Mission Study First Presbyterian Church Adrian, Michigan

The Mission Study Task Force consisted of seven members: Meredith Elliott: Chairperson, Tom Blanton, Jim Dickson, Paul Diller, Ric Frownfelder, Carol Oram, and Carol Lue Weaver. The group began meeting in September 2013 to discern a process for writing the study. A large paper timeline was placed in the main hall of the church, and individuals were given a month to post events important to them with color-coded post-it notes. The timeline included a space for future hopes for the church. In October 2013, the Mission Study Task Force met with the Session and Deacons to formulate the key questions to be asked at a congregational gathering. These questions fell under the four headings: (1) who are we?, (2) who is God calling us to be?, (3) Who is our neighbor?, and (4) what are we looking for in a pastor? The questions were tabulated and consolidated and presented to the congregation. All congregants were invited to attend a round-robin gathering at the end of October. After a meal, people were directed to one of four tables to discuss the sub-questions under each of the four headings. After ten minutes, the groups were shuffled and moved to another table to discuss another set of questions. About 45 people attended. The questions were also distributed in hard copy to those who could not attend the all-church gathering, and several written replies were received. Meredith distributed summary sheets of the collected data to each task force member, from which each person was invited to write a draft of the mission study. The entire group met on December 9, 2013, and four drafts where presented. Commonalities were assessed and each person commented on what they felt should be in the final draft of the Mission Study. The final Mission Study will be approved by the committee, submitted to Session for approval in January 2014, and then forwarded on to the Committee on Ministry.

Mission Study First Presbyterian Church Adrian, Michigan

Who Are We? We are a Christian community of faithful servants who are responsive to Gods guidance. We are a church of everyday people striving to glorify Gods presence through worship, education, mission, and fellowship. As a Christian community of faithful servants, we are a diverse congregation, joined by an appreciation for traditional services, liturgies, and hymns. All are welcome in our church and are greeted with love and respect. We are a church of everyday people. We have membership of over 200 people, with an average Sunday attendance of 100. Forty percent of our membership is 65 or older, 60% is female, and we are predominantly Anglo. We are located downtown in an historical, well-maintained building with a recently-added elevator. Our membership has diverse views on social and political issues, and individual preferences are respected. Striving to glorify Gods presence through worship: Our worship service is traditional in music, order of service, and liturgical readings. We have an adult vocal choir, regular childrens performances, a bell choir, and a large pipe organ. Prayer and praise is always part of our worship, as is a lively passing of the peace. Education: We seek to provide Christian Education opportunities to all of our members, from youngest to oldest. We have regular Sunday School programs for children and adults, and our LOGOS program continues to grow. We mentor our youth, and teach them different aspects of our faith by modeling and spending time with them. Mission: We are a church committed to mission, serving and ministering to the needs of our congregants, our community, and those in crisis. Our congregation participates in many local missions, including Salvation Army programs, Hospice, Meals on Wheels, and Habitat for Humanity. Our mens group has over 20 regular participants, and assists with rent, utility, and gasoline payments, adopts families at Christmas, and provides regular support to homeless students. Fellowship: We enjoy congregational fellowship, and provide many opportunities for our church family to foster friendships and spiritual relationships. First Presbyterian has regular after-worship coffee hours, potluck meals, and Come as You Are monthly social events. LOGOS meets each week and provides inter-generational fellowship for children and adults. We aspire to be a church that welcomes everyone, offering acceptance and friendly outreach to all, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or economic status.

Who is God Calling Us To Be? First Presbyterian Church senses a clear calling to mission work and membership enrichment. We seek to discern Gods call through prayer and reflection on scripture. We support and encourage the development and strength of interpersonal relationships, fellowship, and congregational support. Congregational assessment has identified the following elements with regards to the future of our church: Growth in the 35-50 year old age group/young families. Become more actively welcoming: better signage, evangelism, invitation, advertising (flyers, facebook, website), mission opportunities. Focused mission work: Prayerfully consider and focus on key areas to concentrate our mission time and dollars, including collaboration with other churches and agencies. Study and understanding of PC-USAs stance and our churchs position on issues of social justice (war, peacemaking, sexuality, poverty.) We seek to facilitate discussion, cause thinking, and be a church of conscience and openness.

Who Are Our Neighbors? Our neighbors are the downtown Adrian area, our wider county/community, our global community, and anyone with whom we each, as congregants and ministers, interact. Our church is in a downtown, historic building. This gives us the opportunity to provide a venue for downtown events and minister to our immediate downtown community. Our mission study has shown that our congregants would like more focus on identifying what it means to our church, collectively, to be a downtown church, and how essential that is to our congregations view of itself.