The purpose of this team is:
To shape and guide the future of our ministry incorporating congregational input and support using the Integral Ministry Practice (IMP), societal trends and the shifting consciousness of the world. Everyone is welcome to join this team, sign up below.
The team has created a Congregational Input Form to submit input/ideas regarding the upcoming transition surrounding Rev. Mary’s retirement. Please complete this form at your earliest convenience - your input matters!
Meeting Highlights:
Our first meeting was held on Wednesday 11/6 with 16 people attending on Zoom.
We opened the meeting with a Purpose question: What is it important for Unity of Buffalo to consider what's next? This is an important question for all members of the congregation to reflect on.
What is one Next Step? What can we do right now?
1. Job descriptions for minister and other employees and board (Rev. Mary is working on this now and will present to the board on Tuesday. John Michaels will help her.) Every job should be linked to mission and purpose. Update: Rev Mary’s job description has been completed and is being reviewed by the What’s Next Team.
2. Manual of what Rev. Mary does, along with passcodes. Update: What’s Next Team has a first draft from Rev Mary of the administrative duties she is covering.
3. Partners in Peace (through Claudia) to connect with other spiritual communities.
4. Brainstorm: Michelle and Dawn will prepare a form to distribute at church for the congregation to complete. Also do online. Put into categories and subgroups. Update – this form was handed out to the congregation on Sunday 11/10.
5. Be more active in drawing in people from the community, more activities.
What Next Team Meeting minutes 11/17/24 via Zoom, 2pm
*In attendance- Marybeth, Eve, Millie, Lonnie, Claudia, Lynn, Tom D., John M., Judy D, Christine B., Jaime, Michelle
1) How to keep teams energy up
a. Putting God 1st- via prayer, meditation, staying connected
b. Staying committed to the group
c. Seeing progress and staying out of the minutiae
d. Concrete, real goals, actions, plans
2) Four committees have been created at this time; the chairs of each committee will report back to the What Next Team:
a. Leadership committee - Rev Mary, Chris B (chair); Lynn, Lonnie, John M, Michelle
b. Community Outreach committee - Claudia (chair); Tom, Jaime, Eve
c. Fundraising committee - Judy D (chair for now), Eve
d. Reviewing Input Forms committee (RIF) - Millie (chair), Marybeth
3) Committee Chairs to arrange a meeting day/time and to meet for 1st time within 1-2 weeks; come up with at least 1 goal and due date at end of committee mtg
4) What Next Team - will have a meeting post thanksgiving holiday; Marybeth will send out possible days/times; What Next Team meetings will still be open to all to ensure transparency
Minutes submitted by Michelle