PROCEEDINGS

of the

PLANNING RETREAT

of the

NAPA FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Mountain Home Ranch

Calistoga, California

****

10 & 11 August 2006

Those Attending:

Mark Andersen

Joanne Biggs-O’Callaghan

Doug and Sandy Cleveland

Kip and Susan Edenborough

Michael Herzog

Donna La Point

Jon and Carol Lander

Peter and Evelyn Lutz

Dianne Mahler

Doug and Martha Monroe

June Moroney

Jennifer Murdock

Bill Snorf

Barbara Thompson

Long-Range Planning Retreat

August 10-11, 2006

“Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4And as he sowed, some seeds fell on the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6But when the sun rose, they were scorched; and since they had no root, they withered away. 7Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9Let anyone with ears listen!” – Matthew 13: 3b-9

Thursday Evening

5:30 to 6:00 – Gathering time: worship/meditation (Jen)

chaplains to engage "holy" moments throughout (Michael, Jen and Doug)

scribe to record the event (Michael)

what else?

6:00 to 7:00 – Dinner together

7:00 to 7:30 – Inclusion Activities (Barb)

7:30 to 8:30 – Where we've been (Michael)

the results of seeds planted from previous planning retreats

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

8:30 to 9:30 – Where we are (Mark)

in worship

in Christian Education

in mission and social justice ministries

in our spiritual life

– 4 breakout groups, everyone to engage the above categories in a

different order

– questions to "spark" the discussion (e.g., "How have you participated in

each of these areas? Why or why not?)

– returning to the larger group for a time of sharing

– beginning the list of our priorities (+ establishing our "parking lot" sheet)

9:30 to 10:00 – A time of thanksgiving in worship (Doug)

Sabbath time

an explanation of tomorrow morning's spiritual walk and creation of our altar

10:00 to 11:00 – Free time to bed-time

Friday Morning

7:00 to 8:00 – Spiritual awakening, a morning walk, beginning to create our altar (Doug)

8:00 to 9:00 – Breakfast together

9:00 to Noon – Where do we want to go? Who do we want to be?

9:00: creation of our altar (Jen)

9:10 – 10:30: breakout groups; small-group dynamics (Barb)

What's changed, if anything, about our vision statement?

What do we continue to affirm about it?

What's new – or that we want to pick up as "unfinished"

Family Life Committee

Small-group experiences

opportunities for spiritual nurture

10:30 to 10:45 – BREAK

10:45 to Noon – Sharing within the larger group and beginning to set our priorities (each person given 3 dots to use: each representing "enthusiasm" and "personal commitment" – Doug C. to explain)

Friday Afternoon

Noon to 1:00 – Lunch together (Decision: How do we do breakouts after lunch?)

1:00 to 3:00 – How do we get where we want to be (action plans – Doug C.)?

division of the room (going to the "area of your passion")

who/what/when/where/how: a time to get concrete on implementation of our priorities, to describe how it will happen

returning to the larger group for sharing and evaluation

a real commitment to follow-up: personally, within committees and/or work areas

management by the Church Council with the Leadership Team providing oversight

paying attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit!

3:00 – Closing worship/activity (Michael, Jen and Doug)

Guided meditation (Michael)

Communion (Jen & Doug – Doug to provide the elements: bread and wine!)

Other spontaneous ideas…?

WHERE WE’VE BEEN

by Michael Herzog

It’s been said -- not by any of you, of course -- you’re all here, but the value of another planning retreat has actually been questioned. It is said that we’ve already done lots of planning retreats and haven’t used 10% of the ideas that came out of them. I made up that 10% number -- could be more, could be less -- but it’s some fraction. And I don’t argue with the sentiment. We haven’t used all the ideas we came up with in the past -- why do we need more?

Actually, we don’t need more. We need for the ideas to fall on fertile ground and take root and be nurtured into mature fruit-bearing plants. The metaphor of the sower in the parable is perfect for what we’re about. It’s all good seed. But bearing fruit is more than just good seed -- we have to have that almost impossible combination of fertile ground, rainfall -- but not too much. Sunshine -- but not too much. Cultivation -- get rid of those competing weeds but don’t get carried away and dig up the valuable plants. Weeds and wheat look a lot alike when they’re young. We need skillful gardeners. We need patience. We need trust.

Jesus called his disciples to go away with him and have some quiet time together. They reported what they had done -- they conferred. They were in retreat. In our time together here we will be looking for ideas whose time has come -- and looking for committed gardeners to bring them to fruition.

In January of 1998 I went down to Whittier for Disciple leader training. One of the trainers was from Arkansas and had an Arkansas story to tell. A farmer named John Huddleston plowing a cornfield near Murfreesboro in 1906 looked down in the furrow and saw something glitter. It was a diamond. He looked some more and found another.

It was too good a story to keep to himself so he told some of his friends and neighbors about the diamonds in his cornfield and pretty soon there were dozens -- hundreds -- of people in the cornfield, looking down at the ground. And more diamonds were found -- a few more -- and then pretty much all the diamonds had been found and the excitement died down. Well, if he couldn’t just go around picking up diamonds for a living, Mr. Huddleston figured he’d better plant a crop -- so he went out plowed the field again -- and found some more diamonds.

So, we’re going to plow our same old field again -- and see what turns up.

By the way, in 100 years that cornfield has yielded up 75,000 diamonds -- including the largest diamond ever unearthed in the United States -- the 40 carat Uncle Sam Diamond. The cornfield is now a state park -- the Crater of Diamonds State Park -- and every day -- on average -- two diamonds are found by casual prospectors who paid their three bucks entry fee and wandered around the forty acre cornfield.

It could happen. We could find a diamond as big as the Ritz.

But -- history: Most from notes and files and calendar diaries and my less-than-perfect memory:

Somewhere around 1979 - 1980 (Bill McCord) we engaged the services of Lyle Schaller, church consultant. He conducted interviews, observed what we did and how we did it and made recommendations for a plan of action. Meetings were held -- Dick Van Vleck chaired the planning meetings and I was the secretary. Among the outcomes was our going to two worship services instead of just one -- room to grow -- improved signage and advertising -- etc. Identity issues. Christian Education for everyone. Importance of providing parking.

In 1990 (Jacquie Meadows) we had another church consultant, Richard Roland, who used a Herb Miller questionnaire to ascertain congregational attitudes toward the church and where they wanted to go. We studied the book: Twelve Keys to an Effective Church -- and that was pretty much it.

1992 -- challenged by District Superintendent Nadine DeWitt to consider what it would mean to consider becoming a Reconciling Congregation.

In January 1993 (Ginnie Pearson) we had a vision and planning retreat at the Marconi Conference Center on Tomales Bay. Forty attended. We used a canned program called “Vital Congregations.” Well received and stimulating. Enthusiastic participation. Colored dots to indicate preferences and priorities. In January 1994 we returned to Marconi in retreat to “Build Up the Body.” Thirty-one attended. Low energy.

In 1997 we entered into a 14-month commitment to the Cross Roads approach to church growth and vitalization. Richard and Robert of CDS -- Church Development Systems -- led the way. A visioning group of nineteen members with a wide variety of age, experience, theology, etc, participated in the program with regular meetings for the next year. Out of that experience came our mission and vision statements, identification of core values, the formal new member classes (Discovery Classes), fishing pool events to reach out to the community, the host/greeter welcoming approach, a dedication to establishing small groups for many interests, the parish nurse program, alternate worship services (God’s House Band); targeted former members and others who had church experience but had drifted away.

Also in 1997 we reorganized the church structure around the N.O.W. model -- Nurture -- Outreach -- Witness. Administrative Board and Council on Ministries were combined into the Church Council. The Quest for Quality approach to continuous quality improvement was taught to leaders across the conference.

In 2001 we called for a Vision Review to see where we were on our look into the future. We had adopted a five-year vision statement in 1998 and wanted to have a midcourse look at where we were and how it was going. We wrote out -- as a guide to church leaders/committees -- what still needed to be done to achieve the vision. Many items required financial resources which we didn’t feel we had available.

In 2002 we had a small group interest gathering to organize and manage the formation, support, publicizing, of small groups. A document that came out that gathering was “How to publicize your event.” Small Group Coordinator began to manage and publicize opportunities.

In Jan 2003 was the “Flame of the Spirit” retreat at Walker Creek Ranch (with the assistance of Lee Hayward) to work toward knowing ourselves better as a congregation how to define ourselves and our goals as we anticipated a change in pastoral leadership in 2005 when Ginnie retired. Twenty-eight attended. Kirsten was in charge -- Gin and Lar did not attend. Focus on what’s next? Foundational. Built on our individual building blocks -- wrote messages of support and affirmation. Good participation but energy faded when during the weekend the NASA shuttle Challenger exploded.

In May 2003 -- to carry on with Walker Creek -- we held a one-day event, “Up the Creek WITH a Paddle” to make sure that the issues raised at Walker Creek were addressed/expanded upon. Empowerment. House meetings.

Summer 2003 Mid-Summer Nights Team Building -- Ten host leaders (fewer actual meetings, but a significant involvement for a summer event) gave birth, among other things, to the Apple Tree of ideas -- pick one and run with it.

(Offshoots of these planning/idea generating gatherings were the Worship Workshop with Marsha McFee in 2003 and the revival of a fellowship group for an unserved constituency -- Methodists in the Middle -- which suffered a failure to thrive.)

In 2004 Apple Tree II small group stimulus (small group signup fair) gave birth to Walkers, Quilters, Knitters, Writers, etc . . .

2004 using material generated in the Mid-Summers Nights gatherings (Doug Cleveland) formulated a Strategic Plan 2004 -- 2010. Remains unfinished.

In 2005 the Appreciative Inquiry questionnaire asked what congregants liked best about: self -- church -- denomination. What do you like about yourself, your church, your denomination? Interview segment of the program was not implemented.

Milestones:

In 1952 -- 1000-1200 members -- (Ken Adams) -- Bishop Tippett consecrated Centennial Hall ($66,860)

In 1957 -- 1200 members -- (Warren Bonner) -- Educational Building (Ed Whitmer, chair)

In 1963 (Art Schuck) Church of the Valley established -- a second Methodist congregation in Napa. Now home to Hopewell Baptist. C/V merged into FUMC in 1972.

Napa Creek Manor dedicated 15 September 1984 (Bill McCord) -- 620 members, 327 in worship -- Frank Stocking, chair

1 October 2001 (Ginnie Pearson) HOPE Center opened its doors -- 517 members with 248 in worship attendance

GRAPE Express -- Susan and a handful of dedicated parents changed the way we do Sunday School.

It only takes a few committed people to make things happen.

What’s next? Which seeds fall on fertile ground and are tended by faith filled gardeners?

There was a story in the SFChronicle about a successful garden planted in a median strip in a rundown area of the city. Others in the area heard about it and asked the Quesada residents, “How did you do it?”

“They always say, ‘I can’t do it myself,’ “ said James Ross, who moved to Quesada in 1983. ”That’s true, but somebody has to start. All it takes is two, three people who want to do it. If nobody gets it started, won’t nothing happen.”

MISSION STATEMENT

The First United Methodist Church unconditionally welcomes all people in greater Napa wherever they are on their faith journey. As a congregation rooted in scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, we promise opportunities to grow in the Spirit and to become active followers of Jesus Christ.

GROWTH SLOGAN

Come All * Come Grow * Come Follow

VISION STATEMENT

As we look five years into our future, we envision a theologically diverse Napa First United Methodist Church that especially reaches out to people in the greater Napa area who desire to maintain or renew their Christian faith.

We envision a church that provides opportunities for people to become rooted in a faith community through spiritual growth, the development of personal relationships, participation in the life and work of the congregation, and accepting responsibility for leadership.

We envision a church that will offer a variety of worship experiences throughout the week providing opportunities for life-change. There will be a strong faith education ministry for all ages, with trained leaders using high quality resources and curricula, and teaching in attractive learning spaces. Individual spiritual growth and corporate worship will be enriched by a dynamic music program for all ages.

We envision a church that will encourage every person to actively live out disciple-making mission and vision of the church. Individuals will be provided with opportunities to discern their own spiritual gifts and to utilize those unique gifts in ministry.

We envision a church in which 800 persons are served through worship and other spiritual growth opportunities each week. At least 40% of the regular attendees will participate in small groups. The church will operate with a streamlined organizational structure and be staffed for growth and excellence in ministry. There will be a senior pastor, associate pastor, full-time music minister, full-time Christian educator, past-time small-group pastor, and a full-time onsite social worker. There will be appropriate support staff.

We envision a church enlivened by the Holy Spirit, dedicated to the task of making disciples for Christ, and acting in the world to the glory of God, the Creator of all that is and all that can be.

WHERE WE ARE

Led by Mark Andersen

1. In Worship

2. In Christian Education

3. In Mission and Social Justice Ministries

4. In our Spiritual Life

(and how children, youth, and adults are involved in each)

The above categories were discussed in breakout groups and tabulated with contributions for all the groups.

1. WORSHIP

Different experiences week to week

Choir (or not) affects variety in worship

Now, more formality in service -- begin with bells sets tone, separates the announcements and chatter from the worship

More meaningful experiences for children and youth in worship services, such as acolytes, assist serving Communion, take up offering, etc

Following bulletin can be confusing for visitors/new attendees

Prayers of the people -- an expression of caring community

Opportunities for Spiritual Moments (Thin Places)

Miss the contemplative service

2. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

GRAPE Express -- high marks

opportunities for many adults to participate and children to interact with adults -- safe environment

Attractive Physical Space -- murals, story tent, hallway construction, etc

Sunday night book study

Adult Education -- limited opportunities

UMW -- short term classes

Other groups meet at various days and times

Need more Bible study -- of various kinds

Youth are missing

3. MISSION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

HOPE Center

Church and Society forums

Volunteers in Mission

Sierra Service Project

United Methodist Women

The Table

Bolivian Handcrafts

Vacation Church School Mission Focus

Support for African Missionary

Children making sandwiches for street people

Sierra Vista Convalescent Home

4. SPIRITUAL LIFE

Companions in Christ

Martha’s Bible Study

Membership Care Committee

Worship Services

Certified Spiritual Director (DJM)

Labyrinth

Women’s Faith Sharing

Lenten Devotional and Book Study

Weekly Prayer Group

SSP/Youth and Adults

Confirmation Class

WHERE DO WE WANT TO GO?

WHO DO WE WANT TO BE?

Led by Barbara Thompson

Four breakout groups to brainstorm future direction for:

1. Worship

2. Christian Education

3. Mission and Social Justice

4. Spiritual Life

Follow the DOVE when brainstorming

These following guidelines, successful in a school administration setting, were suggested to guide the group in brainstorming ideas for future direction:

__________________________________________________________

TURNING TO ONE ANOTHER . . .

There is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about.

Ask “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?”

Notice what you care about.

Assume that many others share your dreams.

Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.

Talk to people you know.

Talk to people you don’t know.

Talk to people you never talk to.

Be intrigued by differences you hear.

Expect to be surprised.

Treasure curiosity more than certainty.

Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.

Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.

Know that creative solutions come from new connections.

Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.

Real listening always brings people closer together.

Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.

Rely on human goodness. Stay together

(Margaret Wheatly, 2002)

1. WORSHIP

Two Services

Three Services -- Sunday AM and PM and Wednesday PM

More Music Opportunities for Children and Youth

Encourage Commitment to Attend

Thematic Approach to Christian Education and Social Justice *

Service Structure Sermons

Longer Service

Make Holy Moments Visible -- last

Time for things to sink in

Meditative, Holy Moments

Balance Challenge vs. Comfort

Be More Flexible re changing order of worship

Restructure -- question heavy investment in worship vs. other areas of involvement and nurture

Appropriate sound system for the Band

More Special Events -- Carlton Young, invite Marcus Borg, Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer * *

(Asterisks represent colored dots -- three per participant -- indicative of Personal Passion and posted on the brainstorm sheets.)

2. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Goal of Christian Education is to make every life an act of worship

UMW, other committees, adopt a month of GRAPE Express *

Open dialogue (not debate) on interfaith issues (Muslim) outside speakers

Advent Book Study

Advent Spiritual Devotional

Support for “Spark Plugs”

Kids “Time In” (as opposed to time-out) -- child care so parents could go out School Holidays, Friday Night, Holidays

Survey of 30-40 year olds (telephone) to determine what they would like

Communication Kiosk * * * *

System for Sharing Leadership * *

Study groups -- short term -- sparked by C&S forums

Offer also at the Meadows

Ethics * *

Alternate times

Men’s Group

(Asterisks represent colored dots -- three per participant -- indicative of Personal Passion and posted on the brainstorm sheets.)

3. MISSIONS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Become a Reconciling Congregation * * *

Affiliate with The Center for Progressive Christianity * * * * * * * * * * *

Communication with the Community re Social Justice * * * * * *

Farm Workers

Clean up river/environment *

Triangle Park

What would Napa miss if FUMC wasn’t here? What distinguishes us?

Respond as a Church Council

Restorative Justice -- sermon/forum/class *

Habitat for Humanity

Heifer Project International

Enter into relationships with like-minded churches -- Covenant Pres, St Helena Catholic

(Asterisks represent colored dots -- three per participant -- indicative of Personal Passion and posted on the brainstorm sheets.)

4. SPIRITUAL LIFE

Church growth

Contemplative service * * *

Education about

Labyrinth

Meditation

Contemplation

Witnessing to the ways God works in us

Small Groups -- more * * * * * * * *

Existing groups -- more welcoming *

Discovery Class -- Gifts Survey: Open to all

Take out “In Ministry”

Worship experience -- worship service

Spiritual Retreats -- Camping * * * * *

Older persons sharing stories with Children *

Age Groups -- social/spiritual -- 30s * *

Community Building -- not just nuclear family

(Asterisks represent colored dots -- three per participant -- indicative of Personal Passion and posted on the brainstorm sheets.)

HOW DO WE GET TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE? -- ACTION PLANS

Led by Doug Cleveland

Breakout groups formed around four topics with the greatest number of PPIs -- Personal Passion Indicator colored dots.

1. The Center for Progressive Christianity

2. Small Groups

3. Relating to the Community around Social Justice

4. Communication

1. THE CENTER FOR PROGRESSIVE CHRISTIANITY/ RECONCILING CONGREGATION

Consider TCPC to be primary focus -- broad (Reconciling Congregation included within TCPC -- narrower focus); see http://www.tcpc.org/template/index.cfm

Approach the whole congregation regarding affiliation with TCPC

Articles for the Grapevine by various congregation members writing about each of the eight points

Spring event -- invite the whole church to attend (TCPC Speakers Bureau)

Present a six-week study of TCPC (small groups)

Bring to a vote -- not necessarily the whole membership but the Church Council

In the struggle with language issues, accept TCPC terminology

Enter into dialogue rather than debate

Speak to various constituencies -- UMW, Builders, etc. Promote the concept of TCPC’s wider inclusive understanding of Christian life

Be available to speak privately with those who might not agree

2. SMALL GROUPS

Establish position of Small Group Coordinator (MSHerzog) to encourage, facilitate, publicize, new and existing small groups. Make inventory of small groups now in force and publicize meeting times and contact person.

Consider having small groups meet at the same time to minimize impact on families and child care issues.

Reactivate Community/Family Life Committee concept -- childcare friendly -- special focus on 30 - 40 age group. Leadership to be provided by team of specialists with specific interests:

Camping coordinator

Spiritual Retreat

Picnic

Present spiritual retreat for whole church -- off-site -- February 2007, Friday through Sunday -- Leadership JEMurdock, et al. Includes specialists in contemplative prayer, yoga, massage, Tai Chi, music/chant, etc.

Query age/interest groups re desires for time/style/content/etc

Small group with focus on ethical issues: Making ethical choices in general and specifically farm workers, stem cell research, prison system, justice, just war, support for military, abortion, euthanasia.

3. RELATING TO THE COMMUNITY

AROUND ISSUES OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

Identify issues of interest in the community -- Napa County -- Farm workers, River cleanup, etc.

Arrange for forums -- invite/publicize to whole community (newspaper, radio, FUMC Web site, community access TV)

Confer with experts to inform Church and Society Committee so committee can inform the community

River cleanup -- planned event (Sept?) FUMC take a piece of the river -- childcare for river cleanup volunteers

Forum two weeks in advance of the cleanup event -- have a cleanup celebration party

Restorative Justice -- Committee view UMW video -- search Web for info

Farm worker issues -- meet with Father Brenkle(?) St Helena Catholic

4. COMMUNICATION

COLUMNS -- Grapevine, encourage committees to submit pieces

COMPUTER -- Utilize our Web site

CLARIFY -- Environment in Fellowship Room -- revitalize the bulletin boards

Let the church know that Peter Lutz is our FUMC Web-master and to get items to him for posting on the Web site.

Project the Web site home page when using the video projector in worship

Make the Grapevine by e-mail the default

Press releases to the Napa Valley Register (Susan)

Advertise at Cinedome

Parish news phone line recording updated daily with news, hospital board, meeting calendar, etc.

APPENDIX

Note from Amy Herzog dated 10 August 2006 addressed to Michael Herzog to be shared with the Planning Retreat participants:

-------------------------------------------------------

As I understand it, the purpose of the retreat is to talk about where the church has been, where we are now, and where we would like to go in the future. So here's a little bit of my take on some of that.

I have attended the church for the last 30 years, some years more than others. The church is where I see family, and I consider many of its members to be part of my extended family. I met my husband at a church event. I worked for the church as a teenager and young adult, I have served on different committees and even led the Finance committee as well as working with the youth. And despite all of this, church is often a lonely place for me. Most of the time it is because of the lack of a peer group. Most of the youth that I grew up with left the area or no longer come to church. There is no program or activity or ministry of the church that would attract other young adults into the church, and hasn't been for many years.

I have talked with other young adults in the past and again more recently, and know that we have lost potential members because of the lack of a peer group. There is simply no reason for a 20 or 30 something person with no children to be part of the church unless their family ties continue to bring them, and even those family ties aren't enough for many of my peers.

I talk with my friends with who attend churches in other areas, and they talk about vibrant youth and young adult programs, programs where the youth and adults can be in study together, can be in mission together, have fellowship together, and I get sad and jealous.

I want to participate in such groups and activities, but there is nothing significant in which to participate. There have been times that I have contemplated leaving the church so I could find an environment where I could have more fulfilling relationships with other people. Someone mentioned to me that they enjoyed the intergenerational aspect of the church. And I do as well, but my whole life is "intergenerational". Most of my colleagues are significantly older than I am, my closest friends at work have college age children or older, the majority of my cousins are 15 or more years older than I am. In the neighborhood that I grew up, most of my neighbors were empty nesters or retired. I am very well versed in intergenerational living. What I lack are friends my own age and social activities to attend.

Through church I have received fewer than 10 social invitations in 15 years that were not initiated by family members. I am not invited to parties, gatherings, etc. Because Peter and I are frequently the only representatives of our age group, and are not in choir, no one thinks we might like to attend gatherings. The reality is that there are no other more appropriate gatherings for us attend.

So enough whining about what is or what is not. What I would like to see is a more active outreach program to find activities and small groups that would encourage young adults to stay connected to the church after they leave town. Perhaps have members of the congregation adopt the college students and send them packages and cards on a regular basis after they leave town.

Have more social opportunities that young adults would be comfortable in attending, with childcare available so that parent of young children would feel welcome as well.

Have significant mission/service projects that are easy to participate in. We used to do the CROP walk and have major food drives with significant participation, but I haven't seen anything like that happen for years.

Rethink UMW to be more accessible to working women under 50. I am aware that in some other congregations there are young women and youth that are very involved in UMW. It would be great to have such a program here that still preserves some of the groups that are very important to long time members.

Have more reasons for teenagers to come to church and participate in Sunday School. Encourage leadership within the youth, and have the youth participate in more service opportunities than simply SSP.