This article is the first in a new series to share great ideas between our churches.
Do you have something new, creative, or simply logical that’s working well for your parish? If it’s working for you, it will probably work for others, too! Let’s create an “idea toolbox” full of great ways to do God’s work in the world!
Whether you have an idea to share or are looking for an idea, this toolbox is for you!
The Rev. Valori Mulvey Sherer was looking for ways to reorganize her congregation’s website to make sense of the mission and ministry at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves. She knew there was a lot happening, but it was all scattered. Nobody knew who was doing what.
So in an effort to bring some structure to their mission, Valori and a group of members came together and created The Four Pillars of Faith in Action.
The group started by writing down all their different outreach ministries and then organizing them by mission. They came up with four main “pillars,” with several individual ministries under each:
- Feeding and Caring
This pillar includes Emmanuel Food Center free pantry by the bus stop, Isaiah 58 Ministries, Brown Bag for Gateway 180, Peace Meal at St. John’s in Tower Grove, Webster-rock Hill Ministries, Camp SunSplash, International Overdose Awareness, and Christ Church Cathedral’s free pantry.
- Equity and Justice
This pillar includes the Black Lives Matter weekly vigil, Churches Together for Justice, Metropolitan Congregations United, Gun Violence Awareness, Greenwood Cemetery, LGBTQIA advocacy, MO Jobs for Justice refugee resettlement and immigration and affordable housing advocacy.
- Earth Love
This pillar includes the apple orchard, creation season learning, butterfly garden, coordinating Earth Day activities, creating a pollinator garden, work days to clean up leaves, tend to our property, and tree planting.
- Diocesan Work
This pillar includes programs that are sponsored by or organized through the Diocese and include Episcopal City Mission, United Thank Offering, Emery Washington Convocation, and the Diocese of Puerto Rico partnership.
Once the pillars were defined, they tapped two members to lead each of the four groups. These leaders meet to make plans for the year: what is their focus, what do they want to achieve, and how can get the money they need?
Valori said she’s had no trouble finding leaders. “People were much more willing to jump into a piece of what we were doing rather than trying to take on the whole ministry. The pillars gave them a way to stand with the church and understand how everything is part of the work of the church as a whole.”
Could this type of mission and ministry organization work for your parish? Check out Emmanuel's website to learn more.