27
The Parish of St. John the Evangelist Strategic Plan Spring 2004
The Parish of St. John the Evangelist
Strategic Plan
Spring 2004
2
Parish Purpose
To present Christ in life and work in the power of the Holy Spirit in such ways that we will be led to believe in him as Savior and follow him as Lord within the fellowship of the church and community.
To create and nurture a liturgically – based community of believers and followers of Christ who will serve the
church and world.
3
Purpose of the Strategic Planning Committee
– The committee was charged by the Vestry in the Fall of 2003 to incorporate some long-range plans already in place, and strategic planning data already collected, into a single document.
– The foundation of the plan is based on the seven missions of our Church as defined in “A Mission Strategy for St. John’s.”
– The Strategic Plan would ask “ Where are we now? and “Where Do we see St. John’s in five years?”
– The plan will be used by the Vestry to develop actions plans to achieve mission-based goals.
– Actions plans will be measurable and quantifiable.
4
PROCESS
-The process of defining a Strategic Plan will be open and participatory, with input from the entire parish.
-Meetings focused on examining existing mission statements, the stated Parish purpose, questionnaires, demographic information and other data, and considering these in the context of our seven core missions.
-Responses solicited from the committee and Vestry have been compiled into a draft document for comment and input from the whole Parish.
-Parishioners are being invited to incorporate their ideas into the draft. This input will be collated and incorporated into one document for final publication.
5
Demographics & Socio-EconomicCharacteristics
Population:
• 1970 18,845• 1980 20,339• 1990 19,821• 2000 19,882• 2010(proj) 22,096
6
Demographics & Socio-EconomicCharacteristics (cont)
Age in year 2000:
• Under 5 1,487• 18 and over 14,367• 21 and over 13,955• 65 and over 2,803• 85 and over 394
Median age 40.4 years
Housing Units:
• Occupied 7,189• Seasonal 61• Owner Occupied 6,212• Renter Occupied 977
Total: 7,250
7
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Household Forecast for Hingham
0
5,000
10,000
6,232 6,9157,170 7,420 7,660
Year:
Households:
8
Projected Enrollment Through 2007, Based on Data From School Year 2002-3
2500
3500
4000
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
YEARS
ENROLLMENT
3497 34963549
3599 3604 3617
9
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
1991 1994 1997 2000 2003
Attendance
Year
Attendance @ St. John’s since 1991
10
Administration
Fellowship
Communication
Spiritual
Stewardship
Education
Outreach
Worship
Vision
Mission
Growth
Growth
GROWTH
GROWTH
Concentric Overview of Components Of Parish Life
11
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Two Sunday services-Provide both Rites I &II-Daily Morning Prayer-Lay Eucharistic Ministers-Senior and Junior Choirs-Evensongs-Lesson and Carols-Lenten/Advent Evening Services-Thursday Morning Healing Service-Prayer Chain-Three Christmas Pageants-Easter Services for Children including Good Friday-Acolyte Program-Junior Ushers’ Program-Families with small children “huddled” in back of Church during 10 a.m. service-Rector Planning to complete long ministry in next five years-Search for Assistant to Rector underway-Active volunteer Readers, Chalice Bearers, Altar Guild
-Add music to Church School, monthly in a Children’s Chapel or 15 minutes per week to sing-Continue to grow Junior Ushers’ program-Training and instruction for parents and children in worship service participation-Parish Profile and Search Committee for new Rector-Retain committed volunteers and recruit and train new ones-Develop music program to introduce adults and children to choir opportunities-recruit and train lay ministers-develop children’s chapel program-develop monthly children’s service
-Larger Junior Choir-Church School Committee and Church School teachers integrate music into youth education-Lay Eucharistic Ministers make more home visits-Three Sunday Services-Children’s Chapel-K-3 Children’s Christmas Pageant, the Sunday before Christmas-4 p.m. Christmas Pageant organized by Middle and High School youth groups-Church School Committee plans times and dates for children’s pageants and services based on program Church commission committee model-Families with small children are integrated into worship services
SPIRITUAL DRAFT
12
SPIRITUAL
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
13
DRAFTEDUCATIONAL
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Active Church School-Adult Programs, Bible Study and Book Groups-Youth Group Programs-Need Church School teachers-Inadequate church school physical space-Active Summer Church School Program; needs administrator and teachers-Church school needs administration and a vision-Infant Nursery and Toddler Room – under Education, Parish Family or Spiritual; inadequately funded-Diane Edson Children’s Library is growing and well-organized-Confirmation Education program-Church School and other demands upon students such as acolyting, junior choir and junior ushers need better coordination-Large increase in Church School enrollment straining physical plant and capacity to provide volunteer Sunday School teachers.-Youth participation in Church activities drops off in teen years.
-Capital Campaign-Paid Church School Administrator-Recruit more parents to teach-More teacher training-More frequent Church School/parent communication-Update Church School e-mail list-Adequately fund the Nursery and Toddler Room -Improve Church School Staffing-Determine why Church School attendance drops after third grade-Implement Senior High education opportunities-Involve Church School in outreach on an ongoing basis-Deliberate efforts to keep kids involved in Church after Confirmation
-Completed Christian Education Center-Higher weekly attendance-Adult programs draw from larger community-Expanded youth programs and services-More inviting space for learning-More variety of programs, such as morning Bible Study for Moms, with childcare provided; parent/child book group; parenting support groups, with childcare; retired individuals and the elderly-Expanded Church School with developmentally-appropriate curriculum-Teacher Training Program-Our programs open to wider South Shore community; be known as a source for inspirational programs.-Robust, fully-staffed Church School program available-100% retention of teens through 12th grade
14
EDUCATIONAL
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
15
DRAFTFELLOWSHIP
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Host parish-wide gatherings such as Harvest Supper and Annual Picnic-Two Coffee hours, after Sunday services-Coventry Suppers-Holiday Boutique-Christmas Day Brunch-Newcomers Events-Reading Groups-Fellowship of St. John’s Saturday Breakfasts-Evensong/Lessons & Carols Receptions-Needlepoint Guild-Altar Guild-Flower Arrangers-Parish incorporating new families, but are they committed to joining the Church?-Approaching Robert’s 25 Anniversary of service and the Parish’s 125th Birthday
-More parishioners on committees for prep, shopping, clean-up-Encourage children’s activities so parents can mingle with adults-Provide baby-sitting at all parish events-Include children in as many parish-wide fellowship events as possible-Have celebrations for Christian Ed. Center opening, Robert’s service anniversary and Church Birthday
-Comfortable, fun events that are well-attended, including more casual events like the chili cook-off-Provide a variety of activities, some social, some for spiritual learning-Mom/Parent/Couples Groups with childcare provided-Support groups to assist with areas like parenting, job hunting-Active Men’s group, social and spiritual-New parents join the Church as members and pledge financially and as volunteers-Every member of St. John’s feels included in all Celebrations
16
FELLOWSHIP
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
17
DRAFTOUTREACH
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Give money locally -Give money outside of immediate area-Give 10% of operating budget-Provide time and talent to local organizations-Giving to: Habitat for Humanity, Wellspring; St. Stephen’s-Boston, Common Cathedral, Saturday’s Bread, local food pantry, Heifer Project for kids-Some recipients chosen by previous Vestries; are our recipients in line with our current missions?
-Door proceeds from Boutique given to Food Pantry in 2003-Involve Church School and Youth Groups in ongoing outreach efforts-Ask parishioners what we should be doing that we are not.-Ask parishioners if giving should be concrete or cause-oriented?-Develop a project that has parish-wide support with concrete measurable results-Build support for an issue and provide a venue for speakers.-Pay of “loan” to endowment and use the money currently designated for that purpose to outreach
-Increase % of budget to be given-Give time and talent as in addition to money-Annual hands-on parish project (yard sale) with proceeds tied to outreach-Adult Mission Trip-More project involvement relative to housing and feeding those in need.-Develop additional opportunities for local outreach-consider a long-term relationship with a community/church that could form the basis of an annual mission trip for both adults and youth
18
OUTREACH
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
19
DRAFTSTEWARDSHIP
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-What % participation?-How close are we to needs for actual operating budget?-Only ½ of parish households regularly pledge
-Update parish lists to reflect giving households -communicate stewardship/budget issues quarterly-make stewardship a year-long topic, not just Fall-Document growth over past 20 years using a set of criteria-Call each family during Stewardship Campaign-Every new family is solicited to pledge when they join the Church or enroll child in Church School
-100% participation-Revenue increases annually-Involvement of more parishioners in the actual stewardship drive – stewardship teams are visiting all parishioners-Completed Capital Campaign-More individuals providing time and talent through committees and specific opportunities-Use 20-year growth plan to make case for pledging-Planned Giving Program-Stewardship included in Church School-Number of pledging households increases by 20%
20
STEWARDSHIP
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
21
ADMINISTRATION
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Full-time Rector and Assistant (search in progress), Full-Time Sec’y-Part-time Choirmaster, Sexton, and Groundskeeper-Vestry-Time and Talent Inventory-Vestry completing tasks that should be done by staff
-Office Audit-Update and Upgrade Computer system-Hire p/t parish administrator and p/t bookkeeper.-Formalize personnel policies and procedures, job descriptions, performance reviews, compensation packages and step raises.-Clarify and formalize decision-making processes (e.g., What does Rector decide, Vestry, both together, which require parish input.)
-Administration includes Staff and Office, Buildings and Grounds, and Finance-Staff can provide up-to-date info on budgets, expenses, endowments, etc., for Vestry meetings.-Employer and Employee have clear understanding of employment relationship-Well-established that Vestry serves as the policy-making board.-Day-to-day administrative decisions are made by Rector and staff.-Number of Vestry members kept low, commissions operate with large, active committees-Paid Church School Administrator -Parish Administrator-Paid Book keeper- Efficient and organized systems in place, including job descriptions, employee evaluations, employee team-building-Regular facility maintenance program in place-New five-year plan in development-Increased endowment
DRAFT
22
ADMINISTRATION
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
23
COMMUNCATION
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
-Publish Evangel twice a month-Adult Education Leaflet mailed-Announcements in Weekly Service Bulletin-Parish Quarterly Forums-Active and well-maintained Church School Family email list-Church events and programs are publicized, but policy-making decisions are announced after-the-fact. Use communication methods to ask for Parish input.-Proposed Parish Budget not distributed far enough in advance of the Annual Meeting.
-renew and manage Parish e-mail list-List Committee meetings in Evangel-List committee members, purpose and contact numbers-Have committee chairs keep minutes for parish access
-Provide multi-channel communication on a regular basis to all parishioners designed to inform congregation of current and planned events-Publish Evangel on-line weekly-Expand Evangel to larger, more sophisticated publication-Newcomers’ Brochure – A Guide to St. John’s, given at welcome visit, also available on-line-Active and well-maintained parish e-mail list-Parishioners receive information in many formats and can easily retrieve information-Interactive parish web site with event listings, group e-mail, Parish Directory, Church School schedule, links from the service bulleting to BCP, Hymnal, other church-related links-Parishioners are knowledgeable about how decisions are made and about how they may have input into that decision-making process.
DRAFT
24
COMMUNICATION
Where are we now? Actions Steps to Goal Where are we 5+ years?
25
The Key To Success
Members of the Parish are invited to share their ideas, creativity, vision, enthusiasm, passion, and love for our Church home by adding to St. John’s plan for the future!
The Committee knows that the Parish has high expectations. Not all suggestion can be implemented. We know that themes will emerge and priorities will surface that will guide us to an exciting vision of growth.
Once the document is published, this excitement will be sustained by each of us, as we participate in designing initiatives, developing programs, and implementing our Parish vision.
26
The “How-To” Guide to the Strategic Plan
There are three ways to add your input to the Strategic Plan:
1. Fill out the paper copy here today, and drop it off or send it to the Church.
2. Visit our website: www.stjohns-hingham.org to download a copy, add to it, and e-mail it back.
3. Send an e-mail with general comments and suggestions to [email protected]
27
Time Line
We would like any comments, changes and suggestions back to the committee two weeks from this date, i.e. May 16th, 2004.
