal Church is an integral part of the Episcopal Diocese of Central PA, the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. Our mission is “Together Building the Kingdom of God.” We do this by feeding, nourishing, and sustaining the People of God in word and in sacrament, in prayer, in service, and in the bonds of friendship and affection based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will grow in spiritual development, in outreach ministry, and in the number of disciples as we pray, worship, learn, and grow together. We see Scripture as containing all that is necessary for salvation and as the Word of God. We see the great Traditions of our Church as important in understanding our past as well as a guide to our future. As Anglicans, we also see Reason – the great gift that was given to us by God – as a way to learn and understand how God speaks to us in Scripture and Tradition.
This Mission and Ministry Plan is divided into five sections: Leadership, Spirituality, Outreach, Finances, and Property
ST. PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
COLUMBIA, PA
MISSION & MINISTRY PLAN
2013 – 2017
MISSION: TOGETHER BUILDING THE KINGDOM OF GOD
On Sunday, November 11, 2007, the Vestry approved the first Five-Year Mission and Ministry Plan for Saint Paul’s. Over the last five years we have been guided by that plan as we carried out our Mission and Ministry. In anticipation of the end of that first Five-Year Mission and Ministry Plan, the Vestry formed a Mission and Ministry Committee in June 2011 to begin working on our second Five-Year Mission and Ministry Plan. Over the last 20 months this committee has been taking stock of where we are in building the Kingdom of God, imagining where we need to go, and developing a plan for getting there.
Our members tell us our greatest gifts are our people and the way we nurture one another spiritually. We also are a parish that reaches out to our larger community in many ways. We understand that being a Christian is defined by how we live in community. We pray together, break bread together, celebrate together, laugh together, and sometimes cry together. We support one another in our joys and struggles.
We are also a parish with challenges. In our area, many people claim to be spiritual and to have a church affiliation, but involvement in religion is declining. Our members live in challenging economic times – maintaining employment or living on a fixed income is difficult. The return on our investments are at historic lows. Our members often would like to leave financial details to someone else. Our dreams outpace our resources.
This picture is not a new one for our parish. We have had the same gifts and challenges for much of our existence. We have been a Christian community for over 160 years and we will continue into the future.
Living in a survival mode only leads to decline and death. Our future success depends on a decision to thrive. Such a decision involves two things most of us don’t like: risk and change. Abraham sought a city with foundations, yet God asked him to live in tents. As much as we like to stay in a comfortable place, God is always calling us forward.
In looking at our dreams and planning for our future, we have focused on five areas: leadership, spiritual growth, outreach, property, and finances.
LEADERSHIP
At Saint Paul Episcopal Church our goal is to encourage and raise up leaders of all ages.
§ We will identify and define our leadership potential
o Create a time/talent survey to determine what time and interests parishioners can offer to the parish. (Identify resources in the church community and those who might consider volunteering and taking on leadership roles.)
§ Review previous survey
· Response was around 20 people
§ Draft the survey
· Distribute at 3 services by greeters
· Place in mail boxes or mail
· Follow-up by phone or in-person for non-responders
§ Compile and organize results (investigate the best system)
§ Distribute information and ‘post’ results for parish usage
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee
§ Timeframe: October 2013
§ Review: Every 3 to 5 years
§ We will support our clergy by reducing the administrative duties he performs allowing him to focus on those parts of his ministry deemed important to him and the parish.
o Create a Verger Program to perform those tasks that make our worship run smoothly
§ Create a checklist for duties to be performed
· Responsibility: Rector
· Timeframe: February 2013
§ 8 person position (optimum goal)
§ Head Verger: responsible for training and support
§ Training session: late February 2013
§ Responsibility: Rector and Head Verger
§ Timeframe: March 2013
§ We will support and train those in leadership positions
o Define and document job descriptions for those in leadership roles
§ Request input from those with experience in each role
§ Templates may be available for use (check internet / parish job descriptions)
1. Part-time priest and Verger: complete in 2 to 3 months
2. Vestry Members, Sr. Warden, Jr. Warden, Secretary: complete in 5 to 6 months
3. Committee Chairs, Altar Guild and Acolytes: complete in 6 to 7 months
4. Convocation Representatives, Diocesan Convention Delegates, Lectors, Prayer Leaders, Eucharistic Ministers, Rim Parish Representatives: 8 to 9 months
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee
§ Timeframe: Start date April 2013; Completion dates see above
o Define and create a leadership training/mentoring program
§ Vestry orientation
· Currently done by Rector; will continue to be done by the Rector with at least two current Vestry members
§ Mentor program
· Results from time and talent surveys will identify possible mentors
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee
§ Timeframe: Fall of 2013 / early 2014
§ We will support Youth Leadership Programs
o Participate in Diocesan Youth Events
§ Volunteer needed for Youth Minister
§ Participate in youth events sponsored by Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
· Materials will be distributed to appropriate age groups by Youth Minister
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee; then transferred to Youth Minister
§ Timeframe: February 2013
o Participate in Rim Parishes Youth Events
§ Appoint at least one but hopefully two volunteers to be youth ministers
§ Participate in first event: Spring 2013
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee; then transferred to Youth Minister
§ Timeframe: Spring 2013
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Saint Paul Episcopal Church offers many opportunities to spend time in prayer and fellowship as we are “Together Building the Kingdom of God.”
§ We will provide opportunities to grow spiritually together
o In partnership with the Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee we will offer “Prayers of Healing”
§ First Sunday of each month; between the 8:00 am and 10:15 services
· Parishioners will be invited to the Holy Communion Chapel to receive “Prayers of Healing”
· “Prayers of Healing” will be offered by the Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee member(s)
§ Responsibility: Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee
§ Timeframe: March 2013
o Send personal note to active members weekly to “Join us Sunday so we can pray together.”
§ Names selected will be prayed for by the Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee member(s)
§ Responsibility: Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee
§ Timeframe: April 2013
o Begin Prayer partner program
§ Names will be placed in container and each member who would like to be involved will pull a name; it is that person’s responsibility to reach out to the church member they have selected
§ Congregation response will determine length of program, projected as on-going
§ Responsibility: Healing Ministry & Prayer Committee
§ Timeframe: April 2013
o We will investigate a lay person led Bible Study program
§ Determine interest level among congregation
§ Investigate parish owned programs and interest in revisiting past programs
§ Investigate new programs; costs
§ Invite Rim Parish participation
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee; then transferred to program group leader(s)
§ Timeframe: Fall 2013 and on-going
o We will continue to provide opportunities for Spiritual Growth
§ Sunday School
§ Vacation Bible School
§ Sunday “Adult Forum”
§ Monday “Adult Forum”
§ Rim Parish Wednesday Lenten Program
§ Responsibility: Rector, Director of Sunday School, program group leaders
§ Timeframe: On-going
§ We will look for opportunities to communicate outside our own church as we maintain and expand our partnership with the Rim Parishes through participation in the following programs
o Monday “Adult Forum”
o Interdenominational Prayer / Worship Services
o Rim Parish Wednesday Lenten Program
o Choir Festival
o Rim Parish Advent Program
o Responsibility: Rector and program group leaders
o Timeframe: On-going
OUTREACH
Our goal at Saint Paul Episcopal Church is to nourish and feed people, both spiritually and physically.
§ Free Community Dinner
o Free Community Dinner Coordinator position created
o First dinner held January 2013 – 88 dinners served / February 2013 - over 100 dinners served
o Dinners the 3rd Saturday of each month
§ Rotating menus
§ Recruit volunteers to assist with serving and preparation
o Explore funding options for future dinners
o Advertise with flyers placed in food bank bags, PR with local newspaper, word of mouth at the community breakfast
o Responsibility: Outreach Ministry Committee
o Timeframe: On-going
§ Long-term dinner goal: Expand into a soup kitchen to provide three dinners per week.
o Responsibility: Outreach Ministry Committee
o Timeframe: 2 – 3 years (2014 / 2015)
§ Evangelization: We will renew our efforts to share the Good News in Christ with those who are not currently part of our family and we will welcome our visitors and guests with radical hospitality.
o We will develop a consistent “brand identity” for the parish to include all electronic and hard copy materials
§ Responsibility: Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: June 2013
o We will review all current electronic and hard copy materials to update information and redo under new “brand identity.”
§ Responsibility: Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: August 2013
o We will evaluate various sources of communication both internal and external, e.g., diocesan web site, WGAL calendar, Lancaster 360, etc.
§ Responsibility: Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: April 2013
o We will create and implement an education program to instill in all members an awareness that all are responsible for evangelization.
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee, Rector, and Vestry
§ Timeframe: September 2013
o We will explore having an education program on Evangelization for both members and the community
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee, Rector, Vestry, Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: Fall 2014
o We will explore grants to fund our evangelization efforts
§ Responsibility: Grants Committee, Mission and Ministry Committee, and Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: July 2013 and ongoing
o We will recruit and train Greeters in order to provide a more consistent welcome to visitors and guests. This will include a new welcome package, welcome gift, personal contact, and personal follow-up, etc.
§ Responsibility: Senior Verger, Rector, Mission and Ministry Committee, and Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: August 2013
o We will develop a four-year plan of evangelization and begin implementation. This will include advertising, mailers, and other contact information. This plan will also include an annual evaluation of efforts to ensure effectiveness.
§ Responsibility: Mission and Ministry Committee, Rector, Publicity and Marketing Director
§ Timeframe: December 2013
§ Cultural Arts: We will supplement arts programs in public schools and provide at risk youth exposure to cultural arts at little to no cost.
o Fourth Friday
§ Emerging Artist Art Show
· Exhibit space: back of the church
· Work with property committee on specific needs
· Artists
o Contact local high school art teacher
o Contact other churches
§ Open-mic night
§ Liturgical dance / movement
§ Post events in bulletin, newsletter and Rim Parish Newsletter
· Contact Columbia Chamber of Commerce for promotion with Fourth Friday
§ Responsibility: Cultural Arts Committee
§ Timeframe: April 2013
o Art lessons for children
§ Class for preschool / young children
§ Classes located in the parish hall
§ Once or twice per month
§ Art supplies needed
§ Applications for grants
§ Responsibility: Cultural Arts Committee
§ Timeframe: Summer 2013
o Arts Center in basement
§ Work with property committee to evaluate needs for the space
· Heating, cooling, water, humidity control
· Separate entrance
· New stairs
· Property committee: contact code officer to survey space to determine code requirements
· Obtain bids (last bids were 3 years ago)
· Report findings
§ Research grant possibilities
§ Write grants
§ Responsibility: Cultural Arts Committee
§ Timeline: Begin February 2013
· Code officer, 1 – 3 months
· Contractors bids, 2 – 5 months
· Grant process 5 months to 1 1/2 years
· Construction begins, 2 – 4 years
· Open arts space 4 – 5 years
PROPERTY
At Saint Paul Episcopal Church we are committed to the good and proper use of our facilities. The Property Committee will coordinate with the Vestry and other committees to ensure we are using our building areas for maximum efficiency.
§ Reorganize the Property Committee punch list into 4 categories and prioritize within each category
o Preventative maintenance
§ Assign to Sexton or property committee member
§ Responsibility: Property Committee
§ Timeframe: June 2013
o Items which can be performed by a committee member or parishioner through available talents
§ Responsibility: Property Committee
§ Timeframe: December 2013 (after Time and Talent survey results have been compiled)
o Items beyond the capabilities of committee members or parishioners
§ Roof repairs, mortar repairs, HVAC etc.
o Look into sponsorships with Leland Slate, Lowe’s/Home Depot, Stevens Tech or other trade organizations
o Explore grant possibilities
o Responsibility: Property Committee
o Timeframe: Spring 2014
o “Wish List” items
§ Elevator, HVAC, other improvements,etc.
§ Prioritized for improvement to basement and second floor areas
o Consider partnerships with local agencies, day care centers, Head Start, performing arts, etc.
o Explore grant possibilities
§ Responsibility: Property Committee
§ Timeframe: 2015 / 2017
§ Incorporate the Garden Club into the Property Committee
o Allows for larger scale planned work days and additional volunteers
o Responsibility: Property Committee
o Timeframe: Spring 2013
§ Future needs/demands of the Property Committee will be generated through updates to the punch list from issues which arise and projects created from requests received from other committee endeavors
o Responsibility: Property Committee
o Timeframe: Review at least quarterly
§ For consideration of the Vestry/Rector
o Discussion: uses for the basement/second floor areas of the church that are acceptable and/or doable in conformance with our St. Paul’s Mission and Ministry Plan.
o Responsibility: Property Committee, Rector, and Vestry
o Timeframe: 2015 / 2017
FINANCE
At Saint Paul Episcopal Church our goal is to reach financial stability. We will use our resources to Build the Kingdom of God and thrive as a parish.
§ Work with the Stewardship Committee to help with their planning
o Education of members – What is tithing and sacrificial giving?
o Responsibility: Finance and Investment Committee and Stewardship Committee
o Timeframe: Fall 2013
§ We will explore new fundraising ideas
o A list of new fundraising ideas needs to be generated
o Responsibility: Finance and Investment Committee
o Timeframe: Fall 2013
§ We will keep members updated regularly on the church’s finances
o Posting in parish hall, bulletin, and newsletter
o Verbal reportskl and special need requests
o Responsibility: Finance and Investment Committee
o Timeframe: Quarterly and as needed
§ Explore possibility of sharing administrative duties with one or more of the Rim Parishes
o Responsibility: Finance and Investment Committee, Rector, Rectors of the Rim Parishes
o Timeframe: Fall 2013
Vestry Approval: _________March 10, 2013________________
______________Rev. J. Patrick Peters______________________________________
Rector’s Signature Printed Name Date
_____________Peter Ollar________________________________________________
Senior Warden’s Signature Printed Name Date
___________Evelyn Martin________________________________________________
Vestry Secretary’s Signature Printed Name Date
