A New Sunday School class in August: “Presbyterianism 101”
(or “Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Our Church – But Were Afraid To Ask”)
Beginning Sunday, August 6th, Pastor Mark will be teaching a four-week class on what it is to be a presbyterian, including:
- a brief history of our denomination – including why there are 10 different presbyterian denominations today;
- our governmental structure: the local church, the local presbytery, regional synod, and General Assembly;
- specific history of Heritage PC: October 1980 up to present day.
Sunday school meets in the Lodge’s library and begins at 9:15 AM.
All are welcome, encouraged, and invited to join us!
Congregational Survey Results
A few months ago, your Session began working on a new strategic plan for our church. In order to include everyone’s thoughts and dreams in this process, a congregational survey was sent out, which was completed by ¾ of this congregation, and the results were gathered and given to the Session.
As we continue working on that strategic plan, here are some of the results of the survey:
- 82% of respondents are current members of our church.
- 71% have been members for more than 7 years.
- 20% participate in worship via Zoom, 80% in person.
- About 20% of the respondents reported that they have fallen out of the habit of attending church since Covid.
- When people first began attending Heritage, there were a wide variety of reasons including a warm congregation, worship style, preaching, proximity to home, time of the service, and focus on Biblical teachings.
- Respondents are fairly divided over the possibility of changing the name of our church.
- Over 90 respondents addressed weaknesses of our church including: lack of young families and youth, limited opportunities for growth in the Heritage neighborhood, programs for specific groups including Sunday school for youth.
- 91% of respondents believe it is extremely or very important for us to grow the size of our congregation.
- More than half of respondents believe our church should aim to grow to 100-200 members.
- More than half of respondents believe we should continue meeting at the Lodge, while also pursuing a possible new location to lease or buy.
- If a new location is purchased, more than half of respondents believe we should have a small mortgage -or no mortgage at all (if possible).
- 2/3 of the respondents want a mix of traditional and contemporary music in our worship services.
- Overwhelmingly, respondents believe we should strive to grow with more emphasis on attracting young families, children, and youth.
TODAY:
Deacons’ Sunday
Sunday, July 30
Stump the Choir
Wednesday, August 2:
Choir rehearsal resumes: 7:00 PM in the Ballroom
Saturday, August 5:
Second Strategic Planning workshop for Session
@ home of Scott & Laura Hudson, 10 AM
Sunday, August 6:
Our Choir Returns!
Sunday School Class begins: Presbyterianism 101
Communion Sunday
Gold Bag Offering for Free the Captives