Seekers Church
October 4, 2015 Stewards Minutes
Present:
Stewards: Marjory Bankson (notes), Peter Bankson, Kevin Barwick (angel), Ken Burton, Pat Conover, Cynthia Dahlin, Judy Lantz (dinner angel), David Lloyd (worship), Sandra Miller, Brenda Seat, Keith Seat (moderator), Vincent Shepherd, Margreta Silverstone, Deborah Sokolove, Jacqie Wallen.
Absent: Michele Frome, Trish Nemore.
Guests: Larry Rawlings.
Housekeeping: Stewards will meet on Sunday, November 1, at 5:00pm at Seekers.
Moderator: Deborah Worship: Margreta
Notetaker: David Angels: Vince & Sandra
Worship: David read five Celtic poems, then we joined in saying the Stewards commitment statement.
School of Christian Living: Dave
In the Fall 6-week term, classes are currently being offered by Marjory Bankson (Gospel Parallels) and Brenda Seat (book discussion on “The Book of Strange New Things” by Michael Faber). In the second 6-week term, Dave will offer something on the Epistles, and Keith will do another round on “Difficult Conversations.”
Nothing is currently scheduled for the January short term.
In Feb-March, Jacqie will offer something on spiritual autobiography and in March-April, David Novello and Marcia Sprague will offer a class on “mindfulness.” Other biblical classes will be developed.
Dave noted the “thinness” of our teaching cohort at Seekers, and encouraged Stewards to consider teaching or partnering with newer people who might want to teach. He also affirmed partnering with others (e.g. current series on Centering Prayer, initiated by Bread of Life).
Budget Preparation: Marjory (for FOG)
Mission groups were asked to get their requests for next year’s budget in as soon as possible. All persons were urged to submit outstanding bills to Debbie Barwick, Seekers’ Treasurer, for payment in order to have accurate figures going into the budget season.
Current mission group expenditures:
Mission Group Budget Spent
Broken & Beloved $600 $222
Celebration Circle $1,000 $358
Eyes to See… $2,000 $375
Koinonia $1,500 $777
Learners & Teachers $1,000 $793
Living Water $600 $530
Mission Support $2,500 $400 … Growing Edge Fund
Time & Space $52,800 $37,767 … Building Operations
Ecumenical Council: Keith
The C of S office, staffed by Kayla McClurg, handles a steady stream of inquiries about C of S; places two interns from Duke in different C of S ministries, and guides visitors to different experiences of mission and worship.
The Council is also seeking a new secretary, since John Hassell has become interim chair of the Festival Center Board. This would be a non-voting position.
Recommitment Review: All
Kevin is holding recommitment as a question for himself, and Pat read a statement that he would commit as a Member, but would not recommit as a Steward. Everyone else indicated they would recommit as a Steward, including the absent members, Trish and Michele.
Pat left when we broke for dinner after this agenda item.
Outreach: Reports from each Mission Group
L&T: The School of Christian Living is our primary method of outreach. Balancing that with preparation for membership at Seekers is an ongoing tension. We are considering online classes, Saturday classes (for those who can’t drive at night) and renewing the “Third Sunday” gatherings.
CC: Our focus is spiritual nurture for this community, but as the “public face” of Seekers, we are working on broader inclusion of music.
LW: Because our call is to tend the inner life of Seekers, we do not focus on outreach.
T&S: We may be the most “outreachy” mission group. Cultivating a sense of community among users of the building is one effort. We suggest updating the brochure, and perhaps a packet for users about Seekers.
Koinonia: We currently offer quarterly luncheons as a way to invite newcomers (and old timers) to mingle and share the essence of Seekers.
Eyes to See: Eyes to See understands the roots of evangelism to be about listening and caring, and those are qualities that we as a mission group and as individuals feel is a basis for our calling in the world. As a mission group we listen to the joys and sorrows of the world, the nation, the wider community around us, and Seekers and pray about them, raising awareness of each other in the group as we each bring our individual knowings and observances to our time together. Some of our understandings come from the deep and meaningful networks that we have forged with New Story Leadership, the Muslim Women’s Coalition, our places of employment, and our other places of engagement.
We have as a mission group brought opportunities for enlarging Seekers’ view of what is unfolding in the world through our connections with outside individuals and groups when we felt that there was an opportunity for cross pollination of mutual benefit to all involved. Each of those experiences have brought people from outside the community of Seekers into contact with Seekers, not with a view of bringing in new members but with a view of strengthening connections, understanding, tolerance, justice, and spirit for all.
Our hope as we journey into the future is that our role as a mission group in these activities will be affirmed by Seekers, and will continue to be an avenue of outreach that we can offer to Seekers.
B&B: identified target groups as those looking for spiritual depth or a spiritual home. We wondered about making the worship more “seeker friendly,” and providing more relevant classes for younger people (e.g. how to have better relationships).
MSG: is looking for places to present our brochure. Judy suggested having a professional layout and production of the brochure.
Editing Group: Keith, Dave, Peter and Katie
Will look at the handouts, particularly our basic brochure, with an eye toward attracting newcomers.
Outreach II: Brenda
A developer has contacted Seekers about providing services for a nearby development, between Metro Station and Gable, where 80% will be affordable housing. This seems like a good opportunity for working with the developer on program and connections. If you are interested in representing Seekers, please contact Brenda for more details.
Two Stewards share: Jacqie and Marjory
Soul Talkconcluded our meeting.
