(Proverbs 29:18, KJV)
Back in February I shared an article about some of the ministry and facility-related initiatives that are currently “in the works” and in various stages of development. Today I wanted to share a brief update about some of these, and share information about several additional ones that may be of interest to you:
● In March we commissioned our church’s first class of “Stephen Ministers” as trained Lay Care-givers, and they are currently available to help any member or friend who may be struggling in any way and needs a listening ear. To find out more, or to request a Stephen Minister for yourself or someone else, click here.
● Our new Bill Benjamin Memorial / Prayer Garden in our front yard was dedicated June 20th in a short dedication service.
● Our old road sign has finally come down due to road expansion work by the DOT, and a new temporary sign has already taken its place.
● In the meantime, work continues as we prepare both plans and permits for a new permanent outdoor monument sign. To build the kind of sign we want, we’ll need to rezone our facility - a process that will take through at least mid-Fall. After that, we’ll better know the kind of sign we’ll be able to build.
● In our work towards the offering of an online church newsletter, we are hoping to have Phase #1 in place by early August. Printed copies will still be available for any who do not have
email or web access, or who prefer a print version.
● Our Strategic Marketing and Web Technology teams are close to being able to make a joint recommendation about a company to assist in the development of our church’s new logo and
brand, while at the same time redesigning our church website to match it.
● Our worship ministry team currently evaluating the results of our recent Worship Survey to assist in evaluating the continued effectiveness of our worship experiences. They will be reporting these results soon.
● Our church is currently hosting our third Kenyan Mission Trip through July 8. Members from our church and several others are in Meru, Kenya, assisting in the building and development of the church and Kioni School there.
● Our Lighthouse Academy and church Children’s Ministry are in the midst of exciting summer activities like Vacation Bible School, a Summer Camp program, and ministry at Fort Hill (Marietta housing project)
● Work continues on information and cost estimates for new doors for our church’s Education Wing, and for creation of one or more public access WiFi Hotspots throughout our facilities
● Our church has hosted two major events for the churches of our Atlanta-Marietta District: Lay Speaker training back in April; and the annual Pre-Conference Briefing session on June 6th for all clergy and lay delegates to Annual Conference.
● Our attorneys are currently working to achieve the most equitable arrangement with the Georgia D.O.T. in their widening of Roswell Rd. in front of our church.
● Strategic Planning Team continues its work on a 5-year Strategic Plan for our entire church and “Lighthouse Academy” (including specific plans for facility-related expansion)
● Plans are being made now for an exciting East Cobb UMC Homecoming Celebration weekend August 28-29th. Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!
As before, please bear in mind that all of these are in various stages of development, and some will require approval from various levels of our church’s leadership along the way. Nevertheless, I wanted you to see our progress, and let them remind us of our work together as we seek to be and become “A Mosaic of God’s Family: Gathering, Growing, and Going.”
If you want to know more about any of these initiatives (or if you have input, ideas, or expertise that you’re willing to share to help accomplish them), please email or call the church office (770-971-3643 or office@eastcobbumc.org), and we’ll have someone from the appropriate group respond to your specific question(s).
In the meantime, continue to pray for your leaders as they seek God’s will and wisdom for all of us, and remember that God’s vision is one that will require all of us to do our part in order for it to be accomplished. Remember that God loves you and I do, too!
