We are always looking for people to add new ideas, fresh insights and their passion to working committees at Casas Adobes Congregational Chruch. We believe that we are best when we have people on committees that are looking to help make a positive difference in our church and congregation. We encourage you to visit a committee that you find yourself drawn to and see how it is a fit for you. Please realize that sometimes we who are on committees can not see the forest for the trees so be patient with us and help us grow with you added inspiration. Check our website for the committees, the chairs or cochairs in the members menu area.
Summary of 28 August By-Laws meeting.
A By-Law meeting was conducted on 28 August in classrooms 9 & 10. We had 15 members of the congregation attend and everyone joined in a lively discussion. A review of Rev. Dorhauer’s By-Law class was presented along with a summary on developing a short concise mission statement. Two goals were established; prepare a list of all the activities that occur on our campus or under our church’s far reaching “umbrella”. Prepare an additional list of the resources Casas Adobes Congregational church has available (see below).
It was a very positive meeting with significant open discussion along with an opportunity for some to not only share, but vent their frustrations concerning the church, growth, initiating and expanding programs and disappointment with the loss of some programs. One area of concern was the loss of lunch following Wednesday Bible study. Could the class be moved slightly later to allow those who would like to do a group lunch, at minimal cost, right in the church? Another discussion area dealt with membership and what type of congregation we are and where we might want go. Growth was a significant part of the discussion and what type of growth in membership; youth, young adults, families, present age congregation, snowbirds. Concern was expressed about the significant growth in churches in NW Tucson, Oro Valley and Marana might impact on our ability to attract a younger population to our church. One possible solution is to clearly share our faith, what we have and what we can offer.
Another area of concern was Christian Education; do we have a clearly established program not just for children but for the adults, something that projects the plan through-out the year? How are we sharing that with the community, not just our congregation? Additional concern addressed “hiding our light under a basket” when it came to sharing our church with the community and how might we better market who we are, where we are and what we can offer to everyone in our congregation and the wider as well.
An excellent idea generated by the discussion was to prepare a letter to all our winter visitors telling them that CACC is looking forward to their return and include a list of events that will be occurring throughout the fall and winter. Jean-Marie Huisjen will be preparing a draft; Membership will finance and hopefully help with the distribution. (Lee’s signature?) Judy Keagy volunteered to prepare a 2-3 question survey to be completed by members either in church or during coffee hour on skills members might have and their passion. We could utilize this information to help build programs drawing on their knowledge, experience and passions.
One final area was how can we share with the congregation all that was discussed in the meeting and other meetings? By doing so we might generate some additional interest and input. Do we share the meeting contents in a Sunday church announcement? Include it in tidings? Post it on WEB site?
The meeting lasted until almost noon and there was encouragement to have follow-on meetings.
George Gluski
CACC/UCC Activities
1. VBS
2. Weddings
3. Church services
4. Memorial services
5. Rummage sale
6. Men’s Social Network
7. T.J. strings-concert series
8. AA
9. Stitch-witches
10. EFM
11. Columbarium
12. Knitters
13. A.C.S. Potluck
14. Membership potlucks
15. Adult Bible Study
16. Adult Sunday school
17. CAFAA
18. Drawing studio
19. Ladies Fashion Show
20. Advent Festival=CE classes
21. Exercise Classes-Yoga
22. Annual picnic
23. Library on Wed. and Sun.
24. Book club
25. Blood drive
26. Women’s Spirituality (Kari)
27. Bikes & hikes
28. Stephen’s ministry
29. Choirs & Bells
30. MS Group
31. Blood pressure checks
32. Parish nurse
33. Coffee fellowship
34. Dine With 9
CACC/UCC Resources
1. Campus to include classrooms
2. Mortgage free church
3. Chapel
4. Sanctuary
5. Kitchen
6. Library
7. Memorial Garden
8. Congregation with diversity and skills
9. The people on the paid staff
10. Location
11. Adequate parking
12. Piano and organ
13. Choir membership
14. Bells for Bell Choir
15. Office equipment
16. Carillon
17. Fax for members
18. Play area for children
19. Custodial staff
20. People
Well educated
Experience
Teachers
Musicians
Former ministers
Engineers
Administrators
Community connections
Computer skills
Artists
Writers
Healthcare professionals
21. Financial resources
22. FAITH and traditions
23. Support of the UCC and SW Conference
24. Ministers-Lee and Marie
25. Caring congregation
26. Geographical tentacles-outside ideas
Snow birds
Different areas of Tucson
27. Website
28. Tidings and SRE
