Landisville Mennonite Church

August 30, 2011, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry and Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman (recorder), Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

1. Opening

Randall began the meeting with a prayer.

2. Approving Minutes

The minutes of the July 25, 2011 meeting were approved as written.

3. Reporting

Ten year anniversary of 9/11—Randall

a. The weekly email will include 9/11 remembrance events of the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness

i. The Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness is promoting a Prayer vigil and “Fear is not the answer” event in Binns Park

ii. Meeting with Shane Claiborne at the World Café in Philadelphia, “Jesus, Bombs, and Ice Cream”

b. Jonathan will preach on Sept. 11 about practicing Jesus’ generosity in a world of fear

New Team members—Randall

Ken Harnly and Julia Zehr are excited to live into their positions as Minister of Christian Education and Minister of Missional Life, respectively. A commissioning service is being planned.

Fall preaching schedule—Randall

The fall preaching schedule was put in mailboxes. The sermon series will follow up on Brinton Rutherford’s sermon based on Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s “Vision 2020: We see new life” and the four priorities—Enjoy God, Encourage Others, Equip Disciples, and Engage the World. Kathy Yoder will preach October 16.

Pastoral Care—Julia

Julia continues to work at assimilating persons into small groups.

4. Agenda

5th Sunday conversations

October 30 (January 29/April 29)

Team would like to expand opportunities to hear feedback from the congregation. This coming church year, team will explore the idea of a 5th Sunday Conversation model where the congregation is invited into dialogue around tables during the Sunday School hour. The purpose is to hear from one another on topics of church life. Youth and adult Sunday School classes will be invited to the first 5th Sunday Conversation on October 30.

Associate Pastor of Worship search

Team discussed how to engage the congregation and Congregational Leadership Board. Team also discussed how to increase the awareness of the need for this position. Members of the Board and others will be invited to the next Team meeting for conversation regarding this role.

5. Sending/Prayer

Team members shared appreciation and affirmation of Dan, Gerry and Rose as individuals and in their leadership roles as this was their last meeting. The meeting was ended with a prayer of blessing.

6. Future meetings: September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12

Confidentiality guidelines

Landisville Mennonite Church

July 25, 2011, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman (recorder), Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

Absent: Rose Baer

1.         Opening

Randall shared Titus 3:4-7 from his daily reading and led in prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

The minutes of the May 9, 2011 meeting were approved as written. The June meeting was cancelled due to Dave Miller’s memorial service.

3.         Reporting

            Mennonite Church USA Convention

1. Randall left feeling positive about the experience in Pittsburgh. The spirit of the gatherings was positive, and the Pittsburgh Experiment (doing without resolutions in delegate sessions) was genius. There was decreased anxiety at the table discussions and there was good interchange.
2. Jonathan has received positive feedback from the youth sharing about Pittsburgh.

5^th Sunday Conversations—Randall

1. Randall has been sitting with the question of how we engage the congregation in more conversation. We’ve had evening meetings, but those are with the awareness that not all generations are present. While sitting around tables at Pittsburgh with leaders seeking feedback from the delegates, Randall started thinking about how this same format could work at Landisville. Perhaps 5^th Sunday Conversations could happen quarterly during Sunday School to gather written and verbal feedback from the congregation. Randall will pull together a group to work on this, and Team will discuss this further in August.

Confidentiality conversation—Randall

1. The Pastor Development Team (PDT) invites Team to work on how we do missional storytelling while respecting confidentiality. Team will address guidelines for storytelling at a future Team meeting.

Christian Education—Gerry

1. Gerry and Rose are having difficulty finding a superintendent.
2. There has been giving to the High School Education fund and the College Aid fund.

Gerry appreciates the giving to the funds and hopes we will consider increasing the scholarships in the future.

1. The Sunday School Sabbatical in August will affect the first three Sundays, children through youth. Adults have the option of having class.

Missional Life—Carolyn

1. Carolyn is looking at Wednesday Nights Out for next year. She is asking Team for suggestions.
2. Winterfest will probably be scheduled on the first Saturday in March.

Pastoral Care—Julia

1. The Women’s Retreat committee met twice and is planning the retreat for Camp Hebron, April 13-15. The garage sale this weekend is to raise money for the retreat.

Christian Formation—Jonathan

1. The Perrones are moving and ask for our prayers. Kelly Miller is arranging meals.
2. Chris Yoder leaves with SALT to Zambia at the end of August. We will have a commissioning on Sunday.

4.         Agenda

Associate Pastor of Worship search

1. The search process for associate pastor of worship has been formally suspended but the role is open. Team processed next steps and how the process can move forward. Team would like to increase the awareness of time the associate pastor of worship has given in the past. Team discussed engaging the congregation through dialogue with the awareness of our worship needs.
2. Team calls the congregation to pray about worship and this role as we look at next steps. Team desires to put aside our pride as individuals and be open to transformation with what God is calling us to be.

Ten-year Anniversary of 9/11—Randall

1. Randall asked how we as an Anabaptist congregation respond to the ten-year anniversary of 9/11.
2. There are resources from the Lancaster Interchurch Peace Witness available for our use.
3. We will talk further about this at the August Team meeting.

2011/2012 Preaching schedule

1. Randall shared notes from his prayer and planning retreat. He was moved with the priorities of Lancaster Mennonite Conference’s “Vision 2020: We see new life.” Randall is developing a sermon series out of Luke 10 and the focus from Vision 2020: 1.) Enjoy God, 2.) Encourage others,

3.) Equip disciples, 4.) Engage the world.

5.         Closing

Julia led in a closing prayer.

6.         Future meetings: August 8, September 12, October 10

a. Randall will start an email conversation about another date for the August meeting.

Landisville Mennonite Church

May 9, 2011, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman (recorder), Lynn Roth, Randall Shull

Others present: George Stoltzfus

Absent: Carolyn Rudy

1.         Dwelling in the Word—Luke 10:1-12

Randall read the scripture and reflected on the faith forming nature of mission and how we are formed to be a people sent out into the world. Randall led in prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

The minutes of the April 11, 2011 meeting were approved as written.

3.         Reporting

Lead Pastor—Randall

1. Randall shared about the missional communities seminar he attended with pastoral staff and a few others from the congregation.
2. Hempfield Rec. Center has a summer preschool program and inquired about using our church this summer. This request was affirmed by Ministry Leadership Team and will be shared at the Congregational Leadership Board meeting. The program will use room 10 and possibly room 7 Monday-Thursday mornings and will start the week of June 19, running for 5 weeks.

4.         Agenda

Associate Pastor of Worship search—George Stoltzfus and Randall Shull

George gave a brief history of search committee’s work. Though the position was publicized through the Lancaster Mennonite Conference office and the denominational system of MC-USA, the committee did not find a candidate. The committee recommends suspending the search process for now, while still holding the position open. The Search Committee is exploring possible interim leadership. Ministry Leadership Team supports the recommendation. George will also be sharing with the Congregational Leadership Board.

Feedback for Summer SS Sabbatical

The superintendents are wondering about a Sunday School sabbatical in August. Team discussed this possibility, and Gerry will contact the superintendents.

Missional story telling “Where are we seeing God at work?”

Randall opened up a time for sharing where God is at work in our lives, ministry, congregation, our community and beyond. Individuals shared stories and reflected on God’s presence and the Spirit’s movement among us.

Discernment process

Persons are being invited into a discernment process for the positions of Minister of Missional Life and Minister of Christian Education.

5.         Closing

Lynn led in prayer.

6.         Future meetings: June 13, no July meeting

Landisville Mennonite Church

April 11, 2011, 7:00 PM

Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Christy Kauffman (recorder), Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy, Randall Shull

Others present: Sam Thomas, bishop

1.         Dwelling in the Word—Luke 10:1-12

Randall read the scripture and drew out the themes in the Word. He asked questions for reflection: Who are persons of peace? How are we to invest in relationships as persons of peace? How do we live aware of these people of peace? Randall opened the time for discussion and led in prayer.

2.         Approving Minutes

The minutes of the February 12, 2011 meeting were approved with one correction in 4.f. The four delegates to the Mennonite Church USA convention this summer in Pittsburgh will be Randall Shull, George Stoltzfus, Jane Yoder, and Julia Zehr

3.         Reporting

Missional Life—Dan

a.       Many volunteers have stepped forward to volunteer at the food bank. Jane Yutzy is coordinator, and she will give a Mission Spot on Sunday.

Christian Formation—Jonathan

a.       Jonathan began a faith exploration class with some in high school which will last 7-8 weeks. The potential baptism date will be Sunday, June 12.

b.      Ten youth are attending the Mennonite convention in Pittsburgh. Included are two from Erisman Mennonite.

Pastoral Care—Julia

a.       Julia is continuing to connect people with small groups.

Lead Pastor—Randall

a.       Randall has been meeting with a group of pastors to ask how we do ministry and what does the church look like. There’s a seminar this week at Evangelical Seminary, and some from the congregation are attending.

b.      The Celebration of Church Life was a very Spirit-led, Spirit-filled weekend. Gina’s report captured the essence of the messages.

c.       The search committee for assoc. pastor of worship is functioning well.

Community Life—Carolyn

a.       We had planned for Chris Friesen to come from Germantown in May, but now he is not coming.

Jon Rudy will be sharing.

b.      Grace Miller has offered to coordinate the WNO picnic in June.

c.       Carolyn’s interested in getting the fire chief from Lancaster City to come speak at a future WNO.

4.         Agenda

Discernment process

Team reviewed the nominations given by the congregation for the positions of Minister of Missional Life and Minister of Christian Education. Persons will be invited into a discernment process this spring.

5.         Closing

Jonathan led in prayer.

6.         Future meetings: April 11, May 9, June 13, no July meeting

Present: Gerry & Rose Baer, Jonathan Bowman, Dan Burkhart, Julia Fisher, Randall Shull

Absent: Christy Kauffman, Lynn Roth, Carolyn Rudy

1. Dwelling in the Word: Luke 10.1-12

Randall led a time of dwelling in this passage and reflecting on what new things we noticed and were drawn towards.

2.        Prayer

Randall led in an opening prayer.

3. Approving Minutes

Minutes from the January 11, 2011 meeting were approved as written.

4. Reporting:

a.        Team was grateful for the sizable offering received from the musical to support Bridge of I-lope.

b.       Randall shared two items from Carolyn Rudy, Minister of Community Life: 1) Winterfest is being planned and the meal should come in around budget 2) Carolyn will be seeking someone to coordinate the June picnic.

c.        Randall highlighted the Lenten sermon series beginning in March.

d.       Julia shared ongoing efforts are being made to link interested individuals with small groups.

e.        Randall shared that the search committee continues to work at filling the Associate Pastor of Worship position

f.        Due to the generosity of some in the congregation, we are now able to send four delegates to the Mennonite Church USA convention this summer in Pittsburgh. Delegates are Randall Shull. Dale Stotlzfus, Jane Yoder, and Julia Zehr.

5. Agenda:

Celebration of Church Life

Celebration of Church Life, an annual gathering of Lancaster Mennonite Conference, will take place March 19-20 at the Lancaster Mennonite School campus. Team discussed possible delegates.

Discernment Process

The terms for Gerry and Rose Baer as Ministers of Christian Education and Dan Burkhart as Minister of Missional Life come to an end in August. Both the Baers and Dan have decided to not pursue a new term. In March, Team will invite nominations from the congregation for the Minister of Missional Life and Minister of Christian Education positions. In preparation for further discernment, team spent time updating the job descriptions for both positions.

Prayer together

Team ended their meeting in prayer for the discernment process and the associate pastor of worship search.

Next Meetings: March 14, April 11, May 9, June 13