Carlisle United Methodist Church Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings June 7 and 8, 2015
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Carlisle United Methodist Church
Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings
June 7 and 8, 2015
I. Opening and prayer by Pastor Jim on Sunday, June 7th and by Pastor Mira on
Monday June 8th.
II. Kathy Charette Comments
A. Thank you, Pastor Jim/Pastor Mira. Before we start the presentation I wanted to
make a couple of remarks.
B. The Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) was tasked by the Leadership
Council to gather and analyze information on our present status and future vision
for CUMC. Tonight you will hear that vision. We want to hear from you.
C. The time between this presentation and the next provides us time for prayer,
discernment and reflection.
D. My hope is that the presentations that you have had, are receiving, and will
receive are giving you the information to prepare you to make a fact based, faith
inspired decision for our future and many generations to follow.
E. This presentation will take about an hour and we understand it is a lot of
information. Please be patient with us.
F. At this time I would like to introduce Jay Layman, the Chair of the MNET to
begin the presentation.
III. Jay Layman’s Presentation on MNET
A. Good afternoon everyone – The MNET Team and LC are excited to be here today
and we’re glad you’ve come to hear our presentation and provide your input on
the future of CUMC.
B. (See Slide 1) - My remarks will describe the:
1) Purpose of our meeting today.
2) The goals, guiding principles and timeline for the MNET process.
3) Set the stage with some general information to be followed by detailed
presentations about our four Pillars: Worship; Grow; Connect and Serve
4) Following the presentation on the Pillars and sharing with you responses to
questions submitted in advance, we will break out in small groups because we
really want to hear from you about your vision for CUMC
C. (See Slide 2) - This scripture is profound – where there is no vision, the people
will perish.
D. (See Slide 3) - Likewise, we are commanded, as well as comforted, by Jesus in
these scriptures:
1) The Great Commandment: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you
must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another.
2) The Great Commission: Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And
surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
3) We are a community of believers living in a wonderful community and region
that we know needs to hear and accept the Gospel message. Let’s watch this
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video released by our church and currently available on our website, which is
narrated by Pastor Jim.
4) Let’s review the goal and guiding principles for the MNET process as
approved by the LC.
E. (See Slides 4 - 7) - The Goal, guiding principles, and Defining Our Task
1) So how do we build the foundation for the future of CUMC?
F. (See Slide 8) - It starts with a strong foundation of understanding and defining our
mission in the Carlisle community. Followed by having a facility that will enable
us to carry out our mission and with God’s grace and the help of the Holy Spirit -
to continue a successful Christian and civic influence now and well into the future
– at the top of the triangle.
G. (See the MNET Organizational Chart) - Meet the MNET Team as represented
on this organizational chart – a copy of which is included with your materials.
We share this with you to demonstrate the breadth of participation in this process
beyond our leaders on the LC and to confirm that this team is working for and
reports to the LC.
1) You will note that several individuals listed on this chart are not with us today
and others are not giving reports related to facilities. That’s because our focus
is on the four boxes at the bottom of the chart from which our vision for the
future is being developed.
H. (See Slide 9) MNET Process and Timetable. The left side of the slide is the
different tasks identified for MNET. The right side outlines the time periods for
those tasks. As you can see, we are nearly done with data collection – after we
get your feedback today and those of our other brothers and sisters tomorrow
evening – we will begin our review and analysis of the data. One of the more
profound early findings of our data collection is shown on the next slide and helps
focus us on the challenge and opportunity for the future of CUMC.
I. (See Slide 10) This slide shows that our church has entered a phase where our
focus must be directed at encouraging younger people and families to join us in
worship, Christian learning, connecting to the community through sharing the
Gospel message and service to our community and beyond.
1) Our journey at CUMC the past two years has been positive but we have
challenges. Where will we be in the next 20 years and beyond if we don’t
bring more people into our congregation because our mission and facility are
not aligned with the changing needs of our community and region? That is
the task before us.
2) So, let’s begin our detailed presentation on Worship with Kerm Leitner.
IV. Kerm Leitner’s Presentation on Worship
A. (See Slide 11) Mission. As you read the mission statement for worship, please
note that it is two-fold – it addresses those that have not yet found Jesus and those
who already are Disciples of Jesus.
B. (See Slide 12) Present Status.
1) Three worship services on Sundays since July 2013.
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Carlisle United Methodist Church
Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings
June 7 and 8, 2015
a. 8:15am Traditional
i. 252 average 2014 attendance
ii. 241 average to date
b. 9:45am Contemporary
i. 59 average 2014 attendance
ii. 59 average to date
c. 11am Celebrations
i. 191 average 2014 attendance
ii. 183 to date
d. Totals
i. 2014 – avg. 502
ii. 2015 – avg. to date 483
2) Preaching Cycle
a. Typically, Pastor Jim preaches three/four Sundays per month. Pastor
Mira preaches once a month.
b. Every Sunday, there is a theme which always combines the Scriptures,
sermon and hymns and as often as possible the choirs’ anthems and/or
special music.
c. Often, our pastors coordinate a series of sermons such as we had
during Lent and later this summer when Jim and Mira will be bringing
us “Revival: Faith as John Wesley Lived It.”
d. We have a Worship Arts Planning Team which meets two or three
times a year and brings decorations into the Sanctuary and MPR to
complement and support the theme or season.
3) About 400 volunteers are involved.
a. 120 musicians in two adult choirs, two children’s choirs, one bell choir
and one praise team band.
b. 60 ushers
c. 130 food prep, serving and cleaning for the Gatherings following three
services.
d. 30 holiday and special services decorations
e. 10 sound and video
f. 20 flower deliverers
g. 25 Scripture readers
h. 5 acolytes
i. Many others including greeters, Communion stewards and musicians.
4) With the hiring of Jennifer Neslund in May of 2014, CUMC has four singing
choirs for ages 3 to 93!
5) After two services at the Fairgrounds, we are moving this year’s anniversary
celebration service to our Sanctuary on June 21 to be followed by the picnic at
the Fairgrounds. You are invited to dress casually so you don’t have to
change for the picnic.
6) “Chreasters”
a. Chreasters are worshippers we typically only see at Christmas and
Easter when their presence swells our attendance figures.
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b. Christmas Eve, 2014, services attracted 962 worshippers
c. Easter, 2015, services – 793 worshippers
7) Unique Attenders at CUMC
a. In March, Jeff, Pastor Mira and I had traveled to Herndon, VA to visit
Floris United Methodist Church. While touring the facility, we
learned that the Floris attendance was analyzed by looking at those
who attended once per month; twice per month; three times per month
and four or five times per month. Floris has found that attendees who
consider themselves to be regular in their attendance worship about 2
times per month.
b. Mira followed up that visit and provided us with CUMC’s attendance
figures for March using this format:
c. 151 attended one Sunday in March
d. 157 attended two Sundays in March
e. 171 attended three Sundays in March
f. 224 attended four or five Sundays in March
g. In March, 703 members worshipped with us and relied on CUMC for
pastoral care, education, worship, etc. This is a much larger figure
than the 502 figure that we used for average worship attendance in
2014 or the current number of 483.
h. It was also discovered that a number of regular attendees do not sign
the weekly attendance pads. You may have noticed that Pastor Jim and
Pastor Mira have been reminding the congregation to sign their
attendance.
C. (See Slide 13) Future Vision.
1) A Sanctuary able to accommodate ALL services on Sundays and at other
times during the week.
2) Lighting capable of creating alternate atmospheres.
3) Flexible seating to accommodate dance, drama, musicians, pageants and other
creative uses.
4) More space for choirs and other musicians.
5) More strategically placed screens.
6) More space for communion, wedding parties and other ceremonies.
7) A more state of the art sound and video system capable of providing live
streaming for those unable to attend services at any given time.
8) Improvements in sound for the hearing impaired.
9) A second worship area larger than our present chapel capable of offering a
more intimate setting than the Sanctuary.
10) A location for our Contemporary Worship Service, which would be far easier
to locate than our current MPR. The location could be in the Sanctuary with
the other services or in a second worship space as I just mentioned above.
11) Create community both before and after worship in a larger Gathering area as
people converge during the three morning services.
12) Create a comfortable, more welcoming and less crowded narthex area. On
Palm Sunday, at the 11am service there was a huge bottleneck in the narthex
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Carlisle United Methodist Church
Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings
June 7 and 8, 2015
as the Celebrations and Sunbeams Choirs waited in the rear of the Sanctuary
waiting for the processional and preventing worshippers from entering.
13) Easier accessibility into the Sanctuary for the aged and handicapped members
and guests.
14) Easier parking for all worshippers on Sunday mornings and at other special
times.
V. Kathy Charette’s Presentation on GROW-Adult
A. (See Slide 14) Mission. I will give you some time to read the mission. The key
to the Adult GROW mission is the Pathway to Discipleship. We use this pathway
for all of our planning and we try to provide options and opportunities whether
you are at the beginning or more mature on your spiritual journey.
B. (See Slide 15) Present Status.
1) Key points:
a. The GROW Adult Discipleship Advisory Council and teachers are
what make the GROW Adult Program successful.
i. The Council plans and programs based on feedback from the
council members constituents and their own ideas.
ii. The teachers provide the wonderful instruction.
b. Our number of teachers has grown from 2014 to 2015.
c. Attendance
i. We had an average of 127 people attending Sunday School in
2015 and 136 in 2014.
ii. We had 19 classes and 199 people attend Bible Studies, Book
Groups, Topical Studies and Retreats in 2015; and in 2014 34
classes and 528 people attended.
iii. We had three Sundays where the attendance was low in
February due to weather, which brought our average down
slightly this year.
C. (See Slide 16) Future Vision.
1) If we want to continue to grow in the areas listed we need classroom space.
With all the other activities classroom space is limited especially in the
evenings.
2) We need classroom space that is accessible to all and that supports those with
special needs and disabilities.
3) We need parking to support those that attend the classes. With all the other
activities parking is limited.
VI. Gary Ankabrandt’s Presentation on GROW Children & Youth, Little Lights, and
Family Groups
A. (See Slides 17 – 33) - These slides outline the Mission, Present Status and Future
Vision for GROW Children & Youth, Little Lights, and Family Groups.
VII. Kerm Leitner’s Presentation on Connect
A. (See Slide 34) Mission.
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1) I am reporting CONNECT because Lois Weibley who leads CONNECT on
Leadership Council is not on MNET. I am reporting for her, and she did all of
the grunt work.
2) The Mission Statement is self-explanatory.
B. (See Slide 35) Present Status.
1) LAM’S
a. CONNECT currently “shepherds” 65 Limited Activity Members
(LAM’s), who reside in their own homes or in various institutional
settings, and are unable to attend church on any regular basis.
b. Presently, 48 shepherds meet with each LAM on a regular basis, pray
with them and make them feel a part of CUMC.
c. 17 Communion Stewards administer Communion.
d. Recently, the LAM’s have been able to watch DVD’s of special
services throughout the year.
e. Card Ministry (also to college students)
f. Flowers Ministry
2) Fellowship Events – CONNECT has planned, organized and staffed the yearly
church picnic at the Fairgrounds and is in charge of other church-wide
fellowship events.
3) Health-Related
a. CONNECT regularly plans and offers health-related classes and
seminars.
b. Workshops (hospice seminar, end of life wishes, wills coping with
loss)
c. Blood drives are periodically sponsored by CONNECT.
d. Exercise classes.
e. Dance has been offered.
4) On-Going Activities
a. CONNECT has created a ministry for our senior members called
“North of 60” who regularly travel together for special activities and
sponsor activities at church such as card making and the recently held
Senior’s Prom.
b. Additional activities for seniors (and other ages) which pre-existed
“North of 60” include:
c. Chat-N-Chew
d. Lunch Bunch
e. Overcomers Group
f. Men’s Breakfast Groups
g. United Methodist Women/Mission
h. Knitted in Love Prayer Shawl Ministry
i. Men’s Bible Study
j. Bridges prayer Team
k. Prayer team emails
5) New Ministries
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Carlisle United Methodist Church
Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings
June 7 and 8, 2015
a. A still to be named activity will begin to publish interviews with
members of our congregation who have been suggested by other
members because of their inspirational life stories. This will enable us
to get to know additional members of our congregation. Once we get
some names, Fred Burgess and I will begin to interview our round of
members.
b. This week Pastor Mira and I will be meeting with several folks to
discuss ways of creating more community building among young
adults in addition to Theology Pub, which already exists.
6) Athletics
a. Church softball team
b. Volleyball
C. (See Slide 36) Future Vision.
1) Space – We will have greater space to provide a variety of settings for group
activities, which are larger than the present Gathering and also larger than the
current MPR.
2) Kitchen - As we grow in numbers, which is one of our stated goals, and want
to have more social events, our kitchen facilities will be expanded so that
larger numbers of attendees can be provided with a complete meal.
3) Parking – Plenty of parking will be available so that events do not have to be
limited to daylight hours or street parking restrictions (Mondays through
Thursdays) when scheduling.
4) Storage – We will have more strategically located storage closets for
everything from cutlery and plates to prayer shawl materials. Right now, most
of the storage for events in the MPR or the Gathering involving food is
located on two other floors. A lot of time and energy is lost pushing carts
loaded with stuff from the storage areas to the MPR or Gathering and then
back to storage at the conclusion.
5) Outdoor Facilities
a. We will have our own softball field so we can host home games on our
own field.
b. We will have our own picnic grounds so that we can have church
picnics more frequently and right in our backyard.
VIII. Ron Chipriano’s Presentation on SERVE
A. (See Slides 37 – 41) - These slides outline the Mission, Present Status and Future
Vision for SERVE.
IX. Responses to questions submitted online, by email, or on question cards prior to the
Church Hall: MNET Meetings.
A. Question: With the development of the Masland site and if CUMC builds along
Spring Rd., who will pay for the traffic study for needed traffic lights, turn lanes,
etc.?
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1) Jeff Barnes Response: The latest plan prepared by Carlisle Events for the
redevelopment of the entire Masland/Lear property includes the proposed 9
acre parcel for the church (church is not named). This plan forms the basis for
their overall subdivision plan for the redevelopment of both sides of Spring
Road, which will ultimately be presented to Carlisle Borough. A traffic study
will be required for the overall subdivision, which will be paid for by Carlisle
Events. We anticipate that traffic study will include church usage and nothing
separate will be required.
B. Question: Is it possible to get a crime report from the Police Dept. on the Spring
Rd. area and any statistics Hamilton School may have on crime related issues?
1) Kathy Charette’s Response: We will ask for this information for CUMC,
Carlisle Events and Smith Farm.
C. Question: What concerns me is that you are considering updating the current
facilities. Have you taken into consideration these problems that will not be fixed
easily by renovations - parking lot, choir loft size, long walk to the elevator or
steps up to the choir loft?
1) Jeff Barnes Response: Updating/renovating/adding to our existing facilities is
a reasonably viable option available to us; thus, we are considering it as an
alternative permanent location. This facility can be modified and expanded to
solve some of our current space and accessibility problems. However, many
items outlined within the MNET vision presentation, such as more parking,
green space, athletic fields, etc. obviously cannot be accommodated unless
done so offsite thereby requiring transportation initiatives. We are evaluating
the overall possibilities in this regard together with our assessment of the
existing facility.
D. Question: Is the limited parking concern at our present location still considered
by MNET as "one of the first analytical steps" (as shown in the diagram presented
by Jeff Barnes) in deciding to build a new church campus?
1) Jeff Barnes Response: Yes, parking is certainly in the forefront of our
considerations as one of the most important criteria in our assessment. The
MNET vision presentation confirms that every ministry area of the church
recognizes parking as a serious problem and requests that it be solved. Our
current site’s parking cannot be expanded due to our location in the Carlisle
Borough Historical District whereby we are not permitted to purchase and tear
down nearby homes for the purposes of parking. The Borough itself faced
this obstacle when attempting to provide more parking for Bosler Library
along Church Avenue. Ample parking can be provided at both of our
alternative site locations – Carlisle Events and Smith Farm.
E. Question: One of the key missions of CUMC has been helping Carlisle CARES
meet the needs of the homeless in our community. Before CUMC, Allison and
Grace were very active in this mission. In our support of CARES, we have been
touching lives by providing a safe, comfortable place to sleep for 5 months a year.
My question is where does our current mission with the homeless fit in with plans
for a new facility? Whether we stay or go to a new location, I feel strongly that we
need to continue this key mission as told to us by Jesus, "whatever you do for the
least of these, you do for me."
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Carlisle United Methodist Church
Mission Needs Evaluation Team (MNET) Meetings
June 7 and 8, 2015
1) Ron Chipriano’s Response: No matter where our permanent location is
CARES will be a SERVE Mission that we will continue to support.
F. Question: This question had four parts.
1) Part 1: What organizations are currently meeting in our church structure
during the week?
a. Jeff Barnes Response: 18 organizations at present use our facilities
during the week.
2) Part 2: Do any of these contribute toward the upkeep of the building?
a. Jeff Barnes Response: We have not requested any of them to
contribute financially towards the upkeep of the facility given their
non-profit/ministry status.
3) Part 3: Who have we had to turn down for lack of indoor or outdoor space /
parking?
a. Jeff Barnes Response: No one thus far but we are very close to doing
so as we near capacity of our facility some weeknights.
4) Part 4: Are we missing out on an opportunity to serve the community?
a. Jeff Barnes Response: The SERVE portion of the MNET vision
presentation outlines many other opportunities we would like to pursue
in serving our community.
G. Question: If the recommendation will be to relocate, will the congregation be
given the opportunity to comment to the Leadership Council on the sites under
consideration? Members of the congregation have definite opinions about the
pros and cons of the sites under consideration. Realizing that the congregational
vote should not automatically be assumed as being to relocate, the wording on the
ballot could be crucial to the outcome.
“Example:
___ Vote to remain in existing location
___ Vote to relocate with a special site identified
This could be divisive for those who may favor relocating but do not agree
with the recommended site”.
a. Kathy Charette’s Response: The Leadership Council has not made any
decision on how the voting question will be structured. We appreciate
your input and will consider it as we develop the voting plan.
X. Kathy Charette’s Closing Comments
A. The MNET and LC members have spent many hours talking with people,
attending meetings, assembling information, and putting together briefs and
handouts. Please join me in giving them a round of applause. I would like to
personally thank them for serving on this team.
B. Please join us for an opportunity to share in a small group. When you leave you
will be asked if you will be joining the small group sessions. There are
representatives at the exits of the Sanctuary and they will give you a room number
to join a small group.
C. I know you received a lot of information today. If you have questions after you
have had time to think about the information presented I ask that you submit your
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questions on line, put them in Kerm Leitner’s church mail box or give it to one of
the other MNET or LC Members.
XI. Attendance
A. Sunday, June 7
1) Large group - 57 people in attendance and 16 Leadership Council and MNET
members, Pastor Jim and Pastor Mira.
2) 4 Small Groups – 45 people in attendance and 16 Leadership Council and
MNET members and Pastor Jim.
B. Monday, June 8
1) Large Group – 12 people in attendance and 17 Leadership Council and MNET
members and Pastor Mira
2) 1 Small Group – 10 people in attendance and 5 Leadership Council and
MNET members.
XII. Closing prayer by Pastor Jim on Sunday, June 7th and by Pastor Mira on Monday
June 8th.
XIII. Questions and statements from the Small Group Sessions on Sunday, June 7th and
Monday June 8th.
A. Attachment “A” is a list of the questions and statements gathered from the small
groups. This information was very helpful for the MNET data collection task.
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