The Newsette

A semi-monthly publication of the life of our church.

Download the current Newsette in Adobe pdf format.

Pastor's Pen

Sisters and Brothers,
I wrote a while ago about taking a sabbatical. It sounded like something so far removed. Now it is only a month away. I have been so intent on getting ready, it has not framed up to much of anything yet. I still have the themes Service Solitude, Self-Care dancing in my head. I have some dates on the calendar and some
intentions. Gary and I will be working one week at the
Yakama Mission. We look forward to reporting that experience to enlighten you to what’s happening there. We have some weddings and a baptism that will take us out of town. We even have a significant high school reunion to attend. The calendar is filling. I am beginning to covet the time in order to be spiritually renewed.

During these three months you will be guided by Rod Smith, one of your own ministers. We will be meeting soon to go over the details of where things are and what we anticipate. Rod has a whole series of sermons already in the developmental stage. The elders will be assuming more leadership and many of the church leaders will be doing their part to see that things flow in a rhythm that is usual for summer. Renae is already making lists of things to get done—) thank you God for her insights) as April becomes May. Don Payne, (another one of your ministers), and I have planned some Adult Summer Classes to keep you focused on Scripture and Conversation about the Church. Please plan to attend those summer classes which will be facilitated by different people. It is my expectation that the congregation will carry on as usual in terms of attendance, giving, caring, communication and decision-making. Your continued involvement and prayers will keep essentials going well.

As with all best-laid plans, there will undoubtedly be some gaps in the regular flow of things and the need for graciousness in our community. What I contribute to the cause of FCC Bremerton will most likely become clearer in my absence. We may all learn from this for the future. It will probably help everyone discover new strengths and gifts as you put them to use. Please care for the Body as well as each of yourselves individually. “We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.” (Ephesians 4:16, The Message) You are in good hands, Debbie

Current Focus

Building Remodel/Sanctuary Refurbish

We have finished Phase I of the bathroom remodel and are gearing up to remodel the sanctuary. The congregation recently voted "YES" which means we will begin the project this month or early June. We will report our progress to you. Stay tuned...

With the closing of Phase I, we hope to gather a team of people to look at and discuss the future for Phase II of our remodel. Thank you for tagging along with us during this process.

JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY
Where are we?
Phase 3 - Coming Close to Completion

GUIDING VISION DISCUSSIONS

You have given important input to the Vision Panel to craft the Guiding Vision from the draft offered in discussion. Thank you for your involvement in this
important process.

CRAFT A MISSIONAL STRATEGY
TO GUIDE THE CHURCH INTO THE FUTURE

From the Guiding Vision, we will ask Board Members, Elders and Interested Leaders to begin to attend Mission Key Result Areas and Goals, Key Participant Groups to move the process: reaching, engaging, evangelizing, teaching while supporting core beliefs and
commitments. This will take place in two ½ day sessions or a series of evening meetings.

Next: We will hold a CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE to interact with the new missional strategy. This conference will generate alternative scenarios depicting the elements of a faithful future that moves the local church towards its Guiding Vision as a missional community, its Role and Mission, its Key Result Areas and Goals. These scenarios are carefully analyzed and utilized to help in the choice of a new direction for the congregation as a whole. We are moving in God’s good time, hopefully to hold our CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE in the Fall season.

Phase Four and Five are yet to be entered. Phase Four will enlist a Design Team to work with the Journey Team to draft some policies and actions the congregation will take to move towards our new future. We will
consider: our formation; our common life expressed as Christian faith; how to develop and allocate our resources and how we shall design our structure. Now you understand the wisdom of our board, as we await what God is doing in our midst. By this phase the Spirit will be full blown and there will be excitement and spiritual vitality and openness to the future. It may be akin to the entrance into the promised land.

Phase Five will include the new ways of thinking and behaving, including the new way of forming our life and witness. A transition plan will be developed to hold the congregation phase from its institutional model to a newly formulated vision plan. Likely as we complete this phase God will be stirring us once again to see yet another new creation that can only take place as we turn our hearts towards God. I know that you sometimes get discouraged. I do too. But I know that we are where we need to be. I trust with all my heart that this is what God called me to do in our ministry together. You are a determined people. You have a heart to serve and a perseverant and faithful spirit. Please pray for our Journey Team. Please pray for our church as we seek to find God’s call to mission.

In Trust and Perseverant Faith, Pastor Debbie