NEW ELDERS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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):

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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!
6. 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.
7. 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

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.?