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August Update from Strategic Planning Committee
Dear Parishioners:
As reported in our June update, the Strategic Planning Committee, working together with our consultant Rev. Elise Brown of the Kairos Foundation, commenced a mission and visioning exercise at the beginning of this Summer with the goal of updating St. Peter’s mission statement and creating a set of “shared values.” It has been literally decades since St. Peter’s mission statement was created and many of the Committee members and Vestry members working on the project were hard pressed to remember what it said. It was high time for a fresh look at St. Peter’s aspirations and goals and a critical first step toward creating a plan because the new mission statement and shared values will serve as the guide posts in the decision making yet to come. Over the course of a number of brainstorming sessions, sub-group drafting sessions and a joint drafting session with the Vestry, the Committee drafted a new mission statement and a statement of shared values and the Vestry voted to adopt these statements at its August meeting.
The statements reflect the valuable information collected from parishioners through the surveys and interviews conducted by Rev. Brown, during the “Listening” phase of our strategic planning process. In addition, the Committee attended a training session on creating effective mission and values statements, which was led by an expert from the Kairos Foundation. It was difficult task to narrow the many special qualities that describe and define St. Peter’s and to articulate our diverse hopes and aspirations, but it is our genuine hope that you will see your own vision of St. Peter’s reflected within these statements.
Mission Statement
To build a welcoming, joyful community, transforming lives by serving God, one another, and those in need with love and acceptance.
Statement of Shared Values
At St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, we strive to live our faith through these shared values:
Love – Loving God and practicing kindness toward our neighbors and ourselves.
Inspiration – Offering engaging, uplifting, and thought-provoking worship and music.
Generosity – Sharing our gifts through service and giving.
Hospitality – Welcoming all with genuine warmth and compassion.
Community – Forming a close-knit congregation where people of all ages and backgrounds connect and grow together in faith.
Tag Line (for external communications)
Welcoming all. Transforming lives. Growing together.
Next Steps
The Committee and Vestry are now focused on creating a plan to address what we have been referring to as our “Five Emerging Priorities,” which include plans to:
- Grow and strengthen the Congregation;
- Increase St. Peter’s visibility in Weston and surrounding community;
- Position St. Peter’s as a Mission Center – An outreach station in Weston and the surrounding community;
- Focus on children, youth and family ministries; and
- Develop a realistic financial plan to reach a sustainable balanced budget that supports these priorities and St. Peter’s programs.
In September, the Committee will meet again to review demographic data provided through the Joshua Group and to review draft financial models. We look forward to updating the Parish again toward the end of September! In the meantime, if you have questions regarding this report or the strategic planning process, please do not hesitate to reach out to Rev. George or any of the committee members.
Very Truly Yours,
The Strategic Planning Committee
Rev. Elise Brown
Rev. George Stevens
Ann O’Rourke, Chair
Michael Iacono, Warden
John Jacobs, Warden
Lynn Maruskin
Karen Montague
Anne Ruggles
Scott Westvold
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