Here’s the latest from Esperanza:
Discernment Meetings
We’re underway with the online meetings we’ve set up to take the place of the day-long discernment workshop that had been set for March 22. Pastor Miguel Gomez-Acosta from the Grand Canyon Synod office is leading groups through a three-part look at Esperanza’s past, present, and dreamed-for future.
Last Sunday, March 22, was the first meeting. Thirteen people participated in the meeting, with three more listening in to capture notes. It was a great conversation and a productive meeting. Particularly interesting: Pastor Miguel shared Esperanza’s “trend report” that shows changes in such things as baptized membership, worship attendance, and our financial situation over the last eight years. Particularly encouraging was the response to his question: If money, volunteers, and time were unlimited, what do you dream Esperanza could do?
This morning, 11 of us engaged in an interesting and in-depth conversation, and 15 are scheduled for Sunday, March 29 (9 a.m.-noon). There’s room for more! Register by emailing Pastor Carol at [email protected] or call or text her at 224-422-9552.
The thoughts shared in these meetings will feed into the writing of the Ministry Site Profile, which is the document the bishop shares with potential pastoral candidates for Esperanza. The Ministry Site Profile will be available for the congregation to read before it goes to the bishop.
New Facebook Group
For those of you who are on Facebook, we have a new group called Non-news Esperanza. News updates get posted on our official Friends of Esperanza page, which is public. This new group is visible only to members of the group and is intended to be what Liz Farquhar called a “virtual coffee hour”—a chance to stay connected, post photos, request prayer, and share mood-elevating inspirational messages, videos, and funny stuff. To join, just type “Non-news Esperanza” in the search bar, go to the group, and click “join group.”
Not on Facebook? No interest in being on Facebook? You can sign up for free and just do this one group, then deactivate your account when we can all get back together. Just a thought.
Sunday Worship
For this Sunday, March 29, we will not try to do any kind of online worship because we have the meeting with Pastor Miguel. The plan is to get something out to everyone on Saturday night so it’s available for you when you want it.
What exactly we’ll be offering week-to-week going forward is in flux. We do want to maximize opportunities to connect.