Visioning Consultations, 24 November / 01 December 2002 Raw Data Report
- as the pace starts to pick-up maybe we should have more frequent
congregational meetings, every 3 or 4 months perhaps
- before we decide it would be good to have architect's drawings
- we've been to St. Matthews and other larger churches, it's given us some good ideas.
- we are not unified yet
- we need to work as one parish
- we have made the first steps
- do it and get it Done!
- is it a church or a facility! Which comes first!
- it's very overwhelming. I just stay away from it.
- it's going to be a money thing in the end. Where's it coming from?
-the largest stumbling block to unity is the selfish - the "mine" and
"yours" mentality.
- facilities - are we going to be able to reuse things
- music should be more lively and upbeat and more of the old traditional hymns
We have "talked the talk". Let's begin to "walk the walk".
Don't loose focus.
Don't be too conservative.
Long range plans
- youth to be involved in developmental process of this project
- why was age 16 defined as the youth age to be part of this meeting?
- need to know what youth want
- that this building project (physical) not be too grandiose.
- this meeting is not specific enough. Should be discussing location, finances, etc.
- Location is big issue.
- need to attract younger generation
- need to move now time is of the essence, our resources are being depleted
- need transportation for elderly / shut-ins
- "Keep up the good work" - keep up the innovative part - got to keep the young
people
- "innovative" probably most important part
- stick close to mission words and wishes of consulted Anglican community
- word "unified" really important - bring all parishes together. Stick with
combined services to build our community until we have a unified financial situation -
have to devise a method to find out exactly how we can finance the vision
- we have one method - by pledging
how do we get people to honor pledge?
- Start liquidate
- youth program, youth pastor
- we need more than one [clergy], a youth based pastor and a second pastor
- facilities for youth. Facilities where they could go for all their activities, a
community base facility
- hold a weekend with youth to get their ideas to contribute to the Steering Group
- have a van to pick up people for church, would need it wheel chair accessible
- make a facility that could accommodate community activities
- design should accommodate that sort of activity
Don't give up
Keep the faith
good work so far
Community services are good
Don't rush - do it right
Don't dilly-dally - but legal aspects will take some time
When the building is ready, I think the people will come.
Are we going to get another vote and when?
- How are the elderly going to get to church?
- Some didn't understand what they were voting for in the first vote
Not enough time to discuss
Travel is a BIG issue. We will lose people if this is not dealt with.
- Keep on trying. Keep on truckin!
- Where they are going to put the new church is very important. If the land is in Grand
Bay it will be hard to get the people from here to go. We must keep the church as central
as possible.
- More meetings that have open discussion - not table talks
- Make sure everyone is always informed about what is happening - within groups,
communities, congregations
- Keep on going - don't lose faith
- Hard to understand the Mission Statement in such a short time
- Need more time to study it
- Winter driving is difficult or impossible for many - isolation
- Distance makes driving expensive
- Long family tradition - fathers built their church- Hard to think of leaving
- "growing Anglican church" - we need to be a united church to grow, now we are
shrinking
- The traditional way is wonderful, but will it maintain the church
-"Do whatever is necessary to keep going"
- "Carry on" Get busy
- "We will have to get money
- Traditional versus innovative things: Innovative may attract youth who will carry on
- Look to the future and hold traditions
Amalgamation will be much better for everyone
What about a combined church facility / rectory (one building)
- Come back and tell them what's going on
- Get back to the roots of the people
- The wheels are in motion and whether it's six months or six years, something is going to
happen anyway
- At least listen to the congregates, especially in Greenwich
- Steering Group needs to listen more to those not in favour to promote healing, whether
for or against everyone has closure
- - The joining of finances seems to make better sense than four small
pots
- Constantly work at build, build, building the next 10 years - a joint parish shouldn't
be a band-aid solution
- Look at grief process and the reality of where "central" is (geographically)
Save for next discussion:
This is really fast process
instead of closing gradually, close all at once so no one feels they
have to close church
rent centrum building for a year
- Keep up the good work!
- Great job but hurry up!
- Doing a great job!
- What happens if one of the parishes opt out (ie. Geographical center of the 4 parishes)?
- We need a youth program with a youth room, couches, TV, video, etc.
- We need a youth minister
- We need a youth group like the Wesleyan Church!
- Next meeting we want to see the architect's drawings
- Creation of new facility is paramount
- Get the people together before the new building is built
- Where money is coming from is a concern
- Needs of people at far ends of parish have to be addressed and innovation is necessary
- Unification is the key, perhaps time to close all the churches and meet in one place
- Steering committee needs to be open with the members of all the parishes
- Slow down there's a feeling everything is being rushed
- Meetings like this are good, in order to keep people up to ate, and to hear our views
- Realistically, we all need to be on the same page, in order to accomplish any of our
dreams or ideals, be aware of what people want
- Money is major concern, where will it all come from - people are on limited means, may
not be able to give more
- Think steering group is working hard
- Recognize that they have had many delays and covered much ground, taking up much time
- Mission statement says it all
- A vote of confidence to the steering group
- 3-5 minimum acreage - is that enough for us?
- Glebe land - too rocky? "Build your house on the rock"
- Will any churches be closed during the winter months?
- I know committees are working as fast as they can - glad they are taking things
cautiously
- We are wondering about the time frame we are looking at - if we are too slow, will
people begin to drift away?
- I'm older, I want to know where I'm going to worship
- Very glad to hear this report. Thank you to the committees.