Building God's Kingdom through Worship, Outreach, and Fellowship

Congregational Development Team Update

February 19, 2018 Uncategorized
The Congregational Development Team has been active and encouraged by the interest of our newcomers for the last few months.  Since forming our enthusiastic team in the fall, we have been following the national Episcopal theme “Invite, Welcome, Connect” in our approach.  Our team members have made contact with Christopher Newport University and visited Rosemary Trible’s student Bible study to invite students.  If there is interest, we hope to begin soon an  “adopt a student” program for CNU students to share hospitality with St. Andrew’s families.  We have joined with other congregants as greeters for services and have replenished the welcoming coloring bags for children in baskets in the entry foyers. 
In January we hosted a Coffee Connect after church for 11 newcomers and visitors to learn more about church opportunities.  We will have another such Coffee Connect on April 29 after the 10:30 service.  In addition, one of our team members is currently working with the clergy and staff to formulate a policy for contacting and visiting newcomers. 
For the month of April, our team intends to challenge St. Andrew’s with “Each one, Invite one.”  Each member of our church family will be asked to invite someone to attend a service as his/her guest.  There will be more information on “Each one, Invite one” soon.
Finally, on Wednesday, May 30 the team will host a welcome reception for all newcomers, visitors, and new members to get to know our clergy, staff, and vestry.  This informal evening reception will be in the Parish Hall from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
It is our pleasure to experience the sincere interest in inviting, welcoming, and connecting our visitors and newcomers (as well as returning members) to our active church community.
Betty Delk
Congregational Development Team Leader
St. Andrew’s Congregational Development Team is: Dorothy Burch, Merrill Hemmert, Samantha Howell, Jay Lambiotte, Amanda LaPlante, Barbara Neely, Talisha Sutton, Al Roby, Karen Waddill, Karen Wharton, Butch Woodall.