Cottage Party Notes 5
Yearnings

1. More opportunities for seniors – keep them involved
2. Communication between different areas
3. Adult spiritual development
4. Involvement in social action/community
5. Follow through
6. Multi-generational cross group social involvement
7. Contemplative services
8. Local/Global Services
9. Variety of topic – if similar topics come in with different point
10. Support within community when things were tough
11. More sensitivity/intentional behavioral covenants
12. Testimonials – how do we respond
13. Find a way to make our covenant more active (a living, breathing thing)
14. Sermon about covenant – bring in more emotions – go to more than jus the mind

Diversity

1. Happy with age
2. A little more diverse socio-economically
3. Racial diversity
4. Balance around rituals
5. Testimonials help us explore diversity
6. Relationships with other religious institutions
7. Establish a sister relationship internationally

Worship
1. 2 services – alternative styles v. traditional
a. intellectual
b. spiritual
2. Variety
3. Lay service lead
4. Drums/singing bowls
5. Creation of special place
6. More exposure to other faiths
7. Wants more or the hymnal
8. Jeb and the guitar
9. More arts in service

Blue Cards

Diversity – congregation is 2:1 - female: male. Curious about why that is, and whether we can or should do something about this

RE program that better excites young people on Sunday morning – excites with more consistency

Diversity is a big word, I am not sure what we mean, and think discussion was not clear enough

More support for adult RE how about more / some dancing may be part of weekly drumming night

Favorite part of worship – silent prayer w/ singing bowls to set the mood

I wish sermons touched me emotionally, felt relevant to my life and gave me something to use in my life for the week (or longer)

We need a more regular process of thanking people for their contributions—maybe a thank you note writing committee

Adult RE needs help. Not enough people volunteer to teach and too many people who sign up are flaky about following through and attending – a discouraging experience for those of us who do volunteer to teach

Please do bring information about Easter Orthodox Christian faiths

More involvement across age groups

Religious education and children

Hot to educate and have fun – make it so kids want to go to more social community

Community Action work with other organizations and/or faith communities

Find and issue of enough interest and then strategize what to do about it (in a practical way)

RE – better communication with larger congregation about what children do learn



White Cards Feedback

Things that worked:
 Good on the whole, nice range of views and interests expressed
 The participation was great
 Best things about tonight – welcoming hosts; sense of not being rushed; respectful listening and sharing by all; gracious hosting; thoughtful snacks; starting with “yearning” – focus on dreaming and vision, w/o limits – good
 Welcoming atmosphere; chance to meet new (to me) people
 Great to have this discussion in a small group in a home setting – felt very comfortable and welcoming
 Very good cross section of new and old, singles and married, et (?)
 Need to plan same amount of content but 3 hours

Suggestions for improvements

 Unfortunately we did not get to the last 2 topics
 Not so good? Can’t think of anything
 If the whole agenda was posted it might have been easier to keep pace and cover more
 Good flow/ organization/ balance – just needed more time
 I think we could’ve gotten more done with fewer historical tangents
 Perhaps the addition of a timekeeper might have been helpful.
 More acquaintance with the format
 A better match between time and items to be covered for discussion; maybe spend 5 minutes writing your own thoughts on the list of topics before engaging in a small group or whole group discussion – could lead to more focused discussions
- posted by Bruce Hoppe @ 2:59 PM