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Reflections on Our Vision and Core Values
Use these questions as a starting point in your continuing reflection on our sacred space.
- How can we demonstrate our quest for 'diversity and inclusiveness' more completely?
- What does being a 'vibrant faith community' mean?
- What are the 'rich traditions of the United Church of Canada' that are nurturing us?
- How can they be rekindled and adapted?
- What more can we do to practice 'fellowship'?
- What more can we do to help the disadvantaged in our community?
- Is our 'Christian education, prayerful discernment and spiritual development' sufficiently focused and influencing our actions?
- How can we strengthen the 'pastoral care' of people and groups in our congregation?
- How are we failing as 'stewards or God's creation' through lack of application of our time, talent and treasure?
- Do we offer a sufficient range of 'worship services' to provide meaning to all who might enter our sanctuary?
Important Resources…
…for further information and reflection
- United Church Observer, June 2008 - The cover story was titled "Designing Sacred Spaces: A Blueprint for Contemporary Church Architecture."
- Godspace: Guidelines for Architecture in the United Church of Canada - A resource published by the Congregational, Educational, and Community Ministries Unit of the United Church of Canada.
- Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message (DeMott, Shapiro, and Bill) - This book provides a wealth of information, including a list of additional resources.
Next Steps
The Sacred Space Team is moving forward in their consultative process, meeting with architects and fundraisers to help us understand and outline the different options for our sacred space that will be presented to the congregation for the congregation to decide upon. We encourage you to continue to communicate with us about any of your hopes, dreams, and concerns for Edith Rankin Memorial United Church's sacred space.
The next "official" opportunity for us to come together as a congregation to reflect on our sacred space and how it ties to our mission and purpose as a congregation is on Saturday, November 15, 2008. The Sacred Space Team has invited Rob Dalgleish (Program Coordinator for Congregations and Community Development for the Congregational, Educational and Community Ministries) to provide a full-day "Alive and Well" retreat for our congregation. Your attendance is important, so please mark this date on your calendar. Keep watching Tidings for further details.
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