The theme for August is “Reconstruction.” Other than the historical rendering of “Reconstruction,” we are undergoing the current re-imagining of our church community, and finding ways that we can continue to thrive and serve each other during this precarious time. The theme of this report that I would like to stress is sustainability and imagination over the next 10 months at least. Nobody knows what our life will be like in six months, but it is quite possible that we may discern it is best for the health of our community to maintain a completely virtual ministry. Of course this might also change given new information, but so far that new information has not been in favor of dramatic change to our programming. Given this, I think it would be worthwhile to see what we can imagine doing in the next 10 months, as well as check in now to see if we need to make any adjustments to be sustainable for ourselves and our community over the course of months.

            The first place where it would be worth taking a sustainability inventory is with Sunday worship. We have been blessed to have consistent, committed, and smart volunteer help with sound, video, and production: Tim Raridon, Andy Crabb, and Lola Lewis. My first question is if the way we are doing worship is sustainable for these folks over the long haul, or if we need to make some shifts. Since two of these volunteers are on the board, I think we can begin to understand this. Do we need to adjust how we do worship to keep our volunteers from burning out or feeling overburdened? It is important to me and to our church community that we are not putting too much burden on our volunteers.

            I continue to be very pleased to see the way our church is adapting, and I want to make sure these adaptations are not coming at too much a personal cost for a select few who we’ll need to rely on. If this kind of reliance is not sustainable, we have the opportunity now and into September to imagine a new way forward. If our current response feels sustainable, then my next question is: What can we do as a board to support these volunteers?

            I’ve spoken with Mystery Wallis, our Interim DRE, and she commented that she has learned how to keep youth involved in RE lessons using powerpoint. The average attendance is higher than in person RE classes. She is applying for other work and educational opportunities, and her interim contract has now been extended two months past the date in her written contract. I think now we are at a point to decide to search for another DRE or discuss renewing her contract.

            Sarah King, our Office Assistant, is now working in the office on Saturday and Sunday. She is working from home on Friday. This seems to be working well, and Sarah has communicated to me and others that this is the best job she has ever had, and we are very pleased with her work. Within the next few months, I will sit down and do a more formal annual review.

            Gary Davenport is meeting with his committee to begin planning a virtual commissioning service as our Lay Minister focusing on social justice. I think this will probably happen during a Sunday service at 11 am in October, and I’ll definitely keep you updated.

            As we go into September shortly, I plan to check in with Linda Mohn and members of the care team to see what we can do to stay in regular contact with our members using a phone tree and other methods. As we look ahead, I’m also discussing with Jennifer Boyd and Jeff Crouse ways that we can work with multiple musicians/singers on a single piece virtually in preparation for Christmas Eve.

            I think it would be worthwhile now for our board members to check in to see how we think we’re doing as a church, and how our most active volunteers are doing, and see if we need to adjust anything for the coming year. It also may be a time for others to step up with possible creative ideas, or think of others who have been participating regularly who may like to contribute to our mission with their talents.