3 Connectivity Survey Results By Hannah Wilder, diocesan communications coordinator L


ast summer, Diocesan Council conducted a survey of all congregations to learn how


congregations perceived their strengths in specific areas of church life and ministry. Our goal was to connect congregations through these ministry strengths in meaningful ways, with the hope that the survey results would help people in leadership roles reach out to the right people in other churches who would be able to share best practices and how-tos.


Eighty percent of our diocesan congregations responded. Out of these, 91 percent were willing to help others who wish to learn proven tips and tricks. Far and away, the areas in which our congregations felt the most proficient were liturgy and worship, perhaps a testament to the time-tested structure of our Episcopal liturgy. Following close behind was the music category, with 72 percent of


respondents registering proficiency in that area. Third place went to fellowship/social events/community building.


The ministry areas in which our congregations lack confidence were: young adult ministries (11 percent); adult ministries (19 percent); and fundraising (24 percent). “Young adult ministries” refers to ministries geared toward people in their 20s and 30s. Twenty-seven percent of the congregations that responded felt proficient in youth ministry.


Far and away, the areas in which our congregations felt most proficient were liturgy and worship.


Answers to the question, “If your congregation were a legend on the community grapevine, what would it be known for?” drew many of the following responses: “warm welcome,” “inclusivity,” “outreach,” “music,”


“worship,” “history,” “beauty” and “service to the community/poor.” Unusual answers to that question were: “interesting marquee messages;” “people of influence attend;” “good wedding spot;” “architectural landmark;” “cutting edge for social justice;” “lay involvement in worship;” “wealthy and white;” and “inreach.”


When asked to name factors that contribute to success, one respondent wrote that,


“paying close attention to the pastoral needs of our


congregation by conversations, encouraging sharing of information that’s supportive to the community, and prompt calls and visits to those undergoing transitions of any difficulty,” helped her congregation in its pastoral care SURVEY Continued on Page 6


Congregations Take the Lead in Making Connections


Service Ministry Summit By Sarah Shealy Stump, Service Ministry Team leader at Christ Church, Coronado


R


epresentatives from fifteen churches, the Office of the Bishop, and the Episcopal


Refugee Network gathered at the inaugural Service Summit on May 7, 2011 with three goals in mind: to create a database of active service/outreach coordinators throughout the diocese; to share ideas and programs and brainstorm solutions to current challenges; and to develop relationships among congregations to facilitate joint outreach efforts in the future.


The group met at Christ Church, Coronado and began the morning by sharing successful service projects in their own churches. After getting to know each other and the service goals of each congregation, attendees enjoyed lunch outside and were able to talk in smaller groups about individual projects.


Connecting our parishes around service opportunities will allow us to make an even greater impact.


described the “Just One More” campaign that her church will spearhead in June to benefit the Episcopal Refugee Network. Every church at the meeting jumped in to support the effort in their own congregations -- our first collaborative effort!


It was an amazing gathering. There are so many wonderful outreach efforts in our diocese. Connecting our parishes around service


opportunities will allow us to make an even greater impact. Together we can do great things!


The after-lunch discussion was almost electric as the group brainstormed ways to come together on diocesan-wide service efforts. Lisa DuMolt of St. Bartholomew’s, Poway


Pancake Hunger Supper: St. Andrew’s combines their traditional parish pancake supper with their Tuesday night suppers for those who are hungry.


The group has established a Facebook page, “Service Coalition, EDSD” where congregations can continue the dialogue. Everyone is invited to “like” the page and add upcoming projects and events. The


Joint Ministry at Easter By the Rev. Simon Mainwaring, rector of St. Andrew’s, Pacific Beach


What is the least convenient time of year to host an interfaith shelter for homeless people? Most people would say, “Easter.” And yet that’s just what St. Andrew’s, Pacific Beach did. During one of their busiest time of year, the congregation joined forces with St. James by-the-Sea, La Jolla and All Hallows Catholic Church to provide a home for people down on their luck during Passion Week and Easter. This is a description of the collaboration from the rector of St. Andrew’s.


T


he idea to collaborate came first from the Interfaith Shelter Network itself.


They proposed that St. Andrew’s would host the guests while people from all three congregations staffed the overnights.


Apart from the overnight and meal host provision, the three congregations worked together in planning the logistics of how the shelter might actually work at St. Andrew’s, from determining sleeping spaces, to getting our shopping lists lined up so that we didn’t under-buy or over-


The Interfaith guests were family.


buy on items we needed.


All three congregations benefitted from the collaboration! There was a discernible lift to people’s spirits when they were working with volunteers or were hanging out with the guests in the parish hall where we had the fellowship space for meals and relaxation. One of the striking themes was that for these two weeks, the Interfaith guests were family. That set the tone in a way that enriched us all.


We would do a collaborative shelter again. We learned a lot about how to go about collaborating with other churches and


SHELTER Continued on Page 6


group plans to meet again on October 1, 2011 and hopes even more congregations and Episcopal entities will be represented. To be added to the database or receive more information, contact Sarah Shealy Stump at sarah.a.shealy@gmail.com. X


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