Yep! August 1st. Of course, there’s still some summer left, but this is also a reminder that we are turning toward the fall. So, looking ahead, let me highlight two upcoming opportunities at Park that you’ll want to know about.
First, save the date for Sunday Funday, September 8. Immediately following worship, join us for a parking lot party and get your fun on! Food, music, games, and all the things. Also, you’ll have multiple opportunities to sign up to serve in a ministry at Park and join a group to continue growing in faith, hope, and love. Save the date!
Second, watch for Park Avenue Places of Belonging. As part of our strategic priority called Welcome and Belonging, we have a goal: To enable each person to discover at least one place of belonging (POB) in addition to worship. In the next couple of weeks, we’ll roll out multiple ways for you to find your POB at Park. Watch for it!
And … so many good things have happened at our church in the last few months. Can I take just a moment to look back on a few things we’ve accomplished?Thanks to the $10,000 Investing in Congregations Grant from the Minnesota Annual Conference, we’ve made significant strides in our Wellness and Wholeness initiative to enhance healthy relationships, spiritual vitality, and wholeness. Let me bullet point how we’ve been doing that:
Community Agreements
- Developed church-wide community agreements: Do no harm, do all the good you can, stay in love with God.
- Held a three-part sermon series and a banner signing, with 100% of staff, board, and at least 51% of congregants participating, including children and youth. The banner is still available for signing outside the Gathering Room.
- Created a Community Agreements resource page on our website.
Congregational Care Team
- Expanded the team by 10%.
- Scheduled visits to ensure all homebound congregants receive two calls and one visit per month.
- Engaged in Mental Health training and incorporated Community Agreements into their training.
- Incorporated the Community Agreements into care training.
Workshops and Groups
- Hosted a couple’s workshop on healthy relationships.
- Conducted a 3-session grief group for support and connection.
- Running two parent support groups over the summer: one for parents with children 4 and under (15 adults, 10 kids), and one for parents of elementary students (15 adults, 15 kids). Both led by parents.
Future Plans
- A mental health seminar for parents in the fall to facilitate support and connection.
Hospitality Gathering
- Our Sunday morning hospitality gathering in the Gathering Room attracts around 100 people weekly for refreshments and fellowship.
Well, I could go on. In the Psalms, you read multiple times, “I will tell of the good things of God!” Yes! And there is more—so much more to tell! We are a church where the goodness of God is happening all around us! I’m glad you’re part of it!
Much love,
Pastor Gregg
