Leadership and Discipleship Boards Kick-Off with Retreat
The members of the new Leadership and Discipleship Boards held a retreat on Saturday, January 14, from 9 to 3 p.m. If you haven’t read it yet, January’s newsletter introduces the elected members of the two new Boards and the accompanying article explains our new Simplified Structure.
During our time on Saturday, we worshipped together, got to know one another better, spent time grounding our work in PUMC’s Mission, Vision, and Values, and, of course, took a DEEP dive into the new governance model. We all agreed a positive shift is afoot in how we lead and work together at PUMC a shift that will allow us to break down the silos that existed in our previous committee structure, engage MORE people in ministry, and let our Mission, Vision, and Values drive everything we do.
As the Leadership and Discipleship Boards spent time with their respective teams, we got down to work. The first priorities of the Leadership Board are to address our budget shortfall and finalize a budget for 2023, set priorities for 2023, and begin conversations and dream some big, God-sized goals for financial strength to support and grow into our Mission and Vision. The Discipleship Board is beginning to dream into a way of blending and growing programs that are in line with our Mission, Vision, and Values.
Here is some feedback from the participants at the end of the retreat: The work at the retreat was God-Driven. We are excited about the times and the work ahead. We are full of contagious joy. We need and want the help and participation of everyone in the congregation – we want the members of the congregation to share their skills. We are on a journey and the retreat was a first step. We know that 2023 will be a year of transition from the previous to the new way of governing. We all resonated with the Star Word “Shoshim” – we are beginners!
In the weeks and months ahead there will be many opportunities for you to learn more, engage with the Leadership and Discipleship Boards, and become involved in task forces and ministry teams. Now that you know WHO we are, please chat with any of us at coffee hour or reach out to any one of us. Exciting times are ahead!