Emerson Takes Leap of Faith
The Emerson Leap of Faith committee has concluded a report on its year-long quest to find ways to make the UU faith more explicit in our congregation and in our find ways to make the UU faith more explicit in our congregation and in our daily lives. The Emerson LoF committee identified this challenge in the fall of 2010. At that time, the UUA convened groups from selected congregations to begin new program, the Leap of Faith (LoF). Our committee report, Taking a Leap of Faith, outlines three recommendations to help Emerson grow.
The first recommendation is adoption of a model for our desired growth cycle. Dubbed “Emerson AIMS,” the cycle divides our activities into four parts. We awaken interest about Emerson in the greater Houston community. We involvethose who come as visitors. Then we motivateprospective members into increased activity within Emerson and becoming members. Then we help all our members to shinea light of our faith in the congregation and in the greater Houston community. This light will serve to awaken others, continuing the cycle.
The second recommendation is to update the church committee structure. The new organization will position Emerson for the future. The LoF committee obtained significant input from church members about leadership burnout and the need for leadership development. The LoF committee recommendation has been delivered to a Coordinating Council ad hoc committee that is addressing these concerns. The Emerson AIMS framework is recommended to help each committee grow and revitalize.
The third recommendation is a long-term vision to increase the paid staff by adding two new part-time positions. The LoF committee sees this occurring within the next five years. The two positions are membership coordinator and religious education assistant.
Action Plan
The Emerson LoF team will conclude its formal work during the first half of 2012. LoF team members will assist various committees as needed with implementation of recommendations throughout this period and beyond. The Emerson AIMS proposal will be described in the eBlast and Newsletter during the first quarter. The committee restructuring proposal has been turned over to the Coordinating Council, who will take their final commendations to the Board of Trustees for further action. The new staff positions will continue to be discussed by the membership and RE committees, the Personnel committee and the Board of Trustees. The Committee on Ministry will assume responsibility for the challenge of making The UU faith more explicit in our congregation and in our daily lives. Appropriate committees will implement other specific suggestions.
Details Available
A series of discussion pages are available starting with the description of the three recommendations and continuing through details of the proposal.
The committee recommendations are in the Taking a Leap of Faith report. Information on the history of the LoF committee is included on the LoF history Web page.
Links:
Leap of Faith Announcement
Our Partner Church, Cedar Lane
The first recommendation is adoption of a model for our desired growth cycle. Dubbed “Emerson AIMS,” the cycle divides our activities into four parts. We awaken interest about Emerson in the greater Houston community. We involvethose who come as visitors. Then we motivateprospective members into increased activity within Emerson and becoming members. Then we help all our members to shinea light of our faith in the congregation and in the greater Houston community. This light will serve to awaken others, continuing the cycle.
The second recommendation is to update the church committee structure. The new organization will position Emerson for the future. The LoF committee obtained significant input from church members about leadership burnout and the need for leadership development. The LoF committee recommendation has been delivered to a Coordinating Council ad hoc committee that is addressing these concerns. The Emerson AIMS framework is recommended to help each committee grow and revitalize.
The third recommendation is a long-term vision to increase the paid staff by adding two new part-time positions. The LoF committee sees this occurring within the next five years. The two positions are membership coordinator and religious education assistant.
Action Plan
The Emerson LoF team will conclude its formal work during the first half of 2012. LoF team members will assist various committees as needed with implementation of recommendations throughout this period and beyond. The Emerson AIMS proposal will be described in the eBlast and Newsletter during the first quarter. The committee restructuring proposal has been turned over to the Coordinating Council, who will take their final commendations to the Board of Trustees for further action. The new staff positions will continue to be discussed by the membership and RE committees, the Personnel committee and the Board of Trustees. The Committee on Ministry will assume responsibility for the challenge of making The UU faith more explicit in our congregation and in our daily lives. Appropriate committees will implement other specific suggestions.
Details Available
A series of discussion pages are available starting with the description of the three recommendations and continuing through details of the proposal.
The committee recommendations are in the Taking a Leap of Faith report. Information on the history of the LoF committee is included on the LoF history Web page.
Links:
Leap of Faith Announcement
Our Partner Church, Cedar Lane
Leap of Faith Reports
Read Emerson's Leap of Faith recommendations.
The Emerson Leap of Faith team visited Cedar Lane March 25–27, 2011. The Cedar Lane team visited Emerson on May 20–22. Below are reports on meetings between the visiting teams and host church committee members. Please click on the links below to view the reports.
Reports on Emerson visit to Cedar Lane
Summary report for trip
Board of Trustees
Administration
Adult Education
Communications
Membership
Music
Pastoral Care
Religious Education
Stewardship
Worship
Cedar Lane Breakthrough Task Force
Click here to read the Cedar Lane Task Force's Report on their visit to Emerson.
The Emerson Leap of Faith team visited Cedar Lane March 25–27, 2011. The Cedar Lane team visited Emerson on May 20–22. Below are reports on meetings between the visiting teams and host church committee members. Please click on the links below to view the reports.
Reports on Emerson visit to Cedar Lane
Summary report for trip
Board of Trustees
Administration
Adult Education
Communications
Membership
Music
Pastoral Care
Religious Education
Stewardship
Worship
Cedar Lane Breakthrough Task Force
Click here to read the Cedar Lane Task Force's Report on their visit to Emerson.
