Dear Congregation,
Grace and peace to you! Last Sunday we enjoyed a very tasty pre-Thanksgiving potluck with great fellowship after our Thanksgiving worship service. I pray that each of you had nice holiday focused on God’s blessings we’ve received as individuals and as a church.
This coming Sunday is Stewardship Sunday, when Pledge Cards received by members in the mail will be consecrated. I do want to be sure that you notice that each Pledge Card has two sides. On one side of the card you may make your financial commitment for the coming year. On the other side of the card you may make your Time and Talent Pledge, checking off your interest and availability to be involved in the various volunteer ministries of CCC. Both sides of the Pledge Card are equally important. Please take the time to prayerfully consider how you can share the gifts God has given you in the church community. You ALL have gifts!
After our potluck, Church Council members spent their afternoon together in a working retreat with Neal Watkins, Florida Conference Minister for Congregational Life. To my mind, it was a wonderful experience, as we collaborated on crafting a new Mission Statement and a new Vision Statement for CCC. With Neal’s leadership, and everyone’s thoughtful participation, after about four hours we arrived at consensus and the new Mission and Vision Statements were approved unanimously by Council They are shared with you below.
In the future all decisions to be made in the church around a variety of categories—finances, programs, outreach, advertising, etc. – will be evaluated by first asking the question, “Is this in line with the church’s Mission and Vision? Council and I feel very positive about the results of our work, and I hope you, too, are excited to see the outcome. To make our vision of the future a reality each one of you is necessary.
Remember, You are the Church! May God Bless each of you as you share what you have and who you are, believing in the future of Christ Congregational Church, UCC!
In Christ’s peace and love,
Pastor Candy
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