October 2019
As September draws to a close, I find myself very busy. Part of this is due to Church activities as the after-summer season ramps up. Part of this is squeezing in outdoor fun and travel while the weather is still warm and the fall colors are in display.
We had a very successful Rally Sunday and Open House in early September – kudos to the Board of Christian Fellowship and Education for their great work in organizing and hosting the event. It was nice to see our wonderful Chancel Choir back in full force. And once again the ice cream cart and bounce house were big hits.
I have mentioned our Structure & Governance task team which is looking at our board / committee structure and the way we govern our Church, with a view to streamlining both. The team has a draft of a future model for North Church. This was shared with Executive Council, who offered suggestions. We also shared this draft during our orientation session with the new board and committee members. The model is still in draft form and is being updated as we receive comments and suggestions; we will be sharing it with the full Congregation for input after a bit more development. The team’s objective is to make recommendations to Council later in the fall and, pending Council’s approval, present to the Congregation for consideration and approval at our February business meeting.
With Council’s approval we are also about to launch another task team. This team will be looking at the future of the Church. Today we are in a solid financial condition, but our membership has been declining. We have a wonderful Congregation, a wonderful building and facility, and a wonderful Church family. This ‘futures’ task team will consider two questions: What steps can we take to change the trend and grow membership? And, under different membership scenarios, what are prudent steps to take to ensure the long term financial health of the Church? As with our Structure & Governance Task Team, the result of this group’s work will be a series of recommendations to Executive Council.
I hope you are all enjoying the fall. It is one of my favorite times of the year. May nature’s beauty this time of the year and its reflection of God’s grace touch us all.
Kevin Gromley
As September draws to a close, I find myself very busy. Part of this is due to Church activities as the after-summer season ramps up. Part of this is squeezing in outdoor fun and travel while the weather is still warm and the fall colors are in display.
We had a very successful Rally Sunday and Open House in early September – kudos to the Board of Christian Fellowship and Education for their great work in organizing and hosting the event. It was nice to see our wonderful Chancel Choir back in full force. And once again the ice cream cart and bounce house were big hits.
I have mentioned our Structure & Governance task team which is looking at our board / committee structure and the way we govern our Church, with a view to streamlining both. The team has a draft of a future model for North Church. This was shared with Executive Council, who offered suggestions. We also shared this draft during our orientation session with the new board and committee members. The model is still in draft form and is being updated as we receive comments and suggestions; we will be sharing it with the full Congregation for input after a bit more development. The team’s objective is to make recommendations to Council later in the fall and, pending Council’s approval, present to the Congregation for consideration and approval at our February business meeting.
With Council’s approval we are also about to launch another task team. This team will be looking at the future of the Church. Today we are in a solid financial condition, but our membership has been declining. We have a wonderful Congregation, a wonderful building and facility, and a wonderful Church family. This ‘futures’ task team will consider two questions: What steps can we take to change the trend and grow membership? And, under different membership scenarios, what are prudent steps to take to ensure the long term financial health of the Church? As with our Structure & Governance Task Team, the result of this group’s work will be a series of recommendations to Executive Council.
I hope you are all enjoying the fall. It is one of my favorite times of the year. May nature’s beauty this time of the year and its reflection of God’s grace touch us all.
Kevin Gromley