A Peek Inside the Vision Team

Since the Visioning Event in April, we:

May: Reviewed data from the April 26 Vision and Priorities workshops to create (1) a list of sample vision statements and (2) a page of vision priorities

June: Held individual listening sessions with staff re: their visions and reactions to the congregational feedback; integrated insights from youth to create “Vision Priorities Plus” packet


Now: Preparing for Summer Listening Sessions after worship on June 29, July 13, and August 24, where we’ll share what we’ve heard so far and gather your input.


Looking ahead to August–October, we’ll:

• Meet with staff and Ad Council to preview the Strategic Planning phase

• Combine findings from all listening sessions

• Share key insights with the congregation during the Fall Stewardship 

   season


Are you curious about helping shape the Winter 2026 phase of strategic and operational planning? Reach out to Leah Rosso or Lance Thielen (lrosso@fumcscr.org, lsternberg88@gmail.com) to learn more.


We aim to continue to bring the congregation and key partners into prayerful, honest conversation as we discern where God is leading us. Thank you for your prayers, insights, and presence. We look forward to seeing you at a Summer Listening Session!


Thanks! - Your Vision Team

Dory Dahlberg, Gene Danneman, Janet Ruth, Janet Satern, Vas Littlecrow Wojtanowicz, Leah Rosso (Lead Pastor), Lance Thielen (Chair, Ad Council), and Leslie Mulder (Consultant)

“What are the key priorities & ideas that will shape the future of Love First UMC?”

Spirit-Led



  • Embracing uncertainty in community
  • Contemplative service & prayer
  • Continue to connect Trauma Responsive work to our spirituality

Music



  • Diversify music group offerings
  • Include youth and children in music, service

Nature



  • Develop trails/trailhead to be another path to FUMC
  • Native prairie as community park
  • Community gardens
  • Building nature programming- spirituality center, pre-school, retreats
  • Promote United Methodist camping

Operations &

Systems

  • Funding Infrastructure
  • Funding Miracles 
  • Master Planning for lands & building
  • Centralized directory for volunteer opportunities and groups
  • Activities message board
  • AI translations for the live stream
  • Videotape church folks- preserve institutional memory

Connection to Community



  • Larger community presence- events, bringing others in
  • Build community event (festival) with music
  • Mission experiences - local & distant
  • Queer Prom
  • Becoming brave advocates of values & beliefs
  • Continue practicing welcoming all denominations, the unchurched, and everyone
  • Leverage reconciling model to welcome other groups
  • Research to support legal immigration and a loving way to deal with illegal immigration
  • Outreach to immigrant communities for collaborative social justice
  • Identify a way to support an immigrating family

Welcome, Connection, & Support

  • Expand welcoming and church community integration rituals
  • Customized onboarding- connect people to passions
  • Intergenerational pairing opportunities- project/fun/learn
  • Known as safe space for marginalized groups/individuals
  • Men’s social activities - life skills education
  • Physical activity groups
  • High top tables- points of connection
  • Balancing safety with welcoming & diversity

Learning & Development



  • Volunteer expansion & development
  • Spiritual Foundation learning plan
  • Leadership development opportunities for all ages
  • Adult growth- learning sessions, on-going groups
  • Intentional trainings around healthy conflict & inclusion skills
  • Realm Training