Greetings!

In coming weeks the Visioning Team will begin its task of visiting committees, small groups, and individuals one-on-one to explore our identity as a church family, and, I must say, I’m getting excited!

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of starting early, if you will, with the women attending this year’s Woman’s Retreat. I led several workshops in self-discovery and personal visioning, while Pastor Audrey conducted a workshop in church visioning, and Pastors Audrey & Karen each led us in worship services that focused on healing and renewal in Christ. We ate and sang together and played games as well. And, when the weekend was done, I felt refreshed by our time together and sensed that my vision of who we are as a church family and what God is calling us to do/be at this juncture in our church’s history had been blessed.

I felt it again last Sunday – blessed by the sun’s shining into the Fellowship Hall and by a vision of our church’s many gifts. I thought, “You know, we have an affinity for small group ministries!” There were sign-up sheets for both Men’s & Women’s Fellowships, the Clipper Groups (a new family oriented group, I learned, is forming) and service groups. Meanwhile, people were gathering in the Pioneer Room to learn more about the new Stephen Ministries, and I saw a young Willamette student graciously welcomed by one of our members blessed with the gift of hospitality. And – if that weren’t enough – there was music coming from the sanctuary. How wonderful!

Friends, I am excited because God is at work within us!

In Christ,

Heidi Wold
visioning@salemfirstpres.org

The Visioning Team is: Heidi Wold and Jarrod Judge, co-chairs, Cynthia Currin, Noble Deckard, Jennifer Hylton, Heidi Keller, Jane Lamb, Bill Mainwaring, and John Mistkawi.

http://www.salemfirstpres.org/msgs/pp080224pf.htm

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