Vision and Implementation Updates

Vision Implementation Team Final Report

Proverbs tells us that “where there is no vision, the people perish.” And the prophet Habbakuk calls us to “write the vision and make it plain.” Three and a half years ago, our church began a visioning process that resulted in a clear framework for claiming God’s future for us. We are called to deepen our commitment to Jesus, widen the reach of God’s love for others, unite together in common purpose, and make adaptive changes to accomplish our mission.

Little did we know when we adopted our vision plan in 2018 that the subsequent years of implementing that vision would prepare us to not only survive a pandemic but thrive over this past year. Even more remarkably, this vision is setting us on a trajectory to meet the needs of a culture that will continue changing far beyond COVID-19, and will enable us to deepen, widen, unite, and adapt for many years to come.

The following is the final report of the Implementation Team, made up of seven lay people and two staff, who coordinated the work of over eighty persons on 12 different initiative teams. This report details all that we have accomplished as a church since the vision plan was adopted, and further adaptations we will be making to live into God’s future for Hyde Park United Methodist. We give thanks to God for granting us this vision, and for the many people whose tireless efforts enabled us to write it down in the following pages, and make it plain.

Highlights

Worship Team:

Worship placed greater emphasis on technology which enabled us to accommodate our COVID reality on fully online offerings.
Ministry Leadership Council (MLC) approved reducing the number of worship services to four.

Organizational and Staffing Teams:

Revised Hyde Park United Methodist organizational structure aligned along ministry area lines.
Staff Parish Relations committee (SPR) hired an Executive Director, to ensure programmatic alignment, supervision of staff and overall communications strategy.
SPR hired a new Director of Discipleship, and expanded the scope of the position to better align with our seven spiritual practices and organizational structure.
SPR established stronger alignment between the Minister of The Portico and the Minister of Missions and Outreach to establish and advance the missional identity of The Portico campus.
SPR hired a technology assistant to better handle the increased scope of media production.
MLC Executive Team approved establishing a lay led, more empowered Small Blessings Advisory Team responsible to the MLC. The team will provide policy oversight.

Portico and Café Teams:

Launched several fresh expressions groups (Social Justice, Paddle with Purpose, etc.)
MLC Executive Team approved establishing a lay-led, more empowered Portico Advisory Team – responsible to the MLC – to provide policy oversight.

Communications Team:

Finance Committee funded a website revamp.

Discipleship Team:

Bible Project 2020 addressed the desire for diving deeper into the Bible.

Invitation and Connection Teams:

Adopted a digital/content strategy to produce a world-class online experience and outsourced the task under Executive Director oversight.
Adopted consistent protocols for posting, hashtag use, and identification of major social channels used (with links to Communications) and outsourced through Brand Minded.

Missions Team:

Updated Mission and Outreach funding criteria to more closely reflect Vision priorities
Consolidated the number of supported missions from 51 to 29
Sustained and expanded the Dunbar Elementary School initiative, providing opportunities to engage entire congregation and deeper individual involvement

Debt and Property Team:

A 2020 Church Conference approved purchasing the medical office for $1.04 million, and the sale of the Cedar Street property.
Finance Committee increased the Capital Reserve account to $473,000

Implementation Team Executive Summary

If you wish to receive a copy of the complete report as a .pdf file, please send an email to vision@hydeparkumc.org.

Vision Plan Implementation Team Update

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

God has uniquely equipped Hyde Park United Methodist for an exciting future: one where we are making God’s love real, in which people will be connected people into loving community, transformed to be more like Jesus, and equipped to teach others how to live life as God intends. Claiming that future involves adapting to the challenges of the present. Just like the early church did thousands of years ago, we must tailor our practices to reach an ever-changing population in Tampa and beyond. Our mission is the same; some of the ways we fulfill that mission must be adapted to the times.

Here is a reminder of where we have been over the last two years, and an update on where we are heading:

The Vision Team synthesized a year’s worth of information from meetings with hundreds of church members and visitors, staff and lay leaders; through ministry assessments; open-invitation visioning chats with more than 200 participants; and a congregation-wide survey with more than 700 respondents; among other outreach.
A long-term strategic Vision plan was voted on and unanimously approved at a Church Conference on Dec. 17, 2018. It sets the foundation for deepening our faith, widening our outreach, and uniting together in the love of God (read more). The Vision plan:
1. Names opportunities and challenges we face as we seek to fulfill our mission in a changing culture
2. Identifies facts bearing on the challenges we face
3. Sets the framework and rationale for what, in some cases, need to be major changes in our approach to ministry
4. Makes recommendations for next steps and follow on actions
An Implementation Team (seven volunteers and two staff members) was established by the Committee on Lay Leadership, as part of a decision at the Dec. 17, 2018 Church Conference, to shepherd the process and the work of the lay teams.
12 Initiative teams, made up of 77 volunteers and 10 staff members, were formed in February, 2019 and are focusing on each recommendation from the Vision Team:
- Worship
- Communications, Stewardship
- The Portico
- The Portico Cafe
- Organization
- Staffing
- Connection
- Discipleship
- Debt / Property
- Invitation and
- Missions
Each team is working on recommendations. Teams are considering a wide range of topics, including ways to enhance our worship services, easy ways for new people to connect with small groups and missions opportunities, better ways to communicate, and how to increase our biblical literacy. (Read more about each team’s focus) Teams have met an average of four to six times. Some teams will complete their work this summer, and others will continue working through November.
No decisions have been made yet. Proposals will first be reviewed by the Implementation Team. Depending on the nature and scope of the proposal, approval may need to come from the Ministry Leadership Council and, in some cases, by a called church conference. Initiatives will be implemented as the overall timeline develops.
Next steps in ministry together will be communicated along the way as things become clearer. Your Hyde Park staff and Implementation Team will share information via our website, bulletin, eNews and email.

If you’d like to offer comments or ask questions at any point in the process, you can email the team at vision@hydeparkumc.org.

Vision Team Update

Church Conference Approved Recommendations on Dec. 17

The congregation of Hyde Park United Methodist unanimously voted to adopt our long-term strategic plan. It sets the foundation for deepening our faith, widening our outreach, and uniting together in the love of God.

View Magrey’s statement on the “State of Religion and Culture Today”

Town Hall Gathering recap

Download “ADAPT” handout – This accompanies the Town Hall video and is referred to in the presentation below.
Watch Town Hall Gathering

For more than 14 months, a team of 16 people representing our congregation has been hard at work engaging all the members of this church, our staff, our programs, and our missions. We have undertaken this sustained Visioning process knowing we have a special and enduring calling in a dynamic and changing world: to make God’s love real in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, and to all the people we can.

The Vision Team has synthesized a year’s worth of information from meetings with hundreds of church members and visitors, staff and lay leaders; through ministry assessments; open-invitation visioning chats with more than 200 participants; and a congregation-wide survey with more than 700 respondents; among other outreach.

In July and August, the Vision team issued a church-wide survey, and your response was truly amazing. 710 people took part in the survey, a sample that well represents every cross-section of our congregation. We had proportionate representation from those who attend each of our worship services and perspectives from both those who are new to Hyde Park and those who have been here for decades. Survey participants provided literally thousands of written responses to open-ended questions, each of which has been thoughtfully read.

So what’s next in this process? The Vision Team is prayerfully reviewing content from the many Visioning Chats that were held in the spring; meetings with small groups; data looking at attendance, demography and community attitudes; and the survey. The team is synthesizing their findings from these efforts, which will result in recommendations to this church. Those recommendations will be widely shared via town-hall-style gatherings, after which we will all be invited to a church conference to vote on them. Please continue to keep this process in prayer.

Vision Survey Recap

Thank you! 720 people participated and responded with thousands of written responses to open-ended questions.

Vision Chat Recap

It is with deep gratitude that we express our appreciation to everyone who participated in a Vision Chat this spring.

Close to 200 members of our congregation contributed openly and generously in these important conversations as part of our sustained effort to discern how the Spirit intends to use Hyde Park United Methodist– its people, its service and its worship – to make God’s love real and make disciples, both today and in the future. We had congregation-wide open chats as well as focused meetings with specific groups (the youth, previous leadership, choir and Joyful Praise Team, 20s and 30s.)

We had chats open to the entire congregation as well as focused meetings with specific groups, including current and former leaders, our 20s and 30s ministry, our youth, small groups, and the Chancel Choir and Joyful Praise Team, just to name a few.

Together, we explored and wrestled with challenging questions about our high calling as Christ’s church in Tampa, asking:

How can Hyde Park United Methodist deepen its discipleship?
How can Hyde Park United Methodist extend its reach into the community and the world?
How can Hyde Park United Methodist adapt to cultural changes?

In response, you shared personal anecdotes, perspectives, meditations, observations, and revelations, all of which are shaping and being incorporated into the next step in our listening phase of this initiative: a congregational survey.

This online survey is being developed now and will be rolled out this summer in June or July. We’ll communicate the survey widely and look forward to deepening this conversation with you.

What are we doing?

Engaging a sustained effort to discern how the Spirit intends to use Hyde Park – it’s people, its service, and its worship – to make God’s love real (John 21:15-17) and make disciples (Matthew 28:19), both today and in the future

Why are we doing this?

God is calling Hyde Park UMC to an exciting future: one where we are making God’s love real in all the ways we can, in all the places we can, and to all the people we can

Why now?

The world is changing, and people think the world is becoming more separated and more divided.
Our mission to Make God’s Love Real hasn’t changed. Our goals of sharing the message of God’s grace and forgiveness, bringing healing to our city and the world, and inviting people to follow Jesus are as urgent as ever.
We can no longer assumethe church has the same stature, authoritative voice or appeal as it once did in our culture. The world is changing and Tampa is changing, too.
Hyde Park can play an important and practical role as repairer and restorer of the divisions we see in the world. (Isaiah 58:12)

What have we done so far?

Met with leaders of the church’s ministries
Met with the church’s elected committee leaders
Met with program staff
Asked for the congregation’s “headline” visions
Reviewed data on the demographics and engagement of our church members
Engaged in focused conversations with nearly 200 church members through Vision Chats

Where are we in the process now?

Listening mode and further data gathering – with a congregational survey being distributed in July. We’ll communicate the survey widely and look forward to deepening this conversation with you.

What do we need from the people of Hyde Park?

Be in prayer that our congregation hears and discerns the Spirit’s word to us
Participate in the upcoming congregational survey

Newsletters and Social Media

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eHyde Park — A weekly summary of what’s happening and how you can get involved — including this Sunday’s worship schedule.
Family Ministries — A weekly newsletter that combines latest news, events and content from our Children’s Ministries and Youth Ministries.
Midweek Message — Inspiring words from senior pastor the Rev. Magrey deVega, delivered every Thursday to your inbox.
The Portico News — Message from Justin LaRosa delivered every Friday. Includes groups, events and updates from The Portico and Portico Cafe.
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Connect in Social Media

Facebook
Read, comment and share in our church community throughout the week. Like us! And check out The Portico page.

Twitter
Follow us on Twitter @hydeparkumc / @ThePorticoTampa Use #hydeparkumc / #ThePorticoTampa (public pages).

Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for photos and images of God’s love made real (public page).

My Hyde Park, Our Own Online Community My HP
Join My Hyde Park, our password-protected online community, to interact with other members in your groups, RSVP for events, update your personal information on file, or access your online giving statements. Click the “Request Account” button and follow instructions on the login page to set up your own password.

Questions? Contact Us
Email us at info@hydeparkumc.org or telephone at 813.253.5388.

eNewsletter Archive

View past editions of eHyde Park, Magrey’s Midweek Message and the Family eNews (Children and Youth):

Get a GRIP on Scripture

Bible Verses to Read When You Are:

You may also print this document to use with your regular devotions.

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) meets 9:30-11 a.m. or 6:30-8:30 p.m. (for working moms) the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month (during the school year). All moms with children age 5 and under and those moms who are pregnant. Wesley Center, 3rd floor, Rooms 308-309

Share Your RMD Tax-Free

Did you know you can share your retirement assets with Hyde Park United Methodist and distribute funds without paying ordinary income tax? Savers who have accumulated investments in tax-deferred IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) must begin distribution of these assets by the time they reach 70 1/2 years old. If those assets are not needed to support your retirement, you can distribute them directly to Hyde Park United Methodist. This strategy saves the payment of ordinary income tax on the amount of the distribution.

More information can be found on the Florida United Methodist Foundation website. You may want to consult your tax advisor. Questions? Email Lynn Osborne, Comptroller.

What Can $100 or $500 Fund at Hyde Park?

As you consider the level of generosity you are called to in your support of Hyde Park’s ministries and missions, here are some examples of a small incremental increase in your giving.

What can $100 fund at Hyde Park?

Two scholarships for children to experience God’s love at Vacation Bible School
25 teddy bears used to share God’s comfort through our pew bear ministry
One Financial Peace scholarship to start someone on the path to financial freedom
Printed worship bulletins needed to engage worshipers for one service on one Sunday
Five Third Grade Bibles to start children on the path of lifelong discipleship
One day of electricity at the Portico campus to maintain a welcoming place for connection
One day of a summer Youth intern who will form connections with our teens
Two Sundays of live streaming worship services to multiple platforms to widen our reach
Four background checks to ensure our volunteers and staff are safe for our kids
One piano tuning, helping us make a joyful noise in worship
One Wednesday night of Nursery care, allowing young parents to grow closer to God
16 Love Meals that will be delivered to a family in a time of need
A nourishing hot breakfast for 39 homeless guests
One month of Wednesday night preschool children’s curriculum to teach our youngest disciples
16 new bulbs for stage lighting in a worship space
Communion supplies for two Sundays

What can $500 fund at Hyde Park?

Confirmation materials to help a class of youth claim their faith for themselves
Leader materials for adult small groups, helping them grow together in community
A week of Warren Willis Camp where a teenager can encounter the living God
Two Sundays of police security on the Hyde Park campus, giving us peace of mind to focus on worship, community and discipleship
One scholarship for a transformational domestic mission trip
A funeral with organ music, bulletins, tech support and a reception space for a grieving family
Five days of support for Metropolitan Ministries outreach program

31 Days Reading Plan on the Life of Jesus

31–Days on the Life of Jesus

Navigate the pathway Jesus paved for us during his life on Earth. This 31-day plan features concise passages for individual or group reading, accompanied by thought-provoking questions to deepen your understanding of the Word.

Click here to download a printable version.

Day 1: Birth

Luke 2:1-21

What do you imagine Jesus’ birth looking like?
What should our response be when we discover what God wants us to do, like the Shepherds?
In what ways can you praise God for Jesus’ arrival into the world this week?

Day 4: Temptation

Luke 4:1-13

Has there ever been a time when you were very hungry or thirsty? What happened?
What physical needs or desires make us vulnerable to temptations?
How can we prepare to withstand tempting situations?

Day 7: Instructions

Matthew 12:16-42

What would you say a great leader looks like (name their character, skills, knowledge, etc.)?
In what ways do you seek to bring justice or fairness to your relationships?
What is one practical thing you could do in your daily life that would be “bearing good fruit” like Jesus said?

Day 10: Marriage Feast

Matthew 22:1-14

What is your funniest wedding story?
Who do you think eventually showed up to the wedding feast? What does that say about God’s love?
What is one practical way you can show God’s love to someone who might not be “invited to the party”?

Day 13: Good Samaratin

Luke 10:25-37

When has someone gone out of their way to help you?
Have you ever “passed by” like the priest or Levite instead of helping like the Good Samaritan? Why?
What is one way you could help someone in need like the Good Samaritan?

Day 16: Stewardship

Luke 16:1-18

In what ways does our culture pressure us to love money?
Why is it so difficult to keep a proper perspective on money?
What is one way you can use money to serve others and show them the love of God?

Day 19: Good Shephard

John 10:1-42

When you hear about sheep, what comes to mind? Do you have any specific images, memories or associations with sheep or shepherds?
In what ways is Jesus like a shepherd? In what ways are we like sheep?
What is one way you could be more intentional about listening to God’s voice?

Day 22: Triumphal Entry

Mark 11:1-11

What is the best parade you have ever been to? Briefly share about it.
What do you think the disciples thought about what Jesus asked them to do?
The Caesars of Rome in Jesus’ day would have had grand “power parades” often, as opposed to Jesus’ humble “one-donkey” parade. What does this tell us about Jesus?

Day 25: Prayer of Jesus

John 17:1-26

Why are religious beliefs divisive?
How is Jesus’ relationship with God the Father a model for how Christians should treat each other?
What is one way you can show love to other Christians?

Day 28: Resurrection

Luke 24:1-12

Do you have a story that is hard to believe? Briefly share.
Why do you think the disciples doubted the resurrection, despite the fact that Jesus told them it would happen?
How can you reaffirm the good news of the resurrection this week?

Day 31: Ascension

Acts 1:1-11

How do you think the disciples felt when Jesus left them?
What do you think Jesus’ final instruction to “be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth,” means?
What is one trait, skill or talent you have that you can use to share God’s love with others?

Day 2: At the Temple

Luke 2:41-52

What would you have wanted to ask Jesus had you been around during those three days in the temple?
In what way should we strive to grow in wisdom and stature in favor with God and others, like Jesus?
What difference might it make to you this week if you prepared for church as if it were a visit to your father’s house?

Day 5: First Miracle

John 2:1-12

What makes an event miraculous or supernatural?
How does Jesus reveal his power to us today?
What is one specific habit or characteristic you will ask God to change in your life this week?

Day 8: Cost of Discipleship

Matthew 16:24-28

What are some ways people try to “find themselves”?
What does it mean to you to “take up your cross” and follow Jesus?
What is one thing you could do this week to “deny yourself” and follow Christ?

Day 11: Christ’s Return

Matthew 24:1-25

Why do people enjoy apocalyptic, “end-of-the-world” stories (Zombie books, movies and games, “The Day After Tomorrow,” etc.)?
Jesus didn’t give us a specific time or date for his return. Is that helpful or frustrating? Why?
Does knowing Christ will return someday give you hope? Why?

Day 14: Prayer

Luke 11:1-13

How do children act when they want something (a snack, toy, etc.) desperately?
Why do you think the disciples needed to be taught how to pray?
What is one way you can apply something from this passage to the way you pray?

Day 17: New Birth

John 3:1-21

Why do you think Nicodemus came by night to Jesus?
What do you think Jesus meant by being “born from above” or “born of the Spirit”?
How can you thank God for sending Jesus?

Day 20: Vine and Branches

John 15:1-27

What do you do to stay connected to friends and family?
What are some ways we “remain in Jesus” like he says in the passage?
What is one way you can commit to staying connected with Jesus?

Day 23: Last Supper

Matthew 26:17-35

In what ways does sharing a meal bind people together?
What would it have been like to be one of the disciples, and eaten the last supper with Jesus?
What does Communion mean to you personally? Why?

Day 26: Trials

Luke 22:47-71 | Luke 23:1-25

How do people typically react when bullied, insulted or attacked by others?
How would Jesus want us to react to criticism (like the guards and crowds) or our friends betraying us (like Peter)?
What is one example of how we can respond to evil with love?

Day 29: Road to Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

Have you ever been surprised by something you didn’t realize at first? Briefly share.
What is a Christian truth that you didn’t understand at first, or still have trouble fully understanding?
How do you think we can work through our misunderstandings and doubts about the Christian faith?

Day 3: Baptism

Matthew 3:13-17

How would you feel if the world’s leading expert in your field asked you for help, like Jesus asked John the Baptist?
Why do you think John felt awkward about baptizing Jesus?
What do we tell the world by being baptized?

Day 6: Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:1-48 | Matthew 6:1-34 | Matthew 7:1-28

Questions primarily focus on the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12

What are some ways people typically try to find happiness or fulfillment in life?
Which of these promises mean the most to you? Why?
What is a practical step you can make this week to more closely follow Jesus’ example set in the Beatitudes?

Day 9: Vineyard Laborers

Matthew 20:1-16

Who is the best employer you have ever had? Why?
In what ways does God’s grace seem unfair?
Can focusing on God’s grace in our lives help prevent us from becoming jealous of others? If so, how? If not, why not?

Day 12: Sowing Parables

Mark 4:1-34

Do you have a “green thumb”? If so, share a bit about how you care for your plants. What do they need?
What things can get us “off-track” from following God, like in the Parable of the Sower?
What do you think Jesus means when he talks about the “Kingdom of God”?
How do these parables help you better understand what the Kingdom of God is?

Day 15: Lost Parables

Luke 15:1-32

Was there ever a time as a child you got lost, or as a parent have you ever lost one of your children? Share about it briefly.
What value was placed on the “lost” thing in each parable? Why do you think Jesus placed that value on those lost things?
To what “underserving” person can you extend God’s love to this week? How?

Day 18: Holy Spirit

John 14:16-31 | John 16:5-15

When you hear of the “Holy Spirit,” what do you think?
How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit in these passages?
How do you think the Holy Spirit works to guide us?

Day 21: Lazarus

John 11:1-57

In what different ways do people respond when a loved one dies?
How would you have responded differently than Jesus to the news of Lazarus’ illness?
In what ways is Jesus’ response to Lazarus’ death a model for us to follow?

Day 24: Washing Feet

John 13:5-29

Do think our culture promotes being served instead of serving? Why?
When and why is it difficult for you to serve others?
What is one way you could serve someone this week? Briefly share.

Day 27: Crucifixion

Luke 23:26-56

Have you ever helped someone when they were hurting? Share briefly.
In what ways was Jesus helped by others in the passage?
In what ways did Christ “help” us through the crucifixion? Can we learn from that to help others?

Day 30: Great Commission

Matthew 28:16-20

What do you think of when you hear words like “missionary” or “evangelism”?
What does Jesus mean when he says to “make disciples”?
The mission of the United Methodist Church is to “Make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.” What is one way you can participate in that disciple-making mission?

What’s Next?

Now that you have completed this reading plan, be in prayer about what your next step might be:

Consider joining a small group to continue a deeper dive into the Bible with others searching just like you. View our open groups on the Adult Groups Page or contact John Barolo, Director of Discipleship, with any questions.
Contact a pastor if there is some pastoral matter for which we can be of care to you. Contact Kim Harcrow, Pastoral Staff Assistant.
Find a way to serve out of your passion and giftedness, to make a difference. Explore serving opportunities.

Support Hyde Park’s Sparrow Fund

The Sparrow Fund is a discretionary fund established by Hyde Park United Methodist to meet emergency needs of individuals and families. The name of the Sparrow Fund comes from Matthew 10:29-31. The fund receives all offerings from our Christmas Eve services plus special contributions from church members and friends throughout the year. This fund is administered through the Outreach Department of our church and Outreach and Prevention Services at Metropolitan Ministries.

Confirmation 2023

The Confirmation experience is an exciting time of faith discovery, reflection and commitment.

Register by clicking here.

Make-up sessions: TBA

Confirmation Packet (Calendar and Expectations) – Download Confirmation Packet PDF

Covenant to sign – Download Covenant PDF

About Confirmation

Confirmation is the time when a personal decision is made to confirm the vows that were made for us at our baptism.

At Hyde Park United Methodist this happens as a group of students, typically in grades 7-8, come together for a few months to explore who Christ is, what it means to know and be loved by God, and how we live out our faith as United Methodists. If your student is in grade 9-12, they are welcome to participate.

The Confirmation ceremony is a public affirmation of them claiming their faith for themselves. The Confirmand is taking responsibility for living as a member of the body of Christ and for living out God’s purposes in their life.

It is our hope that each student will commit to a real and personal faith, and begin to cherish the rich heritage we have as United Methodists. This includes the building of relationships with peers and adults who will support them in their faith.

Confirmation is not simply a “rite of passage.” Nor, just a class to complete. It is a step in a life-long journey of faith.

Please speak with your student(s) about the value of this experience as you make the decision for them to participate.

Requirements:

Attend classes and ceremony (see schedule below)
Personal devotional, journaling and homework assignments
All students must be baptized before they can be confirmed. If your student has not been baptized, they will be on the day of our Confirmation service.

Classes will be held 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Sundays during our regular Merge Youth time. Students are put into small groups with two adult small group leaders.

Confirmation 2023 Schedule is as follows:

Weekly classes: 9:30-10:45 a.m. Sundays – Starts Jan. 22
Ceremony: 11 a.m. Sunday, April 30 in the Sanctuary (during Traditional service)

FAQ:

What if our family are not church members? That’s okay.
What if my student misses a session? We ask that students do not miss more than two sessions, and the content will need to be made up. Make up times will be available.
Will there be a virtual option? No.

Peace Prayer

An Advent Prayer for Peace
by the Rev. Magrey deVega

O God, you made us in your image to be in relationship with you and others, yet we acknowledge the frailty of those relationships. We are imperfect. We have not always been kind. At times we have been more prone to anger and bitterness, than love and forgiveness. We are an imperfect reflection of your perfect love. We know you hear us as we pray for peace. That you might fill us with peace, and use these prayers to create peace in the world.

We pray for peace for every marriage. We pray for homes filled with chronic miscommunication, endless disputes and unfulfilled expectations. Offer new ways to see and hear, with empathy and new understanding. Bring light to each person’s faults and lead them to confession and repentance. Rekindle an awakening to boundless, unconditional love.

For peace in every marriage, Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayer.

We pray for peace in the relationship between parent and child. For young families, in a constant state of adjustment and transition. Grant them endurance and creativity. For parents and children who are struggling with miscommunication, or shared expectations, or wounded by past scars and ongoing resentment, grant them new insight and the power of reconciliation. For families in transition, with grown children charting their own paths and discovering their own freedoms, bring them together across their distances, through joy and laughter and love.

For peace in every relationship between parent and child, Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayer.

We pray for peace for the dysfunction that is in every family. For families dealing with the haunting influences of addiction, or the long shadow of mental illness, grant a new spirit of courage and compassion, a boldness of truth, and generosity of love. For families that are marked by deep fault lines of past hurts and misunderstandings, pour out your spirit of confession and forgiveness.

For peace in all our families, Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayer.

We pray for peace for couples who are struggling with infertility, especially during a season marked by the birth of a holy child. Comfort them, weep with them, and grant them hope and fulfillment in surprising and creative ways. For those who face this season alone – widows and widowers, single adults and divorced, the elderly and homebound – help them discover their completeness, their uniqueness and their joy.

For peace in the midst of loneliness, Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayer.

We pray for peace for those who are grieving. For those who remember loved ones who have died, whose grief skews this season of peace into a time of sorrow, comfort them with your presence, and remind them that in you, the bonds of love will never end. And for those facing their own mortality, living in the shadow of their own death and disease, help them to embrace eternal life now. To live with an embrace of each moment and the gift of each breath, and the courage to receive both joy and the pain, sickness and health. May your love be made real in our care for others.

For peace in the face of grief and fear, Lord in your mercy, you hear our prayer.

O God, you are Immanuel. You are the presence among us in every moment. Through these prayers, open us up to that presence, fill the broken and empty parts of our lives, that in your grace, life might begin to fit together again. And use these prayers to create peace, in a way that only your transforming love can do.

May this season of Advent truly be one of preparation, that our hearts, minds and souls may be awakened to peace.

In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Vision Implementation Team Final Report

Highlights

Vision Plan Implementation Team Update

Vision Team Update

Church Conference Approved Recommendations on Dec. 17

Town Hall Gathering recap

Vision Survey Recap

Vision Chat Recap

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Bible Verses to Read When You Are:

Fearful

Concerned About Death

Trying to Be a Good Parent

Worried About the Future

Concerned With the State of the World

Grieving the Loss of a Loved One

Feeling Helpless

Dealing with Anger

Praying for Someone Else

Concerned About Health

Struggling to Forgive

Concerned About the Planet

Trying to Know God’s Will

Repairing a Broken Relationship

Giving Thanks to God

Feeling Too Busy and Overwhelmed

Feeling Depressed

Seeking Contentment

Trying to Make a Career Decision

Feeling Guilt or Shame

Desiring to Be More Faithful to God