PRESENTATION OUTLINE
2. Continue to highlight volunteer opportunities in church communications – including bulletin inserts, Banner and e-Banner. Update C&Y section of website. Explore handouts or other targeted communications to parents
Goal #5:
*Continue to build a connected community among families with young children
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Explore starting a toddler-parent fellowship group and continue supporting the infant-parent group
2. Continue special activities for 4th and 5th graders to “Bridge” them to Bridget and the youth group. At least 1 special activity per year
3. Explore more effective ways to communicate with parents about programs and special events
Ideas include targeted e-mails, stand-alone websites (such as Shutterfly), or a more dynamic section of the Bethany website
4. Continue the All-church Retreat at Pine Lake (scheduled for Labor Day weekend 2015) and increase participation
5. Work with Adult Ministries on joint small group formation, and events
Goal #6:
*Create a logo and brand for the Children and Youth Programs to help identify, distinguish and unify programs
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Form a workgroup to initiate and oversee the project
2. Engage a marketing firm or individual willing to work pro bono or low cost
3. Ensure the logo is implemented in church communications
Goal #7:
*Ensure building of a new child check-in center outside Fellowship Hall
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Discuss with the Pastor, finance committee, and/or trustees about the need for a permanent check-in station and explore modified plans based on current budget constraints.
2. Follow-up to make sure the plans are implemented by the end of 2015
Goal #1*Focus on cost-effective ways to make Bethany visible in the community
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Order more T-shirts and regularly encourage groups to wear T-shirts while serving at community events (e.g., DAIS booth at Madison Restaurant Festival, Road Home, Luke House, Porchlight, Mission Trips, etc.)
Help connect organizers with T-shirts if more are needed
2. Continue to advertise 3x per year by distributing flyers to nearby neighborhoods
Consider rotating neighborhoods for each distribution to reach a wider range of households with the same manpower
3. Make use of free methods of advertising such as neighborhood newsletter articles, craigslist, press releases, etc
4. Evaluate website to ensure it is up to date and effectively conveying information about Bethany
Goal #2:
*Host at least two “easy entry” events which help Bethany connect with the wider community and to which members can easily invite friends
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Annual Community Block party will take place in August again this year. Key features to include are a) bus to Eagle Heights, b) cooking outside, if possible, c) bouncy house(s), d) popcorn and snow cone machines
2. Host “Bring-a-Friend” Sunday in conjunction with a Pancake Breakfast (Men’s Group?). If feasible, lead up to this with video highlights during service and/or forum on inviting methods
3. Explore hosting events at Eagle Heights as outreach to that community. One idea might be hosting Vacation Bible School at the EH Community Center just before/after the Block Party
Might be helpful if we can recruit members who speak Mandarin to help at these events
Goal #3:
*Train greeters and other members in identifying and welcoming visitors
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Evaluate relevant “Good-to-Go” videos on hospitality and welcoming. Assign these to greeters and/or show highlights during worship service
Make sure greeters are aware of changes in information desk staffing
2. Offer a forum on “Inviting Methods”
3. Regularly involve youth and families in Sunday morning greeting
Goal #4:
*Follow-up with new(ish) members to make sure they still feel welcome and are connected with resources they need to be involved
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Order mugs to replace cookie mix for 3rd time visitor gift. Explore including coupon for Great Harvest Bread
2. Continue to host 3-4 “Bethany 101” classes per year
3. Develop system for following up (by email, phone, or mail) 6 months after attending Bethany 101 class
Talk with Lay Leadership and look for synergies in how information about teams, ministries, etc. is disseminated to new-er members
4. Continue regular “Bethany Birthday Parties” and consider holding them more frequently (4x per year instead of 3x per year)
Goal #1:
*Organize Volunteer in Mission trips for adults (or intergenerational) to regional, national, and/or international locations
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Investigate regional, national, and/or international locations
2. Report back to small group
3. Recruit participants for 2016 trip
Goal #2:
*Develop closer relationships with covenant missionaries through regular prayer, financial support, correspondence, trips, and Skype conversations
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Identify small group to develop action plan for education and opportunities
2. Continue financial support through Simple Gifts
Goal #3:
*With Reconciling Team, work and plan jointly, regarding LGBT reconciling issues
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Provide publicity on Madison PRIDE parade
2. Encourage Bethany participation
Goal #4:
* Adopt a local non-profit to provide varied volunteer opportunities and additional ways to be involved as a supplement to financial support – The Playing Field
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Identify hands on volunteer opportunities for The Playing Field
2. Identify any training needed to volunteer
3. Recruit and train volunteers
Goal #5:
Imagine No Malaria fundraising
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Educate through Forum/posters/
announcements
2. Brief campaign in the Fall
Goal #6:
* Articulate a New Testament vision of a just society
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Form a study group/class to investigate New Testament/biblical vision for a just, peaceful world
2. Follow development of Justified Anger Whitepaper/Plan
3. Work with Worship Team to have occasional congregational prayer for peace in the world
Goal #7:
* Continued focus on hunger and homelessness
Plan for accomplishing goal:
Continue involvement with Luke House, The Road Home, Madison Food Pantry, Allied Drive, Madison Food Pantry Gardens, Habitat for Humanity
Goal #1:
Organize worship supplies
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Work with Walt Holthaus and Trustees to optimize chancel area storage and usage - freeing some of the existing worship storage for other purposes
2. Add banner storage and inventory banners
Goal #2:
* More intentional inclusion of children and youth in worship
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Work with Brigit to include youth on Sunday mornings
2. Include children by using children’s musical instruments
3. Continue developing Children’s Church
Goal #3:
*Support tech improvements for Worship
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Place confidence monitor in back of sanctuary (helpful for pastor and praise team)
2. Work to get sharper signals on projection screen
Goal #4:
Support 8am service
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1.Replace current altar table with a slightly larger and taller altar table in chapel
(Surface area should have enough space for a small Advent Wreath, cross, offering baskets, communion elements, and the baptismal bowl. The height should be enough that people can see it when sitting, and also high enough that people's jackets don't encroach into the area of candles.)
2. Organize Special Music volunteers
3. Place a fire extinguisher in chapel
Goal #5
Continue to encourage acolytes in worship
Plan for accomplishing goal:
1. Adults model the joy of bringing the light of Christ into worship for a while. Ushers or Liturgists serve as acolytes for summer services
2. Reflect on what motivates children and what motivates families to volunteer
3. Possible focus on Children’s’ Church Sundays or Sundays when youth bells or choirs are involved in worship
4. Acolytes and parents sign up through the Volunteer Spot site
Encourage all Bethany members to reexamine and expand the Christian committment to be good
stewards of the Earth's resources.
let the office know and it will be sent to you.
