Join us for the final Summer Listening Session

Sunday, August 24th,
30 minutes after worship 

in the Multipurpose Room

 

Let’s discuss how God is inspiring our community’s future together. Please review the Vision Priorities + packet in advance, if possible read the information below the photo.


What We’re Hearing So Far

Over the summer, more than 100 ideas and hopes have already been shared across two vibrant listening sessions on June 29th and July 13th. Here’s a glimpse of what’s rising to the surface:


▪ Community matters. You’ve named a desire for deeper relationships, partnerships, and connection across generations.

▪ Music and worship inspire. Many see creative expression as a core identity, calling for more diversity in music, youth involvement, and outdoor concerts.

▪ Support and healing are sacred. From mental health to trauma responsiveness, you want Love First to be a place of care and belonging.

▪ Environmental stewardship resonates. Our land is seen as a spiritual gift, ripe for gardens, trails, prayer, and connection.

▪ You’re ready for growth. Whether through learning, advocacy, or interfaith collaboration, many are ready to go deeper and bolder.


We’re listening and your voice matters. During Fall Stewardship season, we’ll share what we’ve learned and Ad Council will begin a Strategic Planning process this winter.


Questions?
Email Leslie Mulder (leslie@lesliemulder.com) or Lance Thielen (lsternberg88@gmail.com).

“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