WELCOME TO THE ST JAMES NOVEMBER POTLUCK

1. WELCOME TO THE ST JAMES NOVEMBER POTLUCK A TIME TO SHARE FOOD and FELLOWSHIP … AND AN UPDATE ON THE SEARCH PROCESS

2. This document was presented as a power-point presentation at the November parish-wide potluck. The narrative (words in green throughout) were presented by Matt Weber, chair of the survey parish profile sub-committee of the St. James search committee. The following was passed out. We were asked to think about “our Notions” during the presentation.

4. Sent to as broad a base as possible; not just regular attendees. 300 paper and e-mail invitations. 130 responses …we are many individuals with many life stories.

5. We are a mature and well-educated congregation. 95% respondents have attended college, and 43% of us have graduate degrees. About 40% of respondents were over 65, and another 40% were 45-64. Sixty-two percent of respondents were female; thirty-eight percent were male. Two-thirds of us attend church three or more times a month, and half of us have attended St. James for over twenty years.

6. How long we have been at St. James

7. On social issues, one quarter of us are conservative, one quarter are moderate, one quarter are somewhat liberal, and one quarter are very liberal. When asked if they were satisfied with how things are at St. James, sixty-one percent agreed or strongly agreed, and another 24 percent tended to agree. In the typical church, about 50 – 55% agree or strongly agree. Saint James had a 6% Solid Negative. A negative number that approaches or exceeds 10% indicates polarization in the congregation over one issue or another.

8. In the typical church, about 50-55% agree or strongly agree. A negative number that exceeds 10% indicates a polarization . THE TOP FIVE

9. The strongest correlates with this satisfaction were the quality and spiritual content of worship services, the quality of the leadership, and the opportunities for members to engage in active ministries. We were given a list of 17 goals and asked how much extra energy we should devote to each.

11. The areas where respondents wanted additional energy placed included: • reaching new people, • attracting families with children and youth, and • developing our spiritual generosity and financial support, • working to heal those broken by life circumstances and • working to revitalize the community around the church. Areas where least additional energy was required included: • enlarging and improving our music and • enlarging and improving our physical facilities. • Our consensus was that we were proud and satisfied with the time and treasure we already commit to music and our physical plant.

12. Lowest priorities

13. INDEXES Responses to groups of questions Compared to the Holy Cow! consulting agency’s data base of mostly Episcopal Churches Scores of “Indexes” We are more progressive than most…

14. INDEXES Responses to groups of questions Compared to the Holy Cow! consulting agency’s data base of mostly Episcopal Churches Scores of “Indexes” We are more flexible than most…

15. INDEXES …Compared to the Holy Cow! consulting agency’s data base of mostly Episcopal Churches.. So we are rather progressive, and somewhat, but not overly, flexible… That sounds about right. Some of us stand, and some of us kneel! Throughout worship, please stand as you are able as indicated by the * or kneel if you prefer as indicated by the

16. INDEXES Conflict Management Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Governance Readiness for Ministry – lay ministry Worship and Music

17. INDEXES Hospitality Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Passion and Energy “Morale” Use of lay ministry “Spiritual Vitality” Since attracting new members is our number one goal, hospitality might be an area where we could use a little more work.

18. INDEXES “Spiritual Vitality” Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Contributions Percentile rank 15

19. INDEXES “Spiritual Vitality” Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Quand le jour de la Pentecôte arriva, les disciples étaient tous rassemblés au même endroit. Und als der Tag der Pfingsten erfüllt war, waren sie alle einmütig beieinander. Cuando llegó el día de Pentecostés, estaban todos juntos en el mismo lugar. και εν τω συμπληρουσθαι την ημεραν της πεντηκοστης ησαν παντες ομου επι το αυτο 오순절날이 이미 이르매 저희가 다 같이 한곳에 모였더니 Come giunse il giorno della Pentecoste, essi erano tutti riuniti con una sola mente nello stesso luogo. Ao cumprir-se o dia de Pentecostes, estavam todos reunidos no mesmo lugar. Op de Pinksterdag waren zij allemaal bij elkaar gekomen. Ilipofika siku ya Pentekoste, waamini wote walikuwa wameku tana mahali pamoja. Đến ngày lễ Ngũ Tuần, môn đồ nhóm họp tại một chỗ. 五 旬 節 到 了, 門 徒 都 聚 集 在 一 處 。 A, no ka taka mai te ra o te Petekoha, e noho tahi ana ratou katoa i te wahi kotahi.

20. Attributes for our new Rector INDEXES “Spiritual Vitality” Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers were gathered together in one place.

21. INDEXES “Spiritual Vitality” Percentile Rank 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Contributions Percentile rank 15

22. To me, the most important part of St. James is…. Personal contact with the Rector Is very important to me We should increase the participation of children and youth in our worship services

23. In addition to being a strong worship leader and preacher, our next Rector should be….

24. In addition to being a strong worship leader and preacher, our next Rector should be…. A STRONG PASTOR INSPIRATIONAL LEADER SPIRITUAL GUIDE EDUCATOR GROUP FACILITATOR ADMINISTRATOR COMMUNITY AMBASSADOR

25. If we over generalize our many individual life stories, we can be left with distorted perceptions.If we use intellectualization as a defense mechanism, we avoid facing our emotions and making real change. We must recognize that these numbers are a tool …… THANK YOU!

26. ALL ARE FALSE