RenewalWorks: Spiritual Life & Growth
Dear friends and members of St. Matt's,
This may be one of the most important letters I've written to you so far in our time together. At the Parish Update last week and again in worship today, I shared with you that St. Matthew's will participate in a program called RenewalWorks this fall. Run by Forward Movement, RenewalWorks is an opportunity for us to dive deeply into our spiritual life, to understand where we are, and where God is calling us to go.
It has been clear to me over these last few months that many among us feel unmoored. And there is within the congregation a deep desire for faith formation and spiritual growth. And I believe that this is the perfect time for us to explore together what it means to be a Christ centered community. Even in the midst of this time, there is a great deal for us to learn if we're open to it. Throughout the fall, a group of parishioners will be reflecting on where we are and where we are called to be. This process will begin with an inventory. That’s where we need your help.
I’m asking that you set aside about 20-25 minutes to take a Spiritual Life Inventory. If you already have a daily spiritual practice, you might consider this your spiritual practice for the day. These are thoughtful questions. Unlike previous surveys, this survey focuses on you, on your spiritual life and how St. Matt's helps - or could help more - as you grow spiritually. Please answer as honestly as you can, thinking about where you are now, not where you think you should be or what you think you should be doing or feeling. The survey findings will help shape decisions about how to create the best possible ministries and programs. Your feedback will directly impact how we allocate resources to further our spiritual journeys.
Over 250,000 Christians, in mainline and non-denominational churches, have taken the survey, which will provide powerful benchmarks. The inventory is anonymous, run by a third party, and we will only receive composite findings from the church as a whole. The inventory is open to all parishioners, 18 years and older, and we encourage all parishioners to take the inventory, whether you attend every week, or are only able to be with us a few times a year. Whether you've been at St. Matt's longer than you can remember, or you just started seriously joining us a few weeks ago and thus have never even been with us in person - if you want to join the parish, you're welcome to participate!
Your participation is important and so we thank you for setting aside the time to take the inventory. To get an accurate picture of our church, we need everyone to participate.
We look forward to taking the next steps in growing our faith together. The first step is to take the inventory. If this survey brings up questions for you, or if there's anything you want to talk more about that relates to your own journey, send me a note. If you have further feedback about specific ideas or programming, if something comes up that you'd like to share about the survey or the process, feel free to be in touch with me or with our Facilitator for this work, Pam Ely.
Please keep St. Matt's in your prayers as we engage this process, that the Holy Spirit might guide us in all we do. You might consider adding the prayer below to your daily prayers for the season ahead. Thank you for all the ways you participate in and sustain our life together. God loves you. And so do I.
Faithfully,
--Marissa +
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven
and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen
the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent.
Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring
us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Tags: Welcome from the Rector / Life Together / Adult Formation