October Newsletter - Search Committee

Dear Church Brothers and Sisters:

This is my second formal communication via this media and I would like to briefly inform you of what has taken place thus far.

We have had a number of structured meetings after Church where all present had an opportunity to interact and also state their thoughts or concerns. Although a number of you participated, it would be wonderful to have a full house. To that end, I am inviting you to join us for a potluck dinner on Friday November 17th at 7:00 pm at the Church. The program will cover Pastoral search related issues and will be facilitated by the regional minister, Rev. Susan Townsley. Come and join us, enjoy good food and conversation, meet other Church members, exchange your ideas and thoughts.

The Search Committee developed a number of questionnaires, four in total, that are available at the entrance of the Church as well as in the Parish Hall. We hope that everyone, young and old individually, will take the time and complete each one. You may return the forms to the Church via regular mail, e-mail, place them in the collection plate or deposit them in our Search Committee box. On my first communication, October 2006 newsletter, we were able to include one of the questionnaires. For this communication, November 2006 newsletter, we are including three more. We realize that often there are more than one individual in the household and one copy is not enough. Therefore, we have arranged for these questionnaires to be available via the internet. Please visit our website at www.norwalkfirstcongregational.org to download the questionnaires or fill out the forms directly on line. The content will be e-mailed back to the website. We hope to get inundated with these responses so we can complete an accurate profile of our Church.

What is our next step? As these questionnaires are being received, we have the difficult task of compiling them and then putting them into words. This is not an easy job and we continue to solicit your prayers for strength, patience, discernment, understanding of others, respect, peace and love. Once we finalize the compilation of this information, we will draft the Church's profile.

As always, we encourage you to talk to one another, to talk to us, to share your thoughts, hopes, dreams and concerns of the Church. Each one of us either as a member, potential member, one that attends regularly or occasionally, has the opportunity to participate and with God's help shape our future. How do you want the Church to grow? Where do you think the Church is headed? What type and what qualities would you like your minister to posses. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Participate, participate and participate.

Peace and Grace
In Christ's Love
Margarita Destruge
Communications Coordinator for the Search Committee
10/25/06