News

NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP SHAPE OUR WORSHIP EXPERIENCE

How would you like to help shape our weekly worship here at Immanuel? We are offering two ways for individuals to take part the weekly planning of our worship services. For those who enjoy meeting together in a small group setting, we will host a worship planning group Wednesdays each week, from 5:30-6 PM. Those who are a part of this group would focus together on the overall theme for each Sunday and then help with the selection of music (hymns and songs), as well as look at other parts of the weekly services such as prayers, litanies, dramas etc. Members of this planning group would only be expected to focus on one Sunday at a time; and therefore the meetings would last for just about ˝ an hour each week.

However, if weekly meetings aren’t your thing, you will also be able to provide input through a new online forum called “Worship Brainstorming.” The way in which this will work will be that at the start of each week, a description of the overall theme related to the Sunday that is being planned will be posted, along with a link to the scripture texts. Anyone who is interested can join the forum and participate in the online discussion. A link to the forum will be located on Immanuel’s web page, along with instructions on how to join. Then, on Wednesday afternoon of each week, a copy of all the postings for that Sunday will be printed out for those participating in the weekly planning meeting.

President's Report

The council had a planning workshop on January 30 to set goals and priorities for 2010. The major priorities are:

1. Support the pastoral transition process- Call Committee has lead with Pastoral Welcoming Team to follow.
2. Develop a more contemporary worship service for 11:00 service – Pastor Deames has lead
       a. To attract members from the community
       b. May need to hire a Music Director
3. Expand the Small Group program
4. Evaluate actions to ensure financial stability
5. Perform Mutual Ministry Team tasks – VP of council has lead
6. Improve recruitment of volunteers – Vision Committee has lead
       a. Specific tasks versus year long assignments
       b. Better define committee charters
       c. Maybe Committees only need to meet every other month
7. Improve parent & youth commitment to youth activities – Pastor & Youth Director have the lead

On Sunday, February 7, a Congregational Conversation was held with the theme the “State of Immanuel” message. We reviewed the highlights from 2009, the financial trends, the Call Committee status and the plans and challenges for 2010. If you were not able to attend, there are copies of the charts on the counter in the congregational center or contact me and I’ll email the charts to you.

How did we start 2010 financially?
Ministry Fund – Expenses for January were $282 less than our income (giving). Our expenses for January were under budget so that is a good start for the year.
Building Fund - Loan payments for January were $1,970 more than our building fund income (giving). We are in the process of refinancing our $190,000 bridge loan which is due at the end of February.


Lee Wolken
Council President

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