PART I WHO ARE WE 1. Name and Location Trinity Ecumenical Parish ID # 30156 Moneta, Va 24121 Virginia Synod (9A) Rural Community Ecumenical Organization Organized in 1991 2. Contact Information 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta, VA 24121 US teptransition@gmail.com www.smltep.org 540-721-4330; fax 540-721-3882 Chairperson of Congregation Kathleen Greenan President, Parish Council 40 Lakemount Drive, Moneta, VA 24121 540-721-4095 Cell: 540-598-8951 teptransition@gmail.com Chairperson of Call or Search Committee Richard W. Cairns 26 Virginia Ave, Moneta, VA 24121 540-721-2278; Cell: 540-632-8571; Fax 540-721-2278 teptransition@gmail.com Language Spoken In the congregation English In the surrounding community English Spanish
Race/Ethnicity In Congregation: White/Caucasian 99% Other 1% Surrounding Community: White/Caucasian 93% African American 3.5% Hispanic 1.7% Asian 0.5% Congregation Gender Comparison: Male: 46% Female: 54% Age Distribution: 19 yrs or younger 11 % 20-34 6% 35-49 6% 50-65 24% over 65 53% Number of Paid Staff: Clergy - 1 Lay Rostered -0 Other Lay Professionals 3 (David, Aaron, Tami) Secretarial 2 Other-6 (Preschool) 3. Congregational Information Average Weekly Attendance 365 Average Attendance in Christian Education 50 Parish Type Ecumenical Distance members live from church facilities: ½ mile or less: <1% ½ 1 mile: 1% 96% 1 3 miles: 2% More than 3 miles: Community Type: Resort 4. Budget of the congregation Last Fiscal Year: 2015 Total Budget for last Fiscal Year: $961,683 Total Debt of Congregation at End of Last Fiscal Year: $1,092,484 Mission Support to the ELCA/Synod for Last Fiscal Year: $25,766 Total Savings, Reserves, Endowment at end of last Fiscal Year: $ 428,434
5. Trends in the Community Context of Congregation or Organization Characteristics. Write a description of your community in terms of socio-economic status, demographics, primary areas of employment and lifestyle. Trinity Ecumenical Parish is located in Franklin County, about 2 miles from the Bedford County line, and our church community serves both counties and beyond. As of 2012, the population within a 7.5 mile radius of Trinity Ecumenical Parish was 19,785. The population is projected to increase 1.78% per year from 2012 to 2017. The community population is highly dispersed. The community served by Trinity Ecumenical Parish cannot be easily described by traditional labels such as urban, suburban, small town or rural or by the community types enumerated in Part 1 of this Ministry Site Profile. Trinity Ecumenical Parish serves a growing community that sprung up around Smith Mountain Lake, a man-made lake completed in the mid-1960s. Those who live on the lake are primarily retirees from the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic region and Mid-West states. This segment of the community tends to be relatively affluent, talented and ready to engage in service. In the summer, vacationers flock to the community, and Trinity Ecumenical Parish welcomes quite a few vacationers who join us for worship. Many of them return year-after-year, and a portion ultimately retire to the community and make Trinity their church home. The area was booming economically during the 1980s until 2007, with rapid residential and commercial development that came to a halt during the recession. While economic recovery is underway, the housing industry lags national recovery trends because development focuses on retirement and vacation/resort home sectors. Nevertheless, area unemployment is about 1% below the national average. In addition to a core retirement population, the community continues to attract young professionals with families who desire the lake lifestyle. There remains, however, a significant segment of the population in the counties who are wage earners who barely make ends meet month-to-month. This part of the community lives away from the lake, and they provide workers in construction, manufacturing, service and retail. While the unemployment rate is relatively low, there's no shortage of families, singles, or elderly in need of outreach services such as are provided by Lake Christian Ministries, a coalition of volunteers and churches including Trinity Ecumenical Parish that provides a food bank, clothing, household goods & furniture, and emergency financial aid. Demographic 2012 Data 1 for a 7.5 mile radius of Trinity Ecumenical Parish reveals the following characteristics: The culture surrounding Trinity Ecumenical Parish is not racially or ethnically diverse: 93% Anglo, 3.5% African American, 1.7% Hispanic, 0.5% Asian and the rest are considered other. Hispanic and Asian populations are projected to grow considerably over the next 5 years while African American population is projected to decline. 1 Data provided by Precept COPYRIGHT PERCEPT GROUP, INC. Sources: Percepts, Claritas, Census Bureau(v09a1) and is current to 2012.
Generational cohorts in the community are higher than the national averages in the two top age categories: Silents (ages 70 to 90) make up 12.3% of the community compared to national average of 9.7%; Boomers (ages 52 to 69) are 33% compared to 21% nationally. The skew to Boomers and Silents is understandable because the lake area attracts retirees. The presence of an increasing number of Boomers has led to more sporadic worship attendance at Trinity. Membership at Trinity steadily increases by 5% annually while worship attendance rises nominally. Survivors (ages 34 to 51) in the community are 5% below the national average; Millennials (ages 13 to 33) are about 8% below the national average; and Gen Z (newborn to 12) are almost equal to that of the national average. The average age in the community is 45.4 versus the national 37.3. The average household income is $69,311, slightly above the national average of $66,670. According to another set of demographic data, 88.29% of families are above the poverty line and 11.71% below. These percentages track very closely to national averages. 2 Context. List three ways the community in which you are located has been challenged by change and transition in the last three to five years. A. Like so many American communities, the Great Recession caused ripples throughout our community that continue to this day to impact all segments--particularly the most vulnerable. As the result of recession, residential construction is down from the feverish growth of the 1990s to 2007. Understandably, unemployment is up in the construction sector and overall wages seem to be down. As government at state and local levels felt the pinch of recession, government expenditures contracted while the need for support and services increased. B. The national trend toward an older population is exaggerated in the Smith Mountain Lake community, where thousands of retirees flocked beginning in the 1980s and continue to relocate to this day. Though many of these retirees are relatively affluent, as the population ages seniors compete for social services and support. At the same time, more and more seniors in our community have fallen into poverty and seek the assistance of an array of government services and church-sponsored ministries. The increased demand for elder support is expected to continue into the future. C. In spite of demographic data showing area poverty equal to the national average, those engaged in the community perceive that nagging poverty here was exacerbated by the recession and that it continues to plague to an even greater degree the non-lake segments of the community. During our visioning process, interviews with community leaders, including principals, developers, business leaders, literacy advocates, librarians, and outreach ministry leaders confirm that the cycle of poverty permeating parts of our community for years expanded in scope during the recession. Poverty impacts too many children, families and increasing numbers of seniors in the counties surrounding Smith Mountain Lake. The challenges are broad-based and include basic food security, literacy, school performance, graduation rates, family conflict, single parenthood, mentorship voids and in some cases, crime. Trends. List three changes or trends within the congregation or organization which have occurred in 2 The Nielsen Company, Prepared by ELCA Research and Evaluation, Office of the Presiding Bishop, February 2014..
the last three to five years. A. Growth in Children, Youth and Family Ministries: Although we find it challenging to attract young families to Trinity, we offer a unique faith community where diversity is welcome and authentic grassroots ministry prevails, including new community service projects attractive to younger cohorts who might intersect with us in ministry. Our visioning sessions reveal that parishioners strongly see children, youth and family ministry as a priority as we move forward. As a result, we added a staff position to direct ministry support for children, youth and families. Our new Director of Ministries to Children, Youth and Families is imminently qualified and richly experienced in these ministry areas. She has made significant contributions since taking charge in March 2016. Over the past decade, we ve seen our Youth Program, Trinity Preschool, Vacation Bible School and Nature Camp thrive as we share our life together in Christ. Our growth trend points to possibilities that include before and after school programs for children, Mothers Day Out, and mentorship programs for youth. Thanks to visionary planning and generous financial support, we completed in 2015 our second floor space that is now designated for youth and reconfigured a level dedicated to preschool. B. Expansion of Ministry to Seniors: Retirees continue to move to our lake community, and census data show significant community population growth in the coming decades particularly among Boomers who will continue to replace older parishioners who move away or pass away. We have experienced an increase in deaths in current years requiring considerable pastoral and end-of-life care for aging members. Many needs exist for this age group, including transportation, adult day care, and respite for caregivers. TEP members are invested in Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a community-wide, grass-roots effort designed to identify and address these issues. C. Desire to Expand Worship Experience: We recognize the need for developing alternative worshiping experiences offering opportunities to younger families that augment our current wellattended traditional Sunday services. Suggestions have ranged from adding an evening service offering relaxed, contemporary, non-traditional worship and music, to a focus on spirituality and a celebration of disciplines. Additional small group opportunities are emerging to satisfy congregation needs and desires. Programs. Describe your congregation's or organization's current programs for mission and ministry. Spirit-driven small group ministry abounds at Trinity and emerges at the grass-roots level where involvement and responsibility are sustained and renewed by new ideas and calls to ministry. Focusing on support, prayer, service and study, each of the more than 60 teams celebrates our mission and vision as a parish. All ministries at Trinity are organized by small groups and teams that emerge in response to a perceived need. Within the community context, our best recent examples of service ministry are represented by the following: Hunger/Poverty Action Group (a partnership with area churches) provides leadership to the congregation in studying local/global hunger and poverty issues and in planning appropriate action responses. New Tomorrows provides coaches/mentors to assist Lake Christian Ministries clients who need help out of poverty by addressing financial issues, job counseling needs, and family concerns. Neighbors Helping Neighbors is an expanding program conceived by Trinity parishioners and members of area churches that provides volunteer services and assistance to the elderly in an
effort to help them remain in their homes as long as possible. In addition, Trinity supports the following community activities with a legion of volunteers and/or financially. Bedford Christian Free Clinic Bedford Ride Discovery Shop (American Cancer Society) Franklin County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Franklin County Central Virginia Area Agency on Aging (CVAAA) Free Clinic of Franklin County Franklin County Helping Hands God s Provisions Heavenly Manna of Franklin County Lake Christian Ministries (partnership with area churches) SML Good Neighbors (partnership with area churches) Trinity also addresses global issues through the following ministries: Global Partners builds new partnerships that advance Trinity's global outreach and stewardship in the areas of emergency relief, development projects, education for global awareness and change. Global Partners coordinates and sustains ongoing partnerships in support of Godparents for Tanzania, Door of Hope Maasai Ministry, Fair Trade Coffee project, Hai Institute of Technology, Heifer International, Karatu Hunger Appeal, Discovery Safaris, and Alternative Christmas Tree. Scrappy Quilters is a quilt group organized to make quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Stewards of the Earth celebrates God s gift of the Earth by leading Trinity to help heal, restore, and protect it from the effects of man s habitation of the Earth. Trinity Preschool: Trinity is blessed to have a wonderful, accredited preschool program with highly skilled teachers who are in a classroom format that has a low student/teacher ratio. Many of the teachers and assistants are members of Trinity and are dedicated to the church s ministry and mission. Goals. If there is a strategic plan in place for the congregation or organization, what are the primary goals to which you are committed? Our parish council annually articulates goals and objectives that could be called a strategic plan, although that term is not used. Fundamentally, our planning is guided by our Vision and Mission Statements which provide that Trinity has been called...to show the world that followers of Jesus Christ can come together from many backgrounds, forming a faith community where diversity is accepted and differences are not allowed to divide us. We are loving, serving, learning and growing together as we fulfill our common calling to care for our neighbors, our community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Our parish council in annual retreat reviews the prior year's five-year plan and makes modifications and additions, all in furtherance of our Vision and Mission Statements. As part of our plans, we annually focus on specific needs, near and far. For example, the focus in 2015 was on food security, and this year it is on food security for children. We are implementing a number of initiatives that expand mission & ministry at Trinity Ecumenical Parish and beyond, including: newly expanded space for our youth programs, leadership and participation in Neighbors Helping Neighbors, additional community outreach, and focus on young families, the elderly and ethnic
diversity. Energy. What is your congregation or organization really excited about right now? During Jan-Mar 2015, we completed a multi-layered visioning process with strong, insightful participation of our parishioners. Excitement abounds as we look forward to adding an associate pastor to our highly talented and dedicated staff. The visioning process, while identifying multiple areas of interest, zeroed in on the following specific areas for immediate pursuit: support and expand our successful youth, family and children's programs; explore offering non-traditional worship and music experiences; increase support for the elderly; and expand our community and global outreach. It is recognized that while all of these pursuits are not immediately attainable, they do have unity of support from the congregation for building our future. Partnership. How does this congregation or organization see itself as a member and active participant in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the synod? Trinity is strongly committed to involvement at the synodical level of the ELCA. The Lutheran congregation consistently sends delegates to the annual Synod Assembly and is considered a strong partner within the synod. Our pastors participate in local conference gatherings and have a strong sense of collegiality with Lutheran clergy throughout the synod. Though the synod is not our only partner, we regularly and generously support synodical and church-wide ministries financially. Our Youth Group regularly participates in synodical youth events. One of our members is on the leadership team for the synod s Malaria Initiative. We have global partnerships with Lutheran congregations, ministries and schools in Tanzania. Our pastors have served on synodical ministry teams and have participated as presenters at synodical events. Since Trinity participates equally in three judicatories, our involvement will not be the same as a typical Lutheran congregation. However as evidenced above, we are highly committed to the ELCA in all of its expressions. PART II: OUR VISION FOR MISSION 6. Ministry Site Characteristics AS A COMMUNITY A LOT A LITTLE A LITTLE A LOT LIKE US LIKE US LIKE US LIKE US We tend to be formal & programmatic X We tend to be informal & spontaneous We have clearly defined goals & X We have no stated goals & plans plans for our future. We are racially & economically diverse. X We are demographically homogeneous. OUR LEADERSHIP STYLE We welcome ideas that are provoking X We prefer ideas that are tried & true and challenging
We rely on our leaders for directions X We rely on group decision-making We have learned how to use conflict X We tend to perceive conflict as constructively something destructive OUR PROGRAMMING Our facilities are often used by X Our facilities are only used for community groups our activities We train people to minister outside X We train people to minister our walls inside our walls We focus on ideas and beliefs X We focus on skills and action OUR THEOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE We are obviously Lutheran in identity and practice X We are less obvious about our Lutheran heritage We participate in synod and ELCA X We are not very active in the activities synod and ELCA We focus on Biblical studies X We focus on contemporary and doctrine issues and topics 7. Purposes, Giftedness, and Missions Purpose. How does this congregation or organization understand its reason for being in the light of God's call to mission and service? As followers of Jesus Christ, we, who are Trinity Ecumenical Parish, share one faith, one baptism, one Lord who is God and Father of us all. We are loving, serving, learning and growing together as we seek to be led by the guidance of God s Holy Spirit to fulfill our common calling to mission and service in caring for our neighbors, our community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. Giftedness. What are your gifts and resources for fulfilling this purpose? What are the congregation's or organization's top three assets and how are they being used? Are there obstacles that must be overcome to be able to use these gifts and accomplish the mission? Our gifts and assets today are a reflection and an extension of those woven into the fabric of our story. Trinity arose out of a Bible study of visionary Christians from three denominational faith traditions who, having studied the Bible together, believed they could worship together. With patience and persistence, they overcame obstacles and naysayers to establish an ecumenical parish sanctioned by three denominations. Our three denominations/congregations in covenant relationship since 1991 are a powerful witness of the principles we honor:
Unity out of diversity Strong sense of connectedness and community Tolerance and respect Service & support of community and beyond Openness to and welcoming of all Visionary and flexible planning Out of this history and these abiding principles, we are gifted to be: A. A Spirit-led Church. Our story teaches us to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and to remain true to our sense of unity, acceptance of diversity, commitment to ecumenism, and celebration of our three faith traditions. B. A Welcoming Church. We are a family of believers who respect and celebrate our differences, focus on our commonality, and treasure our faith traditions. We honor our differences as we welcome all the unchurched, those from different faith traditions, those who are Episcopalians, Lutherans, or Presbyterians, those of any ethnic background or race, and those of all ages. C. A Servant Church. Our grass-roots ministry has grown year after year as talented parishioners follow the calling of the Spirit to serve one another, the community and the world. This congregation is engaged in service. Our top three assets are: A. Diverse and talented parishioners. Parishioners from many backgrounds trust and respect one another and warmly welcome those who come to join us or to see who we are. A sense of community and connectedness is contagious. Congregants are talented, willing to follow the Spirit, and ready to serve. The result is over 60 small group ministry teams engaged in serving the church, the community and global needs. Lay leadership at Trinity is faithful and focused on supporting mission and ministry. B. Gifted pastors and staff. Trinity is blessed and has been blessed by enormously gifted pastors who proclaim faithfully the Word of God, support and encourage grass-roots ministry, deliver extensive pastoral care in partnership with an outstanding team, and who are accomplished teachers. The staff is similarly skilled and focused always on support of ministry. Trinity is blessed by a premier music ministry under the direction of a gifted and esteemed professional in partnership with a growing number of musically talented parishioners. C. Our financial strength and our building. Trinity has always been blessed by generous and faithful parishioners whose contributions reflect their commitment to mission and ministry. Over the past 10 years, giving units increased by over 5% annually while contributions increased by almost 6% annually. Our beautiful building was completed in 1997. After a major expansion in 2003, there is seating for 450 in the sanctuary and total space of about 30,000 square feet. In 2015 we finished off second floor space adding 3,000 square feet that was dedicated for our youth ministry. Throughout its existence, the facility has been in constant use by the parish as its center of worship, ministry and education. Additionally, as a ministry to our community, the building is made available and in high demand as an important venue for a variety for community activities. Obstacles. While no obstacles, per se, were identified during our recent ministry review and visioning, we discussed weaknesses and challenges, including: 1. Although diverse in denominational backgrounds and theological thinking, Trinity lacks ethnic, racial, age, and community diversity. 2. We are an aging congregation with all the attendant needs of the aging, and we have found it
challenging to attract young people and people with young families. 3. Our 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. worship services tend to create two groups of congregants who may be unfamiliar with one another. Mission. In light of the way you have described your ministry context in this Ministry site Profile, what are the top three mission priorities which, if accomplished, hold the most promise for the continued development of this ministry? A. Nurture existing and emerging ministries, with emphasis on our youth, children & family ministries. B. Expand ministry to the elderly beyond pastoral care, while continuing to deliver top quality pastoral care. C. Create new ways to reach out to the community and the world in Christ's name. 8. Summary Description Please describe your ministry setting and position opening in 75 words or less. This is the brief description that will be publicized. Trinity Ecumenical Parish, a thriving mission-oriented congregation composed of three denominations serving together, arose from a Bible study of Lutherans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians. We believe followers of Jesus Christ can come together from many backgrounds to form a faith community where diversity is accepted and differences don't divide. We seek an associate pastor to form a collaborative partnership with us as we fulfill our calling to serve neighbors, community and the world in Christ's name. 9. References Synodical Bishop Bishop James Mauney, Virginia Synod, e-mail: bishopmauney@vasynod.org Day phone: 540-375-3169 Evening Phone: 540-529-6894 Cell: 540-529-6894 Inside congregation Name: Mr. Don Fink Organization & title: Member, Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Ecumenical Parish e-mail: donfink@earthlink.net day phone 540-721-2904 evening phone 540-721-2904 cell phone fax
Outside congregation Name: Ms. Faith Dyer Organization & title: Former member, Trinity Lutheran Church, Trinity Ecumenical Parish e-mail fldyer@aol.com day phone 540-520-7363 evening phone 540-520-7363 cell phone 540-520-7363 fax Member of the ELCA Clergy Roster Name: Pastor Bob Ward Organization & title: Chaplain, Brandon Oaks e-mail day phone 540-776-2605 evening phone 540-562-0473 cell phone fax PART III: LEADERSHIP SKILLS 10. The Leader We Seek Roster Type: Ordained Clergy Language Proficiencies English/fluent Experience: 3-15 years 11. Top Five Ministry Tasks (selected by consensus from 40 choices) Ecumenical Work Preaching/worship Pastoral Care and Visitation Teaching Small Group Ministry 12. Gifts for Ministry Top Priority: Be active in ecumenical relationships Bring joy and good humor to relationships Be an effective communicator
Be able to share leadership and work in a team Be creative and innovative about his or her tasks Very Helpful: Help people develop their spiritual life Help others develop their leadership abilities and skills for ministry Be effective in working with children Be effective in working with youth Be an effective teacher 13. Mutual Expectations Please list the five primary areas of activity or focus that you wish your newly-called pastor to give special attention to during the first year of his or her ministry. A. Establish strong collegial partnership with Senior Pastor--as well as with staff, parish council and team leaders--in the full ministry of Trinity Ecumenical Parish. B. Lead worship, share preaching and teaching. C. Participate in providing quality pastoral care as a key partner in a pastoral care team made up of Senior Pastor, Parish Nurse, Lay Pastoral Assistant and twelve Stephen Ministers. D. Nurture all existing and emerging ministries in partnership with the Senior Pastor, staff and lay leaders. E. Bring innovative and creative skills to support expanding outreach in the community and beyond. Please list five ways the congregation will support the new pastor during the first year in order to help her or him accomplish these responsibilities. A. The congregation will enthusiastically welcome the associate pastor with celebration, support and prayer. B. Senior Pastor will mentor the associate pastor on all phases of ministry and develop a shared ministry plan with goals and objectives. C. The Senior Pastor and search team will devise a plan for associate pastor's integration into the life of the parish, including a worship service of installation, fellowship with the congregation, introduction to teams, informal gatherings with neighborhood groups, and establishment of healthy and strong staff relationships. D. The search team will meet regularly with the associate pastor as a ministry support team and
sounding board during the first year of ministry. E. The Senior Pastor will meet regularly with the associate pastor to exchange ideas, answer questions and provide feedback & suggestions. 14. Compensation Parsonage NO Social Security Tax Offset ½ SECA 15. Benefits Pension YES Medical YES Vacation Weeks 4 weeks Sabbatical Policy Under consideration Are Background checks required YES 16. Professional Expenses Auto/Travel reimbursement YES Professional Expense Account First Call Theological Education Continuing Education YES YES NO Comments: The cash compensation package is developed utilizing Episcopal, Lutheran, and Presbyterian compensation recommendations. Specific benefits such as medical and pension will meet requirements of the denomination of the called pastor. Salary will be adjusted for years of experience. 17. Other Supporting Resources Are you able to supply the following items, if requested? Mission and vision statements Printed history Strategic Plan: Goals & Objectives Budget Annual Report Position Description: Duties and Responsibilities Communications Piece (publicity, newsletter, etc) Y Y Y Y N Y Y PART IV: COMMENTARY You are encouraged to offer information or commentary that will help the reader appreciate the vision, opportunities, challenges, and nature of your ministry site. Use this opportunity to promote and commend your ministry possibilities. To see some examples, please click here. If your congregation is a part of
a Multiple-Point Parish, please click here. Trinity is unique. We know of no other three-denominational parish. Trinity was envisioned by Bible study participants who believed in unity and diversity in the body of Christ, and their ecumenical vision has been the reality at Trinity for almost 25 years. Ministry and mission are lived out in an exciting journey of faith in action at Trinity. We seek a pastor-partner in ministry who shares our respect for differing points of view, who rejoices in the unity of the cross, and whose energy, creativity and enthusiasm feeds personal and collaborative ministry. Trinity is blessed by rich theological diversity rarely found in one congregation. We don't expect onesize-fits-all approach to our theological views and encourage creative thinking and expression. We believe Trinity offers a unique church home for many because we do not expect conformity. Pastors of Trinity regularly walk with three different judicatories. They attend local gatherings of clergy, participate in formal judicatory meetings and participate fully in the life and ministry of each partner in ministry. Though our pastors have primary residence in the denomination of their ordination, they are viewed as full partners in ministry by all three judicatories and are given the rights and privileges thereof. Explore our website at www.smltep.org. 19. Discernment Process and Adoption Members of the Search Team, including the pastor, studied an uncompleted Ministry Site Profile (MSP). After full discussion, we adopted consensus responses to questions 6, 11, and 12. A writing team prepared responses to the other questions, and they were reviewed by the Search Team. After edits, a final draft was unanimously adopted and submitted to the Parish Council. After a briefing and discussions led by the chair of the Search Team, the Parish Council unanimously approved the MSP. 20. Call Process Contact Person Rich Cairns Chair, Search Team 540-721-2278 teptransition@gmail.com 21. Reference's Recommendation Name Pastor Bob Ward Email bward@vlhnet.org day phone 540-776-2605 evening phone 540-652-0473 cell fax