Growth Group

Meeting Minutes of 2/14/11
Recorder: Elinor Redmond

Members Present: Rick Angell, Elinor Redmond, Dave Allen, Sue Ross. Guest: Sarah Bloom.

Dave opened with a reading entitled ‘the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee’.

1. Sarah Bloom is a new member of our church who agreed to share her experiences and impressions. Sarah grew up in the Catholic Church and had not attended any church in many years, except for a UCC church on Cranberry Island. She had visited several churches in the Portland area and happened to talk with her neighbor, Ellie Chatto, who suggested Sarah try our church. Sarah appreciated all the information she received on visiting the church, being especially impressed with the history of the church and the statement of faith. She read all of the pamphlets in the welcome envelope thoroughly and saves the bulletin each week. She felt welcome from her first visit. She joined the bell choir. John called as he does with all visitors. As an oboist, she thoroughly appreciates the quality of the music at our church. The only negative she has found is the fact that people chat during the prelude and the postlude. She wants to use that time for prayer and to appreciate the music. Dave asked her what is what like the first time she came. She came alone and went to the coffee hour where people reached out to her – and she reached out to others. She preferred attending services alone as she was evaluating the experience and did not want to be distracted by another (she would not have wanted to have a ‘parish host’). She appreciated the flexibility to learn as she wanted to learn. She recommends that more current members attend the Inquirer’s meetings.

2. SL&W and Welcome Packets: Rick read from the SL&W meeting minutes concerning the ‘vigorous discussion’ held by members. The church staff has the responsibility to determine what information is in the pew racks and what is included in the welcome envelopes. Our group continues to be very interested in having the brochures updated so that they are easier to read (simpler, with bullets instead of long sentences). Sue is making a list of the brochures presently in the envelope.

3. Elinor will represent GG at the 3/3 EG&F meeting.

4. Welcome Brochure: Dave will pass along the wording changes to Bryan.

Update on activities:

5. Welcome Notes: Sue called Darla twice. There have not been any new visitors leaving contact information.

6. Friendship Pad Options: Elinor brought information on a cloth covered pad (~$10) which may hold up better than the vinyl covered version. Also, Staples yielded few options. Elinor brought in a ‘sheet protector’ which seemed too flimsy. Dave is going to continue the search. We want to see samples of the options.

7. Bookmarks: not much to report. Bryan will work on them in March.

8. Signage:
• An individual is very upset at the thought of having any signage in the narthex.
• The A-team has ordered sign.
• Rick and Stan are working on emergency signage.

9. Homework: Each member will review our ‘idea’ materials and bring 1 idea for the group to work on. Dave will e-mail the ‘ideas’.

Next Meeting: Monday, March 21.