Children, Youth and Family Staffing Update

and Listening Sessions:

 

Over the past six months, several members from Christiania have been part of a Discovery Team led by Nick Clark from InterServe Ministries. The purpose of this team was to discern and dream about the next chapter in our Children, Youth and Family (CYF) Ministry. After some prayerful exploration and information gathering from the congregation, they are ready to present a proposal for future staffing. 

 

The team is proposing that Christiania move forward to call a deacon. In the ELCA, deacons are consideredministers of word and service whereas pastors are ministers of word and sacrament. They both serve collaboratively, side by side and are called through the St. Paul Area Synod. The team is excited to present their proposal for a new innovative leader to join the Christiania family.

 

This new position will be important in the life of the entire congregation, not just children and youth. The CYF Discovery team will be holding listening sessions for the congregation where they will present their proposal, allowing for questions and feedback. The meetings will be focused on the following areas: 

 

• The process, findings, and recommendations

• What is a deacon and why this may be a good fit for Christiania

• How easy is it to find a deacon in our synod

• The core competencies desired in this position

• Christiania Budget impacts

 

The dates of these listening sessions are June 25th, July 9th, and July 23rd.  These sessions will be held following the 9:00 AM worship service. Online Zoom options will be available as well.

 

Since this is a synodical call, our constitution states that the congregation will need to vote by at least a two-thirds majority to make the call. On SUNDAY AUGUST 6, 2023, there will be a special congregational meeting right after worship. This is an exciting time for our congregation! Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this important vote and one of the listening sessions!

 

Click here to read the entire report of the CYF Discovery Team.