The meeting began with Halldor, the pastor at COR, explaining that in May 2019, the church decided to hold in escrow the apportionments for the East Ohio Conference of the UMC, until the General Conference of UMC would meet to re-discuss LGBTQ+ issues. The General Conference has now been delayed few times and our escrow account has grown. The current date for the General Conference is in April 2024. The money on the escrow account is not accessible for the ministry of COR. A question was asked about the conservative arm of the methodist church.
Mary Ann Kerr introduced the work of the vision team, starting with a request for someone to take over as the chair of the vision committee. She promised that the committee was a lot of fun.
Mary Ann introduced the committee’s assessment of the state of the church. She talked about the church as a church that welcomes everyone, no exceptions. The church is financially secure for 3-5 years. The staff is great. The mission committee is accomplishing way above a church COR’s size. Attendance is stable, between the pews and zoom. There are active groups in the church and active committees. The church picnic was a success.
The church is feeling its age, and the congregation is feeling their age. The building is a drain on finances and human resources. The work of the trustees is crucial in keeping the building standing.
Based on earlier assessment, moving out of the building is not an option. The congregation is attached to the building, and churches that move out of their building lose members.
Carolyn Cacho Bowman wondered how to engage people that think COR is valuable but might not attend on Sundays. How we can serve them intentionally, reach out to them, so they feel our love and our support. She also talked about the balance between people in the pews and people on Zoom. She asked if coffee hour could be a way to bring more people back in the pews?
Jane Finley asked important and challenging questions about the church’s future. How can we keep all ideas on the table. She was concerned that there might be only 3-5 years left. Jane brought up important “What if” questions.
- What if we didn’t have such an aging building that takes so much time and resources? What could we do without the building?
- What if we had more people here in person? How can we grow? Are there other small congregations we could collaborate with?
- What if we could use the space in a more creative way? By partnering with others? By selling it and renting it back?
- What if we did move? What would that look like? What would it feel like?
- What are the feelings we have about the church? Where is the energy?
From Zoom: Kate Klaber was thankful Mary Ann’s positivity about the future. Charlie asked about a digital guest book to track those that think we are valuable but are perhaps not attending on Sundays.
Cynthia Larsen mentioned the constant changes of pastors at COR. She asked if it was possible to retain staff, and wondered if that is in the church’s hands. Halldor addressed the UMC process, and mentioned that not many pastors are looking for a long term, part time position. Halldor also brought up that he needs a part-time position for a long term, and is not planning to go anywhere, and the district superintendent agrees with that. Halldor said he plans to stay until the members of COR tell him to leave. Shanelle stood up and explained that she is not going anywhere.
Mary Ann Kerr reminded us that we have a special church of social justice, peace, and inclusion, and we need to work hard to keep the mission going.
Halldor mentioned that in the spring, we will invite people from outside to speak during service on different ways of being and doing church. Steve Hopewell reminded us of the important work done in the preschool, as a gift and as a service to us.
Jim Finley asked that we continue the conversation sooner than later, so there will be some follow up. Vicki recommends that we take the conversation up in February.