Implementation Team Updates
October,2025
As you may recall, Session has tasked the Implementation Team to oversee and coordinate and the work of the 7 task forces working on implementing the Transformation Team’s proposal approved by Session in November, 2024. Our Team consists of Patrick, Ridgley, Doris Humphery, Jim Tiede and me. In continuation of the Implementation Team’s work with the Task Force Chairs, I want to share some updates from our October meeting last Sunday.
As Jim noted last month, the focus of our updates is to provide a high level overview of each Task Force’s efforts, with more detail to be provided in next week’s Weekly Update.
Administration and Organizational Life –has begun organizing the cleanout of certain areas within the Church and Carriage House, with the back storage room on the ground floor of the Church having been done and sights set on tackling some areas in the Carriage House. Also, the proposal from this Task Force to Session regarding optimizing the size of Session, Deacons and Trustees was presented to Session at its October meeting, and Session is continuing its review and consideration of their proposal at Session’s next meeting.
Marketing –has been working with the Church’s outside website designer to refresh the look and feel of our website. The Home Page and the Calendar portion of the website have been updated to make it easier to find information. We encourage everyone to check out those changes, and additional improvements are coming. In that connection, Session has spent a great deal of time and thought in developing revised Mission and Vision statements and Core Values, and the Marketing task force folks are diving in to translate those changes into branding and messaging on the website and social media. The goal is to roll out those branding and messaging changes at the Annual Congregation Meeting in January.
Enhancing Worship and Music –continues to work with Janet on diversifying the music offerings in the services. A new page for a “Music Playlist” has been added under the Resources tab on the Home Page. We are encouraging members and guests to click on the Music Playlist page and then click on the “online form” link to add any of your favorite songs that you enjoy and/or that inspire you. This playlist already has a number of selections from the Joy Messengers and other members (including yours truly). This task force is also working with Trustees to acquire one or two library type carts to hold the children’s worship items. Additionally, creation of a larger Livestream workspace area in the back of the West transept for the folks operating our live streaming has been approved and is being coordinated with the Facilities task force and Trustees.
Welcoming Ministry – has proposed, and the Implementation Team has agreed to move forward with, the installation of an awning above the rear entrance to Fellowship Hall to welcome members and visitors and new signage in the front of the Church along Berkley Road. The Welcoming Ministry task force will be coordinating with the Facilities task force and Trustees to get this done. The timing for implementation of each of those projects will likely be different, given installation activities needed for each. Also, this task force has worked on an inventory of new signage (both inside and outside) which will be coordinated with the branding work by the Marketing task force.
Outreach –continues to work on ideas for various outreach activities, and their proposal to address loneliness and anxiety in our community has been given to Session, and it is scheduled for consideration at its November meeting.
Facilities –has also begun working with Trustees on engaging a contractor to evaluate upgrades to the lighting in the sanctuary. Additionally, this task force is beginning the investigation of retaining an architect or design firm to help advise on a holistic review of the sanctuary and is working with other task forces in this review.
As always, we appreciate your interest in the task forces’ efforts. Again, be sure to look for a written summary in next week’s Weekly Update. Thank you.
Steve Scolari, on behalf of the Implementation Team
September 2025
Below is an update from the Implementation Team on the work of our seven Transformation Task Forces since April of this year. A brief update like this will be provided by the Implementation Team each month. The letters within the parentheses shows the task force(s) that have been discussing the various items. Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the Implementation Team if you have any questions.
Session has been working over the summer to craft a new mission statement—something that will guide much of the work of the task forces. We expect a final version in the next month or two.
Once this is complete, the Marketing & Publicity task force will move forward with a refreshed image for St. John’s, including a new color palette and updated printed materials. (MP)
Also on the communications front, we’re looking ahead to an updated website, a stronger social media presence, and new ways of reaching both church members and visitors. To support these growing efforts, the task forces anticipate recommending additional part-time staff to support marketing, technology and other related areas. (MP, WM, EWM)
Discussions are ongoing regarding changes to our physical space. Current proposals include an upgraded entrance to Fellowship Hall, creating a more welcoming flow from the parking lot into the church building. New outdoor signage, church information, and clear directional signs inside Fellowship Hall are also planned to help visitors feel at home. (WM, EWM, F)
Inside the sanctuary, flexible seating options and a resign of the altar area are being considered with the intent of making worship and other events more accessible for families, musicians, and those with disabilities. At the same time, changes to lighting, introduction of screens and other physical changes are also being considered for the sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. (EWM, F)
In September, Session will also review a proposal to optimize the size and structure of Session, Deacons, and Trustees, so that staff and volunteer resources can be used even more effectively. (AO)
Finally, outreach remains central to our mission. The Outreach task force has discussed new opportunities for mission trips, collaborations with other congregations, and programming designed to address loneliness and anxiety in our wider community.
These will be presented to Session in September. (OE) These are all steps that the Implementation Team is very excited about, and we look forward to sharing more with you in the months ahead.
Task Force Abbreviations:
AO – Administration & Organizational Life
EWM – Enhancing Worship & Music
F – Facilities
MP – Marketing & Publicity
OE – Outreach & Engagement
WM – Welcoming Ministry