These gatherings are a chance to:


  • Hear and converse about what vision and themes have emerged so far


  • Share your own ideas and hopes


  • Offer feedback and help us discern our next priorities


We want your voice in this process!

You're Invited to a 

Summer Listening Session!


As we continue discerning where God is calling our church to grow, we want everyone to attend one Listening Session between June and September. Please join in the conversation Sundays after worship on June 29, July 13 or August 24.






“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