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III. Educational Life V. Outreach VI. Stewardship VII. People VII. Summary |
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I. Ministry of Laity Our lay ministry is currently expressed through both established structures and individual expression. Parishioners feel it is important that individual lay expressions be developed for use in all aspects of life, not just within the parish family. Small group interest is currently strong for both spiritual study and fellowship events, with some saying we need more spiritual guidance in the future. Most deem it important to focus our leadership in the future at the vestry and clergy level, as it appears to be presently. [back to top] II. Liturgical/Spiritual Life Overwhelmingly the parish believes our services currently to be conservative and traditional and voted to move toward more innovative and contemporary in the future but maintain some conservative and traditional aspects. Also, at present, the congregation is very much led by the clergy, with most people wanting activity at all levels for the future. This explains the positive response in the "Interest Groups." The focus on the Eucharist was deemed to be very important now and looking ahead. The individual responsibility for our spiritual life was acknowledged by most at this time but a high percentage encourages regular training in their spiritual lives. [back to top] III. Educational Life Generally speaking, education programs are thought to be lacking at the present time. For the future the parish hopes that programs involving children and all other ages can be implemented. It is hoped that we can encourage young people and new families to join our parish. Members would like to see educational programs held any day of the week, not just on Sundays. They want more Bible studies and definitely want emphasis to be on more contemporary issues. Also, there is increasing interest on learning more about Episcopal traditions and even more so on commitment to God and his people. [back to top] IV. Evangelism and Renewal In this category, the parish felt that at the present time we have almost no active program for obtaining new members. However, it is a very high priority to have such a program for the future. The response to renewal movements was minimal, indicating a lack of understanding. Our parishioners place a high value on their own contact and help to others both now and for the future. They willingly would depend less on clergy to do this in the future. [back to top] V. Outreach While our parish feels involved with the diocese at a moderate level, they do feel self-sufficient presently. For the future they indicate willingness to reduce the formality of the relationship. Members feel very strong about community ties in offering the use of our building, both now and in the future. Virtually no one advocates isolation from the community. They are also equally strong about supporting missions beyond our own needs and working comfortably with other denominations and other Episcopalians. [back to top] VI. Stewardship The study showed that members believe that their leaders should teach stewardship and want it to continue that way. A fair number indicated that leaders should also rely on individuals to be creative in their own forms of stewardship. Almost all think there is a wide range of pledges and that we rely on our newly acquired endowment. But for the future, most want to rely on pledged income and not on the endowment. A large percentage believes that the talents of many of the laity are being used and that it should remain that way. Our budget and pledges have been increasing in the last five years, but the problem is the number of pledging units that has been declining. [back to top] VII. People Most of the parish thinks we have many kinds of people representing a cross section of the community. We draw from a large surrounding area. The challenge is that we are old in average age and have very few young couples with children. The parish is split on whether the community has changed demographically or has remained stable over the past ten years. Actually, it is a growing entity and we want to grow with it. A large number feel we are committed to our goals and want someone to lead us in that direction. [back to top]
A summary of our main objectives for the future include:
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| 39 South Pelham Street (mail to P.O. Box 771) Rhinelander, WI 54501 Fr. Dean Einerson, rector Office: 715-362-3184 Rectory: 715-362-1868 |
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