17 Apr 2nd Quarter Planning Meeting-Youth Focus
Our church’s quarterly planning meeting was held on Saturday, April 17. Youth group plans and activities were the intended focus of this well-attended meeting. This topic – and several others – were discussed.
Update on Projects
Jerry Swilley began the meeting with an update on projects that have recently been completed or are already underway.
- Baptistry repairs, which were started in the past quarter, have now been completed.
- The project to update the front entrances to ADA compliance has been delayed, but is still considered a vital and needed improvement to our facility, and will be completed.
- Meetings were held regarding hosting of an online Ladies Day, but after much discussion and consideration, this event will not be held.
- Several volunteers have stepped forward so that we can now provide parents with an attended nursery on Sunday mornings.
- Vacation Bible School (VBS) was considered, but due to ongoing COVID concerns, will not be held this year. Plans will be made for having VBS in 2022.
- Minister Tim Spivy has had discussions with ministers from other nearby congregations for a “Summer Series” exchange, where ministers from 3 or 4 congregations would rotate between churches.
- Plans to invite choruses from Christian colleges to perform have also been shelved for 2021. Tim spoke with a couple colleges, and was told that they are not doing any such events in 2021. They will resume touring in 2022, but they are not yet scheduling events for next year.
- The Safety and Security Team, headed by Nate Smith, is now active. Some of their procedures were discussed.
- Pete Farley gave an update on small groups. Small groups have been well-received with lots of involvement and participation. The current small groups are rapidly becoming large groups, therefore, expanding the number of groups will be necessary in the coming weeks and months.
- Attendance for our Wednesday night “Power Hour” continues to gradually increase. Jim Meredith will continue his series on singing for the next 2 weeks, focused on recommendations received from a singing survey. Tim will resume teaching in May.
- The new website is online at highsprings.church. Jim discussed the website’s objectives, focus, and the information available on the member area of the website.
Post-COVID Return to Normal
As COVID is still a concern for many, Jerry discussed the ongoing effort to make the right decisions with regard to returning to normal classes and activities. While not yet a certainty, it is believed that the church may be able to restart Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes by the first of June.
In order to make this happen, our shepherds need names of those who are teachers, or willing to be teachers. The shepherds will meet with this group to discuss concerns and availability of classroom supplies (our suppliers, 21st Century and Gospel Advocate, are still not back to full production). Our objective is to make preparations now, so that full Sunday and Wednesday Bible classes can be restarted as soon as possible.
Youth Program
Nate and Molly Smith have been hosting events and devotionals for our youth group. A youth service project is in the plans. Molly mentioned that their efforts involve setting-up volunteer or service projects interspersed with fun events to avoid burnout. Molly also discussed plans that she and Nate are developing for training of young men and women on their roles and leadership in the church. Other items involving the youth group that were discussed:
- After a 2 year absence (due to a hurricane in 2019 and COVID in 2020), the SonQuest youth rally is back on for September 2021. Our youth group will attend.
- Florida Bible Camp will be having camp sessions this summer. More information about this will be provided in a separate article on this website.
- The suggestion was made for a near-the-front row of seats to be marked for the youth group to sit together. This was approved; the 3rd row will be marked.
- Gloria Doty discussed get-togethers for youth between 3 – 4 area congregations. This worked well in a congregation where they ministered in the past.
- Warren Buck brought forward the idea of scheduling competitive activities like softball games between area congregations.
- Adding a youth & family minister has been on the church’s priority list for the past few years. There was a lot of discussion on this topic; the shepherds will bring forward more information about this at the next quarterly meeting.
Other Suggestions and Recommendations
- Warren mentioned several ideas on the topic of outreach. Invite a friend at least once a month; prayer sessions; more and better organization behind outreach. Jerry noted that the next quarterly meeting will be focused on the topic of outreach.
- Warren mentioned the High Spring church’s significant role in the establishment and operation of the Florida Bible Camp. This is a valued resource, and we should be utilizing FBC facilities more often for church activities.
- The addition of more shepherds (elders) is being considered. Tim will have 1 or 2 lessons on this topic on upcoming Sundays, and Jerry and Danny will solicit recommendations from the congregation on individuals to place into consideration for this role.
- Pete mentioned several initiatives that are currently being considered: a congregation leadership program called “Sentinel”… “Friendspeak”, an outreach program for those who are learning English as a second language, to assist them and form relationships through Bible… “Grief Share” to bring in those who are suffering due to loss of loved ones, abuse, or any struggles they may be facing.