Communication

Welcome back! We have missed you! There is so much going on that we are sure that there is news that you have missed since the end of May. It is recognized that some people in the congregation are in constant contact with each other, for which we are grateful, but sometimes the news need to be communicated to the whole church. Maybe we can explore methods for communication lines to be opened up starting real soon.

How do we Communicate? We do it by word of mouth on the telephone, through text messages and emails, and sometimes through the gossip train. Gossip should be the absolute last resort for communicating information, because the receiver must decide what is truth and what is just gossip.

As few years back the church implemented the use of prayer request notes that could be filled out and given to the pastor, they did work for a good period of time, especially when requests were being made by individuals who don’t like to stand and talk in front of other people. I would encourage you to fill out your prayer requests and joys as we have done in the past to see if it helps us in realizing who is sick, hospitalized, or even when you might be celebrating.

Now that we are officially back from the summer vacations, travel, and the decision that I just wanted to sleep in, as a church family we need to work on our communication skills. The idea of using the prayer requests slips is a great start. Areas that need improvement are the submitting of agenda items to the various chairpersons of committees and to the moderator. Suggestions to the pastor are always welcome (please do so after the worship service on Sunday). If someone is sick or hospitalized, share it with the Pastor and the Chair of the Deacons, we can’t act if we do not know what is going on. If you are afraid to speak to the pastor, just fill out the suggested form (the form is still a rough draft.)

Communication to the Pastor

(Please check all that apply)

• You chose a new hymn and I couldn’t sing it.

• Could we just do one verse from each hymn.

• The church was too cold to enjoy worship.

• There was no room to park in the parking lot.

• I didn’t know that we were having an event.

• The sermon was too long.

• The sermon was too short, so I couldn’t take a nap.

• I don’t like the time of church, can you change it.

• Can you end the service by 10:15, there’s a game on today that I want to watch.

• I don’t like the refreshments at fellowship, they are not on my diet.

• Could you let me share about my vacation, I have plenty of pictures that are beautiful.

• Can’t we do something about the people that come in off the street.

• Would you please lighten up, you are too serious at times.

These are only suggestions, what do you think?