Spring is on its way. Let’s spring our new Vision and Mission statement into the life of our church.

Vision: A world where God’s inclusive love embraces and empowers all.

Mission: Together, we respond to the call of the Spirit and the teachings of Jesus to learn, love, serve, and seek justice and joy for all.

Your Board brainstormed how our new Vision and Mission might be woven into the life source of everything we hope and pray for.

These are the generated ideas: Create banners and posters using phrases from each as themes to focus our thoughts and actions. Create Sunday School study themes represented in the vision/mission statements. Create bumper stickers. Have a song contest. Create a justice and joy retreat. Develop service projects with this theme. Create a commemorative quilt featuring our new mission/ vision. Read the vision/mission statement prior to Bible study. Have the 5th Sundays be Justice & Joy Sundays. Project our Vision/Mission on the screen during worship. Have them be on all FBC materials like Tidings, bulletins, and part of the letterhead.

What are your ideas? Let Rev. Erika and the Worship and Community Engagement Team know your ideas!

As a part of the Old Business section of the meeting, the treasurer shared a revised 2020 budget adjusting corrected salary figures. The Matthew 25 group presented a report on the warming shelter numbers and frequency. The UU folks decided to meet elsewhere and will not be renting space from FBC. Looking ahead to the June Congregational meeting, a small group will prepare for presenting minor By-law changes.

During the New Business section of our meeting, the Board gave a group from the Executive Board permission to look into a possible new project. The remainder of time was taken by updating everyone with details from each Leadership Team.

Rev. Erika shared she will be using the book, “Holy Disunity,” for this year’s Lenten series. A few of those books are available in the office.

Spring is a time of renewed and new life. I hope for each of you a Spring that is full of God’s embracing love and that we will be aware of the call of the Spirit. Together let’s celebrate the glory of Spring.

JoAnn Sims, FBC Moderator 2018-2020