Latest CAT update

186 assessments completed = 93% of our goal of 200

What a fantastic job so far and we still have two days to boost those numbers! The deadline to complete the CAT is tomorrow, November 30. This is our opportunity to help guide our church and community as we move into the future and begin our search for a senior pastor.

Thanks to all who have participated! Your time and commitment are much appreciated.

Bonnie

Holy Cow! We're moving up!

156 CAT responses to date = 78% of our goal of 200 surveys!

We can do it. I know there are 44 people -- and many more -- out there who are simply waiting for a quiet block of time to complete their assessment.

We have until Wednesday, November 30, to submit our surveys. Help us reach 100+%!

Thanks to those who have participated -- everyone's input is important and appreciated.

Need some help or have a question or comment? Please leave a comment below or contact any member of the Transition Team -- members' names can be found under the 'About the Blog' tab.

Thanks to all,

Bonnie

We're on our way

CAT count today: 120! Thanks to all who have helped us climb towards our goal of 200 completed surveys -- we've reached the 60% mark.

The malls open at 5am tomorrow and the big box retailers at midnight tonight ... but the CAT is open 24 hours a day for your convenience. A perfect interlude during halftime, or after the turkey feast and before tackling dessert today.

Our MC friend above is intently eyeing the finish line of 200 completed surveys by November 30. Let's follow his lead!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Count your blessings and NOT your calories!

Bonnie

The CAT's stats and more

273 Letters of Authentication mailed to Sylvania UCC families on November 12, 2011

424 family members eligible to participate in the CAT survey

85 completed surveys as of 5:30 pm November 19th -- Day 6

1 can caffeine-free diet Coke to write this blog post

Have you taken the CAT yet? For the 20 to 25 minutes of time required to complete the assessment, we believe this is the most important thing you can do for our church right now. Your input is critical to help us guide Sylvania UCC into the future.

All eligible family members in a household should respond to the survey individually and file (i.e. submit) it separately. (We're not the IRS ... no joint filing option available on this return!) Multiple surveys can be filled out and submitted from the same computer. Who's eligible? All members of your household who are over the age of 16 and capable of responding to questions and are active participants in the life and worship of the congregation. Parents of members under the age of 16 are to determine if their child is capable of responding to the questions.

Are you more comfortable with pen and paper, has your computer crashed or gone haywire, or would you just like to 'get it done' while at church? That's fine, we have the perfect solution for you -- paper copies are available on the table in the gathering area. You can complete the survey on site or take it home and mull it over at your leisure (until November 30th that is). Return the survey to the collection box and the data will be entered anonymously.

While your individual assessment is confidential, the collective story will be shared with the congregation over the next several months. Watch for more information about The CAT's Meow (tentative name/working title/comic relief for those who can't let go of the theme) to take place on January 22 in the afternoon in Wright Hall, an opportunity to learn about our findings and recommendations.

The survey will close November 30, and we suggest considering doing it now before the Turkey Tryptophan syndrome kicks into high gear.

If you are one of the 85 who has completed the survey, we offer you a huge thank you. Your time and effort are greatly appreciated.

Questions, comments, suggestions or concerns? Please contact any member of the Transition Team and share your thoughts. Members' names can be found under the 'About the Blog' tab.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bonnie

The CAT's out of the bag

and found its way to your computer! We hope you received a letter by now describing the CAT survey and explaining how to access it from a computer or, alternatively, to call the church office or pick up one in the gathering area at church. The survey is anonymous and paper copies may be placed in the covered drop box (with an air slot, as Luke points out, for the CAT to breathe) on the table in the gathering area.

Please take the time to fill out the assessment. It took me 25 minutes to complete ... and that included a quick refrigerator check for a snack break.

Your participation is very important and truly appreciated.

Questions, concerns or comments? Please leave a comment below, call or email anyone on the Transition Team -- members' names can be found under the 'About the Blog' tab.

Bonnie

Why an Assessment

Why are we conducting a church assessment? Why are we asking church members to carve out thirty minutes of their day to participate in a survey? What will we do with the results?

I think we've looked at those questions from the perspective of what we want the church to "look like" in the future, or what guidelines will help us determine the future direction of the church. Those concepts are exactly what the data from the evidence-based assessment are designed to provide us. And we look forward to the findings compiled from the (hundreds of ... right?) returned responses.

How about considering the assessment from a spiritual viewpoint? Russell Crabtree of Holy Cow! Consulting has written an insightful and thoughtful essay titled "Assessment as a Spiritual Journey: A Reflection" and has kindly given us permission to print copies to distribute for our own study and observations. Russell contemplates the merging of fact-driven results with a "robust spiritual practice including prayer, reflection, confession, study and worship."

Copies of "Assessment as a Spiritual Journey: A Reflection" are available in the gathering area of the church. Or you may request one to be sent via email to you -- leave a comment below (no need to disclose contact information; I'll find you if you're in the church directory) or call or email me (Bonnie Loeser -- I'm in the directory).

And please participate in the CAT this week! A letter describing the survey and explaining how to access it from your computer will be in your mailbox early in the week.

--Bonnie

Vision Team Update

The Vision Team has been charged with the responsibility for developing a working vision for the church as part of the search process. The statement will describe important qualities and characteristics that will define the church throughout the region over the next five years. Guiding the church in the creation and maintenance of programs to enhance those qualities and characteristics will be among the tasks for a new pastor.

We will not be writing the “Vision Statement” for the church. That will come later and require heavy participation by members of the congregation. A new pastor will be expected to contribute to that statement.

To date, we have been trying to identify those core values which underlie what we do here at Sylvania UCC church. We have summarized these core values in the following statement: The overarching value is that we are a Christian community open to all those interested in worshiping God, growing in their faith, caring
for one another, and using their skills and talents to serve the church community and the community at large. We do all that we can to maintain and enhance that community by recognizing and valuing diversity, welcoming others who wish to join us on this spiritual and service journey, and by loving and caring for one another, our community and the planet.

We welcome input. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with any member of
the Vision Team. Those members are: Lynn Adkins, Pete Hildebrandt, Eric Klinger, Kerry McMurray, Jenni Miller, John Miller, Nancy Settles, Les Schultz, and Al Palmer.

-- Written and contributed by Al Palmer

Here comes the CAT

We'll be rolling out the CAT (Church Assessment Tool) survey in the next couple of weeks. You've heard talk about this 'thing' over the past month or so, and now is your chance to experience it and actively participate in our time of discernment. This tool will provide a clearer picture of who we are as a church and what directions might be important for our future.

Look for a letter in your mailbox soon describing the survey and with instructions on how to access it from a computer to respond electronically. We will also have hard copies of the CAT available at church as another option to take the assessment.

Questions? Please ask!