The group met Tuesday to make progress on the “Member Care” conversation. This grows out of the “Internal Needs” area of our diagram. At present, we are working on strengthening our response to internal needs, not because we are turning inward, but because we are aware that we cannot “love our neighbors as ourselves” unless we love ourselves, and self-love means self-care. If the Body of Christ is not internally healthy, then we have little to offer others. If we fail to “love one another as I have loved you,” then how can the world trust our words about God’s love for them?

The discussion included:

1. How do people get connected to the congregation (New folks, or those who have been here a while but are [or are feeling] disconnected/neglected)?
   
   1. We need to know people enough to know what they can and desire to do
      
   2. We need to invite people to participate
      
   3. Some of us need to be willing to initiate contact through phone calls and other connections. We recognize that not everyone is comfortable with this aspect.
      
   4. People need to be empowered to take responsibility for their own involvement
      

1. How will we care for the folks who are currently participating in the
   
   1. Coordination of meals in time of need – illness, bereavement, life crisis.
      
   2. Calling the congregation with time critical news – clarify what rises to the level of ‘time critical news’ and who needs what kind of contact – phone, email, text
      
   3. Prayer ministry expansion – begin the conversation and then spin it off to those who wish to develop it further
      
   4. Updates on participants so those providing/coordinating care have awareness of needs – this will involve coordination with clergy and elders
      
   5. Reaching out to people drifting away – again, how will we become aware of this? How frequently will this conversation happen and who will participate. Then, what are the follow-up options – who will contact and how
      

THE PLAN

WHO:     The Member Care committee – currently composed of TF (Chair), CK, KR & SS – and whoever they invite.

WHAT:     will meet to discuss and develop a plan for each of these items. They are encouraged to then share that plan with the elders and clergy for input and to see how they and others may be invited to participate in these plans.

WHEN:        Before July 10^th

FOLLOWUP:    Will provide an update in two weeks (6/19) to fgccdreamdiscoveryprocess@yahoogroups.com