Guiding Concepts – Priority Exercise

Ø      We will continue to develop our sense of “community” by working together as a parish-wide family.

Ø      We will master plan for the programming and physical needs of the extended community.

Ø      We will consider the worship support needs of all liturgical ministers.

Ø      We will strive to improve our worship space to allow us and the liturgy to be embraced and shaped by the worship itself.

We will continue to develop our sense of “community” by working together as a parish-wide family.

            Questions and considerations (in no particular order):

• Pro-active change that does not disenfranchise the current community
• Program focus on who is here and who we are TODAY
• Find ways to accept and be happy with who we are instead of mourning what we’ve been.  Take away this stress and tension.
• Name our strengths and focus on them
• Redefining “success”
• Learn our basic beliefs and apply them
• Self catechize
• What would happen if we combined masses instead of having masses of convenience?
• Should we design for the ideal or the real?  Does that mean we downsize?
• Reconnect to those no longer here; listen to them without ‘fixing’ their needs or response
• Form a community for the 20/30s, especially the ‘college students’
• Provide other opportunities to ‘plug in’
• Ownership and emotional link with the rest of the congregation (and OTHERS)
• In-reach – community “calling” program

We will master plan for the programming and physical needs of the extended community here or at a different location. (in no particular order)

• Youth – youth ministry
• Christian ministry center
• Foster care outreach/ministry
• A break room; a soft/ play space
• A clear prioritized plan
• Short term, mid-range, and long term goals and objectives
• Any additional space needs to work in harmony with the current plant
• Talk about a different parish house/offices/classrooms or a different campus entirely
• More social offerings
• More shared offerings
• Youth in-reach/outreach initiatives; a sense of purpose, caring for others

We will consider the worship support needs of all liturgical ministers. (in no particular order)

• Gathering place
• Entrance Modification / enhancements
• Restrooms
• Accessibility

We will strive to improve our worship space to allow us and the liturgy to be embraced and shaped by the worship itself. (in no particular order)

• Barrier free worship
• Design for the ordinary and accommodate the exception
• Have a more flexible nave space – congregational seating
• Bring the Eucharistic Table closer to the assembly without losing the current feeling or losing the altar rail
• Baptismal font is ‘removed from the midst of the people
• Eucharist served on the same level as the nave
• Improve the music space
• Great acoustics
• Eliminate entry through the sacristy
• Consider the path of the casket at the funeral liturgy
• Better brighter lighting
• Assisted listening devices
• Repair, enhance, possibly change the windows
• Vessel for fire