In January 2022, the Horizon Team was charged with the following objective from Council:
“Our Vision for Ministry 2022 focuses on what we will be about as a church in this coming year. The Horizon Team will lead the people of St. Andrew in discerning what lies on the horizon as we look to 2023 and beyond. We are emerging from a pandemic. We hope to have the mortgage paid off in 2023. As we move into the future, St. Andrew and the church as a whole face significant challenges such as the ecological crisis, deep political divisions, and systemic racism. New pastoral leadership will be needed. A new generation of lay leaders will need to emerge. In some sense the church is always in a time of transition. But currently St. Andrew and other churches are in an especially intense time of transition.”
Though the team understood part of our role to be discernment, we also understood that we needed to include as many voices from our community as possible and bring our whole congregation along in our Horizon team process. To engage our church community, we designed a large gathering for the people of St. Andrew to express their hopes, dreams, fears and concerns for this beloved community. That gathering on May 15, 2022, included over 90 people in person and 20 on Zoom. Overwhelmingly, the feedback affirmed the strength and solidarity of the congregation in worship, learning, social justice ministry, and offering the grace of welcoming to all. Many helpful suggestions for enhancing St Andrew were also offered.
In July, 2022, the Congregation Council authorized the Horizon Team to continue its work through October 31, 2022. Our continued work was focused on activities to connect the congregation and community in further discernment. The purpose of the activities was to assist the congregation in the discernment process by reflection of the past, prayer, meditation and personal listening to the Spirit. These practices were offered as individual activities, small groups and with the entire congregational community.
Congregational Timeline – We developed a 70 year timeline in which we invited members to share their memories and experiences of St. Andrew. This provided an opportunity for people to reflect on the past to identify themes, patterns, and relationships as a way for us to understand where we each fit into the St. Andrew story.
Mindful Walks – The Horizon team hosted three Mindful Walks in our Sanctuary of the Firs. Participants were encouraged to take time in the nature setting to listen, see, smell, and feel the experience. The highlight on one of the walks was the appearance of a buck deer while participants were in quiet reflection. This activity provided participants time for reflection and an opportunity to listen to the Spirit.
Discernment Circles – In September, 2022, the Horizon Team held twelve small group Discernment Circles with congregation members in members’ homes. In the Discernment Circles we shifted our attention from listening to each other, to listening to what the Spirit might be saying to St. Andrew as we move into the future. Participants paused for prayer and reflection, shared faith stories, and their hopes, dreams, and visions for the future of St. Andrew.
Reformation Sunday Horizon Event – The Horizon Team work culminated in an all-congregation event on Reformation Sunday, 2022. The event was one of fellowship, prayer, music, intention, and discernment. The event included sharing of prayers from the Discernment Circles, the shared Hopes, Dreams, and Visions for 2023 and beyond, an opportunity for congregation members to identify what moves and excites them, an update from the Church Council leadership, and an invitation for congregation members to write down their own personal commitments.
Through the Timeline, Mindful Walks, Discernment Circles and Reformation Sunday event the congregation has shared their hopes, dreams, and love for St. Andrew and the world. Here is our shared vision for 2023 and beyond:
Welcome a Spirit of Renewal, through:
Seeking spiritual growth
Participating in formal and informal education
Striving for energy, hope, connection
Working toward financial security
Act for Social Justice, through:
Community Outreach
Earth Care
MACG
Reconciling in Christ
Connection between God and the world
Praise the Spirit in Vibrant Worship, through:
Diverse music and liturgy
Strong Gospel-based fellowship and worship
Expand Diversity and Inclusion;
Seek to be welcoming of diversity in all its dimensions;
age, race, gender identity, social and economic status, abilities, family structure and faith background
Encourage Strong Social and Spiritual Connections;
Be a place for all generations to worship, learn, play, and grow
Ensure that all have a deep connection with one or more people in our community
Expand and Deepen an Intergenerational Community;
Support a vigorous youth program
Provide a place of comfort, growth, safety and learning for children and youth
The Horizon Team submitted a final summary to the St. Andrew Congregation Council on November 14, 2022.
It seems good to the Holy Spirit and us.
The Horizon Team,
Scott Anderson, Larry Bliesner, Pat Christiansen, Beth Johnson, Bobbie Larson, Sovathana Ly, LuAnn Staul,
Scott Taylor, Barton Robison, and our guide Pastor Terry Moe