Emmaus Road Crew

ROAD CREW NOTES FROM NOVEMBER 13, 2011

2011-11-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

1. Budget Proposal

· Mike Elenbaas presented proposed budget as had been published a week prior; congregational giving throughout 1st three quarters kept pace with expenses; expenses kept fairly static; no staff raises for couple years; health insurance premiums lowered; office & worship space rent increased normal modest amount; cash reserves in bank account kept level, but some big end-of-year bills remain due

· Q&A: discussion ensued around ways to spend 10% collective end-of-year offering outside Emmaus Road; also how to gauge keeping bank account stocked to cover three months' expenses as various financial obligations or opportunities arise

· Vote: Road Crew approved proposed budget; also approved scheduling follow-up finance-centered Road Crew mtg. in Spring

2. Children’s Ministry Update

· Deacon Teresa shared briefly how trial program, Big Kids' Bible Worship, has been going; so far so good, but time for additional volunteers has come; Angie should not sustain current level of leadership indefinitely

3. Roots and Branches Update

· Pastor Likkel refreshed Road Crew's memory around Nine Roots/Branches, with few examples of developments; pledged to keep these areas of ministry growth before the church; invited participation, again, around individual members' areas of passion, calling, interest, etc.

4. Welcome New Members

· Road Crew privileged to officially welcome Josh Gillanders, husband of Kara (Rozeboom), into Road Crew for first time! Severtsens and others to be welcomed at upcoming Road Crew.

NEW HORIZONS DINNERS - UPDATED SCHEDULE

2011-11-17T09:29:00.000-08:00

Once a month, Emmaus Road partners with New Horizons to serve dinner on the first Wednesday. It is a privilege to address our city's "orphans" (as James would say), so regularly. What works best in leadig the effort, is to tackle hosting and serving dinner as a team; one person lines up people, the other lines up food. If switching dates is necessary, as much notice as possible really helps. Please make the most of these opportunities; invite friends; people seem to get a lot out of serving together, not to mention the hungry youths who come for dinner.

November 2, 2011 - Belltown Group (Eric/Ryan)
December 7, 2011 - South End Group (Rennie/Cynthia)
January 4, 2012 - Crown Hill Group (Christina/Beth)
February 1, 2012 - Guys Bible Study (Mark R./Brad)
March 7, 2012 - Belltown Group (Eric/Ryan)
April 4, 2012 - South End Group (Rennie/Cynthia)
May 2, 2012 - Crown Hill Group (Christina/Beth)
June 6, 2012 - Guys Bible Study (Mark R./Ed)
July 4, 2012 - Belltown Group (Eric/Ryan)
August 1, 2012 - South End Group (Rennie/Cynthia)

ROAD CREW AGENDA - NOVEMBER 13, 2011

2011-11-12T13:31:00.000-08:00

1. Budget Proposal

· Presentation

· Q&A

· Vote

2. Children’s Ministry Update

3. Roots and Branches Update

4. Welcome New Members

BUDGET HANDOUT FOR ROAD CREW 11/13/11

2011-11-09T23:40:00.000-08:00

Emmaus Road Church: Budget Handout Overview

The stewardship team has created this handout to brief Road Crew on our financial status ahead of next week’s Road Crew meeting on Sunday, November 13 after our regular service. Please review this handout and feel free to contact the Stewardship Team at the email addresses at the end of this handout with any questions you have on the information herein so we can be sure to either a) answer your question via email prior to the November 13 meeting, or b) address your questions in the Road Crew meeting on November 13.

Expenses This Year
The chart below shows how our monthly expenses have stacked up. As you can see, every year our expenses vary from month to month. The average expenses from January through September of this year were approximately $9,400 per month. This is because many of our expenses are quarterly or annual expenses that are not paid each and every month. This highlights the need for some cash reserves for our church, which is discussed further in the ‘Cash Reserves’ section below.

Giving Trends
Giving levels have been steady this year, thanks to the combination of regular monthly, bi-monthly, and annual or semi-annual tithes by Road Crew members. Thank you all for stepping up after our March Road Crew meeting where we highlighted our decreasing cash reserves. As the chart to the right and the following ‘Cash Reserves’ section show, our giving has been steady and at a level that is sustainable.

The upcoming holiday season typically results in an uptick in giving for our church, which is a good thing, since it balances out our typical lower level of giving in the summer months (vacation season ☺).

Cash Reserves
As the chart to the right shows, our net cash reserves have been holding fairly steady through the summer and into the fall months of this year. This is thanks to the strong level of giving through the spring and summer by you, the Road Crew. Keep it up!
It is important to note that the majority of our cash reserves are necessary to manage the month to month cash flow of our church. This is because giving does not always occur at the same time expenses need to be paid. Keep up the faithful giving – you answered the call at our March 2011 Road Crew meeting to continue to faithfully give to support the work of our church. Our current reserves are at a healthy level and as mentioned have held steady the last 6 months. Thank you again Road Crew!

Proposed Budget
The stewardship team will propose the following monthly budget at the upcoming November 13 Road Crew Meeting. This budget is consistent with the level of monthly expenditures Emmaus Road has had for the last year. Note that the monthly budget below includes monthly average calculations of several expenses that are paid quarterly or once a year.

Please note our recommendation of tithing 10% of our Church’s giving every year. This giving goes to several worthy organizations and people on a regular and annual basis. For example, we give regularly to support Asabe in Nigeria and HCI (Wycliffe). We also have supported AmeriCorps through Communities First. Part of our tithe goes to pay our classical shares – this pays for our Christian Reformed Church denomination activities such as world missions. Finally at the end of each calendar year, during Christmas time, Emmaus Road Church tithes to various partner organizations that we pray for on a regular basis. These can include Union Gospel Mission, New Horizons Mission, Acres of Diamonds, Roots Church, and Storytellers Church. The stewardship team proposes to make the level of giving from our church equal to 10% of the giving to our church each year.

What You Should Do Road Crew
Celebrate that we are, together, able to sustain ourselves financially. Continue to pray for the financial sustainability of our church. Continue to give faithfully – this is a natural part of our life together in Christ. Please read this handout prior to next week’s Road Crew meeting on November 13, following the service. Be prepared to discuss this at the Road Crew meeting. Send any questions you have to the stewardship team at the email addresses below.

Stewardship team email addresses:
• Ryan Engel at: rengel@gmail.com
• Mike Elenbaas at: mchllnbs@yahoo.com
• David Anema at: heyitsdavida@comcast.net

VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE - TIME TO UPDATE!

2011-11-04T19:14:00.000-07:00

From Deacon Kristen Vander Linden

Hello ER friends,

It's that time of year again - time to put together the Emmaus Road volunteer schedule for the next 6 months. I'm trying to get a bit of an early start with a goal to have it together within the next few weeks. This schedule will be for January 1st - June 30, 2012. I was really happy about the response and participation on the last round, and hope to keep that same momentum, so I invite you all again to think about where you'd like to share your gifts and service.

I'd like to focus this time on Children's Ministry, as we would love more volunteers in this area. If you haven't already heard, there are a couple of new opportunities on Sunday morning in which to participate in Children's ministry. Our "Big Kids' Bible Workshop", which meets every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month during the worship service, has two positions to fill; a "Big Kids Leader" and a "Big Kids Helper". Please see the descriptions below, along with the one for "Godly Play Doorperson". Since these positions involve people missing out on the majority of the worship service, we'd love a larger pool of volunteers, so that each person is only committed to a few Sundays at most within the six month period. If you'd like to observe Godly play or Big Kids Workshop before committing, thats definitely a possibility as well! Angie has been an integral leader in the start up of this program :) Thank you Angie!

Big Kids: Leader
Lead group of kids (2nd grade on up) with a bible story, followed by a response time of art or journaling. Stories and materials are provided. Suggested prep involves previewing the provided story and follow-up questions before the group meets.

Big Kids: Helper
Model listening to story , assist leader as needed, interact with kids in group during response time. Role does not require prep, though the helper could preview the story and follow-up questions

Godly Play Doorperson:
Greet children as they enter, model listening to story, assist Godly Play teacher, help put away Godly Play materials after church

As always, we also have the following areas of service:
Nursery, hosting (coffee and snack set up), greeting, reading, slides, take down and prayer.

I'd love a response from everyone by Sunday, November 13. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like any more information about these areas of service.

Thanks everyone! It's good to serve! :)

ROAD CREW: MORE FOOD, MORE FELLOWSHIP

2011-11-04T18:56:00.000-07:00

Our next Road Crew lunch is Sunday, November 13. Why meet over lunch after worship? At the October Council meeting, the Elders and Deacons agreed that Sunday lunch meetings seem better attended than our previous Thursday night meetings. The quality of our Sunday meetings seems better than week nights, also, because we've been worshiping together ahead of time; we are ready to hear and discuss ministry with a better spirit. This coming Road Crew meeting will include voting on a proposed budget, officially welcoming new members, and hearing an update regarding Children's Ministry. Beyond the "business" of ministry, though, we will be enjoying fellowship. Bonding over food is as important as voting over decisions together; the Council decided we should do this more often. As we move forward as a church, look forward to more food and fellowship on Sunday afternoons!

MEET JOSH

2011-11-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Have you met Josh and Kara Gillanders? They married in 2009. Kara is one of Emmaus Road's earliest members from the late 90's; Josh recently decided to join the Road Crew, too. After talking through the Milestones to Membership, and what it means to be a committed, participating member of Emmaus Road, I invited Josh to answer a few questions that would help others become a little better acquainted with him.

1. Life Beyond Sunday: What sorts of ways do you spend your time, in work, family, and other pursuits?
My life consists of spending as much time with my wonderful wife, Kara, exercising, going to school two nights a week, working a full time job that includes every other weekend being on call, skiing in the winters as time permits, and spending as much time as possible with my family. When Kara and I are able to, we also try to travel.

2. Emmaus Road: when did you begin coming to worship? What led you to join the Road Crew?
I started coming to worship at Emmaus Road shortly after meeting Kara in 2006. More likely early 2007. Faith and God are an important part of who Kara is and as I got to know her better, their importance in my life also increased, as did my understanding. What led me to join the Road Crew was in part my upbringing in the church and Emmaus Road's overall atmosphere: one where people are welcome regardless of their background, non-judgmental, and acceptance of you no matter what. This stands in stark contrast to a lot of churches out there and why I did not attend church for a long time.

3. Faith: is there anything you could share about what you have been learning about God, yourself, or faith?
I have learned and re-learned just how powerful and loving God is. How He accepts you and loves you unconditionally without judgment. He holds you accountable to be sure, but always forgives. As a result of this, I have learned and am continuing to learn the value of patience, love, and what it means to be a Christian and how it influences my daily life as well as my interactions with family, friends, and co-workers/colleagues. I have learned and am continuing to experience just how tough "having faith" can be, but with God, it's much easier to remember what it takes and that He will never give me more than I can't handle.

BECOMING ROOTED & LINKED - A NEW BRANCH

2011-10-26T16:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read Romans 16? Paul names a long list of people and places linked together as churches who belong to THE Church; households and congregations linked together, who support one another. Though they were rooted in a certain part of Rome, or some other region, or are identified with particular host or leader, there was a sense of connection between them.

What does this have to do with Emmaus Road? One of the nine ROOTS & BRANCHES our church discerned as a ministry priority is for us to grow beyond our sense of "rootedness" to becoming more "linked". Our sister churches of the Christian Reformed Cluster in Seattle, our neighborhood partners in the Belltown Covenant, our colaborers in the Gospel for whom we intercede, and others - these are like the people and groups listed in Romans 16 in our context. How can we support one another, collaborate, and share, for the sake of the Kingdom?

How do envision Emmaus Road could be more linked? Is this an area of growth that interests you? Let your pastor know.

Check out the ROOTED & LINKED video.

YOUNG EMMAUS ROAD COUPLE SEEKS HELP

2011-10-19T16:28:00.000-07:00

Rob & Kristin ask Emmaus Road for help. Expecting a new child soon, they know Kristin's maternity leave will end by the beginning of February. Daycare at her place of employment is for 1 year olds and up; this first year, they need to find someone trustworthy and reliable to watch their infant for 10 to 16 hours per week in their home.

Hours: mon-fri from 4pm to 7:30pm at the latest
Pay: about $10 per hour

If interested, contact Pastor Likkel who can provide Rob and Kristin's phone numbers.

ROAD CREW MINUTES, SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

2011-09-14T16:04:00.001-07:00

Meeting over lunch following worship

Goals of Meeting:
1. Presentation: Time to Try Some New Things:
• Children’s Ministry; Parenting Beyond Sunday
2. Invitation to participate
3. Blessing on leaders, volunteers

NOTES

PRESENTATION: TIME TO TRY SOME NEW THINGS

INTRO:

Throughout year of listening, Pastor able to interview about 90% parents.
• Affirmations: parents/kids participating in Godly Play program report positive experiences w/Matt and Godly Play stories; parents also grateful for relationships between various adults from congregation and children; Groundworks Sunday projects important to children, as well as adults
• Shared concern: from several parents, desire for something during sermon & prayer times on Sunday mornings to be offered for children not quite ready to stay/participate through entire worship service; current Godly Play program during worship great, but geared to younger children (roughly pre-school through 1st/2nd grade); TIME TO TRY SOMETHING NEW
• Regarding Parenting Beyond Sunday, couple specific issues emerged; few ideas for us to explore.

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY; HOW WE ARRIVED AT THIS POINT; WHERE WE GO FROM HERE
After considering concerns voiced during parent interviews, Pastor convened small brainstorm group in July, including Children's Ministry Deacon Teresa Elenbaas, Godly Play team member Rennie Araucto, and Children's Ministry volunteer Angie R.; proposal from this group offered to Council, August 4; Council's main concerns included possible burnout among parent volunteers, since this is a NEW program added to other Children's Ministry activities; Council also affirmed that Emmaus Road values participation of children/youth during worship. Those concerns voiced, Council approved launch of this program on trial basis.
• Program was announced in August eWeeklies
• Sunday, September 18: Godly Play will resume, but only session for younger children during service; the 9:30AM session formerly prior to worship will be suspended, at least temporarily, as we try new program for older kids during worship. Angie R. will lead Big Kids’ Bible Workshop (current name of new program) on trial basis, every other Sunday for several months.

Important: this program is a trial only; Angie and Teresa need help and welcome further input and participation; many details are still being determined. This program can only move forward if a strong handful of volunteers come together as a team.

PARENTING BEYOND SUNDAY
Pastor Likkel listened to Emmaus Road parents talk about how they nurture their children's faith beyond Sunday, as well as ways they remember their own parents modeling faith in Christ; a couple issues emerged. Addressing these issues like nurturing spiritual "roots"; will help strengthen families and church.

One issue is that of recognizing our role as Christian parents; we are called to care and pray for our children, and communicate faith in word and deed at home and throughout life together in our families. This role not always acknowledged; often parents tempted to turn over faith development of children to others.
Related to this, other issue for us to address as a church is how our own relationship with God can become transparent to our children; we cannot answer all questions, nor live perfectly as disciples, nor model sainthood always, but we must reveal to our children how Gospel of Jesus, our personal redemption, and presence of his Spirit, impact our lives and relationships

What do we do about these two issues; how do we nurture these roots? Few things we can explore:

sharing of stories, what seems to be working (or not) in our homes; sharing of favorite resources, books, film, etc.;
learning events, such as Children in the Faith Community: Continuing the Conversation, Thursday, October 13, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Seattle and Children, Youth and Family Ministry in the 21st Century, Monday, October 24 · 6:30pm - 9:00pm, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lynwood.

INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE
Rather than engage in large group Q&A after the presentation, Pastor Likkel invited anyone interested to come over to the front table to discuss the new Children's Ministry program with himself, Deacon Teresa Elenbaas or Angie R. following the prayer and dismissal.

BLESSING of LEADERS, VOLUNTEERS
To close the meeting, Pastor Likkel invited each of the Children's Ministry leaders, volunteers, parents, grandparents, and finally the entire "spiritual family" of Emmaus Road to stand; a prayer asking for blessing, spiritual support, and guidance was offered as we launch into a new season of ministry.

ROAD CREW MINUTES, JUNE 12, 2011

2011-06-15T14:50:00.001-07:00

12:10 Road Crew welcomed; pizza was served; agenda was stated

12:05 Pastor presented NINE SIGNS OF GROWTH, or NINE PIECES OF VISION (see details in agenda):

Rooted/Linked (see video)

Visibility

Evangelism Beyond Sunday; 1 Peter 3:15

Dads/Dudes multiplied

Parenting Beyond Sunday

Church Big instead of Big Church; Joshua 17:14-18

$ Discipline

Deacons – more

Get To versus Have To

12:40 Pastor explains how church will pursue these changes:
Each/every church member encouraged to discern how personal passions, gifts, experience overlap with one or more area; communicate back to Pastor/Council
Council to organize, launch teams of members to oversee and cultivate each area of growth.
Pastor commits to keeping NINE SIGNS visible, recasting vision(s), keeping them in Council agendas, and reflecting these from pulpit and in liturgy on Sundays, too.
Q&A
Not many comments/questions; one member appreciates Pastor's pledge to keep NINE SIGNS visible in front of church so they do not fade into "flavor of the month" forgotten words.
Financial update showed improvement in monthly income/expense ratio; no cuts currently advised (picture below); if giving remains consistent through summer, outlook for next year brighter.
12:45 Reminder to sign up to participate; members also asked to make Elder nominations by next Sunday, June 19.

Next Road Crew - September 11, 2011; Agenda = Children's Ministry and Parent Ministry launch; $ update.

Final prayer offered; Road Crew dismissed.

ROAD CREW AGENDA JUNE 12, 2011

2011-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Goals of Meeting:

Receive Council Proposal
Q&A
Sign Up to participate

_______________________________________

12:00 WELCOME ROAD CREW; STATE AGENDA

12:05 PRESENTATION: NINE SIGNS OF GROWTH

12:20 PROPOSAL: NEXT STEPS

Road Crew; Council; Pastor

12:25 Q&A re: PROPOSAL

12:45 SIGN UP; DISMISSAL

NINE SIGNS OF GROWTH, or NINE PIECES OF VISION: Details

Rooted/Linked (see video)

· Cooperate w/churches, ministries, for greater programming, training, community service, fellowship, administrative efficiency, church planting, etc.

· Leverage established relationships w/Seattle CRC Cluster; Belltown Covenant partners; Parish Collective; other?

Visibility:

· Improve access to church community/ministry; not about niche marketing, pen switching, sheep stealing

Evangelism Beyond Sunday; 1 Peter 3:15

· Embrace story of our name, Emmaus Road; acknowledge how introducing people to Jesus begins “out there” with EACH OF US, even if it someday leads to Sunday

· Embrace evangelism/discipleship among “non-churchable”

· Gospel transparency among each of us; have hope; be prepared to explain

Dads/Dudes multiplied

· Social activity of Emmaus Road as important as worship, bible study, community development

· Should be multiplied for women, parents, other groupings?

· Simple “structure” and low expectations seem to help it happen

Parenting Beyond Sunday

· Families need to be equipped for evangelism/discipleship @ home

· As Mon-Sat. faith development strengthened, Sunday programs put in proper perspective

· Generations of neglect/passivity in church culture requires persistent challenging

Church Big instead of Big Church; Joshua 17:14-18

· Different measurements of ministry yield insight into how “small” churches can make significant impact in people’s lives; God multiplies

· Related to vision of Emmaus Road becoming more Rooted/Linked

$ Discipline

· Continue changing culture of complacency into culture of urgency around $ generosity, sharing, faithful tithing

· Embrace sacrificial giving as important part of every Christian’s response to Gospel (get to, not have to)

Deacons – more

· Beyond current Elders and acknowledged Deacons, there are others who could benefit from joining leadership Council, working not as isolated, occasional responders, but regularly contributing, equipped leaders

Get To versus Have To

· Changing experience, feelings, and perceptions around serving and ministering, from “I have to do my duty” to “I get to participate in God’s work with my gifts/resources”

· Address specific issues, including:

- isolation

- stuck in thankless role; under appreciated

- feeling over-extended; saddled with multiple layers of responsibility

- Nursery/Godly Play volunteers missing out on worship

- Misperceptions of magnitude; a look at actual numbers of Sundays assigned may reveal load to be lighter than one thinks (e.g.; only 12 Sundays of Godly Play this upcoming fall)

· Discern how to evaluate support/equip each other to thrive in service

· Carefully set expectations, rather than blindly inherit

· Celebrate what we get from giving, what we learn in serving

ELDER CANDIDATE POOL

2011-06-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

Finally, Road Crew, I am able to furnish a list of potential Elder nominees:

Cornell Blackwell, Mike Elenbaas, Biff Gaitan, Erin Fullner-McCready, Dan Ruiter, Reba Ruiter

Road Crew members, pray and discern, by Sunday June 19, two people you will nominate from this list to step into the Elder role at Emmaus Road, serving from summer 2011 through summer 2013 or beyond. I will receive your two nominations via email, in person, on a slip of paper folded up in the white box, by telephone, or any other discreet means you would like to employ. After receiving all of your nominations by June 19, I will talk to the individuals the church is affirming and discern with them whether they are ready and willing to accept this leadership role. I hope to have clearly identified Elders by Sunday June 26. Pray for the Lord's guidance throughout this process; it is a collective effort that God wants us each of us to carry out in faith.

Incidentally, if the list seems like it could be longer and more inclusive, consider the following: the Elder candidate pool begins larger, but then is paired down to Road Crew members who

- are not currently serving as an Elder (or recently stepping away from Elder role)

- are not married to an Elder

- have not requested having their name removed from the list of potential Elder candidates

EMMAUS ROAD'S FUTURE; BEYOND 40 DAYS

2011-05-28T14:22:00.000-07:00

Over "40 Days" we asked God to guide us; we took time to listen; we gathered to speak. May 15 Road Crew notes have been posted online already; May 24 Council notes are also online. Council agreed that the Road Crew meeting was positive; the church was affirmed; ministry was celebrated; we seem enthusiastic about continuing; people did not suggest too many specifics. What has emerged, then, in terms of Emmaus Road's future? God does not often hand out specifics, yet he does guide us into the paradox of sacrifice and abundance, feeding, growing, and multiplying us as his people. He also gives us signs, pointing us toward him. He assures us he is building us up, individually, and as a church. As we cooperate, in faith, he leads us forward. Here are nine themes - nine signs - which DID emerge out of this recent period of prayer, learning, and dialogue. Eight of these were brought by the Pastor; one was suggested by Council:

Rooted/Linked (see video)

Visibility

Evangelism Beyond Sunday

Dads/Dudes multiplied

Parenting Beyond Sunday

Church Big vs. Big Church

$ Discipline

Deacons - more

Get To versus Have To

What these mean, in terms of specific actions in time and place, is our next challenge to discern. I hope you share the urgency and excitement I have, about Emmaus Road's next steps. June 12 is our next scheduled opportunity to hear more about these signs, these themes, and figure out summer and fall plans. Consider these signs/themes as pieces of vision God is giving us.

ROAD CREW MINUTES MAY 15, 2011

2011-05-19T15:10:00.001-07:00

12:00 PM Pastor greeted everyone;

· restated goal of mtg; to hear from one another following a “40 Day” period of prayer and reflection, asking God to guide Emmaus Road forward; taking notes on what is shared into Council/Elder mtgs prior to June 12 Road Crew “business” mtg.

· read Emmaus Road’s Name/Story, Motto, and statement of Call/Mission – “Emmaus Road in Belltown; Emmaus Road around the Sound”

People invited to share:

· Eric began: shared story of “Totcho’s” involving Mark/Angie and neighbors @ Greenwood Artwalk

· Suellen shared inspiration garnered from loving acts of fellow members painting their house

· Kurt shared story of Sacramento church that had faded, then come back to life, growth, based on testimony of women attending INHABIT conference recently

· Mark N. shared how unique Emmaus Road is, in terms of “fit” for certain people, including himself, coming from a non-active church life previously

· Erin testified that since belonging to Emmaus Road, she is feeling more solid in faith, more able to share faith and find people faith around her at work

· Rennie/Amy shared story of their own journey through complacency, coming to realization that issues connecting/relating to church had less to do with church, more to do with their own lifestyle/efforts; once they chose to re-engage, belonging to church felt different, good again

· Andrew/Chandra shared how begin part of Emmaus Road, then New Horizons, eventually led to foster parenting pursuits; realized strength of church community essential to personal support as future parents

· Cornell feels pressure to work Sundays; resisting because cannot imagine losing this crucial relationship with spiritual family, and identifies the pressure as part of a spiritual conflict

· Anna-Marie encouraged by prayers of church; has impacted work, school

· AM also looks forward to sharing ministry w/other congregations; shared testimony, stories, would strengthen all

· Mike E. shared how fears around future of children’s ministries abated as he considered the strength of multi-congregational approaches

· Mike also shared that he knows he could be more transparent about his church family w/those outside Emmaus Road

· Beth affirms Parenting Beyond Sunday as a prime responsibility; church’s collective efforts to nurture children must happen in concert with parents’ own initiatives; there is a unique witness kids receive in fellowship of church, special relationships with diverse crowd they would be less likely to know outside church

· Beth also affirmed promotion of Emmaus Road versus isolation; AND cultivating value of each of us putting our $ where our mouth is to continue sharing ministry together

· Mark N. echoed Beth; stated how important it is not to kick the $ down the road, to pursue change now, not at moment of crisis

· Mark N. believes that exposure to the fellowship of diversity that is Emmaus Road is THE program that is most important for children of church to experience

· Suellen testified to the truth and mystery of divine supply; faith is required, leaning on God’s provision without seeing it all, moving as Spirit leads in shared ministry of obedience, sacrifice, risk, trusting God will give what is needed to continue forward

· Tracey reflected on meaning of how Christ gives, not as world gives; there is a balance achieved, real peace, when perceptions of needs and actual provisions meet; sometimes it is more one than the other, but it is not the natural, worldly way, of only focusing on provision, not dealing with perception

· Alicia testified to the love evidenced in Emmaus Road

· Alicia also testified to how God has provided spiritual strength, ability, power, to follow through in difficult ministry scenarios, she would have previously avoided before being part of Emmaus Road

· Angie emphasized the need to be engaged with one another; to grow spiritually, one must belong to communicative, intentionally encouraging, gently pushing community; e.g. prayer for each of us is strengthened when we pray together communally

· Eric challenged everyone to come fifteen minutes earlier Sunday mornings to facilitate praying together more than we do during our typical hour of worship liturgy

1:15 PM DISMISSAL

All held hands in prayer; shared primarily prayers of thanksgiving and praise.

ELDER NOMINATION: APRIL 25 - JUNE 12

2011-04-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Beth DeVries has more than fulfilled her term as elder and is stepping back from the role in the very near future. This follows the term fulfillment and/or departure of two other elders over the last year, leaving us with three continuing: Rennie Araucto, Kurt Munson, and David Anema. Therefore, it is time for us to identify two members of our body to serve as elders.

Schedule

April 25-May 14 - Elders speak to members and gather list of willing candidates

May 15 - publish finalized "nominee pool" online and during Road Crew meeting; church encouraged to pray and begin submitting nominations May 29; Road Crew members privately communicate two nominees/choices to Pastor Likkel; email, call, write, fold ballot in white box on Sunday, etc.

June 5 - final Sunday to submit nominations; Pastor contacts emerging candidates to discuss serving as elder

June 12 - officially welcome and "install" two elders (who would minimally serve through June 2013)

Calling (Roles/Goals) of Elders among Emmaus Road
• Meet regularly to pray for church, share updates
• Shepherd congregation through visitation, prayer, listening; seek to connect with members in the margins – ill, absent, lonely, confined
• Advise and inform Road Crew
• Encourage Deacons, other leaders, along w/Pastor
• Assist Pastor in calling and appointing leaders
• Receive/release Road Crew members
• Consent to term of two years minimally

Criteria (in addition to biblical criteria, Emmaus Road's contextual particulars):
• Member of Road Crew (no time requirement)
• Relationally connected (no Small Group membership requirement, but encouraged)
• Prayerful; student of Word
• Will not serve if married to another Elder nominee
• Not overly burdened by role as Deacon
• Meet biblical requirements: 1 Timothy 3:1-12; 5:17; Titus 1:6-9 provide a non-exhaustive list of biblical qualifications for those recognized as Elders in the church

ROAD CREW MARCH 13 NOTES

2011-03-15T16:51:00.000-07:00

On a rainy Spring Forward Sunday morning, having lost an hour of sleep, AND contending with green St. Pat's Day Dashers filling up the street parking, we still had a pretty decent turnout! It shall be remembered as our 1st Annual Lenten Road Crew Lunch. Jeff and Suellen Yerger crafted a delicious array of soups and breads, all prepared at home. We began our meeting officially welcoming Lara Fullner-Grennan and Erin Fullner into the Road Crew. The remainder of the meeting consisted of a 20 minute presentation: Pastor Eric Likkel's "state of the church" address, sharing joys and sorrows, and an invitation to engage in "40 Days of Discernment" together; Mike Elenbaas offered an update on Emmaus Road's finances; charts online. We concluded with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday and enjoyed FOUR birthday cakes for Cornell (thank you, bakers). There were no votes or decisions called for, but a passionate plea to engage in prayer, consult with one another, interact with the Pastor and Council, and return to share what the Lord places on your heart - May 15. Big decisions will be made together - June 19.

"40 DAYS" OF DISCERNMENT

2011-03-12T19:49:00.001-08:00

Emmaus Road, we are in one of those seasons, asking God to give us specific guidance as a church. What is most important to God, for this body? How does he want us to grow and change? Accept the invitation to join in "40 DAYS" OF DISCERNMENT. This is an intentional period of prayer and deliberation as we prepare to make some big decisions together in a few months. It is not literally a forty day process - it is a little longer - but since it is launched the first Sunday of Lent, it is handy to think of it following the church calendar. Here is what you are being asked to do:

Pray

confess your hopes, dreams, and fears about Emmaus Road to God; listen for his response
ask God to reveal his will AND show us the resources to carry it out

Join the SWOT conversation online (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats); respond to the blog entries from January and February or email Pastor Likkel.

Share your perceptions with the Pastor, Elders, and/or Deacons

In your Small Group discussions, talk about how the process is going, especially around the end of April and beginning of May.

Follow-up:

May 15 Road Crew; sharing testimony from the "40 DAYS"

June 19 (or 23) Road Crew; vote on Council proposals; install two new Elders

FYI, Council Calendar is online: 3/22 Elders&Deacons; 4/12 Elders; 5/10 Elders&Deacons

ROAD CREW AGENDA, SUNDAY MARCH 13, 2011

2011-03-11T12:31:00.000-08:00

Goals of Meeting:

1. Receive ministry updates

2. Invitation to “40 Days of Discernment”

____________________________________

12:00 PM WELCOME TO ROAD CREW

GOALS OF MEETING

OVERVIEW: GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

12:15 WELCOME STEWARDSHIP TEAM; FINANCE UPDATE

12:20 INVITATION: “40 DAYS OF DISCERNMENT”

12:25 Q&A

12:30 DISMISSAL

ROAD CREW NOTES, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

2011-03-11T10:57:00.000-08:00

Greenwood Office, Thursday Sept.23, 2010, 7-9pm; approx. 15-20 members present.

Pastor Likkel invited members around the circle to share what most excited or encouraged them about Emmaus Road; dominant theme emerged around Groundworks Sunday activity.

Review of Elder Nomination process took place. Pastor pledged to get the process underway in October.

Financial update offered, followed by pledge to schedule Sunday post-worship meeting for Road Crew vote to approve budget.

Pastor shared plan to interview every church family and hear how parents follow through with spiritual instruction and faith building Beyond Sunday (Parenting in Faith Beyond Sunday); after interviewing each family, hope is to take themes which have emerged and present to church, then invite parents to respond with ideas for building a more peer supportive environment in Emmaus Road, to help us with one of the most important ministries parents share.

Coming alongside church planters - Matt Wolfe, Simon Cunningham - a way for Emmaus Road to be involved in church planting.

Prayer/dismissal around 9PM.

DO GROUNDWORKS MATTER?

2011-01-28T18:50:00.000-08:00

Do Groundworks Sundays matter? I believe they do, for at least three reasons.

At our congregational meeting last September, I asked members around the room to share what most excites them about Emmaus Road's ministries. The standout topic was Groundworks Sundays. For a lot of us, the opportunity to connect with neighbors and agencies in Belltown, our neighborhood of gathering, has been a new and meaningful experience. In talking with church members and agency personnel from the neighborhood, three themes have emerged:

1. We have much experience speaking the truth of God's love and grace made known to us in Christ; most people around us, church-going or not, have also experienced the hearing of these words. What's different on Groundworks Sundays, is the opportunity to go beyond words, with hands and feet, to actions of love and grace. None of us, nor the people around us, church-going or not, have experienced enough words backed by actions. It feels good to connect with neighbors through actions of the Gospel, in addition to words.

2. Small actions make a big difference. After a Groundworks Sunday last June, some of our neighbors communicated to one of our liaisons. Through tears, one woman expressed deep gratitude for being able to return home from the hospital to a clean apartment. Amidst all her health challenges and bad news, this act of kindness from strangers in her neighborhood gave her hope and strength. Another person expressed how great it was to know people had cared to offer help. He shared how people in his building were generally uncaring; discovering that there are others out there who do care meant the world to him.

3. On Groundworks Sundays, we get to know each other. We do this on typical Sundays, too, but there is neither time nor space to have the kind of conversations that seem to pop up when we are working side by side.

ROAD CREW AGENDA, SEPTEMBER 23, 2010

2010-09-22T15:10:00.000-07:00

NOT AT NEW HORIZONS,

but at our Greenwood Office

7-9PM

corner of N.85th/Greenwood AveN.,

312 North 85th Street, Suite 101

Seattle, WA 98103

(no childcare provided; separate "play" room available)

Goals of Meeting:

1. Review Elder nomination process

2. Receive proposed budget & ministry reports/updates

3. Pray

7:00 ARRIVE

7:10 PRAY

7:15 WELCOME

7:20 REVIEW ELDER NOMINATION PROCESS

7:30 RECEIVE FINANCIAL UPDATE; BUDGET PRESENTATION; Q&A

(vote to be scheduled for future brief Sunday post-worship mtg.)

8:00 MINISTRY UPDATES

Prayer – Sunday & Beyond
Children’s Ministry – Sunday & Beyond
Groundworks; Belltown Covenant
Small Groups
Church “Planting”

8:50 PRAY

9:00 DISMISS

ELDER CHANDRA MULLENIX FULFILLED TERM

2010-09-07T16:21:00.000-07:00

Dear Road Crew,

I've been a joyful Elder for nearly 2 years, and will be stepping aside from the Council at the end of August. It's been such a gift to get to know & pray for those in my "district", and I look forward to maintaining the friendships I've deepened. Among other opportunities, this will open the door for me to re-enter Sunday morning volunteer roles in Children's Ministry.

Council will begin the nomination process soon for the next Elder.

chandra mullenix

ROAD CREW MINUTES, APRIL 22, 2010

2010-05-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

7:15 Eric Greeting, Prayer

7:25 Eric Review of Council role and participants

Thanks Mike & Teresa and Rennie

Introduce Flow Chart

7:30 Rennie Presentation of Flow Chart draft; answered questions

Stressed purpose of increasing communication, clarity, efficiency

Additional purposes to relieve Eric and place responsibility of fully exploring idea on member

Timeline of decision-making is situational

New ideas and proposed changes will share one process

Tabled discussion: What is required for RC vote? Super-majority?

8:25 Eric Asks Road Crew to vote; approved

Request made to further publish Council members beyond blog

In attendance at New Horizons:

Mullenix

Bishop

Anema

Araucto, R.

Chainus, A.

Munson, K.

Gaitan, R.

Elenbaas

Likkel

Colyn, S.

Rosnick

Nelson, M.

Scanned copy of handwritten notes on file with Eric :)

ROAD CREW AGENDA - APRIL 22, 2010

2010-04-15T10:40:00.000-07:00

7:00PM Welcome and Greetings

7:10PM Opening Prayer

7:15PM Presentation of proposed Flow Chart(s)

7:25PM Q&A discussion

8:00PM Vote to accept (with agreed upon amendments) or send back to Council for further development

8:10PM Announcements

8:15PM Closing Prayer

8:30PM Exit

Our discussion will center around how we make decisions and share ministry responsibility. Though we cannot all carry out the same tasks, nor can we make every little decision as a big group (nor even agree about everything), and although we are a body with a variety of gifts, strengths, and callings, we must own our common mission together, and support the members of our body. How can we do this better?

One crucial element has to do with habits of communication, including the manner by which we individuals seek support from our greater congregation, for instituting new ministry activities, or addressing concerns; we need to pursue consistency and fairness with one another as we listen to each other and discern how God is building and shaping us. The proposed Flow Chart is meant to be a helpful tool and guide for us as we continue to listen, learn, and experiment in ministry together. The Spirit leads followers of Christ, but not as lone individuals; the Spirit does not speak to just one person, granting them all authority and knowledge to lead everyone else; rather, the Spirit speaks to united groups of loving, listening believers. Anointed leaders have a role, but they still share their authority in the context of the church. This is how the Apostles discerned the movement toward choosing the seven deacons of Acts 6:1-7; the church elected them, and the Apostles ordained them, all led by the Spirit, as the church. Later, in Acts 15:1-29, the Council of Jerusalem considers a problem in Antioch; though Paul and Barnabas are appointed to speak to the Jerusalem Apostles and Elders, and though Peter and James speak as Council members, it is the whole group together who listens to testimony, debate, and decides to publish a letter to the Gentiles, explaining how their proposal "seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us."

Review the Flow Charts below; feel free to post comments and/or email comments or questions to Pastor Eric Likkel, or Elder Rennie Araucto, one of the people who helped put the Flow Chart together for Council to consider. Rennie will be presenting these to Road Crew.

LETTER FROM CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DEACON

2010-03-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

Since stepping into the role of Children's Ministry Deacon in January, I've been meaning to write a note to you--parents and volunteers of the children's ministry at Emmaus Road, as well as the entire road crew who may at some point or another be a parent or volunteer in these programs.

First, I would like to thank all the volunteers who have and are currently serving to keep our programs going each Sunday. I am still learning about all that goes on with the various groups, but see that we have many wonderful people investing in important ways in the lives of the children and young adults at Emmaus Road. So thank you for all that you have done and are doing! Mike and I are excited for our own son, Marcus, to be a part of what is going on as he grows.

I would also like to ask that you view me as someone you can approach to talk about your role and health as a volunteer, and/or our children's programs in general. Some of these conversations may revolve around a quick question, others may be something you wish me to represent to the Emmaus Road council. As the council seeks to make decisions on behalf of the church, it is important that the wider church body has the opportunity to provide input.

If you are interested in being aware of what the council is currently discussing, feel free to read the latest Council notes. You may approach your small group leader, elder, or myself if you have questions or input on a particular topic.

Have a great week and I'll see many of you at church this coming Sunday!

Teresa Elenbaas

NEW ELDERS

2009-12-09T20:48:00.000-08:00

Road Crew, most of you participated in the October/November nomination process to raise up two new shepherding Elders. You have been waiting patiently to hear results! Instead of two, you actually raised up three! Everyone in the pool received nominations; the hope and intention, though, was to identify at least two people who would receive the most. What emerged from the count, however, were three individuals who shared the most nominations; it seems wise to follow that lead and receive three new Elders. This Sunday, Mark R., Rennie Araucto, and Kurt Munson will be publicly ordained during a prayer time in our worship service. Thank God who provides leadership from, and for, His church.

In the very near future, you will most likely be contacted by one of the Elders, David Anema, Chandra Mullenix, Beth DeVries, Mark R., Rennie Araucto, or Kurt Munson, who will identify themselves as "your elder," a person who will pray for you, be available to discuss ministry matters, and help you find your way into fellowship and service.

TERESA ELENBAAS, CHILDREN'S MINISTRY LEADER

2009-12-02T14:15:00.000-08:00

We have a new Children's Ministry Leader (Deacon role), as Teresa Elenbaas volunteers to step into the role this coming January 2010! Teresa follows Christina Nelson and Sarah Groen-Colyn, who have both previously served Emmaus Road in this capacity. Teresa and Mike have been part of Emmaus Road for about two years, joined by little Marcus last December. Teresa has a background in teaching and art, and has been a part of the Church as long as she can remember. Much of her formative years were spent in a congregation around the same size as Emmaus Road, with many similar dynamics; Teresa is familiar with mixing age groups and being necessarily adaptive with curriculum and ministry design. Stepping into this leadership position joyfully, Teresa is also thinking carefully about how she will balance a life already filled with wonderful responsibilities; her particular leadership routine will be shaped by her God given strengths and capacities. Emmaus Road is currently served by several volunteers who help coordinate ministry to our various age groups of children and youth; Teresa will focus on supporting these folks, as well as scheduling future conversations and planning meetings as our Children and Youth ministry continues to develop.

NOMINATING ELDERS, NOVEMBER 2009

2009-10-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

It is time to pray and raise up two Elders to join three remaining: David Anema, Chandra Mullenix, and Beth DeVries.

Final Candidate Pool as of October 18:
Amy Araucto
Rennie Araucto
Brad Bishop
Cornell Blackwell
Anna-Marie Chainus
Kurt Munson
Christina Nelson
Tim Phipps
Mark R.

Calling (Roles/Goals) of Elders among Emmaus Road
• Meet regularly to pray for church, share updates
• Shepherd congregation through visitation, prayer, listening; seek to connect with members in the margins – ill, absent, lonely, confined
• Advise and inform Road Crew
• Encourage Deacons, other leaders, along w/Pastor
• Assist Pastor in calling and appointing leaders
• Receive/release Road Crew members
• Consent to term of two years minimally

Criteria (Emmaus Road's particulars, in addition to biblical criteria):
• Member of Road Crew (no time requirement)
• Relationally connected (no Small Group membership requirement, but encouraged)
• Prayerful; student of Word
• Will not serve if married to another Elder nominee
• Not overly burdened by role as Deacon
• Meet biblical requirements: 1 Timothy 3:1-12; 5:17; Titus 1:6-9 provide a non-exhaustive list of biblical qualifications for those recognized as Elders in the church

Schedule
1. October 15: Elders finished speaking to members across districts to gather a pool of willing candidates.
2. October 18: candidate list published online and distributed Sunday morning to Road Crew; members encouraged to pray for one week.
3. October 25-November 1: Road Crew members privately communicate two nominees/choices to Pastor Likkel; email, call, write, fold ballot in white box on Sunday, etc.
4. November 2: Pastor contacts emerging candidates and discusses Eldership
5. November 15: Pastor announces church's new Elders
6. November 22 (or thereabouts): New Elders ordained/installed; previous Elders blessed and released

ROAD CREW MINUTES, OCTOBER 15, 2009

2009-10-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Thursday, October 15, 2009 – Street Bean

Goals of Meeting:
1. Welcome new members
2. Receive elder nominee list; update on nomination process
3. Vote on budget
4. Receive ministry reports/updates
5. Pray
____________________________________________________________________________

7:10 Elder DeVries welcomed everyone; Pastor Likkel read a Psalm and opened with prayer

7:15 NEW MEMBERS
Pastor Likkel introduced David and Jessie Elenbaas, Aaron and Kristen Vander Linden, and Cornel Blackwell; all had completed the Milestones to Membership process and affirmed the Membership Covenant to join the Road Crew

7:25 ELDER NOMINEES UPDATE
Elder DeVries announced that Suellen Yerger had chosen to step down from leadership, having served a three year term; her service is appreciated, and her presence in Council will be missed!

Pastor Likkel presented updated Elder Candidacy Criterion as discussed by Council:
Henceforth, a candidate for nomination to the office of Elder for Emmaus Road should be:
• Member of Road Crew (no time requirement)
• Relationally connected (no Small Group membership requirement, but encouraged)
• Elders put eligibility list together after individual conversations with members across districts
• Minimum commitment two years; no requirement to leave after three
• Continue rule to permit only one member of a married couple as Elder
Names of eleven Elder candidates were announced, ten of whom had consented to being nominated as Elders, one of whom had said “Maybe”…

7:35 BUDGET
Treasurer Mike Colyn handed out hard copies of Stewardship Team’s proposed budget for ministry year 2009/10
• Pastor Likkel explained the meaning of “Ministry Shares” in the Tithing category; a way for small churches to do big things, within the Christian Reformed denomination, each congregation shares an agreed upon amount of money per adult member; the funds are pooled together and spent on missionary work, relief work, new church plants, etc.; Emmaus Road paid her Classical Ministry Shares at the end of this recent year, and plans to do the same for 09/10
• Pastor Likkel also shared that the Likkels want to change health insurance approach and bring the monthly premium back to where it was prior to Aug. ’09 when it jumped considerably
• At a certain point, Eric and Alicia Likkel left the meeting and the Road Crew deliberated over the budget with Treasurer Colyn presiding; after 10 or 15 minutes, Road Crew voted to approve the Budget

8:00 GODLY PLAY; PARENT MINISTRY
• Pastor Likkel announced that the candidate for the Godly Play Specialist who had shown great interest in the position had backed out the night before she was going to visit and accept the position. Chad DeVries is heading up an effort to find further candidates.
• Pastor Likkel described a “reframing” of our approach to Children’s Ministry: Parent Ministry. Promising a letter to the congregation, Likkel pledged to begin leading an effort to emphasize Church Beyond Sunday as a parental focus, whereas much of our emphasis – too much in the pastor’s opinion – has been placed on Sunday morning programming for our children. This will become a peer to peer strengthening of relationships between parents, for the sake of better faith building among our young.

8:15 GROUNDWORKS; BELLTOWN FORCE (David Anema, Daniel Tidwell)
• Pastor Likkel expressed great excitement and encouragement, along with gratitude to Jennifer Henry, for the way Groundworks Sundays have been launced. Likkel also noted that the projects began with less personal contact with neighbors, but have, as of the last Groundworks Sunday, become more personal and given the church greater opportunity to know some of our neighbors.
• Pastor Likkel introduced David Anema and described his role as an Americorps Volunteer in Belltown; David will be spending 20 hours per week toward Community Development work on behalf of the church; this is a government grant program that churches are allowed to make use of. Next, Likkel introduced Daniel Tidwell, a Mars Hill Graduate School student who is interning with Emmaus Road this year; Daniel’s internship will overlap in many ways with David Anema’s Americorps activity. Likkel also praised Jennifer Henry for her efforts in connecting Emmaus Road with Belltown neighbors via Catholic Community Servies.

8:30 WRAP-UP QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Elder DeVries pointed out that the meeting had moved along very quickly; there was time for general questions and/or comments
• Though the budget had been voted on and approved, a question was voiced about making a specific change to the budget, possibly delaying funds toward hiring a Godly Play specialist and seeing if the current volunteers could function without anyone in that role. Pastor Likkel responded on behalf of the volunteers, declaring need for this role to be filled: current volunteers (small number of parents) have stated their willingness/ability to fulfill role of “primary storyteller” f%or a few more months, but only with the hope of finding someone to step into the role Amanda Houston vacated last spring. The question of the entire budget, however, could be revisited in another six months, and if changes need to be made, Road Crew and Council could act, including revisiting the hiring of a specialist in this role.
• Pastor Likkel took this topic as an opportunity to declare the need for a Children’s Ministry Deacon, someone who would volunteer to be a liaison between parents and the Godly Play Specialist, as well as someone who would oversee the various clusters of children and volunteers who comprise Emmaus Road’s Children’s Ministry on Sunday mornings. Currently, each cluster of children and volunteer adults are functioning on their own, but nobody is overseeing the whole effort, responding to issues, or casting vision. An open invitation to the Road Crew was expressed, for someone to come forward and follow in the footsteps of Chrisitna Gerrish-Nelson, and before her, Sarah Groen-Colyn.
• The desire to see 100% of parents involved and sharing in Children’s Ministry was reiterated by more than one person
• A vision of Groundworks Sundays including a “junior crew” of children and/or youth all working together on some project was met with enthusiasm.
• The question of whether or not to pursue childcare for future Road Crew meetings was raised; several parents expressed interest; Council will line it up for next time

8:45 PRAYER
Road Crew divided into small groups and prayed for a few minutes before dismissing.

9:00 DISMISS
Road Crew dismissed on time!

ROAD CREW - OCTOBER 15, 7PM, STREET BEAN

2009-09-09T12:59:00.000-07:00

7PM, STREET BEAN (across from New Horizons)

Agenda:

New Members
Elder Nominees Update
Budget
Godly Play Update
Parent Ministry
Groundworks Update
Belltown Force: David Anema, Americorps; Daniel Tidwell, Mars Hill Grad. Intern

There will be snacks!

NEW VOLUNTEERS ASSUME ROLES

2009-07-09T15:48:00.000-07:00

Having served Emmaus Road as the primary volunteer administrator for a few years, Chandra Mullenix is stepping away from those duties, as well as the Stewardship Team, in order to step into a new period of ministry as an Elder. Several individuals are taking the baton, including Angie R., who now adds the eMonthly to Prayer Chain responsibilities; Ryan Engel, Stewardship Team; Brad Bishop, art director and bulletin design; Teresa Elenbaas, retreat coordinator; Jennifer Henry, New Horizons Food Group liaison. We thank and praise God for giving gifts, strengths, and resources among us; we encourage all of you who are willing to share your time and energy with the church. Thank you, Chandra, for the many ways you have been faithfully serving among us over the past few years.

GROUNDWORKS SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

2009-07-06T16:34:00.000-07:00

The fifth Sunday of August provides a great opportunity to experience Church Beyond the Building. This will be Emmaus Road's third Groundworks Sunday. The adjustment to our rhythm - embracing these alternate versions of Sunday mornings - has been a great development for our church. Enjoy the pictures; read what members have said below.

"This is pretty fun!"

-Quinn, six years old, after picking up cigarette butts during Emmaus Road's first Groundworks Sunday, March 29, 2009

"At first, I was kind of grumpy about missing the regular worship; I enjoy the music, fellowship, etc. But once we got into pulling blackberries out of the P Patch, I spent a whole lot of time getting to know one of the new people from church. We talked a lot, and were able to get to know one another because of the work we were doing outside. It was a very cool, and different, church experience."

- Dave, reflecting on the value of Groundworks Sundays

"This is my personal 'Ground Zero,' this very corner, across from Recovery Café; this is where my addiction spiraled out of control. The fact that I am back here, on this very corner, on a Sunday morning with my church, cleaning up the neighborhood, is a miracle! Praise God!"

- Daryl-Ann, sharing with the volunteers ready to landscape a Belltown corner

Boys taking Church Beyond the Building in Belltown

Painting Cottage @ Belltown P Patch

Landscaping along 2nd Avenue in Belltown

Digging in near Belltown's Mama's Mexican Kitchen

Stretching out in Belltown P Patch

Cleaning up around Belltown's funky Space Needle

Girls showing team spirit, sporting P Patch Cottage Blue

GROUNDWORK SUNDAY, MARCH 29

2009-03-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

A slight adjustment to our rhythm is coming. Sunday mornings have long been established as our gathering pattern for worship. But on Sunday, March 29, we will gather as we normally do, to move BEYOND the BUILDING. We will express our devotion to God and love for neighbor, in very practical ways.

We are accustomed to raising and clapping hands, to moving feet to music and walking forward for Communion; but on this FIFTH SUNDAY, we will employ our hands and feet to serve people in our neighborhood of gathering, Belltown, hopefully alongside each other. This is not a new time or layer of activity; this utilizes our regular time to do something different whenever there are FIVE SUNDAYS in a month (which happens about four times a year - May and August are the next two months with FIVE SUNDAYS). It's just one method of living out that part of our MISSION that says "we are called together to join with the 'Word made flesh' among the people in our church's neighborhood of gathering"; it's just one way we can function as SPARK PLUGS AND GLUE in our neighborhood, helping neighbors find ways to build a safe, clean, loving environment. We are saying the church should be among those leading the way, breaking ground and finding common ground. PLEASE JOIN TOGETHER on GROUNDWORK SUNDAY.

FAQ's (Frequently Anticipated Questions):

What about the children?! This is a perfect opportunity to experience church with children of any age, whether they be in your baby backpack or old enough to hold a shovel, garbage bag, or paint brush. There is no better way to demonstrate and experience service to neighbor than.... serving with neighbors.
What about the fact that Emmaus Road is a busy crowd, verging on burnout from life and ministry obligations? This is not another time commitment; this is an already established time slot used in a different way. There will be no need for greeters, readers, children's ministry volunteers, not to mention musicians, on this day. We are simply working BEYOND THE BUILDING for a few hours on a Sunday, when we would have spent a few hours INSIDE a building that same Sunday.
How are people going to "meet Jesus" through this activity? What about our responsibility to preach the Gospel and celebrate the Sacrament on Sunday mornings? We shall continue to do our best INSIDE the building, 48 out of 52 Sundays a year. But for the THOUSANDS of Belltowners who do not even know our church exists, this is a meaningful way to greet them. For the general population who wonders whether or not Christians, who supposedly care for souls, also care about tangible concerns, this is a way of demonstrating our care.
What if nobody in the neighborhood notices? We are not aiming for anonymity, but cooperative projects with real neighbors outside our congregation. The relationships will take time to build, but that is the aim of GROUNDWORK SUNDAY; to move BEYOND THE BUILDING, and lay the groundwork for relationships between ourselves, neighbors; to help unite people of the Towers and Streets on common ground.
What if I want to help people in my own neighborhood, outside Belltown? If you discover neighbors you can cooperate with in service, or someone who needs help, and can organize a handful of people, feel free to serve BEYOND THE BUILDING, even beyond Belltown. It would not be feasible for the organizers of GROUNDWORK SUNDAY to work out logistics across all of Emmaus Road's scattered neighborhoods; we are focusing on Belltown, our "Sunday" neighborhood (and home for some of us). But if YOU can organize something elsewhere, go for it!
What if we fail? We must be willing to risk failure in order to learn. If Emmaus Road does not exist BEYOND THE BUILDING (and BEYOND SUNDAY), Emmaus Road does not exist. If we fail, we pray for lessons and direction to take the right steps. If we fear failure to the extent we do not even try, we have already failed and have not learned anything in the process.
Does this effort spring from one person, a small group, or the larger group? Is the church behind this? The answer will come March 29, when the church shows up to participate. Truth be told, there are many churches devoting FIFTH SUNDAYS to such activity, including First Christian Reformed Church of Seattle. Emmaus Road discussed this as a large group at the spring retreat, April 2008, in terms of GREEN SPACE, where folks within the church can find common ground with neighbors outside, through community service. To learn about a growing movement of congregations devoting Sundays to service among neighbors, check out the FAITH IN ACTION site.

ROAD CREW AGENDA - JANUARY 22, 2009

2009-01-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

7PM New Horizons

CHILDCARE PROVIDED

7:10 OPENING PRAYER

7:15 WELCOME AND INSTALL NEW ELDERS

Richard "Biff" Gaitan, Beth DeVries, Chandra Mullenix

7:30 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

7:45 COVENANT COMMUNITY: EMMAUS ROAD AS ENSEMBLE

If you substitute a tuba for a bass, but the tuba player doesn't show...

(see below)

Presentation; table talk; large group share

8:45 CLOSING PRAYER

Emmaus Road as Ensemble – Parable of Missing Tuba Player

Once upon a time, a group of people decided to form a musical ensemble to play beautiful music, some old, some new.
Some had been part of traditional ensembles – orchestras, big bands, string quartets – with defined roles, and standard instrumentation. This group of people, however, didn’t have the right combination of instruments to form a traditional ensemble, so they decided to come together with the instruments they had, and made a bold covenant: to play beautiful music in a different way. It required adjustment, creativity, commitment, and trust. The ensemble looked and sounded different – instead of a baritone sax, a bassoon. Instead of a piano, a glockenspiel. Instead of a bass, a tuba. The violin section wasn’t very deep, but the voices of the chords were filled in by other instruments. Music was arranged around the players they had. New arrangements of old songs were scored. The most important melodic themes were preserved in a fresh setting and the ensemble was able to reach an audience uninterested in, or intimidated by, traditional music venues. A lack of instrumentation was no limitation; it forced innovation; beautiful music flowed freely.

But after a few seasons, the music suffered. The group decided to cover Miles Davis’ tune, So What, which begins with a big bass solo. There was no bass player in the group, but there was a tuba player. In rehearsal it sounded different, but cool. When the bass player didn’t show up for the gig, though, that was not cool. Pretty soon the bassoon player had doubts about the oboe player’s commitment, and quit covering the bari sax parts. Passion faded; morale sank, music suffered.

Some said it was because they didn’t have the right instruments; it was a weird, untested kind of an ensemble. But that was not the reason: the arrangements worked; the sounds were unique, wonderful; they even had an audience. It was simply this: the tuba player decided to skip one gig, then another, and other players began to quietly wonder who would be next? As “silent” songs of blame and animosity crept into the repertoire, would this ensemble survive?

QUESTIONS:

Q: What are the “rhythms” Emmaus Road has established? Do we “play” them well together?
Q: How is our ministry shaped by the particular gifts and resources God has given us?
Q: Is Emmaus Road’s size an asset or liability, strength or weakness?
Q: When a “tuba player” goes missing, are we able to talk about it honestly and lovingly in Christ? Do we offer encouragement along with accountability?
Q: When it comes to planning, expectations, and vision, how is communication among leaders and members: effective, ok, or ineffective? How might it improve?
Q: As a member of Christ’s body among this group, how great is your sense of personal responsibility, to play your part, to speak up, to mentor newcomers, etc.?

CHOOSING ELDERS: AN UPDATE

2008-12-03T23:25:00.000-08:00

Twenty-six of you Road Crew members made nominations.
Just about everyone in the candidacy pool received nominations.
A smaller handful of folks did receive a majority of nominations, though, providing some clarity about who I should approach, concerning leadership and service as an elder.
I will be initiating a "first round" of discussions over the next few days.
Please pray for me, for yourselves, for God's will to be done.
Amen.

ROAD CREW MINUTES, OCTOBER 30, 2008

2008-11-07T10:54:00.000-08:00

23 members in attendance; 17 households represented

Goals of Meeting:
1. Welcome New Members
2. Discuss Community
3. Approve Budget
4. Elder Nominations – begin process
5. Pray
______________________________________________________

7:00 PM Arrival; chitchat

7:10 PM Prayer led by Pastor Likkel

7:20 PM Welcomed New Members: Mike & Teresa Elenbaas
• Informal Q&A, introduction of Mike & Teresa
• laying on of hands and prayer

7:40 PM Emmaus Road: Making Trail Mix
Brief presentation by Pastor Likkel
• Congregational Stats: 44 “regular households”, 67 adults, 21 single folks, 23 couples, RC has 43 members
• Trail Mix = an analogy to community
• We’ve got talented, rich, small bowls of various single ingredients; yet a woefully empty large bowl, unless those small bowls are combined; when small bowls remain isolated, and contribute just a bit of themselves, mixture doesn’t happen
• Single ingredients created to be thoroughly mixed together, says Great Trail Mix Creator
• Though we feel scarcity of time, resources, gifts we realize abundance when we find it in one another, in community, all together

Table Talk: Pastor Likkel invited members to discuss their past/current experiences of mixing in community, sharing life together
• Sharing stories, sharing trail mix
• What did you hope to find in community?
• What have you found, what haven’t you found?
• What are the barriers?

Reflect: after 20 minutes of discussion, large group shares reflections from Table Talks
• Participation in Small Groups, barriers & wishes, affects “connectedness”
• Mix things up: getting together more, for pool for example (recreation)
• Benefits of being with those you might not otherwise be with, going beyond the surface
• Small Groups provide an opportunity to commit to stay plugged in & not make excuses
• Developing some group events on a smaller scale, without expectation for large numbers
• Talking with others about why not involved, the church and the individual families
• Carpooling! Hard to get here, so far away; joining a small group based on geography
• As an early church, so similar; how easy to get together and all go out together
• Discussed communities in general: school, political
• What is community of church? Many approach by who is like me? Who can be my BFF?
• Shift to learning to form relationships and learn to rely on one another, those not like us
• (Takes a recognition that God sees how folks might fit together below the surface)
• Delicate balance about being a small church community: scarcity
• Positive to be small: no option to sit, take and leave; must be involved or wouldn’t be

8:10 PM Budget
Brief presentation by Treasurer Mike Colyn; handed out RC budget
• Same story for past few years, since 2002
• Slight increase in giving locally, probably the highest yet (last year especially low)
• No single reason for giving changes: some new folks, some increased given
• Health care doubled in last few years
• Have spent nearly all of $10k of Classis PNW’s first phase of grant

Q&A
• Q: What is Sunday Set-up (category)? Why has it increased? A: Two people now vs. one.
• Q: Did we take $5k from savings? A: Yes, we used part of $20k from Ministry Coordinator funds

• ERIC: Several years ago, we were promised $80k from classis in ’97; when new church sponsored in Classis PNW, given this money for land to build. They held onto when we didn’t build, then gave to us. $10k released— we invested in chairs, etc, then asked for another $20k for Paul Belk’s part time position funding; since then, we “graduated” (attained “organized” status within Classis PNW), and were granted remaining $50k. It’s for whatever we deem appropriate. Our outside giving (non-member donors) is decreasing, and we should be growing local giving and sending it out. And an idea: we should start contributing to help support new local churches; ministry share determined by ratio--$56 per person. Council commitment to present giving from positive way; we approach our congregational giving not as an emergency or crisis. Remember the 50x50x50 formula (50 people, giving $50, 50 weeks a year), which amounts to $125k? Seems realistic. There is more giving potential at ER. Let’s adopt a biblical response to giving, a commandment.

• Q: What is currently in savings? A: $20-30K, plus recent $50k deposit
• Q: How do we keep going? A: Grants, have received checks from churches in years past
• Note: Appears we could continue for 5 years if we spent $15,000 over each year; We spent over budget $5k last year, meaning we have historically spent less than budgeted
• Q: What about sending to families (relatives of ER members who might donate to ER)? A: Netted about $5-6k beyond $18k single gift which we received last year, 2007/08

Mike called for a vote; Essentially, a vote to spend as we have in the past
• Road Crew voted to Pass the Budget as Mike presented it

8:40 PM Nominating Elders
Pastor Likkel gave a Brief Introduction to process, with handouts on the tables
• Ben Lappenga, David Anema, Suellen Yerger, will all continue as Elders through 2008/09
• Andrew Mullenix, Juliana Pope, Mark Nelson, Dan Ruiter will step down from office after having served a full two-year term; Dan Ruiter has served more than two double-year terms!
• Pastor Likkel thanked each outgoing Elder personally; brief prayer
• Potential Elder candidates listed and posted on Road Crew website, along w/details re: process
• Nominations due from RC members by 11/23; use white box, email, phone, etc.

8:55 PM Concluded with Prayer and Dismissed by 9PM

NOMINATING ELDERS

2008-10-30T14:44:00.000-07:00

Emmaus Road installed seven Elders to help shepherd the flock in 2006. Prior to this group's term, the Road Crew and Council updated our church's decision making process for nominating Elders. As the two-year term has ended, four of the Elders have chosen to step down from the office: Mark Nelson, Andrew Mullenix, Juliana Pope, and Dan Ruiter (who had already served terms prior to 2006!). We thank God for their service.

Time to pray and raise up three Elders to join the three who remain (keeping a ratio of approx. 1 Elder per 11 adults).

Calling (Roles/Goals) of Elders among Emmaus Road
• Meet regularly to pray for church, share updates
• Shepherd congregation through visitation, prayer, listening; seek to connect with members in the margins – ill, absent, lonely, confined
• Advise and inform Road Crew
• Encourage Deacons, other leaders, along w/Pastor
• Assist Pastor in calling and appointing leaders
• Receive/release Road Crew members
• For new Elders, two-year term (renewable for two consecutive terms – four years total)

Nomination/Ordination Process 2008/09

Pastor grants final approval/ordination after Road Crew nominates candidates to serve two-year terms from a pool of fellow members w/following qualifications:
• RC members of at least one year
• Active in small group
• Prayerful; student of Word
• Will not serve if married to another Elder nominee
• Not overly burdened by role as Deacon
• Ready to fulfill shepherding tasks, meet regularly w/Elders to share updates, pray
• Meet biblical requirements: 1 Timothy 3:1-12; 5:17; Titus 1:6-9 provide a non-exhaustive list of biblical qualifications for those recognized as Elders in the church

Oct 30 Road Crew honors outgoing Elders; Pastor publishes list of potential Elders (Road Crew mtg. and via email)
Nov 23 Each Road Crew member has nominated three individuals (via white box or email)
December 1 Pastor tallies nominations; speaks to candidates; narrows number down to three
January 22 Pastor ordains incoming Elders

Eligible Road Crew members
Members one or more years, active in small group, not serving as Elder within last year; not married to current Elder

Jon-Paul Benoit Aug-07
Sarah Byrd Apr-02
Ryan Engel Jun-07
Kristin Engel Jun-07
Anna-Marie Chainus Jun-02
Beth De Vries Apr-97
Biff Gaitan Jun-05
Chandra Mullenix Apr-05
Kurt Munson Jan-08
Christina Nelson Apr-02
Angie R Jan-02
Mark R Jan-02
Reba Ruiter Feb-00
Cynthia Tanis Apr-01
Dan Vos Feb-01
Jason Wood Nov-04

1. select three individuals
2. place choices in white box through November 23 or email Pastor Eric Likkel (eric@emmausroad.net)

ROAD CREW AGENDA - OCTOBER 30, 2008

2008-09-20T16:05:00.000-07:00

Goals of Meeting:
1. Welcome New Members
2. Discuss Community
3. Approve Budget
4. Elder Nominations – begin process
5. Pray
__________________________________________________________________

7:00 PM Arrive

7:10 PM Worship/pray

7:20 PM Welcome New Members

7:40 PM Emmaus Road: Making Trail Mix
• Brief presentation
• Table Talk
• Reflect

8:10 PM Budget
• Brief presentation
• Q&A
• Vote

8:40 PM Nominating Elders
• Brief Introduction to process
• Current challenges, proposals
• Next steps

8:55 PM Concluding Prayer
• Table Prayers

9:00 PM Sing Old 100th; Dismiss

WEEKLY ATTENDANCE

2008-09-09T12:14:00.000-07:00

PURPOSE/IDENTITY STATEMENT: FINAL DRAFT WITH ROAD CREW

2008-08-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the full text approved by the Road Crew, August 28, 2008, including the parts that are meant to be a "deeper explanation" which will pop up as people scroll over the basic lines (see the meeting minutes for details):

EMMAUS ROAD: WHO ARE WE? WHY DO WE EXIST?

EMMAUS ROAD: NAME & STORY
from Luke 24:13-35.
The resurrected Lord who walks alongside us
reveals himself and we discover him

CHURCH BEYOND SUNDAY: our MOTTO
We experience the fullness of God in both Gathering and Going.
In the worship gathering
of fellowship, Word,
prayer, sacrament, and song,
we experience God together.

Sent beyond the weekly gathering,
we are led by the Spirit,
to walk alongside others,
listening and telling our stories.

EMMAUS ROAD IN BELLTOWN,

EMMAUS ROAD AROUND THE SOUND
our Call and Mission

As a congregation
spread around the Sound,
we support and equip one another
to join with the "Word made flesh"
in our homes and communities.
Gifts of the Spirit empower us where we live, work, and play.
We are called to love and serve our families,
passing the faith along to our next generation.
We are called to walk alongside neighbors in relationship,
enjoying mutual hospitality.
We are called to look for the reality of God in all life’s routines and activities
We are called to be creators, above and beyond consumers.

As a congregation
which gathers and grows in Belltown,
we are called together
to join with the "Word made flesh"
among the people
in our church's neighborhood of gathering.
We seek to reconcile Tower and Street cultures,
to plant seeds and cultivate new life with our neighbors.
We envision community development,
in partnership, service, art, and industry.
We accept the role of Christ’s body serving the world,
embracing grace,
sharing Good News of Christ by word,
and demonstrating Good News of Christ in deed.

ROAD CREW MINUTES, AUGUST 28, 2008

2008-08-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

Hello Road Crew. Thanks to those who came out last night to New Horizons for our late summer Road Crew meeting, especially you busy moms with bunches of kids! Here are notes from the meeting.

We welcomed Everett McCullough as a new member, benefiting from his testimony and story of how God has been speaking and breathing new life into him.

We spent time looking at the proposed Purpose/Identity statement, the updated version of our Name/Story, our Motto, and a summary of our Call and Mission. Prior to last night's Road Crew meeting, your Council had carefully worked through five drafts. Several folks offered helpful feedback and insight, and we made a few adjustments before approving the update which you can read here...

The hope of this particular project is for members to find these short statements helpful in grasping how Emmaus Road approaches the Great Commandment and Great Commission, in our particular time, place, reflecting the crowd God has brought together. While the Church's call and mission are clearly expressed in Scripture, we aren't trying to better the Bible in stating who we are and why our church exists; our statements are meant to be local expressions of how we follow the Word. We discussed the importance of linking our statements back to the foundational, biblical statements, communicating how Emmaus Road stands in the historical stream of orthodoxy.

We also touched on the duality of our Call and Mission - a regional identity as well as a neighborhood identity. One of the phrases used - the "Word made flesh" - was discussed, as to it's clarity. We wondered if it is too insider, too churchy or christianise. In the end, we decided to keep this phrase from the Gospel of John, as a possible launching point for a conversation about incarnational ministry, both in our daily lives "around the Sound" as well as our church's somewhat institutional role, taking an incarnational form, in our "neighborhood of gathering."

Pastor Likkel will be gradually entering the new statements onto the main web page; some of it has been updated already today.

Two "Green Space" initiatives in Belltown were presented, examples of our congregation functioning as "Spark Plugs" or "Glue" in the context of community development. See the "Spark Plugs and Glue" article from December '07 here, and read the article about these two specific ideas here.

Pastor Likkel mentioned topics to be addressed at our October 30 Road Crew meeting:

Leadership Changes, among Elders and Deacons; between now and then, the nomination process will be initiated; look for information in the next couple of weeks.
Community Health: how are you experiencing ministry TOGETHER? While we tend to view life as "me living my life," the countercultural call of the Gospel, the created order from the beginning, is that we view life as "our life". How is that being experienced by the people called Emmaus Road?
Budget: time for the annual approval of a new budget for the '08/09 ministry year; look for information this coming month in preparation for the October meeting, discussion, and vote.

The meeting ended as it began, with prayer.

Big thanks to Chandra, Nell, and Josiah, who watched our little ones during the meeting.

SPARK PLUGS AND GLUE: SOME FOLLOW-UP

2008-08-28T14:02:00.000-07:00

Back in December of '07, we published a short article about Emmaus Road functioning as SPARK PLUGS AND GLUE in our neighborhood. Later, at a spring retreat, we considered cultivating GREEN SPACE. It's time to follow-up! Here are a couple ideas:

THIRD/CEDAR OPEN HOUSE

Could Emmaus Road host an open house for the neighborhood? Not by ourselves, but in partnernship with New Horizons and Streetbean Espresso, we could spark some awareness and activity in our microhood. Here is an idea and a rough plan for accomplishing a relatively short-term project:

The Idea:

Hosting an OPEN HOUSE - Emmaus Road, New Horizons, and Streetbean Espresso - for the neighbors across the street at Mosler Lofts, as well as the Vermont Inn and some of the surrounding buildings.

The OPEN HOUSE event would accomplish several goals at once

share hospitality with Belltown neighbors
cast ministry vision and expose what we each do for and in our neighborhood
invite neighbors' participation in a variety of ways (future customers at Streebean, volunteers, etc.)

The Plan:

Form a group comprising a project leader, a person from each of the three ministries, to plan the event and lay out the next steps:

choose a date
publicize
line up music?
etc.

GROWING A GIVING GARDEN IN BELLTOWN

In South Lake Union, the Cascade P Patch brings neighbors together around growing vegetables and harvesting them to combat hunger among the local homeless. Could the same thing happen in Belltown? This is much more of a long-term project.

The Idea:
Gathering a coalition of "giving gardeners" in Belltown, from among the ministries and neighborhood residents, to grow and harvest vegetables, to be given away to local homeless. Could be a single-site or multi-site operation. The Giving Garden project could conceivably accomplish several goals:

feed the hungry
learn from and respond to "slow food" movement
develop community among neighbors from the towers as well as the streets

The Plan:

Find a project leader/recruiter who can form a Giving Gardeners team
Learn from the Cascade Giving Garden, the Belltown P Patch, or any other local/regional co-op type farms
Identify possible partners among the City agencies, Belltown Business Association, Belltown Community Council, and Belltown Covenant partners

GETTING ON THE SAME PAGE: WHO ARE WE? WHY DO WE EXIST?

2008-08-28T10:19:00.000-07:00

ROAD CREW, this is the updated version of Emmaus Road's statement of Purpose and Identity that your leadership Council has crafted. Pastor Likkel worked on several drafts with the Elders and Deacons over the last few months to come up with a statement which honors the original vision and mission as we understood it, but reflects how God has shaped us along the way. As a congregation, it's important for us to be "on the same page" with regards to our purpose.

Emmaus Road: our Name and Story
The Lord who walks alongside us reveals himself and we discover him.

Church Beyond Sunday: our Motto
We experience the fullness of God in both Gathering and Going.
In the worship gathering of fellowship, Word, sacrament, and song.
Going beyond the worship gathering, led by the Spirit,
we walk alongside others, listening and telling our stories.

Emmaus Road in Belltown;

Emmaus Road around the Sound:

our Call, our Mission

As a congregation spread around the Sound,
supporting and equipping one another

to join with the “Word made flesh”
in our homes and communities.
Sharing each other's gifts of the Spirit,

empowering us where we live, work, and play.
We are called to love and serve our families,
passing the faith along to our next generation.
Walking alongside neighbors in relationship,
enjoying mutual hospitality,

inviting into fellowship.
Looking for the reality of God in all life’s routines and activities,
called to be creators, above and beyond consumers.

As a congregation which gathers and grows in Belltown,
we are called together to join with the “Word made flesh”
among the people in our church’s neighborhood of gathering.
We seek to reconcile Tower and Street cultures,
to plant seeds and cultivate new life with our neighbors.
We envision community development in partnership,

through service, art, and industry.
We accept the role of Christ’s body serving the world,
embracing grace,
sharing Good News of Christ by word,
demonstrating Good News of Christ in deed.

AGENDA AUGUST 28, 2008

2008-08-20T18:23:00.000-07:00

7:00 PM Arrival

7:10 PM Worship/prayer

7:20 PM Welcome New Members

7:40 PM Emmaus Road: Purpose and Identity Statements
Brief presentation/explanation; Q & A

8:00 PM Vote to Adopt/Reject updated version of Statements

8:05 PM Green Space; Follow-up plans

8:20 PM Looking to October
Leadership Changes
Community Health
Budget

8:40 PM Worship/prayer

9:00 PM Dismissal

GROWTH IN GIVING: IDEAS

2008-01-30T02:22:00.000-08:00

Road Crew, how would you like to pursue Growth in Giving as a church body?

See these ideas below and leave comments.

How do you feel about the following ideas?

Expose the White Box; instead of leaving it on the back table, featuring it further forward, near the announcement chalk boards on a pedestal up front; mention it during a combined time of Communal Greeting and Giving
Quarterly statements: publish individually
Sponsor the Children’s Ministry position
Program Tithing Testimonies; sharing from the heart how it feels to share from the wallet
Teaching: offerings are part of worship, a mark of discipleship
Regular monthly prayer and offering time with/without testimony
Encourage kids to regularly give; cultivating habits

BACKGROUND: The Stewardship Team met January 6, followed by the Council January 10. The Stewardship Team presented a somewhat surprising update to the Council, reporting both positive and negative aspects of Emmaus Road's finances. We were surprised to examine numbers more closely, thereby dispelling the “myth of Emmaus Road’s giving potential,” the self-image problem of a small and poor church that cannot handle a budget of more than $100k. By the end of the Council meeting, the Elders and Deacons resolved to encourage the church toward Growth in Giving. This is not due to a financial crisis (currently $38k in bank), but because offerings are part of worship, a mark of discipleship, and we discovered we are not anywhere close to the moderate, yet healthy level we should reach for. The Council also resolved to avoid "preaching-to-the-choir" Road Crew meetings, which are discouraging and ineffective. Rather, there were some ideas meant to inspire and foster Growth in Giving. The full meeting minutes are accessible and the list of ideas discussed can be viewed there.

ROAD CREW AGENDA - JANUARY 31, 2008

2008-01-30T01:32:00.000-08:00

Goals of Meeting:
1. Welcome New Members
2. Discuss Ministry Initiatives
3. Prayer

7:00pm Arrive. Mingle.
7:15 Welcome - Review meeting goals (above)
7:20 Reading. Prayer.
7:25 Receive new members

7:35 Presentation of Ministry Initiatives
• Spark Plugs & Glue
• 5th Sunday Greenspace
• Belltown Covenant
• Leadership possibilities

8:00 Growth in Giving: Stewardship Team Update
8:10 Open forum related to Growth in Giving plans
8:40 Vote: approve, reject, revise Jan-Aug. ’08 Budget
8:50 Prayer
9:00 DISMISS