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Preliminary Readout November, 2009. Imagination Sessions. Imagine:. Who do we want to be? What do we want to do? What do we need to do it?.
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Preliminary Readout November, 2009 Imagination Sessions
Imagine: • Who do we want to be? • What do we want to do? • What do we need to do it? • In order to get input into the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship’s next five year plan,members were invited to participate in one of four strategic planning sessionswhich were held over three days to discuss: • What have been the blessings of your involvement with our Fellowship? • What might make your relationship with us more fulfilling? • How do we want to help deepen and grow what we offer in ourshared ministries of worship, religious education, social justice,pastoral care, leadership development, stewardship and community fun?
Who Participated? • 150 People attended • 139 Filled out demographic survey • 120 Members, 19 non-members • 40 Current religious education (RE) parents • 99 Non-RE parents • Self-identified: • 115 Heterosexuals • 19 Unidentified • 3 Gay • 2 Bisexual Continued…
Who Participated? …Continued • 89 Females • 30’s – 9 • 40’s – 26 • 50’s – 19 • 60+ - 26 • No Response - 9 • 50 Males • 20’s – 3 • 40’s – 9 • 50’s – 12 • 60 + - 26 Continued…
Who Participated? …Continued • Years of Attendance • <= 1 year – 9 • 1-3 years – 20 • 3-5 years – 20 • 5-10 years – 16 • 10-20 years – 32 • 20+ years – 40
“I’m proud that embracing a variety of theology/spirituality, without having to name them, brings people together.” • “I’m sorry that when I teach, I feel less a part of the congregation.” • “I’m blessed with a spiritual home for me & my children.” • “I’m sorry we have so many conversations about language.” • “I’m proud of an atmosphere that supports spiritual growth without dogma.” • “I’m blessed with being able to examine my own thoughts about religion & to share my doubts and reservations without risking rejection.” Spiritual Growth and Exploration
“We’re proud that this is one place in society where we can have honest conversations with children, youth and adults about human sexuality.” • “I’m sorry we don’t have a Youth Director.” • “I feel blessed that I’m not solely responsible for my daughter’s spiritual upbringing: it takes a village.” • “We feel blessed to have our men’s group, women’s group, OWL, covenant circles and Getting to know UU.” Life Span Religious Education
“I’m proud of the role our building plays in the community for other organizations.” • “I’m sorry we’re not more well known regarding what we offer as a spiritual community.” • “I’m proud of our minister and her work in the community.” • “I’m sorry we’re physically disconnected from the Morristown community.” • “ I am proud of 20+ years of Habitat involvement” • “ I am proud we value social justice so much that we give on half of our collection” • “I am proud of our Green Earth Ministry and Seeds of Peace” Sharing Our Values in the Community
“I’m sorry we don’t pledge money for what this congregation is worth.” • “I’m proud of our last five year financial plan that allowed us to expand staff.” • “I feel blessed to have Alison as our Minister, Karen as our DRE and Jim as our Music Director.” • “I’m proud of those who went before and brought us to where we are” Leadership and Stewardship
“I’m proud of the beauty of the building and the grounds.” • “I’m sorry that we can’t keep up with building maintenance needs and that so much of our energy and resources are directed toward building issues.” • “I envision a place to play/meditate which is welcoming and accessible.” • “I’m sorry that we have run out of classroom space for R.E.” • “I envision the sanctuary as a place of awe, space and light.” • “I’m sorry the building doesn’t help achieve our mission.” Facilities
“A feeling of freedom…I can be myself.” (blessing) • “I’m sorry for the division between youth and adults in our community.” • “I feel blessed to be part of an accepting, loving community.” • “MUF is a safe place to cry.” • “We are blessed with lots of ways to get involved – social action, teaching RE, fun.” • “I wish we were more diverse.” • “I feel blessed to be part of such a like-minded community.” Community, Caring, Connection
Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We?
Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Life Span Religious Education
Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Life Span Religious Education Sharing Our Values in the Community
Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Life Span Religious Education Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Facilities Life Span Religious Education Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Community, Caring, Connection Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Facilities Life Span Religious Education Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Community, Caring, Connection Spiritual Growth and Exploration MUF:Who Are We? Facilities Life Span Religious Education Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Imagination Sessions Questions • What Blessings Have You Received From MUF? • What Are Your Predictions for MUF 5 Years From Now If NOTHING CHANGES? • What Are You Proud Of At or About MUF? • What Are You Sorry About At MUF?
Community, Caring, Connection Spiritual Growth and Exploration 134 184 What are our Blessings? 55 Life Span Religious Education 19 Facilities 22 30 Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Blessings Breakdown • Community, Caring, Connection - 183 • Connections – 99 • Diversity, Inclusivity – 56 • Membership – 17 • Pastoral Care – 11 • Facilities - 19 • Grounds – 10 • Location – 4 • Space - 5
Blessings Breakdown (cont.) • Leadership and Stewardship - 22 • Leadership and Volunteers – 9 • Organizational Structure and Policies – 3 • Professional Staff – 10 • Life Span RE - 55 • Adult RE and Programs – 13 • Children’s RE and Programs – 37 • OWL - 5
Blessings Breakdown (concluded) • Sharing Our Values in the Community - 30 • Community Voice – 7 • Environmental Responsibility – 2 • Social Action – 21 • Spiritual Growth and Exploration - 134 • Music, Art, Creativity – 22 • Personal Growth – 85 • Right Relationships – 10 • Worship - 17
Blessings – Initial Observations • Reflective of Personal Experience, not group • We are a Great Community • Majority cited “Connections” • We Foster Personal Growth • Again, cited by Majority • Religious Education, especially for our children, is important
Community, Caring, Connection Spiritual Growth and Exploration 31 91 What are our Predictions? Facilities 10 86 Life Span Religious Education 97 30 Leadership and Stewardship Sharing Our Values in the Community
Predictions Breakdown • Community, Caring, Connection – 91 • Connections – 8 • Diversity, Inclusivity – 22 • Membership – 61 • Facilities – 86 • Accessibility, Parking – 9 • Distraction from Mission – 9 • Green – 1 • Location – 4 • Safety, Condition – 39 • Space - 24
Predictions Breakdown (cont.) • Leadership and Stewardship - 97 • Finances – 24 • Leadership and Volunteers – 16 • Mission and Vision – 15 • Organizational Structure and Policies – 27 • Professional Staff – 15 • Life Span RE – 10 • Adult RE and Programs – 3 • Children’s RE and Programs – 6 • OWL - 1
Predictions Breakdown (concluded) • Sharing Our Values in the Community – 30 • Environmental Responsibility – 3 • Community Voice – 21 • Social Action – 5 • Building Use by Community – 1 • Spiritual Growth and Exploration – 31 • Membership – 1 • Morale – 13 • Personal Growth – 8 • Worship - 6
Predictions – Initial Observations • Most, But Not All, “Negative” • Fewer Comments Perhaps Indicate Areas of Strength • E.g. RE • Concern over Condition of Building • Change Happens • Change Needed to Keep Strong Community Going
Community, Caring, Connection Spiritual Growth and Exploration 51 85 Life Span Religious Education What are our Prouds? 44 Facilities 26 8 96 Sharing Our Values in the Community Leadership & Stewardship
Prouds Breakdown • Community, Caring, Connection – 85 • Connections – 21 • Membership – 24 • Pastoral Care – 4 • Diversity, Inclusivity – 36 • Facilities – 26 • Grounds – 11 • Location – 2 • Space - 13
Prouds Breakdown (cont.) • Leadership and Stewardship • Finances – 3 • Leadership and Volunteers – 9 • Organizational Structure and Policies – 10 • Professional Staff - 13 • Life Span Religious Education – 44 • Adult RE and Programs – 11 • Children’s RE and Programs – 26 • OWL – 8
Prouds Breakdown (concluded) • Sharing Our Values in the Community -96 • Community Voice – 29 • Denominational Affairs – 6 • Environmental Responsibility – 3 • Social Action – 50 • Building Use by Community - 8 • Spiritual Growth and Exploration – 51 • Music, Art, Creativity – 12 • Other – 1 • Personal Growth – 9 • Right Relationships – 11 • Worship – 18
Prouds – Initial Observations • Move from “Personal” to “Group” • Majority Proud of our Community and Our Outreach into the Community
Spiritual Growth and Exploration Community, Caring, Connection 46 66 Facilities What are our Sorries? 10 84 Life Span RE 52 42 Sharing Our Values in the Community Leadership and Stewardship
Sorries Breakdown • Community, Caring, Connections – 46 • Connections – 20 • Diversity, Inclusivity – 19 • Membership – 7 • Facilities – 84 • Accessibility, Parking – 20 • Distraction from Mission – 4 • Grounds – 4 • Location – 9 • Safety, Condition – 34 • Space - 13
Sorries Breakdown (cont.) • Leadership and Stewardship – 52 • Finances – 17 • Leadership and Volunteers – 16 • Mission and Vision – 2 • Organizational Structure and Policies – 13 • Professional Staff – 4 • Life Span Religious Education – 10 • Adult RE and Programs – 1 • Children’s RE and Programs - 9
Sorries Breakdown (concluded) • Sharing Our Values in the Community • Community Voice – 30 • Denominational Affairs – 3 • Environmental Responsibility – 4 • Social Action – 4 • Spiritual Growth and Exploration – 66 • Music, Art, Creativity – 4 • Personal Growth – 12 • Right Relationships – 28 • Worship - 22
Sorries– Initial Observations • We are Worried About the Building • More are Sorry about Accessibility and Parking, Safety and Condition than are Sorry about Finances • We can Improve Our Practice of Right Relationships
Next Steps • Preliminary slide show – Nov 15 and Nov 22 • Discussion in Meeting Room, Nov 22, after second service • Raw data available on web site • Hard Copy Available in Library • Strategic Planning Committee will host discussions around “powerful questions” presented in the data. For example, how can we as a congregation want more diversity at the same time we crave a community of “like-minded” people? • More Research – Other Churches, Engineering, etc. • Timeline Follows