If you could draw a picture of McDougall United Church right now, what would it look like?  And w hat might look different in ten years? 

We invite your “word pictures” here on the blog, or if you’re REALLY technically proficient and know how to do it, you can even put in a graphic…

Well, folks, based on all of the feedback and conversations that have gone on for the past few months, and coming from a workshop on Saturday morning, January 30, here is our new (draft) mission statement — pending congregational approval: 

Seeking wholeness in Christ, sharing God’s love!

What do you think?   Does it fit McDougall, and embody the heart of the gospel?

WHat could McDougall do better than any other church?

What are some key words you think about, when you think about the teachings of Jesus and the life of McDougall?

What is the heart of what Jesus Christ teaches?  Is there a particular Biblical passage or story that reflects this?

The question this week is “why are we a congregation?  Why do we meet?”   So often, churches focus in on becoming a good church, and ensuring the future (so we think) by encouraging “young people” to come to church.  But why?  What’s a good church FOR?  Why are we a congregation in the first place? 

Let us know what you think!

If you could draw a picture of MUC right now, what would be in the picture?  And what would look different in 10 years?  What would you like to make sure is part of the picture in the future?  Feel free to describe the picture here, or to draw something and post a picture — or leave us a picture in the MVP folder in the mailboxes outside of the church office.  Happy imagining!

This conversation will, we hope, enable you to test your mission statement idea. Go ahead, give it a whirl! Write what you think would be a good mission statement for McDougall United Church, and tell us why. And if you read a good one, make a comment on it! Or if you think you can “tweak” one that’s suggested and make it better, go for it!

What we’re looking for is an “a-ha!” moment – a mission statement suggestion that really connects with the congregation. Let’s see if it happens here!

As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” (Luke 21: 1-4)

Sometimes the poor widow is held up as a fine example for us — she gave all she had. Some, on the other hand, understand Jesus as critical of the unreasonable demands of organized religion — “look, the temple is bleeding this poor widow dry!”

Whenever a church — or any organization for that matter — asks for donations or volunteer service, it is asking for something of importance. Be it a little or a lot, it is your time, your life, your resource.

What motivates you to give, in the context of the church? What makes it worth it (or what WOULD make it worth it) to give something of real significance?

Through this blog, you are invited to join the conversation we are having about the mission, vision and plan for McDougall United Church.  It doesn’t really matter if you feel you are an insider, member, guest, or visitor — we’d like to hear what you’re thinking.  In each post, we will try to start a conversation by asking a question.  We would like you to respond by adding your comments.  Please be respectful, but please also be honest — our aim here is to reach towards the depths as we try to discover where God is calling us now.  So please… join us in the conversation!  Join in our discernment!