SCV Priorities, 2013

St. Croix Vineyard, Peter FitchSunday, March 3, 2013

Managed quite a few of Last year’s dreams

• Teaching on conflict resolution• Continued priority on youth and

intergenerational events• SPACE & other contemplative options (Kickstart)• Community garden• Welcome Guide & Card• Kitchen• Café chairs

Ideas from Survey for 2013

• Build up internal identity as church family (many sub-groups)• More opportunities for prayer ministry• More focus on children

Ideas from prayer

• Beehive . . . (many tasks by different people; some in, some out)

• Not quite ready for prime-time . . . (rope holding ship to dock, brake on dog sled)

• Baseball . . . (hit a homerun in kindness, in welcoming people, in welcoming God, and in explaining to others what we do, and God will be pleased)

Ideas from peter & walter

Four stage theory of Christian growth– Not-caring– Rules-based– Breaking-out– Embracing mystery

Problems with this model– Arrogance– Elitism– No sure place to stand

Better Way

Perhaps these do correspond with our developmental phases, but really they represent needs that all of us have at all stages of life– Belonging– Commitment & guidance– Space for questions & doubt– Opportunities for contemplation and growth in

healthy forms of mystical experience

Ideas from isaiah 62:10-12 (Message)

Walk out of the gates. Get going! Get the road ready for the people.Build the highway. Get at it! Clear the debris, hoist high a flag, a signal to all peoples!Yes! God has broadcast to all the world: “Tell daughter Zion, ‘Look! Your Savior comes,Ready to do what he said he’d do, prepared to complete what he promised.’”Zion will be called new names: Holy People, God-Redeemed, Sought-Out, City-Not-Forsaken.

Internal & external Challenges

• Build up internal identity, make space for more prayer, grow work with kids

• Offer experiences & opportunities of belonging, commitment & guidance, and give room for questions, doubts, contemplation and mysticism

• Externally, make roads into local life by doing things that people will love (think more about this but do a couple of events through year)

And a few practical matters

• Sign for Vineyard Community Centre• Finish kitchen & bathrooms• Fix windows