Recently our church council, along with a few additional congregational representatives, engaged in a Mutual Ministry Review. 
 
A Mutual Ministry Review is a facilitated process that enables a congregation to reflect on and strengthen its work of ministry, both with clergy and lay leaders. Our process was facilitated by Rev. Elise Johnstone, Rector of St John the Baptist, who has worked with congregations of all sizes in facilitating simple, accessible Mutual Ministry Reviews. 
 
We had an affirming, encouraging evening together. We had an opportunity to identify and celebrate areas of success and to clarify opportunities for growth. We worked together to identify hopes and priorities for the future of Alki UCC, leaning into the input we have gleaned from the congregation. The intention is that, through this effort, the overall mission of Alki UCC will be better understood and more fully lived out.  

We reflected on how Alki UCC is a congregation with strong relationships, committed leadership, a willingness to experiment, and a deep investment in sustaining Alki UCC through a period of change. The challenges we named were largely about how to share that work more sustainably, communicate more clearly, make room for new lay leadership, and develop a shared vision for the future.

Our next step in the Mutual Ministry Review process is to allow the ideas to steep, as a tea slowly infuses water over time. We’ll revisit the themes at our November meeting, and continue to share with you all what is emerging.

This Sunday we celebrate our mutual discernment both that God is calling Alki UCC to have a full-time, settled pastor, and that I am called to serve in that role. It is a faithful step forward in the sustainability of the church.

This Sunday we will explore how sustainability is love in action over time. We don’t see the whole path. But we can clear some space for the next step. Let’s make it a faithful one.

In hope,
Pastor Emily

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October 25 Service Information Linked Here.