Approved Five-Year Strategic Plan

Dear Friends,

Over the past three years, members of Church of Our Redeemer have come together to reflect, listen, pray, and discern the future God is calling us to build together. That work has resulted in an important milestone: at its October meeting, the Vestry approved our Five-Year Strategic Plan and, in a separate vote, a new Parish Lay Ministry Structure.

We are grateful to the Redeemer Strategic Planning Team (RSPT) and the Vision Planning Groups (VPGs) for the thoughtful, dedicated work that brought us to this point. Their efforts helped us listen to one another, build on the strengths of our parish, and identify the opportunities and challenges before us. We are especially grateful to everyone who shared their experiences, hopes, and ideas along the way.

Our strategic plan is rooted in our mission and vision and organized around five priorities. Together, they call us to deepen our welcome, strengthen our social action and justice work, invigorate formation for all ages, care for and renew our worship spaces, and build a stronger culture of parish life and pastoral care.

But approving the plan is not the finish line. It is the beginning.

A plan only becomes meaningful when we bring it to life through our prayers, gifts, time, relationships, and participation. The next five years will be a shared journey of turning our hopes into action—learning as we go, celebrating progress, and adapting when needed.

To help us do that work, the Vestry also approved a new way of organizing our lay ministries. Rather than relying primarily on traditional committees, the new structure brings related ministries together into four Ministry Hubs: Worship; Spiritual Growth; Community Care & Belonging; and Outreach, Mission & Social Justice. It also recognizes the important parish-wide support work of Finance, Property and Facilities, and Administration and Communications.

This approach is intended to keep our attention on the ministry itself: the people we serve, the relationships we build, and the work that needs to be done. Some existing ministries will continue as they are; others may take the form of smaller task teams or time-limited project teams. The goal is not to lose valued ministries or the experience of those who have sustained them. It is to make it easier for people to contribute in meaningful ways, with a clear purpose and a manageable commitment.

Please join us for a parish forum on Sunday, November 8, immediately following the service in the Great Hall.

We will introduce the five-year strategic plan, explain the new Ministry Hub structure, and talk about how we will begin putting both into action. We will also have time for your questions, thoughts, and ideas.

Before the forum, we invite you to read the approved Five-Year Strategic Plan. As you read, consider this question: What ministry, activity, or project might I be called to take part in as we move forward together? You do not need to have an answer before you come. We hope the conversation will help you imagine the possibilities.

This is an opportunity for all of us—not just Vestry members or existing ministry leaders—to help shape the next chapter of Redeemer. Whether you have been involved for many years or are newer to our community, there is a place for you in this work.

Rooted in God's love, let us reach up, reach in, and reach out together.

With gratitude and hope,

The Rev. Megan Holding
Rector

Bethany Friesner
Senior Warden

Charles Hornig
Junior Warden