Valerie's View - Growth. It can be hard to see sometimes.

I’m not talking about numbers. That’s too obvious. I’m talking about the development of a growth mindset.

If you’ve been paying attention over the last few years, the synod has made some extensive changes and now we’re experiencing growth. Growth in our understanding of purpose, in our openness to try new things, and in our relationships and spirit.

The last few weeks have been telling. The synod had a called Special Meeting to consider a recommendation for increasing per capita. See, the synod has had $1.50 per capita for 10 years with no changes. The world, and prices, have changed in the last 10 years and so has the synod. The support for this recommendation was abundant from those who are familiar with what’s happening.

We are going to try some things. Everything won’t be applicable to everyone or even every presbytery. Some things will fail for some and be effective for others. Ministry in a region such as this is not one-size-fits all. We will keep working to embody, cultivate, and inspire leaders and impactful ministry!

Since it is hard to see if you’re not directly involved or, if you can’t see my “To-Do” list, here are some things currently being worked on:

·      COM/CPM Training

·      Church Insurance solutions

·      Policy Writing Roundtable

·      Developing and supporting seedling networks

·      GA Commissioner training

·      Embody Leader Formation Cohort

·      Development of a Youth & Youth Adult grant

·      Financial sustainability of mid-councils

If you have ideas OR, if you’d like to be part of seeing these things happen, email me valerie@synodsa.org.

I pray that we can all see the benefits of a growth mindset and the limitations of the fixed, for ourselves and the Church.

Peace-

Valerie

Here’s where you might find me in the coming weeks:

Sept 11        African American Pastors & Educators Retreat, St. Simon’s Island, GA

Sept 13-21   Vacation

Sept 16        Wonderful Women Mid Council Leaders via Zoom

Sept 24        Stated Clerks Gathering via Zoom

Sept 24. EP Gathering via Zoom

Sept 25        Inspire Committee via Zoom

Sept 27        Training for administering the Sacraments, St. Augustine Presbytery

Sept 28        Preaching, Arlington Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, FL

Sept 29        Georgia Ps via Zoom

Oct 1           SACK Lunch via Zoom

Oct 2           Embody Committee via Zoom

Oct 7           Coordinating Committee via Zoom

Oct 9           GA Funding Model Development Team via Zoom

Oct 13         Cultivate Committee via Zoom

Oct 15         Synod Exec forum via Zoom

Oct 16         Synod Task Force on Insurance via Zoom

Oct 17-19    Synod PW Conference, St. Simon’s Island, GA