We had a meaningful second gathering on May 1. The questions for this session were designed to help us to delve deeper into the concerns that our members may be carrying into the future life of Grace Church.  The  group reponded thoughtfully and honestly; and what was shared reflected both the personal and corporate concerns and hopes of the group.

• Feeling bad/guilty about changing roles in ministry (when there already is a shortage of volunteers)
• Resentment (that church responsibilities inhibit personal growth/change)
• (Shortage of volunteers leads to feelings of being) stuck, trapped, (causing) drop-out
• (sadness that) roles (are) fixed
• (Experiences of) former pain (in church life causing current behaviors in) staying away from (active) ministry
• (Frustrations of having) ideas without (a structure to) support (or implement them)
• (A comment that there is such a thing as healthy guilt which) could be a positive (experience)
• (A comment that someone felt guilty for) not speaking up more (about the things that concern them)
• (A general comment that non-reflection on our feelings of guilt) causes us to be stuck in unhealthy (patterns)
• (Unhealthy comparison with) other "packed" churches
• (Anxiety that) we are responsible for the future of the church (and, particularly, our congregation)

• (Experience anxiety about letting go of current role/s in ministry as there is) no one to take up the reins (in our place)
• (Discomfort in the knowledge that welcoming in) new people will mean doing things in new ways
• (Creating hesitation to get involved for fear of becoming) trapped (in ministry/roles)
• (Apprehension that a) new model for ministry (means discovering) a different balance
• (Worry about) how (to move forward safely)
• (Stopped) asking for help (after) being turned down in the past
• (Distrust in) different perspectives (especially as we are) getting older
• (Distress about the emotional cost of) change
• (Anguish about the future) - will I be fed?
• (Question what kind of) Diocesan support (can we honestly expect)
• (Misgivings about) our role as a church in Martinez, Contra Costa County, and with other Episcopal churches
• (Qualms about how) new clergy seem to produce congregational crisis and (disenfranchisement or) disconnect (often with members leaving)
• (Concerns that we have become) too comfortable (which might inhibit our ability to move towards the future)
• (Doubts that the calling) process (is capable of producing a clergy/congregation) commitment into a life-time relationship
• (Concerns that the entire Episcopal) Church is dwindling
• (Concerns that we might be operating in a mode of) desperation
• (Concerns that as the church changes we might not as readily identify our) Christian (faith)

• To open up . . . (to God and others, so that we will) not be ruled by guilt or fear
• Relax, slow down, be patient, and listen . . . breathe
• (Engage in active listening by) giving our attention and presence (to one another, and really) "seeing them"
• Serve one another and the community more deeply (particularly by) listening and connecting (with our) membership
• See God in each other (and seek to) understand who they are in God's eyes
• Letting go of fear (in order to embrace) hope (and new) opportunities
• Make time for people (versus stuff)
• Grow (by inviting those on the edges into an expanding) middle
• Enjoy the "passing of the peace"