Stewards Minutes

SEEKERS CHURCH Stewards Minutes January 7, 2018 Present:

Stewards: Marjory Bankson, Peter Bankson, Kevin Barwick (angel), Ken Burton (moderator), Judy Lantz (notes), Dave Lloyd (worship), Brenda Seat, Keith Seat, Vincent Shepherd, Deborah Sokolove, Glen Yakushiji (angel), Michele Frome, Trish Nemore, Margreta Silverstone, Jacqie Wallen

Absent: Cynthia Dahlin, Sandra Miller, Joan Dodge

Visitor: Elizabeth Gelfield

Housekeeping: Stewards will meet on Sunday, February 11, at 5:00 pm at Seekers. Moderator: Deborah                                       Worship: Margreta Recorder: Peter                                               Angels: Dave & Trish Agenda: This meeting’s worship was led by Dave.  His theme was: “Seekers strive to be light in the world in 2018”.  After leading this exercise in a recent Stewards meeting, Dave compiled them into electronic form.  Thanks, Dave! (See Reflections for Epiphany attached.) Stewards 2018 Epiphany reflection Bokomosa update: Dave for Sharon Lloyd Plans are on schedule.  A challenge is finding unique persons to shadow and not repeat previous years.  Important: On Sunday the 21st, Leslie Smith wants Seekers to clear the Sanctuary quickly after worship.  She needs help setting up the Sanctuary for the mentoring program that will happen that afternoon. SLT report to Stewards: Dave, Brenda, Trish SLT members took turns discussing three journeys that Seekers pursued during 2017 – Inward, Outward, Community. The Inward activities included working with CC on worship, preaching, Trish’s peace & justice candle coordination, and silent retreats. The Outward journeys involved work around the Election/Inauguration, leading Stewards in deeply considering social justice issues, immigration, sanctuary movement, Boston Declaration signup, mentoring the Outreach Mission Group into existence, Takoma Street festival, Carroll Café. Community support provided for School for Christian Growth, Poetry night, Camp Pecometh, Children’s Team, Ecumenical Council, Wellspring/Dayspring, pastoral care, Eli brigade support for Jackie Mbabazi, 5-Wishes work by Cynthia. Brenda led a discussion “Visioning Seekers for 2017” (see attached).

• Seekers worked with the first 6 items on the list of 17 last year.The absence of activity on the remaining issues in not a failure but rather an indication that no one came forward with energy to pick them up.  If two or more people do have such energy, SLT stands at the ready to help as they are able.
• We need to be clear when we are putting down an activity. It’s a healthy response.  Voids still exist from putting down Koininia.
• If congregation reports ongoing care activities to SLT, it helps them know all members are getting their needs met.
• We are encouraged to voice concerns to SLT members during the year.
• Seekers not in mission groups – all Stewards are responsible to help pastor, not just SLT..

Issues: Dave Intergenerational work is growing more difficult for Seekers members.  Some new members are under 50 yrs. old but the average age is 64 yrs. Strive to meet our budget, including our energy. We don’t talk much about commitment to giving and need to wrestle with this more. Let’s work to shift anxiety to embracing joy. Issues: Trish Stewards are strongly encouraged to attend the School for Christian Growth.  It’s a prime time to find conversations and learn to know people better. She wants to see enrichment of Spiritual Companionship in Seekers.  A February class is coming led by Marjory & Peter. Our website has a brochure on Mission Groups (even though it’s presently out of print). Issues: Brenda This year she/SLT worked with several people not welcomed into mission groups.  The approach was about gentle but truthful ways to proceed.  Spiritual companionship was offered as an alternative.  It worked very well.   Support COS: Marjory & Keith What is the message that we want to convey?  The traditional Christian narrative may be losing its relevance in our culture.  It may not be translating to 35 yr. olds although they are interested in social justice.  They are also interested in less church hierarchy, a strength that COS can offer in being a lay led church. We need a proactive approach that redeems us from Evangelical Christians who have co-opted the  messages that Jesus taught.  The Boston Declaration is good in this way. COS has no staff or administrative structure now that Kayla has passed.  An encompassing COS is website is being considered.  It will be important for the wider CofS community to agree on the content.  It would include the 8 small church communities as well as Discipleship Year and Festival Center.  If we want the site to be successful as an outreach/informational tool, content would have to change virtually daily.  Once we agree on content, a skilled person could share that through various social media venues. It was suggested that a person (at least ½ time) with social media experience be hired for the website work.  We have one candidate so far but need to work out clear parameters. Two Stewards sharing: Margreta and Vince. Soul Talk concluded our meeting. Submitted January 14, 2018 by Judy Lantz