At the Church Conference held on June 29, we voted to adopt the Simplified, Accountable Structure. 26 church members were present who were able to vote and 24 votes were received. There were 21 votes to adopt the SAS and 3 votes against.
I am grateful to those who came to the meeting, asked some thoughtful questions, and helped to discern the will of God for our church. I am also grateful to Donna Sawhill, Jenine Furry, Pam Honeychurch, Mark Benjamin, Jim Canfield, and Laura Powell, who served on the Communications Team, worked diligently to understand this model, and helped to communicate it to others. Last, but certainly not least, I am grateful to Bill Utterback, Rosemary Herring, Kristine Swaney, Donna Sawhill, Warren Kinneer, Jim Hamilton, and Wilma Hamilton, who faithfully gathered monthly to pray us through this time of discernment.
What is next?
On August 19th, there will be a workshop led by Kay Kotan, co-author of Mission Possible: A Simple Structure for Missional Effectiveness, for those who are serious about living into this model. Any who wish to know more and attend are welcome to do so. Please let me know at pastor@sewickleyumc.org so I can add you to our group.
The nominations committee will begin to meet to do the work that has now been entrusted to us to do. We will nominate the slate of leaders for the Leadership Board, and they will be voted on at our Church Conference in the fall.
This new model will officially begin to be lived into on January 1, 2024. I am excited and feel some positive energy surrounding what lies ahead for us. I fully believe we have taken a step of faith and allowed God to guide us into something new. Though we don't yet fully understand it or know what will come from it, God does, and our trust is in our God. God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and we will follow that light one intentional movement at a time.
With gratitude for your trust and support as we walk together,
Pastor Hannah Loughman