PLANNING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER!

Dear Grace Community:

As many of you know, Grace Church is joining several other congregations from the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago in a program called Thrive. Congregational vitality is an important part of the ministry of the vestry and congregation and together the Thrive team, vestry and congregation and those connected to Grace will be working towards what God has in mind for this community.

We are inviting you to complete the Church Assessment Tool (CAT), an on-line instrument that will help leaders gauge the strength, vitality, and trends in our church.  The information gained from this assessment will be valuable in helping the leaders of  Grace as we make decisions about the future of Grace. We will also use the survey as a tool with and for our Mutual Ministry Team.

Beginning today, we are asking you and everyone in your household to go online by clicking on the link provided below and tell us about your experiences in and priorities for our church.  Please do not discuss the survey or your answers with others as this may influence their answers.

If you need a paper copy, please come to the church on Sundays and one will be given to you.  We can also email one to you.

All answers are strictly anonymous.  We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and experiences.  Our future together is dependent on your participation and honest answers.

If you have questions, please contact Shawn Schreiner or any member of the team.  You can read more about the Thrive program at this link.   

Many thanks,

THRIVE Team

Jim Redden

Shawn Schreiner

David Sgarlata

Steve Kvaal

THRIVE Accountability Team

Chuck Tupta

Audrey and Tony Riley

Jon Baumgarten

Sam Love

Nick Currie  

Did you find yourself absent from church on January 5?  Take a moment to read the Commissioning service for the Thrive Team:

THRIVE! Commissioning

Members of the Team and Accountability Team come forward

The Rector/Vicar addresses the congregation  Dear People of God, the Magi followed a wondrous new light in the heavens, leading them to encounter none other than the Son of God.  As they returned home by a different road, their lives were changed forever.  On this Feast of the Epiphany it is our desire and joy to commit ourselves to THRIVE!, a program of congregational vitality and leadership in the Diocese of Chicago.  Like the Magi, we too seek to encounter the living Christ, and open ourselves to be forever changed, empowered, and energized to spread the Gospel light.  They begin this work with a retreat next weekend.

The commissioning is three-fold:

·        The THRIVE! Team, who have committed themselves to 2 years of intensive learning

·        The THRIVE! Accountability Team, who will help to implement THRIVE! Initiatives in this congregation

·        This congregation, as we seek to move forward in our growth

A Leader addresses members of the THRIVE! Team:  Will you engage in the work ahead faithfully, making a firm commitment to attendance, building relationships and learning, as provided in the THRIVE! Program? 
We will with God's help.

Then, addresses the THRIVE! Accountability Team:  Will you be a bridge of support and communication between the THRIVE! Team and this congregation, and will you help to foster [nurture] its vitality and commitment to its mission?
We will with God's help.

Then, addresses the congregation:  And will you, the people of Grace, commit to a vision of vitality, supporting the work of your THRIVE! Teams through prayer, and putting the learned principles into practice?
We will with God's help.

Then in the name of God and of this congregation, I commission you for this work.  May God richly bless you as you go forward.