In the past four weeks the CHS Search Committee has completed the online /written survey campaign. The committee contacted 270 individuals with a tie to Church of the Holy Spirit requesting that a survey be completed. The returns yielded 107 on-line responses and 37 written responses (total of 144 responses). This equates to a 53.3% completion rate. Early in June we arranged and encouraged the congregation to come out to three in-person Community Conversation events. At each gathering the attendees were grouped around tables with no more than 8 participants. The attendees were asked to consider and respond openly to one question, “What do you want to see moving forward at Church of the Holy Spirit”? In all, 56 people attended these conversations. Their responses and thoughts were recorded by a scribe at each table.
The Search Committee has reviewed all the comments online, written and spoken. We have discussed, sorted and grouped them into 10 focus categories. Here is what the congregation’s general feeling is about each category: Communications: There is a need for more streamlined communications systems in the areas of payment methods, website organization, promotion, and organizing and disseminating information. Strong desire for an administrator position and better explanation of stewardship while maintaining our “welcoming to all” message. Worship: Worship is the most common reason survey respondents stay connected to CHS. While many specific requests and suggestions were made regarding liturgy and worship space, the general consensus is that we want to be a flexible congregation that remains open to many ways of worshiping. Youth: Almost ¾ of the respondents want CHS to have more connection with younger folks. Numerous calls for growth in youth programming were made, especially requests that children were involved and cared for at the 10am service. This is an important aspect that our new rector and the Vestry needs to nurture. Leadership/Staffing: Many calls for consistent office hours of the Rector and Administrator. Church Staff should be more accessible, not just on Sundays. Vestry should be pro-active. Community: Respondents are fervently hoping that the parish will grow and thrive even more. Community is the top reason why people attend CHS. They want to reach out, within and beyond our walls even more to spread the love of Christ in the same and new ways. Outreach: See Community comments above. Formation: Ideas for spiritual growth were shared though significantly less than outreach suggestions. Music: A strong contingent of respondents had comments about music. Many would enjoy songs from “the blue book” and more contemporary interpretations of hymns to be used in service again. Consider blending familiar hymns and perhaps one new hymn learned over time. The future Rector: A majority of respondents hope the new rector will focus most on worship planning and assimilating into our community during the first year. The wish list is long for characteristics of our new rector as is the job description. Highlights include: inspiring,/challenging/relatable preaching, approachable, welcoming, care-giver/pastoral, delegator, sense of humor to name a few. Raw statistics of the congregation: 68% of respondents are 55 and over 16% of respondents have children under 18 years old. We had 9 respondents under 18 years of age, consistent with Youth Group and formation attendance. 85% of respondents have attended CHS for 5 years or more 58% of respondents attend CHs 3x/month. 19% of respondents prefer the 8am service. 70% of respondents prefer the 10am service 11% of respondents prefer the virtual service option The committee would summarize the CHS Congregations overall feeling as in agreement with and supportive of the various ministries and activities they are participating in within the church and wider community. However, they realize that things can/need to be tuned up (for example Youth Group, overall music program, website), some rebuilt (ie. Sunday school, Leadership/administration). The congregation would also like to renew ministries interrupted by COVID, (ie. Good News Home for Women, Family Promise) and find a few new focuses/new ministries and do them well. These adjustments are not cosmetic; these adjustments and new ministries are things that will build upon the solid history and firm resolve of the past and current CHS community. Some of them are very necessary to address the needs of the specific demographics and the viability of the church for future generations at CHS. Keeping all this in mind, the Search Committee is presently working with various parishioners to gather the necessary parochial data, statistics and writing essay responses for the Community Portfolio for the Diocesan Website. Simultaneously, we are writing essays to highlight all the great things that make CHS one of the best faith communities in the Dioceses of New Jersey. These efforts will be posted to the CHS Website for future Rectors to read if interested in applying for our open Rector position. On behalf of the members of the Search Committee, thanks to all who responded to the survey and/or participated in the Community Conversations. Having covered a lot of ground and been given a lot of food for thought, we seek your prayers asking for the Holy Spirits’ continued inspiration and guidance in this great undertaking. de jouwe in Christus, (Yours in Christ,) Rex A. vanVeldhuisen Chairperson The CHS Community of Faith is invited to speak beyond the survey and share your thoughts about our future rector.
Come to one of three in-person gatherings in Dove Hall hosted by the CHS Rector Search Committee. All are welcome, whether or not you completed the survey. Monday June 3rd 7-8pm, Sunday June 9th 11:30-12:30, Tuesday June 11th 7-8pm. No RSVP necessary. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Rex A. vanVeldhuisen, Chairperson Share your input! The parish Search Committee asks that every parishioner over the age of 5 complete a Parish Survey for our new Rector search. Everyone’s input is valuable and needed for determining the direction we will take in the years to come. Finding the right Rector to guide us is key to keeping our community vibrant, welcoming and growing. Please complete only one survey, either the online or paper version. The Search Committee prefers that you complete the survey online to make our job a little easier. DEADLINE FOR SURVEYS HAS BEEN EXTENDEDIf you have already submitted your response for the Search Committee survey, thank you for providing us your thoughts on what you want for our next Rector. If you have not submitted a survey response, either the paper hard copy (which was mailed to you several weeks ago) or the online version, you still have time to help us prepare a profile of who we are, what we need and want, and how we see the future of our church. DEADLINE EXTENDED: MEMORIAL DAY MAY 27th Thank you for helping us with this important mission. CHS is your church; make your voice heard! We understand some people are not comfortable with online surveys. Paper copies of the survey are being mailed to everyone in the parish. If you need additional copies for household members, feel free to make copies of the survey. Extra blank surveys are available in the Narthex. For questions or help completing the written survey, please contact Rex A. Van Veldhuisen, Search Committee Chairperson at [email protected] or 908-217-2083 (talk or text). For questions or help completing the online survey, please contact Wendy Hallstrom at [email protected] or 908-391-2018 (talk or text). If you have not received a paper survey in the mail by May 8, and would like one, please contact Marge Keller at [email protected] for a copy. The CHS Rector Search Committee is happy to report that all parishioners will soon receive a survey. It will address your thoughts, hopes, prayers and comments for CHS’s future direction and new Rector. Your input will shape the future of the CHS community.
Please be on the look-out for a letter in your mailbox and an email. Contact: Rex A. van Veldhuisen, Search Committee Chairperson at [email protected] or 908.217.2083 talk or text. Wendy Hallstrom (she/her/hers) [email protected] The Search Committee will let us all know what is going on - watch this page!
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