Holy Cross Lutheran Church

January-February // Team Groundwork

March // Prayer Emphasis & Congregational Survey

 April // Team Analysis

May // Sunday, May 4 Congregational Gathering

Summer // Formation of Vision & Strategic Plan

 Fall // Begin Implementing Next Steps

Our Navigation Team includes: Aeron Burns, Arne Diehl, Chris Irwin, Casey Mackert, Kristen Sloat, Sue Tarnovich, and Alex Wakefield. 

This team will be working in partnership with Pastor Anders and Ben Griffin (facilitator) to lead Holy Cross through this experience.

During worship, Aeron Burns (on behalf of the Navigation Team) shared an update on the initial steps of our Renew 2025 strategic planning process. The Navigation Team has met multiple times to begin laying the groundwork and setting a trajectory for this exciting journey.

Please check out the livestream to listen to the full update or catch the main points below.

Livestream (start at about 58:00)

Team’s Goal: To work with the congregation to develop a clear path for growth in our faith walk and Impact in our community.

How: We will collect feedback from the congregation and preschool through surveys, a large gathering, and conversations. Plus the Navigation Team will be meeting monthly.

Timing: Fall completion & roll-out.

Communication: Regularly via services, email, and website.

Outcome:  An updated Strategic Plan for ministry.

What’s next? We are starting in prayer! Grab a prayer card in the lobby and join in.

As shared during worship this morning, our Renew 2025 Congregational Survey has kicked off!

We want your input! The Navigation Team is asking for each individual (high school and older) who is a part of our worship community to take the survey. It is an important chance for you to share in the identifying of Holy Cross’ vision and strategy for the coming years.

Please find the survey link in the weekly email, weekend announcements, or a hard copy in the lobby. Or contact the church office.

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Plus mark your calendars for May 4 from 9am to noon (Kids Ministry/childcare will be available during the large group experience). It’ll be an incredible morning of worship, inspiration and vision. Be a part of this exciting step into our future ministry together!

Worship, Inspiration, and Vision

This Sunday was an inspirational morning of worship, celebrating community, and seeing God at work through all of us for His glory and our good. Thank you to all who participated and shared your voice. Our Navigation Team gained significant insight to further our work.

For those who were not with us and are curious what was missed, here is a brief snapshot of the morning. Please consider viewing the worship livestream and finding a few photos of the vision portion at www.facebook.com/holycrossnorthcanton

Gathering Synopsis

The Vision Event kicked off with a short introduction of the Navigation Team and an update on their work so far. Then we shared in a few experiences:

1)    We broke into groups to creatively discover some current perceptions of our congregation. Getting artistic, each group drew a boat to metaphorically describe Holy Cross. Groups showed off their life rafts, sailboats, cruise ships, waves, sharks, and much more, all giving insight into the heart and state of our church.

2)    Next, results of the recent survey were shared, highlighting significant takeaways and opportunities for further work by the Navigation Team. Especially around the ‘wet cement’ mission and vision statements, your input will shape continued revision and clarification efforts.

3)    Individuals were then asked to reflect and respond to the question: “If Holy Cross is thriving in 10 years, what’s happening? What does it feel like?” These were gathered and will be studied by the Team.

4)    Lastly, small groups were tasked with completing this sentence: Holy Cross exists to   (verb)   so that   (who)   in our community experience(s)   (what)  . These key words certainly spoke of compassion and care toward those who surround us and the need for all to know Jesus.

We hope this snapshot gives you a sense of the purpose and dreaming that was experienced on Sunday. It really was a wonderful morning of coming together to worship, celebrate ministry, and share in the future of Holy Cross. May God continue to lead us with clarity and boldness!