GENESEE LUTHERAN PARISH JOINT ACTIVITY and OUTREACH COMMITTEE, January 19, 2019

A joint meeting of Outreach and Activity committees met, Friday, January 18, at 10 a.m. in St. John Fellowship Hall. Attending were: Dana Carter, Linda Chilson, Rosanna Cartwright, Amy Peterson, Laureen Trail, Alice Bevans, and Verna Studer.

To determine what activities will happen this upcoming year, the members quietly jotted down (1) activities that each wanted to continue, (2) activities that we could let go, and (3) activities that we would like to see happen.

Then as a group, we discussed and combined all of our lists. What we learned is that the church is not about the building but about the people and the relationships! So, having activities is key to our congregation’s strengths!

The following is a partial list of our ideas:

1. ACTIVITIES TO CONTINUE: Theology on Tap; INSPIRE; Support of Lutherhaven and CCQ; Community Garden; Bible Study; Holy Week at the Valley, including Seder meal; Christmas Eve Candle Lighting service; Annual Outdoor festival with music and food and community; Newsletter, blog, Facebook for communication and marketing; Weekly Fellowship; Youth Group activities; Christmas gifts for Kids, coordinated by Dana C; U of I campus support, including fall fundraiser; Trunk or Treat at Halloween; Help with VBS; Thanksgiving Dinner.

NOTE:  After the meeting, Pastor Dana mentioned that he would like added to the list:  a celebration of the building, St. John’s anniversary

2.ACTIVITIES TO LET GO: Gospel on the Porch, until we see need for it again.

3. ACTIVITIES WHICH WOULD BE FUN TO ADD: Fundraising; Fall activity: Community garden Harvestfest, and a GLP Spaghetti feed fundraiser; A Congregation trip: weekend campout or day trip during summer; Game Night for family; Babysitting day for parents with kids at Christmas; Christmas caroling at the park with community; Valentine “Share the Love”; and a Christmas “shopping” workshop for kids to give presents to their families.

You can see the "Activities to Continue" listed on the Church Calendar on this blog. A few of the "Activities Which Would Be Fun to Add" are also already scheduled. The calendar is updated weekly. If you would like the Google Calendar to sync with your personal Google Calendar, contact Verna or Patrick so that we can add you.